WASHINGTON, DC (JBANC) --- With this year’s Congressional session drawing to an end, passage of H.Con.Res.267 is more essential now than ever before. A significant number of Representatives have signed on as co-sponsors of the resolution, which supports the Baltic countries of Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania, but continued contact with Representatives is necessary to ensure that the bill is passed before Congress adjourns for the year.

While 27 co-sponsors had signed on as of October 2010, concentrated efforts by the Joint Baltic American National Committee and by Baltic-American constituents across the country have helped add six more Representatives to the bill’s list of supporters – Rep. Jerry Costello (IL), Rep. Bobby L. Rush (IL), Rep. Frank R. Wolf (V), Rep. Luis V. Gutierrez (IL), Rep. Maxine Waters (CA), and Rep. Christopher H. Smith (NJ). Special thanks must be given to the Illinois delegates of Congress, who comprise nearly one-third of all resolution co-sponsors.

Reasons to support the legislation:
* It commemorates the bravery and spirit of those who fought tirelessly to secure Baltic independence from Soviet occupation;
* It celebrates the remarkable political and economic advances made by the Baltic nations throughout the past two decades;
* It ensures the continued existence of strong transatlantic ties between the United States and Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania.

As of November 23, the legislation has 33 co-sponsors (listed below). Please urge your Representative to become a co-sponsor of this resolution and to demonstrate their support for Baltic freedom and independence. Also, if they have not joined, ask them to consider joining the House Baltic Caucus.

• Congressional contact information: http://congress.org
• House Baltic Caucus member information: http://housebalticcaucus.webs....
• Capitol switchboard, for the telephone number of your Member of Congress at: (202) 224-3121
• JBANC: http://jbanc.org ; and on Facebook.

Current co-sponsors of H. Con. Res. 267: (House Baltic Caucus members marked by an “*”):
Michele Bachmann (MN)
Shelley Berkley* (NV)
Judy Biggert* (IL)
Gerry Connolly* (VA)
Jerry Costello* (IL)
Lincoln Diaz-Balart* (FL)
Eni F.H. Faleomavaega (AS)
Elton Gallegly* (CA)
Luis V. Gutierrez* (IL)
Alcee Hastings (FL)
Tim Holden* (PA)
Bob Inglis (SC)
Mark Steven Kirk (IL)
Dennis Kucinich* (OH)
Daniel Lipinski* (IL)
Donald Manzullo (IL)
Thaddeus McCotter* (MI)
Erik Paulsen (MN)
Joseph R. Pitts* (PA)
Ted Poe (TX)
Mike Quigley (IL)
Laura Richardson (CA)
Dana Rohrabacher* (CA)
Bobby L. Rush* (IL)
Loretta Sanchez* (CA)
Aaron Schock* (IL)
David Scott (GA)
Albio Sires (NJ)
Christopher H. Smith* (NJ)
John Tanner (TN)
Maxine Waters (CA)
Frank R. Wolf (VA)
C.W. “Bill” Young (FL).
Rep. John Shimkus* (IL) is the primary sponsor.

The Joint Baltic American National Committee will continue to be in contact with the offices of Congressional leadership during this time. Congress might adjourn for the year as early as December 3, so ardent support for the bill is necessary for guaranteeing its passage.

If your Member of Congress has signed on, consider writing a thank-you note to them. Feel free to contact JBANC to let us know how your Member of Congress responded. Thank you!

JBANC represents the Estonian American National Council, Inc., the American Latvian Association, Inc. and the Lithuanian American Council, Inc.

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