Senate Concurrent Resolution 87 congratulating the Republic of Latvia on its 90th anniversary of the declaration of independence

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!
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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. 
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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
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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

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

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)

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

Contact Information
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email: alainfo@alausa.org
phone: 301-340-1914
web: http://www.alausa.org
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