Washington, DC (JBANC) --- The United States Congress has issued another signal to the Russian Federation that it should be truthful about its past Soviet legacy with respect to the Baltic countries. Legislation seeking an acknowledgement and condemnation by the Russian Federation of the Soviet Union’s occupation of the Baltic countries of Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania passed today, July 22, in the House of Representatives.
The legislation passed by unanimous consent, meaning that there was no opposition. House Concurrent Resolution 128 (H. Con. Res. 128) was introduced by Congressman John Shimkus (R-IL) on April 29. The measure had also received the strong support of Rep. Thaddeus McCotter (R-MI), and other members of the House Baltic Caucus.
The complete text of H. Con. Res. 128 will be available on the congressional website http://thomas.loc.gov, along with the floor statement of Congressman Shimkus (see below). JBANC believes that by admitting and condemning the Soviet occupation and annexation of the Baltic countries, the Russian Federation can develop more tolerant relations with its neighbors and chart a more positive course for its own future.
There were twenty-nine co-sponsors of H. Con. Res. 128 (House Baltic Caucus members marked by an “*”): Xavier Becerra (CA)*, Howard L. Berman* (CA), Mary Bono* (CA), Christopher Cox* (CA), Danny K. Davis (IL), Lloyd Doggett* (TX), David Dreier* (CA), J.D. Hayworth (AZ), Tim Holden* (PA), Darrell Issa (CA), Jack Kingston (GA), Dennis Kucinich* (OH), Daniel Lipinski (IL), Stephen Lynch (MA), Thaddeus McCotter* (MI), James McGovern* (MA), Grace Napolitano* (CA), Michael Rogers* (MI), Dana Rohrabacher* (CA), Edward R. Royce* (CA), Loretta Sanchez* (CA), Adam B. Schiff* (CA), David Scott (GA), E. Clay Shaw, Jr. (FL), Mark E. Souder (IN), Lee Terry* (NE), Fred Upton* (MI), Henry A. Waxman* (CA), Frank R. Wolf (VA).
Including its sponsor Rep. Shimkus, 20 of the 30 supporters are members of the House Baltic Caucus. The Caucus, co-chaired by Congressmen Shimkus and Kucinich, currently has 70 members. Nearly a third of Caucus members co-sponsored. Support was completely bi-partisan, with 16 Republicans and 14 Democrats. 12 of the 30 supporters are from California, an indication of the excellent activism of the Baltic American Freedom League there. Illinois and Michigan congressional delegations mustered three supporters each. JBANC would also like to recognize the efforts of the Midwest Baltic Coalition and the Baltic-American organizations of Oregon for their great help in getting the legislation introduced. The Senate already passed their version of the measure (S. Con. Res. 35), on May 19. It was introduced there by Sen. Gordon Smith (R-OR), and co-sponsored by Senators Richard Durbin (D-IL), and Dianne Feinstein (D-CA).
In conjunction with the passage of H. Con. Res. 128, July 23 marks the 65th anniversary of the U.S. policy of non-recognition of the Soviet occupation of the Baltic countries. For over half a century, the U.S. never wavered in its support for the sovereignty of Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania. Undersecretary of State Sumner Welles issued the first U.S. public statement on the Soviet takeover of the Baltics, condemning that act, and recognizing the true nature of the predatory intervention by the USSR upon its neighbors: http://estonia.usembassy.gov/s...
In addition, the week of July 17-23 marks the 57th anniversary of Captive Nations Week, marking support for peoples that suffered and are still victimized by communism and tyranny. President Bush has issued a proclamation on this occasion: http://www.whitehouse.gov/news...
JBANC represents the Estonian American National Council, Inc., the American Latvian Association, Inc. and the Lithuanian American Council, Inc.
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Statement of Congressman John Shimkus (R-IL)
HCR 128: Russian Recognition of Occupation of the Baltics
July 22, 2005
MR. SHIMKUS: Mr. Speaker, I am here to encourage passage of H.Con.Res. 128, a resolution that I am proud to have sponsored, that calls on Russia to acknowledge the occupation and subsequent suffering of the Baltic people under Soviet control. I implore my colleagues to support this important resolution.
This resolution comes to the floor in a timely manner. This week is Captive Nations Week, first declared so by the U.S. Congress on July 17, 1959 as a Joint Resolution against the continuing Communist domination of the Baltic Countries. President Bush has again declared this week ‘Captive Nations Week’ and urged Americans “to reaffirm their commitment to all those seeking liberty, justice and self-determination.” I can think of no better way than to honor the memories of those that fought for freedom against Communist control than to pass this resolution.
During Communist occupation of the Baltics, hundreds of thousands of people were torn from their families and deported to Siberia, many never to be heard from again. No one can be exactly sure of the amount of those that died or fled Soviet control, but it has been estimated from 500,000 to as high as 750,000. You cannot meet a person in these countries that didn’t have a family member or loved one who wasn’t affected by these horrible practices. Russia has been unwavering of its non-recognition of the mass deportations, torture, and murders committed by the Soviet regime. I feel, along with the 29 cosponsors of this legislation, that Russia needs to acknowledge the mistakes of the past so it can move forward and become a truthful state, and in turn a stronger democracy.
It is important that the United States join with our allies in the Baltics and stand for Democracy and rights of individuals to be protected everywhere. Democracy and freedom cannot exist without truth and transparency; I would hope Russia would take a step forward as a nation by acknowledging the past. I encourage my colleagues to vote in favor of this resolution.
U.S. House of Representatives Passes H. Con. Res. 128 JBANC (5)
Eestlased Kanadas | 23 Jul 2005 | EWR
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Kommentaarid on kirjutatud EWR lugejate poolt. Nende sisu ei pruugi ühtida EWR toimetuse seisukohtadega.
This is what happens when gullibility is mistaken for intellect.
truman was a 32 degree mason who got his 33 degree in october 1945 (after the bombing of hiroshima and nagasaki) .... fyi, the 33 degree us president franklin roosevelt put the masonic eye and temple on the us dollar ... and if you put a reverse triangle on the temple a la star of david, it is quite interesting what it spells out
Thanks for the compliment, but I'm not intending on taking the same kind of steps that you seem to favour; the infamous 33 steps! Lenin made it to 31, most US Presidents did better than that, and French and Russian revolutions owe their fate to that infamous clandestine organisation. It's fine by me if you don't think I write believable stories-go and hug another Obelisk somewhere in your hometown-it's sure to bring your energy field back to zero quicker than my comment, and you can thank the Freemasons for erecting it in the first place. Jahbulon says hello too, and asks if you work day and night...?
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