H724 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE March 8, 2000 Carolina as the Keith D. Oglesby Station, in- NATO-led peacekeeping operations in Bosnia Now, Mr. Speaker, some 10 years troduced by the gentleman from South Caro- and Kosovo: Now, therefore, be it later, in spite of that so-called legacy, Resolved by the Senate (the House of Rep- lina, Mr. DEMINT, I would have voted ``yea.'' Lithuania is now looking to its future resentatives concurring), That Congress On H.R. 3018, to designate the U.S. postal hereby— and building on the progress it has office located at 557 East Bay Street in (1) congratulates Lithuania on the occa- made in the decade since the Soviet Charleston, South Carolina as the Marybelle sion of the tenth anniversary of the reestab- Union broke up. H. Howe Post Office introduced by the gen- lishment of its independence and the leading Today, thousands of Soviet troops tleman from South Carolina, Mr. CLYBURN, I role it played in the disintegration of the are gone. Today, Lithuania is a mem- would have voted ``yea.'' former Soviet Union; and ber of NATO’s alliance’s Partnership On H.R. 1827, the Government Waste Cor- (2) commends Lithuania for its success in For Peace program and is looking for- implementing political and economic re- ward to the day when it may become a rections Act, introduced by the gentleman from forms, which may further speed the process Indiana, Mr. BURTON, I would have voted of that country’s integration into European full member of that alliance. And, ``yea.'' and Western institutions. today, Lithuania is actively seeking membership in the European Union. f b 1445 Lithuania has implemented market REMOVAL OF NAME OF MEMBER The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. reforms despite the tremendous dif- AS COSPONSOR OF H.R. 979 OSE). Pursuant to the rule, the gen- ficulties associated with the economic Mr. SHOWS. Mr. Speaker, I ask tleman from New York (Mr. GILMAN) transformation from a Communist sys- unanimous consent to remove my and the gentleman from Connecticut tem of control of workers and re- name as a cosponsor of H.R. 979. (Mr. GEJDENSON) each will control 20 sources to the system of private enter- The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there minutes. prise and free markets. In short, Lith- objection to the request of the gen- The Chair recognizes the gentleman uania is working to return to its right- tleman from Mississippi? from New York (Mr. GILMAN). ful place in Europe and in the world. There was no objection. Mr. GILMAN. Mr. Speaker, I yield Mr. Speaker, I am pleased that our myself such time as I may consume. f Nation has played a strong role in help- (Mr. GILMAN asked and was given ing Lithuania, not just since it gained ANNOUNCEMENT BY THE SPEAKER permission to revise and extend his re- its independence but during the many PRO TEMPORE marks.) years when it refused to recognize the Mr. GILMAN. Mr. Speaker, I am Soviet Union’s illegal incorporation of The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursu- pleased to rise in support of Senate that country into its Communist dicta- ant to clause 8 of rule XX, the Chair Concurrent Resolution 91 congratu- torship. announces that he will postpone fur- lating Lithuania on its 10th anniver- The passage of this resolution, Mr. ther proceedings today on each motion sary of the reestablishment of its inde- Speaker, congratulates Lithuania and to suspend the rules on which a re- pendence. corded vote or the yeas or nays are or- Mr. Speaker, it is hard to believe its people on the 10th anniversary of dered, or on which the vote is objected that 10 years have now passed since the their independence, recognizing the to under clause 6 of rule XX. Lithuanian nation took their coura- role that Lithuania played in the Any record votes on postponed ques- geous step of declaring independence breakup of the Soviet Union, and not- tions will be taken after debate has from the Communist dictatorship of ing the reforms that Lithuania has concluded on all motions to suspend the former Soviet Union. And despite struggled to implement. Accordingly, the rules. the passage of these last 10 years, Mr. Speaker, I urge the passage of this f many of us who served in the Congress worthy resolution. at that time still vividly remember the Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of CONGRATULATING LITHUANIA ON struggle that Lithuania had to under- my time. THE TENTH ANNIVERSARY OF take in order to make that declaration Mr. GEJDENSON. Mr. Speaker, I ITS INDEPENDENCE a reality. yield myself such time as