From the Lithuanian American Community, Inc. Public Affairs Office

The Lithuanian-American Community Enters the 21st Century

When the Lithuanian American Community, Inc. first established itself in the United States in 1952, its primary goals were maintaining Lithuanian culture and heritage outside the borders of Lithuania. Those goals never altered. The faces and the hands of those who helped Lithuanians succeed in their bicultural lives changed many times as they entered the administration of the Lithuanian-American Community, Inc.'s Board of Directors and National Executive Board. Now, the millennium begins with a prodigious Lithuanian-American legacy enriching future decisions and accomplishments yet to come.

The Lithuanian American Community, Inc. is a non-profit community-based organization providing educational, cultural, and social services to our membership. Serving the interests of approximately 800,000 Americans of Lithuanian descent, LAC, Inc. is in the forefront of supporting the growth of democratic institutions and economic, as well as social reform in the Republic of Lithuania.

Since its founding in 1951, LAC, Inc. has sponsored a wide variety of activities. To commemorate this very special year, the LAC through the efforts of Sister Margarita Bareikaitė has published a 2000 Year Jubilee Calendar. Since our Board of Directors has designated this the year of Christ, the emphasis is religious; however, it contains Lithuania's historical events and our Community programs.

Members, Lithuanian-Americans, participate in programs both within their local chapters, as well as in nation-wide events organized in six areas of interest: cultural, educational and religious, human services, economic, and public affairs.

LAC, Inc. promotes and fosters Lithuanian culture and traditions through regular sponsorship of specific events, such as folk dance, music, song and theater festivals and concerts, arts and science symposiums. LAC, Inc. also publishes books about Lithuania’s cultural heritage and generally seeks to support cultural interaction between the United States and Lithuania.

The year 2000 begins a rich, cultural year. In March, two famous soloists from Lithuanian – Vladimeras Prudnikovas and Judita Leitaitis are expected to tour. In April, the theater company, "Žaltvykslės", will stage a play. In May, the Chicago-based "Poetry Day" and the Lithuanian Opera Company's presentation of "La Traviata" will highlight their talents. By the end of June and early July, people from around the world will gather for the 11^th International Lithuanian Folk Dance Festival in Toronto, Canada. Look for even more events in the fall.

Educational and Religious

LAC, Inc. has been instrumental in keeping the Lithuanian heritage and its religious traditions alive in the U.S. through its network of Lithuanian Heritage and Language Schools, which provide classes to Lithuanian-Americans of all ages. Educational programs are designed, instructional materials are published, and teachers are prepared to meet the continuously changing environmental demands. Educational programs continue to expand encompassing adults as well as children. Enrollment numbers are correspondingly increasing.

The Human Services Council of LAC, Inc. provides specialized services to senior citizens and individuals of Lithuanian descent requiring assistance. These services include social, informational, legal aid, medical, as well as case-unique aid to individuals and/or families in need. The Council operates two service centers and publishes Pensininkas, (The Pensioner) a magazine for senior citizens as well as informational columns in Lithuanian media.

With the reestablishment of independence, the Council has expanded its scope to provide aid to the people of Lithuania by establishing a series of ongoing projects via its subsidiaries:

Lithuanian Children’s Hope provides specialized orthopedic care and treatment for Lithuania’s children;

Lithuanian Orphan Care allows LAC, Inc. members to sponsor a foster child in Lithuania;

And, the Lithuanian Freedom Fighters' Fund provides aid to Lithuanian freedom fighters of advanced age who have suffered from the Soviet Union occupation and persecution.

The LAC, Inc. Economic Affairs Council actively promotes business with and investment in Lithuania. In this respect, the Council sponsors conferences and trade shows, both in the U.S. and Lithuania, for potential investors and businesses. Working through the U.S. government Baltic American Enterprise Fund, the Council actively seeks to establish business partnerships between the U.S. and Lithuanian companies. The Council also publishes a weekly column in the Lithuanian press providing up-to-date information regarding economic changes taking place in Lithuania.

Since its inception, LAC, Inc. has worked to support the independence of Lithuania by providing required assistance to Lithuania’s democratic movement and championing a variety of projects before and after the declaration of independence. The Public Affairs Council has an exceptionally busy year ahead as they continue to assemble and provide accurate information about Lithuania to our American government to enable it to make informed and good decisions. Currently, the emphasis has shifted to developing and supporting Lithuania’s democracy and changing economy.

Such issues as the expansion of NATO to include Lithuania, the demilitarization of the Kaliningrad territory, and foreign aid remain of vital concern to the LAC. NATO membership can assure Lithuania's independence and security. NATO must pace, not pause, the process of enlargement by extending an invitation to join to those nations able to meet the guidelines established by the 1995 NATO Study on Enlargement and do so on a country to country basis. The next expansion is expected in the year 2002, but realistically we have but one year to make the case for Lithuanian's admission to NATO. We are proud of the accomplishments of the Lithuanian Armed Forces and congratulate them on their acknowledged and commendable accomplishments.

To ensure that public dissemination and guaranteed American governmental awareness exists, LAC, Inc.’s main office is near Washington D.C. This office provides information on Lithuanian affairs to the media, Congress, agencies of the U.S. government, foundations and interested private sector organizations and persons.

Through LAC, Inc. sponsored publications — the English language magazine Bridges; the quarterly journal of art and science Lituanus; the Lithuanian language children’s magazine Eglutė; and the senior citizens' magazine Pensininkas — LAC keeps its membership informed of all activities and events relevant to individuals of all walks of life with what is going on both here in the U.S. and Lithuania.

The membership of LAC, Inc. includes all individuals of Lithuanian descent. Activities are carried out through 69 local chapters headquartered in 30 states and the District of Columbia; organized into nine geographical districts. The policy-making body, the highest authority, is the LAC, Inc. National Board that is elected every three years by the membership. The LAC, Inc. National Executive Committee, which is elected by the National Board for a three-year term.