Whereas, The independence for which the people of Lithuania fought so hard was short lived as the invading Communist Russian troops overran the small Baltic nation; and,
 
Whereas, Despite unimaginable suffering and sacrifice, the Lithuanian people never forgot their declaration of independence on February 16, 1918, when their desire for liberty, justice, and freedom was granted; and,

Whereas, In 1940, Lithuania was occupied first by the Soviet Union followed by being ruled by Nazi Germany; then in 1944, as World War II neared its end, the Nazis retreated, and the Soviet Union reoccupied Lithuania; and,

Whereas, After decades of struggle, massive demonstrations, nation-wide strikes, and courageous referendum votes for freedom, on March 11, 1990, the citizens of Lithuania finally achieved the restoration of their free, independent and democratic nation as declared in 1918;

Now, Therefore, be it Resolved, That I, Jennifer M. Granholm, governor of the state of Michigan, do hereby declare February 16, 2009, Lithuanian Independence Day in Michigan.  I encourage all citizens to join me and our citizens of Lithuanian descent in recognizing this historic observance and the sacrifices made by the people of Lithuania in their pursuit of freedom and democracy.