Senate Concurrent Resolution 87 congratulating the Republic of Latvia on its 90th anniversary of the declaration of independence
Dear Latvians and Friends of Latvia !
Senator Gordon Smith (R-OR) and Senator Richard Durbin (D-IL), Cochairmen of the Senate Baltic Caucus, have introduced a bipartisan resolution S.Con.Res. 87--congratulating the Republic of Latvia on the 90th anniversary of its declaration of independence. The resolution reaffirms the strong ties between Latvia and the United States , based on shared values of freedom, democracy and human rights.
The resolution not only commends Latvia's successes in nation building, economic development and human rights, but most importantly it recognizes Russia's attempts to manipulate Latvia and the other two Baltic countries back into the Russia's sphere of influence, detaching them from the west.
Furthermore, the resolution calls on the President of the United States to issue a proclamation on Latvia's Independence Day, November 18, asking the government of the Russian Federation to publicly acknowledge the illegality of the Soviet occupation of the Baltic countries and to assume responsibility for the consequences of the occupation.
Following the forceful Soviet takeover, tens of thousands of Baltic people were subject to imprisonment, deportation, persecution and execution. Their religious, cultural, and historical heritage was denigrated, and they were forced to accept an alien life of totalitarian domination.
While the Russian government remains fixated on dominating the neighboring countries and backsliding into a Hitler type nationalism, it is critical that the U.S. government reaffirm its support of Latvia 's right to determine its own national destiny and to encourage Russia , as the successor state of the Soviet Union , to assume responsibility for the occupation of the Baltic countries.
This year marks the 10th anniversary of the US --Baltic Partnership Charter which was signed by the three presidents of the Baltic countries and President Clinton. It significantly enhanced U.S.-Baltic political, security and economic cooperation. President Bush on the 10th anniversary of the Charter stated: "We appreciate the peoples of the Baltic states who endured tyranny and struggled for independence. They earned their freedom through courage and perseverance, and today they stand with us as a partner in this great alliance, contributing to our common security."
The year 2008 also marks the 60th anniversary of the Declaration of Universal Human Rights. Adoption of S.Con. Res.87 by the Senate would be an appropriate tribute to this significant and noble document. Russia should practice, not just pay lip service to, the principles expressed in the Declaration.
THE AMERICAN LATVIAN ASSOCIATION STRONGLY SUPPORTS THE BIPARTISAN RESOLUTION, AND URGES YOU TO IMMEDIATELY CONTACT YOUR SENATORS AND THE MEMBERS OF THE SENATE FOREIGN RELATIONS COMMITTEE TO ASK THEM TO COSPONSOR S.CON.RES. 87.
Because of the political activities this year--national party conventions and election campaigns--Congress will have a short session. Although November 18 may seem far away, we really do not have much time to get the resolution passed. We have to act immediately.
We also urge you to contact members of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and the Subcommittee on Europe , which is the first committee to review and make recommendations on the resolution. (See below for names and coordinates.)
Leaders of Latvian organizations should write letters in the name of the organization on the organization's letterhead. Letters from organizations are particularly impressive.
Organizations should organize delegations--of three to six people-to visit the congressperson's local office to ask the congressperson to cosponsor the resolution. It is recommended that you take along a letter or a statement to be forwarded to Washington by the staff.
If you are too tired to write to your congressperson or you do not have the time, or you do not want to be bothered, think of the Latvian "strelnieki" Tirelpurva or Naves sala, think of the school boys at the Battle of Cesis or soldiers in the trenches of Daugavmala stopping the advance of Bermont troops. Think of Soviet tanks rolling through the streets of Riga in 1940 or children deported in cattle cars to Siberia . Think of Latvian legionnaires in the swamps of Volhova or at the Battle of Skundra. Think of Latvian partisans in the forests fighting for years after the return of the Soviets. Think of the Baltic Way or the men and women around bonfires at the barricades in Riga . Then maybe you will not be too busy to write a few letters and drive to Kinko's to fax them to your congresspersons.
