I rise today to commemorate the 69th anniversary of the proclamation of the Byelorussian Democratic Republic. Even though the Republic was shortlived. the struggle for the ideals of 1918 continues to this day. During this century hundreds of thousands of Byelorussians emigrated to this country in order to attain the freedom they have found so elusive in their native land. Under the present Soviet occupation. the Byelorussian language. customs. and culture have slowly been eroded and forgotten due to a vigorous campaign of Russification. Russian. not the native tongue. is taught in the schools. is emphasized in the media. and is mandatory for nearly all types of employment.
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emigrated