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[Congressional Bills 111th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. Res. 442 Agreed to Senate (ATS)]

111th CONGRESS
  2d Session
S. RES. 442

 Congratulating the people of the Republic of Lithuania on the Act of 
the Re-Establishment of the State of Lithuania, or Act of March 11, and 
               celebrating the rich history of Lithuania.

_______________________________________________________________________

                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

                             March 4, 2010

  Mr. Durbin (for himself, Mr. Cardin, Mr. Wicker, Mr. Lugar, and Mr. 
  Byrd) submitted the following resolution; which was considered and 
                               agreed to

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION

 
 Congratulating the people of the Republic of Lithuania on the Act of 
the Re-Establishment of the State of Lithuania, or Act of March 11, and 
               celebrating the rich history of Lithuania.

Whereas the name ``Lithuania'' first appeared in European records in the year 
        1009, when it was mentioned in the German manuscript ``Annals of 
        Quedlinburg'';
Whereas the February 16, 1918, Act of Independence of Lithuania led to the 
        establishment of Lithuania as a sovereign and democratic State;
Whereas, under the German-Soviet Treaty of Friendship, Cooperation and 
        Demarcation, on June 15, 1940, Lithuania was forcibly incorporated into 
        the Soviet Union in violation of pre-existing peace treaties;
Whereas, during 50 years of Soviet occupation of the Baltic States, Congress 
        strongly, consistently, and on a bipartisan basis refused to legally 
        recognize the incorporation of Latvia, Estonia, and Lithuania by the 
        Soviet Union;
Whereas, on March 11, 1990, the Republic of Lithuania was restored and Lithuania 
        became the first Soviet republic to declare independence;
Whereas, on September 2, 1991, the United States Government formally recognized 
        Lithuania as an independent and sovereign nation;
Whereas Lithuania has successfully developed into a free and democratic country, 
        with a free market economy and respect for the rule of law;
Whereas Lithuania is a full and responsible member of the United Nations, the 
        Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, the European Union, 
        and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization;
Whereas Lithuania assumed Presidency of the Community of Democracies in 
        September 2009, and will hold this position until 2011;
Whereas, in 2010, the United States Government and the Government of Lithuania 
        celebrated 88 years of continuous diplomatic relations;
Whereas the United States Government welcomes and appreciates efforts by the 
        Government of Lithuania to maintain international peace and stability in 
        Europe and around the world by contributing to international civilian 
        and military operations in Afghanistan, Iraq, Bosnia, Kosovo, and 
        Georgia; and
Whereas Lithuania is a strong and loyal ally of the United States, and the 
        people of Lithuania share common values with the people of the United 
        States: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved, That the Senate hereby--
            (1) congratulates the people of the Republic of Lithuania 
        on the occasion of the Act of the Re-Establishment of the State 
        of Lithuania;
            (2) commends the Government of Lithuania for its success in 
        implementing political and economic reforms, for establishing 
        political, religious, and economic freedom, and for its 
        commitment to human rights;
            (3) recognizes the close and enduring relationship between 
        the United States Government and the Government of Lithuania; 
        and
            (4) calls on the President to continue to build on the 
        close and mutually beneficial relations the United States has 
        enjoyed with Lithuania since the restoration of the full 
        independence of Lithuania.
                                 <all>
```