19. Lithuanian Independence Day

Public Law 101-247 [H.J. Res. 149], 104 Stat. 92, approved February 16, 1990

JOINT RESOLUTION Designating February 16, 1990, as “Lithuanian Independence Day".

Whereas February 16, 1990 is the 72nd anniversary of the declaration of independence of Lithuania;

Whereas on February 16, 1918, the Council of Lithuania, the sole representative of the Lithuanian people, in conformity with the recognized right to national self determination, proclaimed the restoration of an independent and democratic Lithuania and ended all ties that formally subordinated Lithuania to other nations; Whereas Lithuania was independent until 1940 when the Soviet Union took over the country;

Whereas the United States opposes tyranny and injustice in all forms and supports the cause of Lithuanian independence; and Whereas the oppressed people currently living in Lithuania keep the flame of freedom forever burning in their hearts: Now, therefore, be it

Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That February 16, 1990, is designated as "Lithuanian Independence Day", and the President is authorized and requested to issue a proclamation calling upon the people of the United States to celebrate such day with appropriate ceremonies and activities.

20. Greek Independence Day: A National Day of Celebration of

Greek and American Democracy

Public Law 101-256 [S.J. Res. 243], 104 Stat. 116, approved March 20, 1990 JOINT RESOLUTION To designate March 25, 1990, as "Greek Independence Day: A National Day of Celebration of Greek and American Democracy".

Whereas the ancient Greeks developed the concept of democracy in which the supreme power to govern was vested in the people; Whereas 1990 marks the 2,500th anniversary of the birth of democracy;

Whereas the Founding Fathers of the United States drew heavily upon the political and philosophical experience of ancient Greece in forming our representative democracy;

Whereas March 25, 1990, marks the 169th anniversary of the beginning of the revolution that freed the Greek people from the Ottoman Empire;

Whereas democratic ideals have forged a close bond between our two nations and their peoples; and

Whereas it is proper and desirable to celebrate our ideals with the Greek people, and to reaffirm the democratic principles from which our two great nations sprang: Now, therefore, be it

Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That March 25, 1990, is designated as "Greek Independence Day: A National Day of Celebration of Greek and American Democracy", and the President is authorized and requested to issue a proclamation calling upon the people of the United States to celebrate such day with appropriate ceremonies and activities.

21. National Former Prisoners of War Recognition Day

Public Law 101-266 [S.J. Res. 190], 104 Stat. 129, approved April 5, 1990

JOINT RESOLUTION Designating April 9, 1990, as "National Former Prisoners of War Recognition Day".

Whereas the United States has fought in many armed conflicts; Whereas thousands of members of the Armed Forces of the United States who served in such wars were captured by the enemy and held as prisoners of war;

Whereas many such prisoners of war were subjected to brutal and inhumane treatment by their captors in violation of international codes and customs for the treatment of prisoners of war and died, or were disabled, as a result of such treatment;

Whereas in 1985, the United States Congress (in Public Law 95145) directed the Department of Defense to issue a medal to former prisoners of war in recognition and commemoration of their great sacrifices in service to our Nations; and

Whereas these great sacrifices of former prisoners of war and their families deserve national recognition: Now, therefore, be it

Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That April 9, 1990, is designated as "National Former Prisoners of War Recognition Day", in honor of the members of the Armed Forces of the United States who have been held as prisoners of war, and the President is authorized and requested to issue a proclamation calling upon the people of the United States to commemorate such day with appropriate ceremonies and activities.

22. Jewish Heritage Week

Public Law 101–290 [S.J. Res. 241], 104 Stat. 183, approved May 10, 1990

JOINT RESOLUTION To designate the week of May 6, 1990 through May 13, 1990, as "Jewish Heritage Week".

Whereas May 10, 1990, marks the forty-second anniversary of the founding of the State of Israel;

Whereas the months of April, May, and June contain events of major significance in the Jewish calendar, including Passover, the anniversary of the Warsaw Ghetto Uprising, Holocaust Memorial Day, and Jerusalem Day;

Whereas the Congress recognizes that an understanding of the heritage of all ethnic groups in this Nation contributes to the unity of this Nation; and

Whereas understanding among ethnic groups in this Nation may be fostered further through an appreciation of the culture, history, and traditions of the Jewish community and contributions of Jewish people to this Nation, therefore be it

Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That the week of May 6, 1990 through May 13, 1990, is designated as "Jewish Heritage Week", and the President is authorized and requested to issue a proclamation calling upon the people of the United States, departments and agencies of State and local government, and interested organizations to observe such week with appropriate ceremonies, activities, and programs.

23. National Day in Support of Freedom and Human Rights in China and Tibet

Public Law 101-299 [S.J. Res. 275], 104 Stat. 204, approved May 23, 1990

JOINT RESOLUTION Designating May 13, 1990, as the "National Day in Support of Freedom and Human Rights in China and Tibet".

Whereas the United States supports the legitimate and democratic aspirations for freedom of peoples throughout the world;

Whereas student and citizen groups throughout the world have taken great risks in pursuit of reform;

Whereas on May 13, 1989, Chinese students began a hunger strike in Tiananmen Square seeking nonviolent dialogue with the Chinese Government;

Whereas The Chinese Government responded to the Chinese students with violence, killing many;

Whereas the non-violent resistance of the people of Tibet to the Chinese Government has also been met with violence;

Whereas the Chinese students and the Tibetan people follow the tradition of the Dalai Lama's and Mahatma Gandhi's doctrine of non-violence, and have inspired the world;

Whereas student organizations throughout the United States and around the world have declared May 13, 1990, as an international day of fasting in support of democratic reforms in China and Tibet; and Whereas this effort is being undertaken in the hope of bringing the current tragedies in China and Tibet to a peaceful end, and in the hope that productive dialogue will replace an atmosphere of suspicion and reprisal: Now, therefore, be it

Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That the President is authorized and requested to issue a proclamation designating May 13, 1990, as the "National Day in Support of Freedom and Human Rights in China and Tibet", and calling upon the people of the United States to observe such week with appropriate ceremonies and activities.