[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 75 (Friday, May 27, 2011)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E975]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    TWENTIETH ANNIVERSARY OF ILLYRIA

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. ELIOT L. ENGEL

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 26, 2011

  Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, this month marks the 20th anniversary of the 
establishment of Illyria, the Albanian-American newspaper. Illyria has 
been in the forefront of supporting the aspirations of the Albanian 
people in The Balkans for 20 years.
  As the Albanian people of Kosova in the former Yugoslavia emerged 
from the domination of Serbia, and Albania emerged from the shadow of 
communism in 1991, Albanian-Americans were in need of information about 
their homeland, and a common voice to bring their community together. 
In that time of great transition, Harry Bajraktari, an Albanian 
immigrant from Kosova who had built a successful real estate business 
from scratch in the Bronx, founded and published Illyria, and published 
it twice weekly in both English and Albanian.
  From the beginning, Illyria provided a valuable bridge among 
Albanians in the U.S. and abroad, and our leaders in the United States. 
Through the dedication and passion of Mr. Bajraktari and his 
colleagues, Illyria championed the causes of human rights, democracy 
and freedom for the people of Albania, Macedonia, Monte Negro and for a 
free and independent Republic of Kosova. During the Yugoslav wars and 
the struggles of Albanians in Kosova against the regime of Slobodon 
Milosevic, Illyria promoted peaceful solutions for Albanians and their 
neighbors. Diplomats at the United Nations, members of Congress, 
officials at the State Department, the White House and think tanks in 
Washington were among those who used Illyria as a resource.
  Now in more peaceful times for Albanians, Illyria, true to its 
immigrant roots, continues to build ties between the Albanians and the 
United States, promoting friendship between our countries and 
highlighting the contributions of Albanian immigrants to the United 
States. The long list of distinguished Albanian-Americans introduced to 
readers by Illyria includes a Nobel-Prize winner, an engineer who 
oversaw the flight of the Apollo 11 mission to the moon, a former NASA 
astronaut who flew into space on the Space Shuttle Endeavour, famous 
actors, directors and TV personalities, and successful professionals of 
various fields.
  The torch of owning and publishing Illyria was passed from Mr. 
Bajraktari to Ekrem Bardha, a successful Albanian-American businessmen 
from Michigan and then to Vehbi Bajrami, a dedicated publisher. Through 
two decades and three owners, Illyria has been a consistent voice for 
tolerance and truth. As Ismail Kadare, the internationally-renowned 
Albanian writer said, Illyria has kept ``only one passion as sacred: 
its dedication to the freedom and the happiness of the Albanian 
people.'' Mr. Speaker, these are two of the principles that have made 
this country the greatest democracy in the world, and which unite 
Albania and the United States in friendship today.
  With thousands of readers from New York to Alaska, Illyria newspaper 
is truly an American institution--politically independent and true to 
the best values of American journalism. In short, Illyria embodies the 
American dream. I join with Harry Bajraktari and with Albanian-
Americans in the United States and around the world, in wishing a happy 
20th anniversary to Illyria newspaper.

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