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 reso-
lution; 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 independ-
ence on February 24, 1918; Latvia declared independ-
ence on November 18, 1918; and Lithuania declared 
independence on February 16, 1918; 
Whereas, on July 28, 1922, the United States formally recog-
nized Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania as independent 
countries; 
Whereas Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania enjoyed two decades 
of national sovereignty until they were illegally and forc-
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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 oc-
cupied by Soviet forces until regaining independence in 
1991; 
Whereas the United States never recognized this illegal occu-
pation of sovereign states and, following the release of 
the Welles declaration on July 23, 1940, maintained con-
tinued 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 subse-
quent 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 institu-
tions 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— 
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 mili-
tary capabilities on North Atlantic Treaty Organiza-
tion’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. 
Æ 
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