Within the next couple of weeks, Representative John Shimkus (R-IL) will submit a similar resolution to the House of Representatives. His resolution, however, will not be as strongly worded as Senator Smith's resolution.
Thank you for your support.
PLEASE PASS ON THIS LETTER TO OTHERS
Valdis Pavlovskis
Director of Public Affairs
American Latvian Association
PLEASE READ THIS IN LATVIAN HOW YOU CAN HELP
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Heightened security measures have dramatically increased the time it takes for a letter sent by post to reach a congressional office. The alternatives are to fax the letter or to send an e-mail.
Whether you fax or send your letter electronically, you should follow up with a phone call to the Washinton office to ensure that they have received your communication. It also gives you another chance to get your message to the congressperson. When calling, ask for the person who handles foreign policy issues for the congressperson.
If the staff person is not available, identify yourself (name, address, telephone number), if you are a constituent, say so. State why you are calling or your position on the issue. You probably will not get a return call on your first call, but try again and again.
You can view the resolution on the Internet at Thomas Guide to Government: http://thomas.loc.gov/ .Go to Search for Bill Text, type the designation and number of the resolution (S.Con.Res.87). Then go to Bill Summary and Status. To find your congressperson's name etc., go House or the Senate and click . Then click Find Your Congressman.
Congresspersons receive hundreds of e- mails every day. It will take the mail clerk four to five days to get to your letter. E-mails are not nearly as effective as faxed letters.
When writing or sending an e-mail to your congressperson, state your purpose for writing a letter in the first sentence or paragraph. Be sure that you are referencing the correct legislation, give the resolution's number and the title of the legislation. In this case: "Congratulating the Republic of Latvia..."
Be courteous. Preferably include one or two reasons about why the issue matters to you. Address one issue in each letter or e-mail. Be courteous. Follow up with a phone call.
You of course can always just call the congressperson without first sending a letter or an e- mail.
Link to:
Sample Letter No. 1 | Sample Letter No. 2 | Sample Letter No. 3 | Sample Letter No. 4
Sample Letter No. 5 | Sample Letter No. 6 | Sample Letter No. 7
Information | Senate Foreign Relations Committee | Subcocmmittee on European Affairs
Remaining Members of the Foreign Relations Committee | ALA Letter to Sen. Dianne Feinstein |
SAMPLE LETTER No. 1
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Honorable Barack Obama, Chairman
Senate Subcommittee on European Affairs
U.S Senate
Washington, DC 20510
Re: Latvian Independence Day Resolution S.Con.Res. 87
Dear Senator Obama:
Senator Richard Durbin, along with Senator Gordon Smith have introduced S.Con.Res 87. This Resolution congratulates the Republic of Latvia on the 90th anniversary of its declaration of independence.
Because of continued democratic back-sliding and historic revisionism of the Soviet era by the Russian Federation, the resolution includes a much needed call for Russia to acknowledge and positively confront the lamentable legacy of the occupation of the Baltic States of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania.
We are writing you on a very solemn day on the Latvian calendar. On June 14, 1941, the Soviet occupation regime deported to Siberia 15,425 people from Latvia including 3,751children. They too were regarded as enemies of the Soviet Union. Deportations, arrests and repressions continued until the collapse of the Soviet Union.
Please consider co-sponsoring S.Con.Res. 87.
Thank you for your consideration of this matter.
Sincerely,
Name
Address
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SAMPLE LETTER No. 2
The Honorable Jack Wilson
U.S. Senate
Washington, DC 20510
Dear Senator:
As your constituent, I ask you to cosponsor S.Con.Res. 87. The bipartisan resolution was introduced by the Senate Baltic Caucus Cochairmen Senators Gordon Smith and Richard Durbin. It commends Latvia on the 90th anniversary of its declaration of independence. The resolution will strengthen the bonds of friendship between America and Latvia.
