The Year in Review for U.S.-Baltic Advocacy
2024 was a busy year for advocacy on the U.S.-Baltic front. 2025 will continue to be so. For a full overview of Joint Baltic American National Committee’s activities in 2024 with photos read our newsletter and sign up for future updates! In the United States Congress, a sign of successContinue Reading
JBANC statement on Georgia protests
The Joint Baltic American National Committee (JBANC) stands in solidarity with the people of the Republic of Georgia during their rightful protests to uphold their hope for a free and democratic future for Georgia. Starting with the disputed October 26, 2024, elections, which have been shown to have numerous irregularitiesContinue Reading
2024 U.S. Election Results – Baltic Caucuses Prevail
The 2024 elections in the United States were like no other. In the presidential race, Donald Trump won over Kamala Harris. What that means for America, and its relationships with allies and partners worldwide is another story. In 2024, 33 Senate seats and all 435 House seats were up forContinue Reading
JBANC at Baltic Unity Day event in New Jersey
On October 20, 2024, the JBANC team attended the 33rd annual Baltic Unity Day held at the Lakewood Estonian House in Jackson, New Jersey. Unity Day affirms the Baltic states’ historic common struggle for re-independence and celebrates the continued vibrancy of the Estonian, Latvian, and Lithuanian diaspora communities. Baltic UnityContinue Reading
The Great Flight of 1944 and its significance today
(Karl-Heikki Jõks/JBANC) – 2024 marks the 80th anniversary of the tragic Great Flight (Mass Flight), being commemorated by Estonians this year. The circumstances affected not only Estonians but also Latvians and Lithuanians. In 1944, with the return of Soviet occupation to the Baltic states, hundreds of thousands of Estonians, Latvians,Continue Reading
Baltic Way – Black Ribbon Day Commemorated in Washington, DC
On August 23, the Joint Baltic American National Committee (JBANC), the Victims of Communism Memorial Foundation, the embassies of Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania, and about 100 participants gathered on McPherson Square outside the Victims of Communism Museum in Washington, DC, to celebrate 35 years since the Baltic Way, and to commemorate Black Ribbon Day. Thirty-fiveContinue Reading
Welles Declaration Anniversary Commemorated
On July 23, 2024, the annual commemoration of the Welles Declaration took place in Rock Creek Cemetery in Washington, DC. The Estonian Defense Minister Hanno Pevkur and Acting Assistant Secretary of State Yuri Kim took part, together with the embassies of Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania. It was the 84th anniversaryContinue Reading
31 Years of Partnership Between the National Armed Forces of Latvia and Michigan National Guard
The National Armed Forces of Latvia and the Michigan National Guard have celebrated 31 years since the establishment of the State Partnership Program (SPP) which, alongside partnerships between the Lithuanian Armed forces and National guard of Pennsylvania, and Estonian Defence Forces and National Guard of Maryland, were amongst the firstContinue Reading
33 Members of Congress Sign Letter to Support $350 Million Allocation for Baltic Security Initiative
Washington, DC (JBANC) – Thirty-three members of the United States Congress have signed a letter to the House Appropriations Committee supporting $350 million in funding for the Baltic Security Initiative for the Fiscal Year 2025 defense appropriations bill. The bipartisan letter, sponsored by House Baltic Caucus co-chairs Don Bacon (R-NE)Continue Reading
JBANC Statement on Final Passage of the Ukraine Security Supplemental Appropriations Act
The Joint Baltic American National Committee (JBANC) commends the overwhelming passage of H.R.8035, the Ukraine Security Supplemental Appropriations Act of 2024 in the United States Congress. It received significant bipartisan and bicameral support and was passed by the House of Representatives on April 20 by a vote of 311 –Continue Reading