I may con- Mr. GILMAN. Mr. Speaker, I move to We recall the thousands of Soviet sume. suspend the rules and concur in the troops who were then garrisoned in (Mr. GEJDENSON asked and was Senate concurrent resolution (S. Con. Lithuania. We also recall the Soviet given permission to revise and extend Res. 91) congratulating the Republic of armored columns rolling through the his remarks.) Lithuania on the tenth anniversary of capital of Vilnius in the dead of night Mr. GEJDENSON. Mr. Speaker, I ask the reestablishment of its independ- some 10 years ago. We also remember unanimous consent that, at the conclu- ence from the rule of the former Soviet the economic boycott that was imposed sion of my remarks, the remaining con- Union. on Lithuania by the Soviet regime in trol of the time be yielded to the gen- The Clerk read as follows: Moscow. We remember too how Soviet tlewoman from California (Ms. LEE). The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there S. CON. RES. 91 President Mikhail Gorbachev insisted that, if Lithuania were to secede from objection to the request of the gen- Whereas the United States had never rec- tleman from Connecticut? ognized the forcible incorporation of the Bal- the Soviet Union, it would have to tic states of Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania compensate the Soviet government for There was no objection. into the former Soviet Union; all its investments in Lithuania since Mr. GEJDENSON. Mr. Speaker, I join Whereas the declaration on March 11, 1990, 1940, the year when the Soviet Union my colleague, the gentleman from New of the reestablishment of full sovereignty invaded and occupied that country. York (Mr. GILMAN), and the distin- and independence of the Republic of Lith- What an ironic demand that was, guished Senator from Illinois, Mr. DUR- uania led to the disintegration of the former given the fact that Lithuania never BIN, who authored this resolution in Soviet Union; asked to be part of the Soviet Union, the Senate, in recognition of a decade Whereas Lithuania since then has success- and given the fact the Soviet Union’s of great success and change by my fully built democracy, ensured human and mother’s homeland, Lithuania. minority rights, the rule of law, developed a so-called legacy to Lithuania and to its free market economy, implemented exem- neighbors, if not a curse, was a very This year, I had the opportunity to plary relations with neighboring countries, questionable legacy at best. drive from my mother’s Lithuania to and consistently pursued a course of integra- In fact, it has taken all of the my father’s Belarus, and it exposes the tion into the community of free and demo- strength that the Lithuanian people incredible difference between the situa- cratic nations by seeking membership in the could muster to overcome the so-called tion in Lithuania where they have en- European Union and the North Atlantic blessings of that legacy bestowed by gaged freedom and democracy. I had Treaty Organization; and the former Soviet regime, including all been to Vilnius in 1982, and what a Whereas Lithuania, as a result of the of the dilapidated industries, their en- change in these last 16, 17 years, from progress of its political and economic re- forms, has made, and continues to make, a vironmental damage, and the lack of that time to my most recent trip. I significant contribution toward the mainte- trading and preparation that was need- could see it on the people’s faces, the nance of international peace and stability ed by the Lithuanians to succeed in freedom, the opportunity to express by, among other actions, its participation in any market-oriented economy. themselves without fear of retribution

VerDate 07-MAR-2000 03:58 Mar 09, 2000 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00076 Fmt 4634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A08MR7.164 pfrm01 PsN: H08PT1 March 8, 2000 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H725 or being followed by secret police. It is Today, Lithuania continues to be the over ten years ago as the first stirrings of re- a thriving country, building strong re- window of democracy for its neighbors. newed independence were beginning to quick- lationships with its democratic and Lithuania has welcomed the exiled en life there. On that occasion, Speaker free neighbors. Sadly, in Belarus, the politicians from Belarus who fled the Landsbergis was a prominent musicologist opposite is true. The economic situa- oppressive regime of President and had not yet begun his political career. We tion continues to