The resolution also asks President George Bush to recommend to the government of the Russian Federation, as a successor state to the Soviet Union, to admit that the occupation of Latvia and its incorporation into the U.S.S.R. was unlawful.
Russia's failure to admit responsibility for the occupation and its consequences is a major obstacle to good neighborly relations between the two countries.
Thank you for considering my request. I would appreciate learning your views on this matter.
Sincerely,
Name
Address
Telephone Number
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SAMPLE LETTER No. 3
July 1, 2008
Honorable Senator Dianne Feinstein
U.S. Senate
Washington, DC
Dear Senator Feinstein:
As a constituent and an American of Latvian descent, I am writing to ask for your support of bipartisan resolution. S. Con. Res. 87, introduced by Senator Richard Durbin and Gordon Smith. The Resolution congratulates the Republic of Latvia on the 90th anniversary of its declaration of independence and very importantly, asks the Russian Federation to publicly acknowledge the illegality of the Soviet occupation of Latvia.
Despite the fact that Latvia was brutally and illegally occupied for fifty years, no apologies have been forth coming since the occupation ended. Latvians have waited very patiently for an acknowledgment of wrong doing in order to put this tragic episode behind them, but to date, their patience has been of now avail.
Nevertheless, the people of Latvia have moved forward in a positive manner, building a democratic government, a free market economy and ensuring freedom for its inhabitants.
Latvia has supported the United in its democracy building efforts in Afghanistan and Iraq. Please show your support for Latvia and its people on the important anniversary.
Thank you!
Name
Address
Telephone number
E-mail Address
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SAMPLE LETTER No. 4
The Honorable Joseph Binden, Chairman
Senate Foreign Affairs Committee
U. S. Senate
Washington, Dc 20510
Dear Senator Biden:
On behalf of the Board of Directors and members of the Latvian Association of Idaho, I respectfully urge you to support Senate Concurrent Resolution 87. The bipartisan resolution was introduced by Senators Richard Durbin and Gordon Smith. It congratulates the Latvian people on their 90th anniversary of the declaration of Latvia's independence--November 18, 1918.
The Latvian people have always been true friends and strong allies of the United States.
We as Americans of Latvian heritage strongly believe that it is in America's interest to continue to maintain strong ties with the Latvian people.
Our members hope that you and the Foreign Relations Committee with support S. Con. Res. 87
Thank you for considering our request.
Name
Address
Telephone Number
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SAMPLE LETTER No. 5
Honorable James Inhofe
U.S. Senate
Washington, DC 20510
Dear Senator:
Please cosponsor S.Con.Res. 87 congratulating the Republic of Latvia on the 90th anniversary of its declaration of independence. Thank you.
Name
Address
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SAMPLE LETTER No. 6
Name
Address
The Honorable Barbara Boxer
U.S. Senate
Washington, DC 20510
Re: S.Con.Res. 87
Dear Senator Boxer:
Thank you for your responsive past efforts to support the Baltic nation struggle to reestablish their independence and join the circle of European nations in the European Union and NATO.
Other nations who had great misdeeds in their past have recognized them and internationally apologized for them But not the Russian Federation, the successor to the Soviet Union which was responsible for loss of millions of lives.
Please cosponsor S.Con. 87
Very truly yours,
Signature
Name
E-mail Address
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SAMPLE LETTER No. 7
The Honorable Dianne Feinstein
U.S. Senate
Washington, DC 20510
Dear Senator Feinstein,
As a loyal supporter, I urge you to support bipartisan resolution S.Con.Res 87 congratulating the Republic of Latvia on the occasion of the 90th anniversary of its declaration of independence.
When long-awaited independence came once more to the country of my heritage in the 1990', the free world celebrated the end of the Soviet Union. The United States had never recognized the forcible occupation of Latvia, and we, the children of Latvian parents and proud citizens of the United States were grateful.
