---Registration Deadlines Extended---
Washington, DC (JBANC) --- Michigan Congressman Thaddeus McCotter (R-MI 11) has announced plans to participate in the Joint Baltic American National Committee, Inc. (JBANC) sixth biennial Baltic conference on March 3-5, 2005 in Washington, DC. In a February 9 meeting with Rep. McCotter, a member of the House International Relations European Subcommittee, members of JBANC discussed the conference, the upcoming legislative agenda for the new 109th Congress and plans to reform the Congressional Caucus on Central Europe with Rep. Dan Lipinski (D-IL 3). McCotter is also a member of the House Baltic Caucus.
Attached photo (L to R) - Karl Altau (Managing Director, JBANC), Peteris Blumbergs (representative of American Latvian Association to JBANC), Rep. Thaddeus McCotter (R-MI 11), member of the House International Relations European Subcommittee, Andy Anuzis, Deputy Chief of Staff for Rep. McCotter and Lithuanian American Community National Board member, Dr. Ramunas Kondratas (JBANC chairman, and representative of Lithuanian American Council).
Other speakers confirmed or invited to participate in the Baltic conference include former Estonian Prime Minister Mart Laar, Latvian Economics Minister Krisjanis Karins, Vladimir Socor, Paul Goble, Keith Smith, Robert Nurick, Daila Kuodyte (Genocide and Resistance Research Center, Vilnius), Ambassador Juris Audarins, Tartu mayor Laine Jänes, Steve Herman (President of Maryland-Baltic European Council), and Laurynas Misevicius (Amerikos Lietuvis).
Friday, March 4 continues with a morning Lithuanian symposium at the Wyndham City Center hotel. An afternoon advocacy day on Capitol Hill ensues with visits to congressional offices. The afternoon concludes with a planned briefing by U.S. administration officials.
The Saturday, March 5 main conference at the Washington Marriott centers on “Baltic American Political Activity: A Vision for the Future” focusing on major issues and concerns for the Baltics in the post-NATO and EU enlargement era. Main topics and panels of the conference center on: the legacy of communism, democracy building beyond the Baltics, relations with Russia, transatlantic relations as well as NGO and governmental partnerships. The program will be updated on JBANC’s website: http://jbanc.org
The evening concludes with the U.S.-Baltic Foundation “A Baltic Celebration Gala Awards Dinner & Silent Auction” at the Ritz-Carlton hotel (1150 22nd St., NW). Former Estonian President Lennart Meri is the featured guest of honor at that event. JBANC is coordinating its conference with USBF. See the USBF webpage for more information: http://www.usbaltic.org
Early registration for the conference has been extended through Thursday, February 17. Early registration rates at the Washington Marriott conference venue are also extended through February 17 (at $159) and at the Wyndham City Center hotel through Monday, February 14 (at $129).
The basic JBANC conference registration fee is $75. Special discounted ticket packages for the conference and gala are available for $225 and $300 (see JBANC or USBF websites for more details).
The Joint Baltic American National Committee, Inc. represents the Estonian American National Council, Inc., the American Latvian Association, Inc. and the Lithuanian American Council, Inc.