deteriorate and the Lukashenka. walked together into one of Vilnius' out- people lose their freedom on a daily The Lithuanian people should be standing Churches in order to get beyond ear- basis. proud of the magnitude of the political shot of the Soviet KGB officials who were di- I am thrilled and privileged to be transformation. Lithuania today is a rected to follow us. As we sat in one of the here in the United States Congress, European nation. This week, the Lith- pews, we discussed his vision of the reestab- having my mother and grandparents’ uanian delegation, headed by Professor lishment of a sovereign and independent Lith- on her side of the family, all having Landsbergis, is in Washington to com- uania. At that time, his vision appeared be- been born in Vilnius, being here today memorate this historic transformation. yond any hope. Today, Mr. Speaker, we are on the floor and, frankly, doing some- Lithuanian economic achievements celebrating the tenth anniversary of Lithuania's thing that many of us thought might are no less significant. Lithuania has independence. not happen in our lifetime, celebrating successfully carried out economic re- I had the opportunity to visit Lithuania just not just the first anniversary of free- forms and is well on its way to devel- two months ago, Mr. Speaker, where I again dom in Lithuania but a full decade; oping a functioning market economy. had the opportunity to see the progress that only the beginning of decades and cen- Lithuania, together with other Baltic has come after a decade of freedom. Lithua- turies to come. countries, is considered a success nia's extraordinary progress during the past Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of story. decade should serve as a model for all young my time. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to democracies. Its leaders and its people have Mr. GILMAN. Mr. Speaker, I yield 5 support Senate Concurrent Resolution shown a commitment to free markets, civil lib- minutes to the gentleman from Illinois 91. erties, and fair and open government as they (Mr. SHIMKUS), the cochairman of the Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of have worked with such devotion to build their Baltic caucus. my time. (Mr. SHIMKUS asked and was given great nation. Lithuania stands today as a re- Mr. LEVIN. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong spected member of the international commu- permission to revise and extend his re- support of Senate Concurrent Resolution 91 marks.) nity and one of America's strongest allies. It is which congratulates Lithuania on the tenth an- Mr. SHIMKUS. Mr. Speaker, I thank my sincere hope that, sooner rather than later, niversary of the reestablishment of its inde- the gentleman for yielding me this Lithuania's extraordinary achievements will be time, and I rise in support of Senate pendence. recognized in the form of a well-deserved invi- After declaring independence from the So- Concurrent Resolution 91. tation to join the NATO. As cochairman of the House Baltic viet Union in 1918, Lithuania enjoyed two dec- Mr. Speaker, there is one matter of par- caucus, I am delighted that the House ades of self rule. During this period, Lithua- ticular importance for which I would like to is joining the Senate in recognizing the nians were free to follow their cultural tradi- praise Speaker Landsbergis and the members 10th anniversary of the reestablish- tions and express their national identity. In of the Parliament (Seimas). Last month, by a ment of Lithuania’s independence. Yes, 1940, Soviet troops invaded and occupied vote of 54 to 6 the Seimas adopted amend- the reestablishment. The original inde- Lithuania and Lithuanians spent the next five ments to the Lithuanian legal code which per- pendence celebration actually goes decades under Soviet domination, forced to mit the conduct of war crimes trials in absentia back 80 years, when they first had free- deny their heritage, language and traditions. if the accused is unable to be present for the dom, prior to the Soviet aggression. At last, Lithuania regained its independence in trial because of medical reasons. This action I have been down on this floor many 1990; indeed, I was pleased to visit Lithuania will enable the Government of Lithuania to times talking about the turbulent his- shortly thereafter and celebrate the regaining seek justice against some of the most noto- tories of the Baltic nations. I am of its independence. rious perpetrators of atrocities alive today. pleased that today we are recognizing History is a crucible that melts away