Senator Chuck Grassley Celebrates Lithuanian Independence Day and NATO Contributions

Lithuania's Independence and Soviet Occupation

• 35 years ago today, Lithuania's freely elected parliament declared the restoration of its independence after approximately 50 years of Soviet occupation.
• 💡 This event marked the beginning of the Soviet Union's breakup and the end of the "evil empire," leading to a safer world and freer lives for millions.

Historical Significance and US Relations

• 🌍 Lithuania is a very old country, having been a significant regional power in the Middle Ages, with the modern Republic established on February 16, 1918.
• 🤝 The United States has maintained continuous diplomatic relations with Lithuania for 103 years, starting in 1922.
• 🇺🇸 As an American, it is a point of pride that the US never recognized the Soviet annexation of Lithuania, just as it does not recognize Russia's annexation of any part of Ukraine.

Lithuania as a Modern Ally

• 🌟 Today, Lithuania is free, prosperous, and a close US ally, serving as a beacon of Western values on the front lines of freedom.
• 🎖️ Senator Grassley expressed gratitude for Lithuania's friendship, its important contributions to the NATO alliance, and its vocal defense of shared values.