[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 117 (Friday, September 24, 2004)]
[Senate]
[Page S9674]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         SUBMITTED RESOLUTIONS

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 SENATE RESOLUTION 435--CONGRATULATING THE CROATION FRATERNAL UNION OF 
                    AMERICA ON ITS 110TH ANNIVERSARY

  Mr. VOINOVICH submitted the following resolution; which was referred 
to the Committee on the Judiciary:

                              S. Res. 435

       Whereas the Croatian Fraternal Union of America will 
     celebrate its 110th anniversary on Sunday, September 26, 
     2004;
       Whereas on September 2, 1894, Mr. Zdravko V. Muzina 
     established the Croatian Fraternal Union in old Allegheny 
     City, Pennsylvania;
       Whereas the Croatian Fraternal Union began as a means to 
     establish an insurance society to provide coverage for its 
     members and their families;
       Whereas the Croatian Fraternal Union of America is the 
     largest Croatian organization outside of the Republic of 
     Croatia, with tens of thousands of members in the United 
     States; and
       Whereas the members of the Croatian Fraternal Union remain 
     active and engaged in efforts to provide their members with a 
     secure foundation celebrating their Croatian heritage: Now, 
     therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the Senate--
       (1) recognizes the Croatian Fraternal Union of America on 
     the occasion of its 110th anniversary; and
       (2) congratulates the members of the Croatian Fraternal 
     Union on reaching this significant milestone.

  Mr. VOINOVICH. Mr. President, I rise today to submit a resolution 
congratulating the Croatian Fraternal Union of America on the occasion 
of its 110th anniversary.
  This weekend, members of the Croatian Fraternal Union will gather in 
Pittsburgh, PA to celebrate this significant event. As the CFU prepares 
for this celebration, I would like to extend my best wishes to Mr. 
Bernard Luketich, who serves as President of the CFU, and whom I have 
had the pleasure of knowing and working with for many years.
  The Croatian Fraternal Union in Ohio, particularly in the Cleveland 
area, has for decades promoted the understanding and preservation of 
the Croatian heritage. Through its many cultural festivals, dances and 
other events, the local lodges have worked to ensure that the Croatian 
culture has remained strong and vibrant in Ohio.
  I am honored to be a member of the Zumberak Lodge 859, and I attend 
as many of the lodge's events as my schedule allows. I fondly remember 
taking my own granddaughters to see the CFU sponsored Tamburitzans 
perform, because I know it was important to expose the next generation 
to this wonderful art form and culture. This is the sort of important 
role that the Croatian Fraternal Union's lodges have filled for the 
past 110 years, which continues today.

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