- Help Explain the Legacy of the Soviet Occupation of the Baltics -
Please Urge Your Representative to Co-Sponsor H.Con.Res.128
Washington, DC (JBANC) --- With the May 9 event in Moscow to commemorate the end of World War II approaching, it is important that Congress now pass the Concurrent Resolution supporting the admission by the Russian Federation of the Soviet occupation of Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania. There is concern that the occasion will be used by the hosts to continue denial of the actions of the USSR towards its Baltic neighbors.
House Baltic Caucus co-chairman John Shimkus (R-IL) introduced House Concurrent Resolution 128 (H. Con. Res. 128) on April 12, asking that the Russian Federation clearly state admission and condemnation of the Soviet Union’s illegal occupation and annexation from 1940 to 1991 of Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania.
As of April 21, there were twelve co-sponsors of H. Con. Res. 128, but more are needed. Co-sponsors of the legislation are: Mary Bono (R-CA), Christopher Cox (R-CA), Danny K. Davis (D-IL), Lloyd Doggett (D-TX), David Dreier (R-CA), Tim Holden (D-PA), Jack Kingston (R-GA), Dennis Kucinich (D-OH), Thaddeus McCotter (R-MI), James McGovern (D-MA), Michael Rogers (R-MI), Mark Souder (R-IN).
It is also critical to call/fax the Chairman of the House International Relations Committee (HIRC),
Rep. Henry J. Hyde Tel: (202) 225-4561, Fax: (202) 225-1166, Local office tel: (630) 832-5950; and
HIRC Ranking Member Rep. Tom Lantos Tel: (202) 225-3531, Fax: (202) 226-4183, Local office tel: (650) 342-0300 to ask them to support passage of H. Con. Res. 128.
Please call or fax your Representative to ask them to co-sponsor H. Con. Res. 128.
1) The tragic legacy of the occupation of the Baltic countries - the terror, mass executions and deportations to Siberian death camps, and the denial of human rights - must not be forgotten, glossed over, or distorted.
2) The Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact (MRP) between Nazi Germany and the Soviet Union provided the Soviet Union the opportunity to invade, occupy, and annex the Baltic countries.
3) World War II was a tragedy for the people of the Baltics, which lost a significant share of their populations under both the Nazi invasion and the subsequent invasion and nearly 50-year occupation by the Soviet Union.
4) The U.S. never recognized the Soviet occupation and incorporation of the Baltic countries.
5) The U.S. and other nations have faced their historical wrongs, and we should expect no less from the Russian Federation.
6) Such an acknowledgement by the Russian Federation would improve relations with the Baltic countries and strengthen goodwill and stability in the region.
¨ Congressional contact information is available from online sources such as:
http://congress.org ¨ House Baltic Caucus member information:
http://www.house.gov/shimkus/b... ¨ Other relevant contact information is on the JBANC “Baltic Links” webpage:
http://jbanc.org/baltics.html ¨ Capitol switchboard, for the telephone number of your Member of Congress at: (202) 224-3121
Senate action is also expected soon. The Joint Baltic American National Committee, Inc. (JBANC) helped to develop this legislation and welcomes its introduction and agrees strongly with its language. By admitting and condemning the occupation and annexation by the Soviet Union from 1940 to 1991 of the Baltic countries, the Russian Federation can overcome its past and begin to deal better with its neighbors and its own future.
JBANC represents the Estonian American National Council, Inc., the American Latvian Association, Inc. and the Lithuanian American Council, Inc.
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JOINT BALTIC AMERICAN NATIONAL COMMITTEE, INC.
Representing:
Estonian American National Council, Inc.
American Latvian Association, Inc.
Lithuanian American Council, Inc.
400 Hurley Avenue
Rockville, MD 20850
Tel: (301) 340-1954
Fax: (301) 309-1406
E-Mail:
Net:
http://jbanc.org