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Mr. BONIOR. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commemorate the 79th anniversary of Lithuanian Independence. On Sunday, February 16, 1997, the Detroit-area Lithuanian community marked the event by holding a commemorative ceremony at the Lithuanian Cultural Center in Southfield, MI. The guest speaker was Majoras Valdos Sarapinas, the Military Attache from the Lithuanian Embassy in Washington, DC.

For nearly 55 years, Lithuania was occupied by Russian military forces. In the past 4 years, the people of Lithuania have been able to enjoy and celebrate the freedoms and privileges of a free nation.

Since 1991, when the United States granted Lithuania most-favored-nation status, Lithuania has been trying to align itself with Western nations. In 1996, Lithuania reaped the benefits of economic reform with lower inflation rates and stable currencies. Their GDP was expected to grow 6.1%. The integration of Western economic and security structures along with the desire to join NATO has transformed Lithuania into a growing competitive nation.

I am optimistic that the recent economic and political progress in Lithuania will continue. Lithuania has my full support in joining the Western nations and institutions as they strive to build their country upon the principles of democracy. This celebration marks the fourth anniversary of freedom from the military forces deployed inside Lithuania.

I commend the Lithuanian-American community for their vigilance through the many difficult years and I urge my colleagues to join me in commemorating the 79th Anniversary of Lithuanian Independence.