West Coast Lithuanians Participate in Baltic Advocacy Days

Baltic Advocacy Days consists of meetings coordinated by the Joint Baltic American National Committee (JBANC) between constituents and offices of the United States Congress to further the ties between the U.S. and the Baltic states. This year marks the seventh time JBANC has hosted Baltic Advocacy Days.  Anyone with an interest in supporting the Baltics is invited and encouraged to participate.  This year a total of 65 participants registered across 22 states.  Of this group, West Coast Lithuanians from Alaska, California, Oregon, and Washington registered and attended virtual and in-person meetings.

This year’s Baltic Advocacy Days took place from April 8 to 12, 2024, and consisted of both in-person and virtual meetings. Meetings are typically short and last approximately 20 to 30 minutes.  Overall, a total of 28 meetings took place during the week with nine (9) of these represented by West Coast Lithuanian and Baltic constituents.  The West Coast Lithuanians and Baltic constituents also led with the highest number of meetings by state with Washington securing four (4) meetings and California securing three (3) meetings.   These were followed by Alaska and Oregon with one meeting per state.  The West Coast meetings were held with the offices of:

• Senator Dan Sullivan of Alaska
• Senator Laphonza Butler and Senator Alex Padilla of California
• Representative Julia Brownley of California’s 26^th District
• Senator Jeff Merkley of Oregon
• Senator Maria Cantwell and Senator Patty Murray of Washington State
• Representative Pramila Jayapal of Washington’s 7^th District
• Representative Marilyn Strickland of Washington’s 10^th District

The advocacy for 2024 focused on these points:

•    Security assistance to Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania (Baltic Security Initiative, Foreign Military Financing, etc.)

•    Security assistance for Ukraine necessary to help it defend itself against Russia.

•    Maintaining a strong NATO alliance and transatlantic relations.

•    Other Ukraine-related legislation.

Thanks to all who registered and participated in Baltic Advocacy Days! 

Find out more about JBANC and Baltic Advocacy Days at their website https://jbanc.org/ or by email at jbanc@jbanc.org.