The Waterbury Democrat., 1946-10-23
Prof. ALeksis Giuen HOnOrs At National Contention

Alexander J. AlekSis, leader of organizational activities at St. Jo- seph's parish, was elected national vice-president of the Lithuanian Catholic Federation at a national congress attended by 800 persons at the Hotel Pennsylvania in New York City, Sunday, Monday and yester- day.
 MT. Aleksis, who is president of the local Federation and of the Lithuanian National Relief Fund, Branch 2, served as chairman of the convention.
 The congress was one of two major events conducted within the week by Lithuanians from all parts of the country. A Relief Fund con- vention was held Friday and Sat urdayat the Hotel McAlpin in New York, with about 500 persons at tending.
 Local Delegation Attends
 About 100 residents of Waterbury attended the conferences. Arrange ments were made by the St. Joseph's parish organization for two buses for transportation of the delegates.
 Miss Marcelle Andrikis, also an officer of the local organizations, was named secretary of the Relief Fund convention, and also served on the resolutions committee for the congress.
 Mrs. Michael Devenis, represent ing local branch 10 of the Relief Fund, was named to the finance committee at the Relief Fund con- vention.
 Thomas Matas, representing Branch z, was renamed to the Board of Directors of teh Relief Fund organization.
 The closing of the congress was marked by Waterbury participants by a pilgrimage to the chapel of Mother Cabrini, where the group paid homage to the new saint, st.. ! Francis Xavier Cabrini. Rev. Joseph J. Valantiejus celebrated Mass at the chapel. A musical program was presented by MT. Aleksis, organist of the local Lithuanian Church, who rendered organ selections, and Miss Andrikis. soloist. Free Lithuania Urged Restoration of freedom to Lith- uan1a and the other suppressed na- tions of the world was the basis of the convention discussions and vari- ous aids were planned.
 Resolutions were adopted by the congress, calling for aid from Presi- dent Truman and Secretary Byrnes The group sent messages to the Apostolic delegate and to the Baltic Ministers.
 Other resolutions concerned such topics as; fundamentals of peace, the international refugee problem, treatment of displaced persons, mili- tary training, the United Nations and Atomic energy control, Baltic membership in the United Nations Commissions, persecution in Soviet dominated countries, Catholic &C., tion, economic freedom, war crimes trials, inter-racial collaboration for peace, Lithuanian relief, and Lith- uanian information.
 It was disclosed at the Relief Fund session that the 1947 budget calls for $525,000, with the quota for Connecticut set at $45,000.
 The Most Rev. Stephen J. Dona- hue, Auxiliary Bishop of New York was among the many clergy who participated at the Catholic con l gress. .-.-...-
 Senator Brewster Speaks
 Sen. Owen Brewster of Maine wal among the speakers at the Relic. Fund gathering.
 The resolution forwarded to Sec retary Byrnes called for immediate withdrawal of Soviet occupation armies from Lithuania and other Sovietized nations, and asked fol intercession of the Secretary o1 State in behalf of the suppressed nations.
 Official delegates of the loca, organizations were Father Valentie. jus, MT. Alexsis, Miss Andrikis. Mrs Nell Meskunas, Mrs. Stephanis Sapranas, Mrs. Anna Barkauskas Mrs. John Zailckas, MT Mates, Mrs Devenis, and Mrs. Mathew J. Col ney.