Declaring March 6th as Lithuanian Independence Day in the City of Philadelphia in honor of its Restoration of the State Day on February 16th and Restoration of Independence Day on March 11th.

WHEREAS, Lithuania is a thriving democracy with close economic and diplomatic ties to the United States; and

WHEREAS, Lithuania struggled to maintain its sovereignty in the 20th century, falling under Soviet-rule in 1940 after declaring independence from Germany in the aftermath of World War I; and

WHEREAS, Lithuania was the first of the 15 Soviet Republics to declare independence, leading to the dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1991; and

WHEREAS, Today, Lithuania is a flourishing market-based economy and member state of the European Union and NATO, among other critical international institutions; and

WHEREAS, Lithuanians celebrate independence on both February 15th and March 11th; and

WHEREAS, February 16th is celebrated in recognition of the Act of Independence of Lithuania which was signed by the Council of Lithuania on February 16, 1918; and

WHEREAS, March 11th is celebrated in recognition of the Act of Re-Establishment, which sought independence from Soviet-rule and was adopted on March 11, 1990; and

WHEREAS, In recognition of the thriving partnership between Lithuania and the United States, including ongoing economic and cultural exchanges with the City of Philadelphia, the Council is pleased to recognize Lithuanians in their celebration of freedom and democracy; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, That it herby declares March 6th as Lithuanian Independence Day in the City of Philadelphia in honor of its Restoration of the State Day on February 16th and Restoration of Independence Day on March 11th.

FURTHER RESOLVED, That an Engrossed copy be presented to Honorary Consul General of Lithuania, Krista Bard, further evidencing the sincere respect and admiration of this legislative body.

End