35. Refugee Day

Public Law 101–544 [S.J. Res. 375], 104 Stat. 2393, approved November 8.

JOINT RESOLUTION To designate October 30, 1990, as "Refugee Da Whereas in the past decade the world refugee population ha than doubled from 7,300,000 to 15,000,000;

Whereas the United States has always played a leading role: ugee matters worldwide;

Whereas the origins of the United States as a land of refur those escaping persecution and the development of the I States as a nation of immigrants gives the country a deep -standing of and sympathy for the plight of the 15,000,000gees in the world;

Whereas refugees who have come to the United States have significant contributions to the country;

Whereas the United States consistently encourages other cour

to expand efforts to help the needy population of refugees; Whereas the current world refugee situation requires that United States continue to be a leader in refugee affairs! therefore be it

Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of United States of America in Congress assembled, That

(1) October 30, 1990, is designated as "Refugee Day"; and (2) the President is authorized and requested to issue a lamation calling on the people of the United States to obse the day with appropriate ceremonies and activities.

36. Lithuanian Independence Day

olic Law 101-579 [H.J. Res. 606], 104 Stat. 2862, approved November 15, 1990

İST RESOLUTION Designating February 16, 1991, as "Lithuanian Independence Day"

ereas February 16, 1991, is the 73d anniversary of the declaraon of independence of Lithuania;

ereas on February 16, 1918, the Council of Lithuania, the sole epresentative of the Lithuanian people, in conformity with the ecognized right to national self-determination, proclaimed the estoration of an independent and democratic Lithuania and nded all ties that formally subordinated Lithuania to other naions;

hereas Lithuania was independent until 1940 when the Soviet Union took over the country;

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

Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Inited States of America in Congress assembled, That February 16, 991, is designated as "Lithuanian Independence Day", and the President is authorized and requested to issue a proclamation callng upon the people of the United States to celebrate such day with appropriate ceremonies and activities.

37. National Week to Commemorate the Victims of the Famine in the Ukraine, 1932-1933

Public Law 101-642 [S.J. Res. 329], 104 Stat. 4659, approved November 28, 1990

JOINT RESOLUTION To designate the week of November 3, 1990, to November 10, 1990, as "National Week to Commemorate the Victims of the Famine in the Ukraine, 1932-1933", and to commemorate the Ukrainian famine of 1932-1933 and the policies of Russification to suppress Ukrainian identity.

Whereas more than 7 million Ukrainians in the Ukrainian Soviet Socialist Republic, one of the member republics of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, died of starvation during the years 1932-1933; Whereas the famine of 1932-1933 was the consequence of deliberate policies of the Government of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics aiming to destroy the political, cultural, and human rights of the Ukrainian people;

Whereas the economic, social, and political consequences of the famine of 1932-1933 are still manifest among the Ukrainian population; Whereas the Government of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, although aware of the famine in Ukraine and having complete control of the entire food supplies within the borders of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, nevertheless failed to take relief measures to check the famine of 1932-1933 or to alleviate the catastrophic conditions resulting from it;

Whereas the Government of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics ignored the appeals of international organizations and other nations; Whereas the United States Commission on the Ukraine Famine, legislated to study and expand world knowledge of the famine, has substantiated, through hearings, eyewitness testimony, and documentation, that the Ukrainian famine of 1932-1933 was the result of a deliberate policy by the Government of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, and has published those findings; Whereas on February 7, 1990, the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Ukraine acknowledged that the Ukrainian famine of 1932-1933 was artificially created by the policies of Stalin and his closest associates;

Whereas the Government of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics has a long history of suppression of Ukrainian aspirations for the exercise of legitimate human rights and the expression of the cultural and social heritage of Ukrainians; and Whereas the United States has made intercessions at various times during the course of its history on behalf of citizens of other countries who are oppressed or persecuted by their governments, reflecting the traditional policy of the United States to take cog

nizance of such abuses of human rights and liberties: Now, therefore be it

Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That

(1) the week of November 3, 1990, through November 10, 1990, is designated as "National Week to Commemorate the Victims of the Famine in Ukraine, 1932-1933"; and

(2) the President is requested to issue a proclamation calling on the people of the United States, State and local government agencies, and interested organizations to observe the week with appropriate ceremonies, activities, and programs.

SEC. 2. Congress condemns the systematic disregard for human life, human rights, and liberties that characterized the policies of the Government of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics during the Ukrainian famine of 1932-1933 and expresses sympathy for the millions of victims of the famine.

SEC. 3. The President is requested to use public and diplomatic channels to call the attention of the world to the policies of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics that

(1) caused the slow death by famine of 7 million Ukrainians during 1932 and 1933; and

(2) for much of the modern history of Ukraine, have suppressed Ukrainian aspirations for the exercise of human rights and the expression of the cultural and social heritage of Ukrainians.

SEC. 4. Congress recognizes the reforms underway in Ukraine and strongly urges the Government of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics to)

(1) continue to move forward toward democratization and restructuring; and

(2) provide a framework for the realization of the legitimate rights and aspirations of the people of Ukraine.