[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 86 (Friday, June 24, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1346]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




             IN HONOR OF ACCLAIMED FILMMAKER BRENDA BRKUSIC

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. DENNIS J. KUCINICH

                                of ohio

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, June 24, 2005

  Mr. KUCINICH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in honor and recognition of 
filmmaker Brenda Brkusic. Brenda is a courageous and hard working young 
woman who has been identified as a visionary in the Croatian community. 
At the age of twenty-one, Brenda started working on the film Freedom 
From Despair as her student thesis at Chapman University in Los 
Angeles, California.
  Freedom From Despair explores one man's arduous journey from his 
homeland of Yugoslavia to the United States, and his fight for human 
rights and Croatian independence. It also scrutinizes the relationship 
between ruthless dictators, the slaughter of 250,000 people, and the 
silence of the mainstream media. It creatively portrays the power of 
the human spirit and the tenets of democracy, without preaching or the 
use of propaganda.
  Her film has been met with critical acclaim, and has garnered 
countless awards, including the CINE Golden Eagle award, which has 
previously been awarded to Steven Spielberg and George Lucas. Her peers 
have recognized her as an emerging talent in the film industry, and a 
remarkable human being.
  Mr. Speaker and Colleagues, please join me in honor and recognition 
of Ms. Brenda Brkusic, the writer, producer and editor of Freedom From 
Despair for her hard work encouraging human rights and personal triumph 
over evil.

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