This year marks the 60th anniversary of the Declaration of Universal Human Rights. Your support of S.Con.Res. 87 would also pay tribute to this document.Thanking you in advance for your support,
Signature
Name
Address
Telephone Number
E-mail Address
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ALA LETTER TO SEN. FEINSTEIN IS POSTED
AT THE END OF THE INFOGRAM
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INFORMATION
 THOMAS GUIDE TO CONGRESS: www.thomas.loc.gov/
U.S. SWITCHBOARD: (202) 224-3121
U.S. SENATE ADDRESS: U.S. SENATE, WASHINGTON, DC 20510 |
SENATE FOREIGN RELATIONS COMMITTEE
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Sen. Joseph Biden (D-DE), Chairman,
Tel: (202) 224-5042,
Fx: (202) 224-0139;
Website: www.biden.senate
Sen Richard Lugar (R-IN), Ranking Member,
Tel: (202) 224-4814;
Fx: (202) 228-0360
E-Mail: senator_lugar@lugar.senate.gov;
Website: lugar.senate.gov
Majority Staff Dir.: Antony Blinken,
Tel: (202) 224- 4651; Fx: (202) 228-3612
Minority Staff Dir.: Keneth Myers,
Tel: (202) 224-6797;
Fx: (202) 224-0836
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SUBCOMMITTEE ON EUROPEAN AFFAIRS
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Democrats:
Sen. Barack Obama (D-IL),
Chairman,
Tel: (202) 224-2854;
Fx: (202) 228-4260;
Website: obama.senate.gov
Sen. Christopher Dodd (D-CT),
Tel: (202) 224-2823;
Fx: (202) 224-1083;
Website: dodd.senate.gov
Sen. Robert Menendez (D-NJ),
Tel: (202) 224- 4744;
Fx: (202) 228-2197;
Website: menendez.senate.gov
Sen. Benjamin L. Cardin (D-MD),
Tel: (202) 224- 4524;
Fx: (202) 224-1651;
Website: cardin.senate.gov
Sen. Robert P. Casey (D-PA),
Tel: (202) 224- 6324;
Fx: (202) 228-0604;
Website: casey.senate.gov
Republicans:
Sen. Jim DeMint (R-SC), Ranking Member,
Tel: (202) 224-6121;
Fx: (202) 228-5143;
Website: demint.senate.gov
Sen. George Voinovich (R-OH),
Tel: (202) 224- 3353;
Fx: (202) 228-1382;
Website: voinovich.senate.gov
Sen. Bob Corker (R-TN),
Tel: (202) 224-3344l
Fx: (202) 228-0566;
Website: corker.senate.gov
Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-AK),
(202) 224-6665;
Fx: (202) 224-5301;
Website murkowski.senate.gov
Subcommittee Majority Staff:
Tomicah Tillemann;
Minority Staff: Ken Myers II;
Tel: (202) 224-4651;
Fx: (202) 228-3612
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REMAINING MEMBERS OF THE FOREIGN RELATIONS COMMITTEE
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If your senator's name is on this list, be sure to write him/her. Don't forget to mention that you are a constituent.
Democrats:
John F Kerry (MA)
Russ Feingold (WI)
Barbara Boxer (CA)
Bill Nelson (FL)
James Webb (VA)
Republicans:
Chuck Hagel (NE)
Norm Coleman (MN)
John Sununu (NH)
Johny Isakson (GA)
David Vitter (LA)
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ALA LETTER TO SEN. DIANNE FEINSTEIN
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 June 25. 2008
The Honorable Dianne Feinstein:
U.S. Senate
Washington, DC 20510
Dear Senator Feinstein:
Senators Richard Durbin and Gordon Smith, Cochairmen of the Senate Baltic Caucus, have introduced S.Con.Res.87 congratulating the Republic of Latvia on the 90th anniversary of its declaration of independence, November 18, 1918. The bipartisan resolution reaffirms the strong ties between Latvia and the United States, based on shared values of freedom, democracy and human rights. I am writing to ask you to cosponsor this resolution that is very important to the American Latvian community and the people of Latvia.
