President Valdas Adamkus and U.S. Senator Richard Durbin to be awarded with the Aleksandras Stulginskis Star

Press release, 29 March 2022

 

The Seimas has decided to grant the Aleksandras Stulginskis Star award to President Valdas Adamkus and U.S. Senator Richard Joseph Durbin, making them the first winners of the award. 

 

‘The granting of the Aleksandras Stulginskis Star to President Valdas Adamkus and U.S. Senator Richard Durbin, is an expression of sincere tribute and acknowledgement of the tireless efforts and outstanding merits of these two prominent personalities. I sincerely believe that this award by the Seimas will inspire the feelings of respect, pride, and responsibility for Lithuania’s history in the heart of every person and encourage everyone to cherish freedom, stand for democratic values, and work for the benefit of the Homeland,’ said Antanas Vinkus, Chair of the Commission for the Award of the Aleksandras Stulginskis Star, at a Seimas sitting earlier. 

 

The ceremony for awarding the Alexander Stulginskis Star 2022 is scheduled to take place at the Seimas sitting on 17 May 2022. 

 

The Seimas resolution on granting the award was adopted by 113 votes in favour with 1 abstention.

 

The Aleksandras Stulginskis Star award was established by the Seimas in the framework of the centenary of the Constituent Seimas and the proclamation of the Republic of Lithuania with a view to honouring the outstanding personality of Aleksandras Stulginskis.

 

The award is intended to recognise the achievements and contribution of Lithuanian and foreign natural and legal persons towards promoting parliamentary values, democracy and statehood.

 

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Following his election as President of the Republic of Lithuania in 1998, Valdas Adamkus put forward the idea of a rapid modernisation of Lithuania and consistently supported its implementation, laying the foundations for civic harmony, political pluralism, and tolerance. One of his greatest achievements was his substantial contribution to the negotiations on Lithuania’s accession to NATO and the European Union, the major organisations of the community of Western nations. During his two-term service as President, Adamkus played a crucial role in consolidating Lithuania’s position in the global community. One of his priorities was the synergy among the Baltic States. Regular consultations between the leaders of Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia on European and transatlantic integration and the subsequent cooperation within the European Union and NATO became a common practice. Adamkus also worked hard on strengthening the ties between Lithuania and Poland. In the most difficult moments, he acted as a mediator in reaching a consensus between Poland and the major European Union countries.

 

Adamkus has received numerous awards from different countries for promoting dialogue among civilisations. In 2003, he was conferred the title of UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador for the Construction of Knowledge Societies. Adamkus was named the European of the Year 2007 at the European Voice Awards for successful mediation during important international negotiations of the European Union.

 

Richard Joseph Durbin is a U.S. Senator and one of the most influential American politicians of Lithuanian descent. Senator Durbin is an ardent supporter of Ukraine, which is suffering from Russia’s aggression, and a Co-Chair of the Senate Ukraine Caucus. This is important for Lithuania as the future of Europe depends on Ukraine’s security.

 

Senator Durbin strongly supported Lithuania in its efforts to achieve and consolidate its independence, and in its pursuit of international diplomatic recognition. He continuously assisted in the development of cross-border relations between Lithuania and the United States, also by helping Lithuania integrate into the global community. The recommendation for nomination of the Senator Durbin for the award underlines that the Senator has been of assistance to Lithuanian on all major matters for 30 years.

 

In spring 1990, following the restoration of Lithuania’s independence, Senator Durbin authored the House of Representatives’ joint resolution calling on the United States to support Lithuania’s independence. In his capacity as the leader of the Congressional Baltic Caucus, he was a major contributor to important pro-Lithuanian resolutions, both before and after the declaration of Lithuania’s independence. Since 1996, in his capacity as Member of the U.S. Senate, Senator Durbin has continued to provide assistance to Lithuania, in particular, since Lithuania’s accession to NATO.

 

 

Rimas Rudaitis, Adviser, Press Office, Information and Communication Department, tel. +370 5 239 6132, e-mail: [email protected]