The world. and particularly America. will never forget what occurred during June 1940. when the Reds swept over that land and abruptly ended Its two decades of independence. Thus vanished the Lithuanian Republic and also the liberty of its people. The suffering of the Lithuanians is especially poignantly felt at this Lenten season when we recall that thousands of them were mercilessly uprooted from their ancestral homes. their worldly possessions taken. and foreign people from Asiatic areas brought in to take their place. Freedom of movement was forbidden and practically every vestige of their Godgiven rights as human beings was stamped out. One may also ask why we in the Congress of the United States. after the many years that have elapsed since the Declaration of Independence of Lithuania and the subsequent destruction of its freedom. take cognizance of this day.