In addition to the customary congratulations, the resolution notes the pre-World War II treaties and protocols governing relations between Latvia and the Soviet Union, the illegal occupation of Latvia by the Soviet Union in 1940, the crimes committed against Latvian people by the Soviet Union, the current political and economic accomplishments by Latvians, and the relations between the U.S. and Latvia. The resolution also requests the President of the United States to issue a proclamation regarding Latvia's anniversary and to recommend to the government of the Russian Federation that it acknowledge the unlawful occupation of Latvia, Estonia and Lithuania by the Soviet Union and to assume responsibility for Soviet actions in the Baltic countries.
After regaining independence, Latvia faced a number of difficult and complex political, societal, and economical problems. The road back to the western world and to stability was not an easy one. During those difficult times, Latvians always felt the support of the American people and our government. Latvia is now politically stable, economically viable and a societal progressive country, and a trusted friend and ally of the United States.
Latvia's approach to relations with Russia is cooperative. As far as Latvians are concerned, there are no problems that cannot be resolved in a positive, friendly and neighborly manner. The underlying determinant for most of the disputes and problems between the two countries is the Russian government's denial that the Baltic countries were ever unlawfully occupied. It is a position that vigorously promulgated by the government, the media and to some extent by academia. The Russian power elite stubbornly maintain that the Baltic countries gave up their freedom and sovereignty, and willingly joined the Soviet Union. And the Russian people, they have no way of learning the truth. In the absence of truth, these lies by the Russian government breed distrust, fear and hostility.
To add insult to injury, the Russian government acts as if Latvia belongs within its sphere of influence. A close scrutiny of public statements by Russian officials and media reveals that the Russian government is of the opinion that the current division of Europe is not final and that there will be territorial adjustments in Russia's favor, and they are working hard to accomplish this.
The fact that Mr. Putin regards the Hitler-Stalin Pact of 1939 as lawful is not some curious historical footnote; it is as outrageous as if a German chancellor were to maintain that the Munich accord on the dismemberment of Czechoslovakia had been just another lawful treaty.
Assistant Secretary of State Daniel Fried, last year at a forum marking the 85th anniversary of diplomatic ties between the U.S. and the Baltic countries, stated that the problems between Russia and the Baltic countries "were rooted in different views of history."
With the Russian government's backsliding into Hitler type nationalism, and with the government's agenda to revise the history of the Soviet era in full force, it is important to Latvia's security and stability that America reaffirm its support of Latvia's independence and sovereignty, and let the Russian power establishment know that there will be no more Yaltas or Munichs. S. Con. Res. 87. does that. Moral timidity of Western nations is the best ally the Russians have.
The acts of merciless terror carried out by the Soviet Union against Latvian people were aimed at the systematic extermination of the Baltic nations. They demand recognition and acknowledgment by Russia. Democracy will not be served in Russia if past history is based on lies and deception.
This is the year of the 10th anniversary of the signing of the U.S.--Baltic Partnership Charter by the three Presidents of the Baltic countries and President William Clinton. S. Con. Res. 87 is a proper tribute to this significant document and a way to honor the victims of Soviet occupation, which belongs to one of the greatest violations of fundamental human rights in the world.
2008 also marks the 60th anniversary of the Declaration of Universal Human Rights. S.Con.Res. 87 is a good reminder to the Russian government to practice the principles enumerated in the Declaration.
The American people and Congress share the just aspirations of the Latvian people for freedom and national independence. America cannot remain silent in the face of the Russia's assault on these aspirations and rights. The American Latvian community sincerely hopes that you will cosponsor S. Con. Res. 87. Thank you for your help.
Sincerely,
Valdis V. Pavlovskis
Director of Public Affairs
AMERICAN LATVIAN ASSOCIATION
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Contact Information
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email: alainfo@alausa.org
phone: 301-340-1914
web: http://www.alausa.org
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