Senate and House Baltic Caucus leaders are seeking additional co-sponsors for legislation which marks the 60th anniversary of the United States’ non-recognition policy of the Soviet takeover of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania. The House bill is being introduced by Rep. John Shimkus (R-IL), co-chair of the House Baltic Caucus and the Senate version, S.Con.Res.122, was introduced by Senator Richard Durbin (D-IL), Senate Baltic Freedom Caucus co-chair. Other Members are being sought to co-sponsor this bill, and help from the Baltic-American community and from friends is eagerly sought.

The legislation recognizes the aspirations of Estonians, Latvians and Lithuanians to join Western security and economic institutions and commends them for implementing “reforms, which may further speed the process of their entry into (these institutions)”. In addition, the bill asks Congress to support regional cooperative programs in Northern Europe between the Baltic and Nordic countries and the Russian Federation, most notably those which focus on environmental, law enforcement and health-related issues and efforts which promote civil society, business and trade development.

S.Con.Res.122 was originally introduced by Senator Durbin on June 14. The date coincided with the visit to Washington, DC of Estonian President Lennart Meri and is also significant, in that it marks the traditional Baltic Freedom and Captive Nations days, which falls on the anniversary of the 1940 deportations. The Senate bill is currently co-sponsored by Sen. Ben Nighthorse Campbell (R-CO), Sen. Slade Gorton (R-WA), Sen. Rod Grams (R-MN), Sen. Charles E. Grassley (R-IA), Sen. Charles S. Robb (D-VA) and Sen. George V. Voinovich (R-OH). In the meantime, please urge your Senator to support S.Con.Res.122.

For the companion House version, please encourage your Congressman to co-sponsor Rep. Shimkus’ Concurrent Resolution which observes the 60th anniversary of the policy of non-recognition of the Soviet seizure of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania and calls for “positive steps to promote a peaceful and democratic future for the Baltic region.” It is scheduled to be introduced on June 30 (a number will be assigned to it at that time). Votes on both Senate and House measures are expected following the Independence Day recess.

Current co-sponsors for House version of Non-recognition legislation:
Rep. Dennis Kucinich (D-OH), Rep. Tom Lantos (D-CA), Rep. David Hobson (R-OH), Rep. Brian Bilbray (R-CA), Rep. Louise Slaughter (D-NY), Rep. John Larson (D-CT), Rep. Michael McNulty (D-NY), Rep. Robert Menendez (D-NJ), Rep. Joe Knollenberg (R-MI), Rep. Christopher H. Smith (R-NJ).