[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 84 (Wednesday, June 6, 2012)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E992]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




    IN RECOGNITION OF THE DEDICATION OF THE CROATIAN CULTURAL GARDEN

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. DENNIS J. KUCINICH

                                of ohio

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, June 6, 2012

  Mr. KUCINICH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in recognition of the 
dedication of the Croatian Cultural Garden, taking place on June 3, 
2012.
  The 254 acre piece of land that constitutes Rockefeller Park was 
donated to the City of Cleveland by John D. Rockefeller in 1896. The 
Cleveland Croatian Cultural Garden is a two acre piece of land within 
Rockefeller Park. The Cleveland Cultural Gardens were founded in 1926 
to create a memorial area for the diverse ethnic groups that shape the 
region, and to serve as a space for reflection on peace, cooperation 
and understanding. The Cultural Gardens are currently a collection of 
26 gardens which include African-American, American Indian, British, 
Chinese, Czech, Estonian, and Slovenian gardens, among others.
  The mission of the Croatian Cultural Garden is to dedicate a garden 
that celebrates the rich cultural achievements and contributions of the 
Croatian people and to endow an educational legacy for future 
generations. Groundbreaking on the Garden took place on April 30, 2011 
with the support of the Garden's benefactor, Ed Lozick.
  The dedication of Phase I of the Croatian Cultural Garden will begin 
with a Holy Mass at St. Paul Croatian Church. Phase I includes the 
installation of ``The Immigrant Mother'' statue which represents 
Croatian mothers who emigrated to the U.S. The bronze statue was 
sculpted by Clevelander and Croatian-American, Joseph Turkaly. The 
granite base of the statue is inscribed with three Croatian symbols; 
the Croatian Homland Shield (Grb), the original Croatian alphabet 
(Glagolijica) and the pleter design. The Gardens will also have a heart 
shaped flower garden representing the ``Licitar Heart'' as well as 
three benches carved from stone from the island of Brac.
  Mr. Speaker and colleagues, please join me in recognition of the 
dedication of the Croatian Cultural Garden.

                          ____________________