the ex- This legislation, which was drafted by my accomplishments. Over the last 10 traneous to reveal the truly relevant events in friend Dr. Emanuelis Zingeris, the Chairman of years, Lithuania has worked diligently human experience. One hundred years from the Seimas' Human Rights Committee, states to ensure the human rights of its citi- now, when historians look back at the events that if a person charged with genocide ``cannot zens, develop a free market economy, of the 20th Century, I suspect they will marvel for reasons of his physical condition, accord- and pursue a course of integration into at the astonishing speed at which the barriers ing to the findings of experts, be present at the European Union and NATO. to freedom, which for so many years seemed the place of the hearing, the defendant shall Additionally, the stability and peace so insurmountable, finally fell in Lithuania and be provided technical facilities at the place which Lithuania brings to the Baltic throughout Eastern Europe. A century from where he is staying to directly take part in the region as it develops into a free and now, the history books will say that freedom hearing by giving evidence to the court, put- democratic nation is something that came to Lithuania as a result of the persist- ting questions to other participants of the hear- we all should be thankful for. It is my ence and unbending spirit of the Lithuanian ing and taking part in the proceedings.'' This hope that Members of this body realize people. reform will allow defendants in war crimes that, while we are celebrating just It is altogether fitting that Congress recog- trials the right to participate in their own de- Lithuania today, Latvia and Estonia nize and congratulate Lithuania on the 10th fense, but it also will permit the victims of are also on the right path. While they anniversary of the reestablishment of inde- these horrendous crimes against humanity to all have turbulent histories, we should pendence. I urge all my colleagues to join me see that justice is done. focus on the strides they have made to in voting for this important resolution. As a survivor of the Holocaust and as the correct past injustices within their Mr. LANTOS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in Chairman of the Congressional Human Rights own borders. These are countries we strong support of S. Con. Res. 19 congratu- Caucus, I applaud the Seimas and its leaders should be proud of and embrace their lating the Republic of Lithuania on the tenth for their action, for reaffirming so strongly the burgeoning democratic ideas. anniversary of the reestablishment of its inde- commitment of the Lithuanian Government to Mr. GILMAN. Mr. Speaker, I reserve pendence from the rule of the former Soviet justice. I hopeÐand expectÐthat this initiative the balance of my time, and I thank Union. It is most appropriate that we are con- will allow the cold-blooded killers who were re- the gentleman for his supporting re- sidering this resolution today, Mr. Speaker, be- sponsible for the crimes of the Holocaust to be marks. cause we have with us the most distinguished held accountable for their crimes. Genocide Ms. LEE. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself Speaker of the Lithuanian Parliament, must never be forgotten. such time as I may consume, and I rise Vytautas Landsbergis, who has played such a Mr. Speaker, in 1941 Fruma Kaplan was in strong support of this resolution. pivotal role in the renewal of the independ- only six years old when she and her mother, Mr. Speaker, the Lithuanian people ence and sovereignty of Lithuania some ten Gitta, were arrested by Lithuanian Security have always been in the forefront of de- years ago and who previously served as the Police (Saugumas) in the capital city of mocracy. Ten years ago, the Lithua- President of Lithuania. Vilnius. Fruma's crime? She was born Jewish, nian parliament defied the Soviet Mr. Speaker, I remember meeting with an unpardonable sin in Nazi-occupied Lith- Union by proclaiming its independence. Speaker Landsbergis on a visit to Lithuania uania. On December 22 of that year, Fruma

