Baltic Advocacy Days 2020
Save the date! Following successful #Baltic Advocacy Days in 2019 and 2018, we are ready to announce the dates for the Baltic Advocacy Days in 2020, which will take place May 8-12, 2020 in Washington, D.C. Our draft schedule this year involves a broader program than the previous years (moreContinue Reading
Defense bill including support for Baltics passes House; awaits final approval
On December 11, the United States House of Representatives passed the final conference report on the Defense authorization bill by an overwhelming margin, and it now awaits final Senate action. The NDAA (National Defense Authorization Act for 2020) has key items with respect to the Baltics and deterring Russian aggression.Continue Reading
Statement on U.S. Sanctions Targeting Global corruption including Latvian oligarch
On December 9, 2019, the U.S. Department of Treasury announced a new group of Global Magnitsky sanctions targeting corruption, which includes Latvian oligarch Aivars Lembergs. In the statement, the Treasury Department highlights that “Corruption has undermined the Latvian economy for years, robbing the Latvian people of funds for public services,Continue Reading
JBANC’s 13th Baltic Conference and Advocacy Day
The Joint Baltic American National Committee, Inc. (JBANC) held its 13th conference in Washington, DC on November 9, 2019. The opening address was given by Estonian Prime Minister Jüri Ratas (pictured above with the ambassadors from Lithuania, Estonia, and Latvia) who remarked on the vital cooperation of the Baltic-American communitiesContinue Reading
JBANC’s 13th Baltic Conference and the 2019 Awards Gala hosted by EANC – November 8-9, 2019
The Joint Baltic American National Committee and the Estonian American National Council welcome you to Washington, DC for JBANC’s 13th Baltic Conference and the 2019 Awards Gala hosted by the EANC November 8 – 9, 2019 Marriott Wardman Park Hotel 2660 Woodley Rd NW, Washington, DC 20008 Registration andContinue Reading
JBANC Team Attends Maryland-Estonia MOU Signing
Yesterday the JBANC team headed to Annapolis, MD as Maryland Governor Hogan signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Estonian Ambassador Jonatan Vseviov to reaffirm Maryland and Estonia’s robust partnership. Besides military-to-military cooperation, the relationship has also including a growing number of people-to-people ties, including a handful of Sister City relationships.Continue Reading
JBANC Board Member Henry Gaidis Receives Award in Lithuania
On July 6, 2019, Henry L. Gaidis, one of the two Lithuanian American Council (LAC) representatives to the Joint Baltic American National Committee (JBANC) and current Chairman of its Board of Directors, was honored by President Dalia Grybaskaite by confirming upon him the Cross of the Knight of the OrderContinue Reading
House and Senate Baltic Caucuses poised for historic expansion in 2019
The previous 115th Session of Congress, a two-year period encompassing 2017-2018, was one of the most successful in the 22 years of the congressional Baltic Caucuses in the U.S. House of Representatives and U.S. Senate. If current trends continue, 2019 could be record-breaking. The House Baltic Caucus and the SenateContinue Reading
Maryland National Guard Unity Day
On Friday April 12th, 2019 the Maryland National Guard hosted its 14th Annual Unity Day in Baltimore, Maryland. The historical 5th Regiment Armory was buzzing as attendees were greeted by smiles and brochures directing them to the table displays of all the sister-states in attendance. A ceremonial Honor Guard initiatedContinue Reading
House Baltic Caucus co-chairmen Rep. John Shimkus (R-IL) and Rep. Adam Schiff (D-CA) introduced
On April 9, House Baltic Caucus co-chairmen Rep. John Shimkus (R-IL) and Rep. Adam Schiff (D-CA) introduced House Resolution 300 (H.Res. 300) to recognize the victims of Soviet and Nazi regimes. The resolution expresses “support for the designation of August 23, 2019, as Black Ribbon Day to recognize the victimsContinue Reading