[Congressional Record Volume 160, Number 100 (Wednesday, June 25, 2014)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1065]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     200 YEARS OF SERBIAN-AMERICANS

                                 ______
                                 

                              HON. TED POE

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, June 25, 2014

  Mr. POE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, this weekend there will be a great 
gathering in Philadelphia to commemorate 200 years of Serbians in the 
United States.
   As co-chair of the Congressional Serbian Caucus, we make sure that 
the voices of Serbian-Americans and our allies in the Serbian people 
are heard in Congress. Serbians are a lot like Texans. There's a 
certain spunk in us. It makes perfect sense that the first Serbian in 
the U.S., Dorde SSagicc or George Fisher, spent time in Texas, and 
Houston at that, serving as a justice of the peace and in the Texas 
militia.
   For more than 130 years, we have had a close relationship with the 
Serbian people. Our friendship with the Serbians is based on our shared 
belief in democracy and standing up for liberty. During both World War 
I and World War II, our two countries fought on the same battlefield 
and our people shared and shed blood together. Because of that 
brotherhood, we have a special relationship.
   Serbians that have immigrated to the United States have brought so 
much to our country. George Dudich was a Serbian who immigrated to the 
U.S. in 1947 after World War II. He and his family fled communism under 
Tito. His daughter was my Chief of Staff when I was in Judge in Texas. 
During World War II, George worked with the Serbian resistance and 
rescued downed American flyers. When he came to the U.S. he spent much 
of his life locating those downed flyers.
   I am proud to chair the Serbian Caucus with Representative Emanuel 
Cleaver from Missouri. And am grateful for recognition of the Caucus 
with the Ruth Mitchell Friendship Award. Serbian-Americans should be 
proud of their heritage and contribution to both of our great 
countries.
   And that's just the way it is.

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