[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 58 (Wednesday, May 1, 1996)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E685]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  THE 75TH ANNIVERSARY OF CROATIAN CATHOLIC UNION OF THE UNITED STATES

                                 ______


                        HON. PETER J. VISCLOSKY

                               of indiana

                    in the house of representatives

                         Wednesday, May 1, 1996

  Mr. VISCLOSKY. Mr. Speaker, I would like to congratulate the Croatian 
Catholic Union of the United States of America and Canada [CCU] as it 
celebrates its 75th anniversary and legacy of accomplishment for 
Croatian-Americans. The celebration will begin this Saturday, May 4, 
during a luncheon at the Croatian Catholic Union home office in Hobart, 
IN. The celebration will continue on Sunday in Chicago, with a mass at 
the Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish. The CCU is honored to have His 
Eminence Cardinal Franjo Kuharic, the archbishop of Zagerb, Croatia, 
and Msgr. Valdimir Stankovic, the director of pastoral care for 
Croatians aboard and director of Croatian Caritas, preside over the 
anniversary celebration. In addition, Melchior Masina, the national 
president of the CCU, and Myrna Jurcev, the national secretary 
treasurer of the CCU, will be speaking. Both the residents of Indiana's 
First Congressional District.
  The CCU is a fraternal benefit society incorporated in 1921 under the 
laws of the State of Indiana as a nonprofit organization. This 
organization provides life insurance and other benefits to its members 
and promotes religious, civic, charitable, educational, social, and 
cultural programs for the enrichment of its members. Furthermore, the 
CCU promotes the values of its members' Croatian Catholic heritage.
  In 1970, through its religious programs, the CCU erected two Marian 
Chapels, which make up the Croatian Marian Shrine in the Basilica of 
the Immaculate Conception in Washington, DC. This Croatian Marian 
Shrine offers a place to worship and it serves as a symbol of Croatian-
American contributions to the New World. Moreover, it unites all 
visiting Croatian-Americans in a strong bind of mutual solidarity and 
identity. Each year, the CCU organizes a national pilgrimage to the 
shrine.
  While the CCU's programs are civic in nature, the CCU participates in 
all events sponsored by the National Fraternal Congress. For example, 
the CCU raised significant funds to restore the Statue of Liberty, and 
it also made donations to Habitat for Humanity. In fact, many 
charitable donations have been made throughout the CCU's history, 
especially at times of great disasters. The CCU has raised millions of 
dollars in cash donations, medical supplies, food, and clothing for the 
refugees and orphans in the Balkans.
  According to the CCU, the purpose of the organization is service to 
God. The center of the CCU's mission is service to Croatian-American 
people. The core of their vision is service, solidarity and love for 
one another.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask you and my other distinguished colleagues to join 
me in honoring the Croatian Catholic Union of the United States and 
Canada during its 75th anniversary celebration. All the CCU's members 
should be commended for their dedication to preserving their culture, 
as well as assisting Croatian-Americans and others in times of need.

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