Latvia’s president and one of the country’s leading daily newspapers are among those to be honored during the U.S.-Baltic Foundation’s (USBF) gala weekend May 15-16 in Washington, D.C., the organization’s chair has announced.

President Valdis Zatlers, described as “a tremendous advocate of stronger transatlantic relations,” will receive the Baltic Statesmanship Award, said USBF Chair Maria Kivisild Ogrydziak.

The newspaper Diena, founded in 1990, will be honored with the Corporate Social Responsibility Award. The newspaper “is politically independent, and its operations are based on high standards of journalism and business ethics,” according to an USBF press release.

The foundation’s event, “U.S.-Baltic Confluence: Forum, Exchange and Gala,” is scheduled in the Renaissance Mayflower Hotel, 1127 Connecticut Ave. W., Washington, D.C. The event begins May 13 with the 2009 U.S.-Baltic Supply Chain Venture Forum. The eighth annual awards dinner and silent auction is set May 16.

Other honorees are retired NBA basketball player Sarūnas Marčiulionis, recipient of the Baltic Outstanding Achievement in Sports and Business Award; television reporter and actress Tiiu Leek, recipient of the Baltic Image Enhancement Award; the California-based clinical research organization Egeen, recipient of the Baltic Corporate Citizen Award; and American entrepreneur Jerry Wirth, recipient of the Special Achievement in Business Award.

The USBF, founded in 1990, is based in Washington, D.C. The foundation “develops and implements programs to strengthen democracy and free markets in the Baltics” and “introduces the Baltics to new American audiences with a series of public affairs programs,” according to the press release. Further information about the foundation is available by visiting usbaltic.org.