Whereas, in 1918, the people of Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania declared their independence on February 24, November 18, and February 16, respectively, as sovereign, democratic countries; Whereas, on July 28, 1922, the United States formally recognized Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania as independent countries; Whereas the United States refused to recognize the Soviet Union’s forcible incorporation of the Baltic states; Whereas, in August 1991, the Baltic states regained their de facto independence from the Soviet Union, and on September 2, 1991, President George H.W. Bush recognized the restoration of their independence, reestablishing full diplomatic relations between the United States and Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania several days later; Whereas, in the United States, communities of Baltic descent have contributed significantly to American culture, prosperity, and security and have helped strengthen United States relations with the Baltic states; Whereas relations between the United States and Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania have developed into a robust partnership based on shared values and principles, including respect for the rule of law, human rights, freedom of speech, and free trade; Whereas Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania have shown their resolve as responsible and dedicated members of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) by contributing to regional and global security, including to operations in Afghanistan; Whereas the Baltic states have been leaders in addressing and combatting 21st century security threats, exemplified by their active leadership and advancement of the NATO Cooperative Cyber Defense Center of Excellence in Estonia, the NATO Strategic Communications Center of Excellence in Latvia, and the NATO Energy Security Center of Excellence in Lithuania; and Whereas Russia’s continued aggressive and provocative actions against its neighboring countries, including violations of sovereign Baltic airspace, test both the region and the NATO alliance: Now, therefore, be it