VerDate 07-MAR-2000 03:58 Mar 09, 2000 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00077 Fmt 4634 Sfmt 9920 E:\CR\FM\K08MR7.057 pfrm01 PsN: H08PT1 H726 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE March 8, 2000 and her mother were taken to the woods of ference in Stockholm, pursuing war criminals Senate Concurrent Resolution 91, the Paneriai outside of Vilnius, stripped down to is ``a moral duty that must be fulfilled in the pending measure. their underwear, lined up at the edge of pits, 21st century as well,'' and that ``forgiving and The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there and viciously gunned down. forgetting [the culprits] is out of the question.'' objection to the request of the gen- Fruma and Gitta Kaplan did not face their I could not agree more strongly with this tleman from New York? horrible fate along. Prior to 1941, Vilnius was sentiment. There was no objection. home to one of the most vibrant Jewish com- The prosecution of Nazi war criminals will Mr. GILMAN. Mr. Speaker, I have no munities in Europe. It was called the ``Jeru- complement and strengthen the efforts of the further requests for time, and I yield salem of the North.'' Artists, scholars, philoso- question.'' I could not agree more strongly with back the balance of my time. phers, and religious leaders all lived there, this sentiment. Ms. LEE. Mr. Speaker, I have no fur- men and women renowned for their intellec- The prosecution of Nazi war criminals will ther requests for time, and I yield back tual and cultural talents. After the Nazi inva- complement and strengthen the efforts of the the balance of my time. sion, they were slaughteredÐ55,000 of Lithuanian Government to promote Holocaust The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Vilnius' 60,000 Jews perished during World education. The Commission for the Investiga- question is on the motion offered by War II. tion of Crimes Committed during the Nazi and the gentleman from New York (Mr. The death warrants for Gitta and little Fruma Soviet Occupation of Lithuania, formed in GILMAN) that the House suspend the were signed by Aleksandras Lileikis, the Chief 1998 and ably co-chaired by Dr. Zingeris, rules and concur in the Senate concur- of the Lithuanian Security Police for Vilnius promises a thorough study of ``the role of Lith- rent resolution, Senate Concurrent Province. He supervised the slaughter of uanians and others in the local population as Resolution 91. Vilnius' Jewish community with precision and perpetrators and/or collaborators in the Holo- The question was taken. zeal, sending Jews to Paneriai regardless of caust.'' The most vital responsibility of the Mr. GILMAN. Mr. Speaker, on that I age and infirmity. The Kaplan documents Commission is clearly stated in its mission demand the yeas and nays. The yeas and nays were ordered. statement: ``Support for the preparation of make up only a small portion of the over- The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursu- educational materials and curricula for school whelming evidence which establishes Lileikis' ant to clause 8 of rule XX and the students at all levels, to promote study, dis- guilt. Our own Department of Justice calls this Chair’s prior announcement, further cussion and understanding of Lithuanian his- evidence in the Lileikis case a ``shockingly proceedings on this motion will be tory during the Nazi and Soviet occupations.'' complete paper trail.'' postponed. Lileikis and his deputy, Kazys Gimzauskas, Mr. Speaker, the true measure of the Commis- f escaped Lithuania and came to the United sion's success rests in its ability to convey its States after World War II. They lived quite findings to the children and grandchildren of RECOGNIZING THE 50TH ANNIVER- lives, Lileikis in Massachusetts and today's Lithuanians. I am hopeful that it will SARY OF THE KOREAN WAR AND Gimzauskas in Florida, evading the con- achieve this goal. THE SERVICE BY MEMBERS OF sequences of their crimes. It wasn't until this Mr. Speaker, I welcome the changes that THE ARMED FORCES DURING past decadeÐafter the collapse of the Soviet have taken place in Lithuania over the past SUCH WAR Union and the opening of archives and other decade. As I mentioned earlier, I had the op- Mr. BUYER. Mr. Speaker, I move to sources of information not available until that portunity this past January to visit Vilnius and suspend the rules and pass the joint pointÐthat the U.S. Department of Justice see first-hand the changes. While there, I par- resolution (H.J. Res. 86) recognizing was able to accumulate the evidence which ticipated in the Lithuanian opening of ``The the 50th anniversary of the Korean War established the legal basis for stripping U.S. Last Days,'' a documentary produced by Ste- and the service by members of the citizenship from these two individuals, who ven Spielberg and the Shoah Foundation Armed Forces during such war, and for covered up their horrendous crimes. They about the experiences of five Hungarian sur- other purposes. were deported from the