[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 146 (Saturday, October 8, 1994)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: October 8, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
 IN HONOR OF THE 100TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE CROATIAN FRATERNAL UNION OF 
                                AMERICA

                                 ______


                         HON. GERALD D. KLECZKA

                              of wisconsin

                    in the house of representatives

                        Friday, October 7, 1994

  Mr. KLECZKA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to the Croatian 
Fraternal Union of America in celebration of its 100th anniversary.
  The Croatian Fraternal Union [CFU] was founded in 1894 by a small 
handful of Croatian-Americans in Pittsburgh. That number has grown 
significantly over the years from over 8,000 at the turn of the century 
to its current membership level of 90,000. With over 769 local groups 
in the United States and Canada, the CFU has a significant presence in 
North America.
  As a fraternal organization, the main function of the CFU is 
providing affordable, yet quality, insurance. In fact, this group was a 
leader among fraternal benefit societies in establishing the practices 
commonly used today in every life insurance certificate. They now offer 
plans on various levels from $1,000 to $1 million. In fact, the CFU is 
the 19th largest fraternal insurance group operating in Wisconsin 
today.
  However, the CFU has gone far beyond its initial purpose of providing 
life insurance. It has enriched the lives of not only its members, but 
of many other Americans and Croatians. The history of its commitment to 
helping others is rich with examples from as far back as World War I, 
when it invested over one-half of its assets in war bonds. In 1918, the 
Children's Home of the Croatian Fraternal Union was born, and it served 
hundreds of orphans of deceased union members until it closed in 1967.
  In addition to these examples, the CFU has been extremely active in 
providing relief to its war-weary homeland. It established the CFU 
Croatia Humanitarian Aid Fund, which has donated more than $150 million 
in aid to the needy citizens of Croatia. Furthermore, the CFU 
Scholarship Foundation has awarded over $800,000 in scholarships to 
deserving students.
  It is with great pride that I stand to honor the first 100 successful 
years of the Croatian Fraternal Union and extend my best wishes for 
another 100 years of commitment to helping others.

                          ____________________