Seimas has expressed gratitude to John Shimkus for his steady concern for Lithuania’s security

Press release, 19 November 2020

Given that John Shimkus, a long-standing member of the US House of Representatives, is bidding farewell to the US Congress and in appreciation of his overall contribution to the freedom cause of the Baltic States, the Seimas expressed, on behalf of Lithuania, its utmost gratitude to him for his steady 23-year-long concern for Lithuania’s security.

The Resolution (draft No XIVP-14(2)) thereon was adopted unanimously by 122 votes in favour.

The above-mentioned Resolution underlines that Mr Shimkus, of Lithuanian descent, was a long-standing Head of the House Baltic Caucus who had once, arms in hand, stood guard over the freedom of the Allies in the Federal Republic of Germany and was among the most active advocates of Lithuania’s membership of NATO and a great help to Lithuania on all matters.

Meeting with John Shimkus, Head of the House Baltic Caucus of the US House of Representatives. Emanuelis Zingeris, Head of the Seimas Group for Inter-Parliamentary Relations with the United States of America, on the left and Viktoras Pranckietis, Speaker of the Seimas, on the right. Photo by the Office of the Seimas, 3 March 2020 

‘John Shimkus has been one of the most active congressmen in persuading the US Congress to liberalise trade in liquefied natural gas and approve NATO’s defence plans for the Baltic States, in countering Russia’s aggression against Ukraine, in proclaiming and regularly commemorating Black Ribbon Day at the US Congress, in fighting against the Kremlin’s hostile propaganda and disinformation, in establishing the American-Lithuanian Business Council, and in launching a host of other initiatives of support to the Baltic States,’ the Resolution underlines.

The Resolution was authored by Emanuelis Zingeris, Member of the Seimas.

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