Commonwealth of Massachusetts
A Proclamation
His Excellency Governor Deval L. Patrick
Whereas On November 18th, 1918, Latvia declared its independence from Russia; and
Whereas Annexed by the Soviet Union in 1940, Latvia was occupied until 1991; and
Whereas In 1991, Latvia joined other Baltic states in regaining its independence and became a member of the United Nations; and
Whereas Latvian Americans continue to be a vital part of the Commonwealth’s rich diversity by contributing significantly to all aspects of daily life, including education, medicine, commerce, agriculture, public service and technology; and
Whereas It is appropriate that all residents recognize Latvian Americans for their many contributions to the cities and towns across our Commonwealth,
Now, Therefore, I, Deval L. Patrick, Governor of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, do hereby proclaim November 18th, 2011, to be
Latvian Independence Day
And urge all the citizens of the Commonwealth to take cognizance of this event and participate fittingly in its observance.
Given at the Executive Chamber in Boston, this twenty-fifth day of October, in the year two thousand and eleven, and of the Independence of the United States of America, the two hundred and thirty-fifth.
By His Excellency
Deval L. Patrick
Governor of the Commonwealth
William Francis Galvin
Secretary of the Commonwealth
God Save the Commonwealth of Massachusetts