Speech #930188683

CoN. Rs. 420 to tyranny. In 1970 Kudirka. a crew- tics have not repressed the peoples ViWhereas Simas Kudirka. a Lithuanian sea- member on a Russian trawler. attempted sion of a free Lithuania and their desire jman. attempted to seek asylum in the United to defect to the United States. In recogni- for selfrule. Courageous protests to the States while his ship was moored beside a tion of his courageous actions and those Soviet Government continue and indiUnited States Coast Guard vessel in United of his subjugated fellow citizens. I have vidual efforts to escape cruel and insenStates territorial waters. and Whereas Simas Kudirka was forcible seized joined in cosponsoring the Hanrahan res- sitive rule are many. from the United States Coast Guard vessel olution protesting the denial of self- Some 4 years ago. Americans witnessed and returned by Soviet authorities to a Soviet determination to the Lithuanian people. the efforts of a young Lithuanian sailor. vessel. and subsequently imprisoned in the and I look forward to the day when all Simas Kudirka. to seek asylum aboard a Soviet Union. and Lithuanians will once again be truly free U.S. Coast Guard vessel moored near his Whereas American citizens are increasingly and independent. ship in our territorial waters. In a tragic concerned about this flagrant violation of Mr.