[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 141 (Thursday, October 3, 1996)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1912-E1913]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




     TRIBUTE TO THE CIRCLES OF SERBIAN SISTERS OF NORTHWEST INDIANA

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. PETER J. VISCLOSKY

                               of indiana

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, October 3, 1996

  Mr. VISCLOSKY. Mr. Speaker, it is my great honor to commend the 
Circles of Serbian Sisters of Northwest Indiana. This distinguished 
organization is holding its fourth annual benefit at St. George Serbian 
Orthodox Church in East Chicago, IN this Sunday, October 6, 1996.

[[Page E1913]]

  The Circles of Serbian Sisters of Northwest Indiana is the combined 
effort of four separate Circles of Serbian Sisters organizations, each 
of which contains about 200 members. The presidents of the Circles of 
Serbian Sisters are: Ms. Helen Tezich, from St. George Serbian Orthodox 
Church in East Chicago; Ms. Natalie Tieca, from St. George Serbian 
Orthodox Church in Schererville; Ms. Ann Rudman, from St. Sava Serbian 
Orthodox Church in Merrillville; and Ms. Milica Bodrozic, from St. 
Elijah Serbian Orthodox Church in Merrillville.
  Four years ago, these organizations unified to assemble this 
humanitarian fundraiser in order to provide aid to orphaned and refugee 
children in the former Yugoslavia. Last year alone, the Circles of 
Serbian Sisters sent over 7,000 packages and vaccines to these 
displaced children, who are forced to live in refugee camps and 
shelters. These individually wrapped packages consisted of underwear, 
sweat suits, and candy. Circles of Serbian Sisters of Northwest Indiana 
works with the International Orthodox Christian Charities and the 
Serbian Orthodox Church in the former Yugoslavia.
  Four priests, who have supported this effort from the very beginning 
are: Father Steve Kovaceivich, from St. George Serbian Orthodox Church 
in East Chicago; the Very Reverend Father Milan Savich, from St. George 
Serbian Orthodox Church in Schererville; the Arch Priest John 
Todorovich, from St. Sava Serbian Orthodox Church; and Father Lazar 
Kostur, from St. Elijah Serbian Orthodox Church.
  The following distinguished clergymen from the Serbian Orthodox 
Church have sent their blessings for the event Metro Bishop Irney--
Kovacevich--Serbian Orthodox Hierarch of the New Granica 
Metropolitinate, seated in Third Lake, IL; His Eminence Metropolitan 
Christopher--Kovacevich--Serbian Orthodox Hierarch for Midwestern 
America, seated in Libertyville, IL; and His Grace Bishop Sava--
Jurich--Serbian Orthodox Bishop of Australia and New Zealand, Surrogate 
Bishop to His Holiness Serbian Orthodox Patriarch Pavle, administrator 
of the Serbian Orthodox Diocese of USA and Canada.
  During this year's banquet, which is held at a different church each 
year, two sisters, Ms. Millica Bodrozic and Mara Dobrijevich, who have 
been involved in this movement from the very beginning, will describe 
what they experienced as they traveled to the former Yugoslavia to 
deliver the aid packages. Thank you notes from the orphaned children 
will also be read during this benefit.
  Mr. Speaker, during this sad time in the former Yugoslavia, the 
mission of the Circles of Serbian Sisters offers renewed hope in the 
humanity of all people. I ask you and my other distinguished colleagues 
to join me in commending the Circles of Serbian Sisters and wishing 
them well on their fourth annual banquet, as well as the continued 
success of their humanitarian efforts.

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