The victims of communism were commemorated at the Victims of Communism Memorial in Washington on June 12, 2013. The chairmen of the foreign affairs committees of the parliaments of Nordic and Baltic countries, members of U.S. House of Representatives, as well as representatives of nearly 20 embassies were among the participants. The event was organized by the Victims of Communism Memorial Foundation. Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee of Estonian Parliament Marko Mihkelson, Estonian Embassy in Washington and Estonian American National Council laid wreaths at the Memorial.
Ambassadors and diplomats from nearly 20 embassies, along with the leaders of numerous American-based groups and representatives from the still-communist nations of Cuba, China, Vietnam, North Korea and captive Tibet, were participating at the wreath laying ceremony.
Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen of Florida, Rep. Dana Rohrabacher of California, and Rep. Jim Bridenstine of Oklahoma were among the speakers and guests from Capitol Hill.
Yang Jianli, Ph. D., Founder and President of Initiatives for China, was awarded the 2013 Truman-Reagan Medal of Freedom at the commemoration. Dr. Yang has been widely recognized as a major leader of China’s democracy movement and one of the most important international advocates for China’s peaceful democratic transition.
The medal is given to individuals who have distinguished themselves in opposing communism and tyranny. Previous medal recipients inc-lude Lech Walesa, Vaclav Havel, Elena Bonner, Pope John Paul II, William F. Buckley, Jr., Sen. Henry “Scoop” Jackson, Rep. Tom Lantos, Sen. Jesse Helms, Sen. Joseph Lieberman, Rep. Steny Hoyer, and Rep. Ros-Lehtinen.
Following the ceremony, a panel discussion, “The Legacy of Communism” was held at the Lehrman Auditorium at the Heritage Foundation.
The Victims of Communism Memorial Foundation is dedicated to educating this generation and future generations about the history, philosophy and legacy of communism.
The Victims of Communism Memorial was dedicated on June 12th 2007, exactly 20 years since President Reagan delivered his famous 1987 challenge at Berlin's Bran-denburg Gate: "Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall!"
Estonian Embassy
victimsofcommunism.org
