Mr. Speaker, on Monday, February 16, the people of Lithuania and Lithuanian Canadians gathered to celebrate the independence of the land of their heritage.
This year they celebrated the 86th anniversary of the independence of Lithuania. February 16 is and always will be a significant and meaningful date for Lithuanians. It is on this day in 1918 that Lithuania declared its independence from czarist Russia and re-declared its sovereignty yet again in 1990.
A small nation achieved freedom in the aftermath of World War I. Proclaiming the Lithuanian Republic, its founders stepped forward on February 16, 1918, to assert their country's independence and commitment to a government based on justice, democracy and the rights of individuals.
For decades, Lithuanians have been commemorating this event, during Lithuanians' oppression and subsequent independence.
I would like to offer my congratulations to President Paksas, the Lithuanian Parliament and to the people of Lithuania on this momentous occasion.