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[Congressional Bills 115th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 826 Introduced in House (IH)]

<DOC>

115th CONGRESS
  2d Session
H. RES. 826

Noting the Baltic States of Estonia's, Latvia's, and Lithuania's 100th 
                      anniversary of independence.

_______________________________________________________________________

                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                             April 13, 2018

  Mr. Brown of Maryland (for himself, Ms. Stefanik, Mr. Gallego, Mr. 
     Shimkus, Mr. Moulton, and Mr. Schiff) submitted the following 
   resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION

 
Noting the Baltic States of Estonia's, Latvia's, and Lithuania's 100th 
                      anniversary of independence.

Whereas the Baltic people of Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania have a rich and 
        unique heritage and history;
Whereas after centuries of foreign domination and in the wake of the First World 
        War, Estonia declared independence on February 24, 1918; Latvia declared 
        independence on November 18, 1918; and Lithuania declared independence 
        on February 16, 1918;
Whereas, on July 28, 1922, the United States formally recognized Estonia, 
        Latvia, and Lithuania as independent countries;
Whereas Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania enjoyed two decades of national 
        sovereignty until they were illegally and forcibly incorporated into the 
        Soviet Union in 1940, invaded by Nazi Germany during the Second World 
        War, and occupied by Soviet forces until regaining independence in 1991;
Whereas the United States never recognized this illegal occupation of sovereign 
        states and, following the release of the Welles declaration on July 23, 
        1940, maintained continued diplomatic relations with the three Baltic 
        States, strengthened by consistent bipartisan support from the Congress;
Whereas the Baltic people, never losing sight of their pursuit for freedom, 
        played a prominent and leading role in the struggle for national 
        independence, civic rights, and democratic reform;
Whereas in the years following their declarations and subsequent restoration of 
        full independence, Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania have demonstrated a 
        lasting commitment to democracy, human rights, and the rule of law;
Whereas Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania actively participate in a range of 
        international organizations and promote further expansion and 
        development of European and trans-Atlantic political, economic, and 
        security institutions and arrangements;
Whereas Estonia's, Latvia's, and Lithuania's accession into the North Atlantic 
        Treaty Organization has contributed to European stability and security 
        cooperation, and serves as an effective bulwark against Russian 
        aggression in Eastern Europe; and
Whereas the United States has shown strong commitment to the continued 
        independence, sovereignty, integrity, and democratic development of the 
        countries that regained their independence after the collapse of the 
        Soviet Union: Now, therefore, be it--
    Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
            (1) notes Estonia's, Latvia's, and Lithuania's 100th 
        anniversary of independence, 27th anniversary of their 
        restoration of independence from the Soviet Union, and the 
        steadfast political, economic, social, and military progress 
        the Baltic States have since made;
            (2) reiterates the continued support of the House for the 
        European Deterrence Initiative as a means for enhancing 
        deterrence and increasing military capabilities on North 
        Atlantic Treaty Organization's eastern flank; and
            (3) calls on the President to continue building the close 
        and mutually beneficial political, economic, educational, 
        research, and security relations the United States has enjoyed 
        with Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania since regaining their 
        independence from the Soviet Union.
                                 <all>
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