IV 

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 forcVerDate Sep 11 2014 21:06 Apr 13, 2018 Jkt 079200 PO 00000 Frm 00001 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6300 E:\BILLS\HR826.IH HR826

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•HRES 826 IH 

ibly 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 


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•HRES 826 IH 

their independence after the collapse of the Soviet Union: 

Now, therefore, be it— 

1 Resolved, That the House of Representatives— 

2 (1) notes Estonia’s, Latvia’s, and Lithuania’s 

3 100th anniversary of independence, 27th anniversary 

4 of their restoration of independence from the Soviet 

5 Union, and the steadfast political, economic, social, 

6 and military progress the Baltic States have since 

7 made; 

8 (2) reiterates the continued support of the 

9 House for the European Deterrence Initiative as a 

10 means for enhancing deterrence and increasing mili11 tary capabilities on North Atlantic Treaty Organiza12 tion’s eastern flank; and 

13 (3) calls on the President to continue building 

14 the close and mutually beneficial political, economic, 

15 educational, research, and security relations the 

16 United States has enjoyed with Estonia, Latvia, and 

17 Lithuania since regaining their independence from 

18 the Soviet Union. 

Æ 


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