Political Quotes

“March 11, 2010, the people of Lithuania celebrate the 20th anniversary of the reestablishment of the State of Lithuania. Yesterday, the Senate passed a resolution that I, along with Senator Cardin and Senator Wicker, submitted to commemorate this occasion. An ancient and noble state, mentioned as far back as 1009, Lithuanians have long revered their independence. On February 16, 1918, the Act of Independence of Lithuania led to the establishment of Lithuania as a sovereign and democratic state. During World War II, under the German-Soviet Treaty of Friendship, Cooperation and Demarcation, Lithuania was forcibly incorporated into the Soviet Union in violation of preexisting peace treaties. During 50 years of Soviet occupation of the Baltic States, the United States Congress consistently refused to legally recognize the incorporation of Latvia, Estonia and Lithuania into the Soviet Union. On March 11, 1990, the Republic of Lithuania was restored, and Lithuania became the first Soviet republic to declare independence. A little over a year later, the U.S. Government formally recognized Lithuania as an independent and sovereign nation. This year the U.S. Government and the Government of Lithuania celebrate 88 years of continuous diplomatic relations. Lithuania is a strong, free market democracy and a full member of the United Nations, the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, the European Union, and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization.”