United States and vivors of the Holocaust. I was one of those The Clerk read as follows: ended up back in the newly independent Lith- five survivors, Mr. Speaker. As I walked H.J. RES. 86 uania. through the neighborhood formerly occupied Whereas on June 25, 1950, Communist Since their return to Lithuania, Lileikis and by the Jewish Ghetto, I was reminded of a North Korea invaded South Korea with ap- Gimzauskas classified their wartime activities part of Lithuanian heritage that can never be proximately 90,000 troops, thereby initiating as the deeds of ``Lithuanian patriots,'' slan- replacedÐthe talents and gifts of a quarter the Korean War; dering the legacy of the untold thousands of million murdered citizens and their unborn de- Whereas on June 27, 1950, President Harry courageous Lithuanians who fought to defend scendants. The loss overwhelmed me. S Truman ordered military intervention in their national identity against Soviet might. Later that evening, at the movie premiere, I Korea; was joined in my emotion by President Whereas approximately 5,720,000 members Even so, these shameless men were never of the Armed Forces served during the Ko- brought to trial, as their claims of medical and Adamkus, Prime Minister Kubilius, Speaker rean War to defeat the spread of communism age-related infirmities stalled court pro- Landsbergis, and a host of other prominent in Korea and throughout the world; ceedings indefinitely. The legal amendments Lithuanian leaders. They attended as rep- Whereas casualties of the United States passed by the Seimas promise to alter this resentatives of modern LithuaniaÐa nation during the Korean War included 54,260 dead status, because the Prosecutor-General of strengthened by perseverance, emboldened (of whom 33,665 were battle deaths), 92,134 Lithuania can now initiate trials for Lileikis and by freedom, and sensitive to the con- wounded, and 8,176 listed as missing in ac- sequences of human rights denied. It is a na- tion or prisoners of war; and Gimzauskas without further delay. Whereas service by members of the Armed Lileikis and Gimzauskas are not alone. Sev- tion that, I am confident, will continue to learn Forces in the Korean War should never be eral other Nazis have been denaturalized and from the lessons of its past and will use them forgotten: Now, therefore, be it deported by the U.S. Department of Justice, to shape its future. The passage of the Resolved by the Senate and House of and the memory of the Holocaust demands amendments to allow war criminals to be tried Representatives of the United States of that they be brought to justice as soon as pos- in absentia, and the prospect that the cases of America in Congress assembled, That the sible. It is imperative that the Lithuanian Gov- Aleksandras Lileikis and other Nazi murderers Congress— ernment send a firm and principled message will soon move forward, further strengthens (1) recognizes the historic significance of the 50th anniversary of the Korean War; that the murder of 240,000 of its Jewish citi- my faith in this conviction. (2) expresses the gratitude of the people of zens in the Holocaust will never be forgotten, Mr. Speaker, it is in this spirit that I urge my the United States to the members of the not in this generation or in any generation to colleagues to join me in supporting S. Con. Armed Forces who served in the Korean War; come. It is my hope that Lithuania will soon Res. 19. The accomplishments of the Lithua- (3) honors the memory of service members demonstrate this commitment by opening trials nian people during the past decades are im- who paid the ultimate price for the cause of against Lileikis, Gimazuskas, and other Lithua- pressive, but they pale only in comparison to freedom, including those who remain unac- nians who participated in Nazi atrocities. the promise of this great nation in the years to counted for; and Mr. Speaker, I applaud recent statements by come. (4) calls upon the President to issue a proclamation— GENERAL LEAVE President Valdas Adamkus, Prime Minister (A) recognizing the 50th anniversary of the Andrius Kubilius, and Speaker Landsbergis in Mr. GILMAN. Mr. Speaker, I ask Korean War and the sacrifices of the mem- support of the immediate prosecution of Nazi unanimous consent that all Members bers of the Armed Forces who served and war criminals. As the Prime Minister elo- may have 5 legislative days in which to fought in Korea to defeat the spread of com- quently noted at the January Holocaust con- revise and extend their remarks on munism; and

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