[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 69 (Friday, April 27, 2018)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E565]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        U.S.-SERBIA RELATIONSHIP

                                 ______
                                 

                              HON. TED POE

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, April 27, 2018

  Mr. POE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, it is a distinct honor for me to talk 
about the great relationship we have with Serbia as co-chair of the 
Congressional Serbia Caucus.
  Serbia is a great friend of the United States.
  As a Texan, I have great admiration for the people of Serbia. Our 
strong opinions and habit to speak our minds make us natural allies.
  In fact, one of the first people to settle in Texas was a Serbian 
named Dorde Sagic, or George Fischer as he was known in the U.S.
  After settling in Texas, Sagic went on to become a justice of the 
peace in my hometown of Houston.
  But Serbia has contributed much more to the cause of justice than 
just Mr. Sagic keeping the early streets of Houston safe.
  Today we honor the service of Serbia's armed forces who have fought 
side-by-side with Americans to preserve justice during history's most 
horrific conflicts.
  In 1918, President Woodrow Wilson gave a speech marking the fourth 
anniversary of Austria-Hungary's invasion of Serbia. Speaking of the 
bravery of the Serbian armed forces, President Wilson said:
  ``Nobly did they respond. So valiantly and courageous did they oppose 
the forces of a country ten times greater in population and resources. 
. . While their territory has been devastated and their homes 
despoiled, the spirit of the Serbian people has not been broken.''
  As a Texan, I admire such defiance against overwhelming odds.
  Like President Wilson, I am proud to share the stories of Serbia's 
bravery here in Washington.
  I believe the most meaningful for Americans is the story of the 
Halyard Mission during the dark days of the Second World War.
  While under Nazi-occupation, the Serbian people demonstrated their 
bravery as they played a crucial role in the largest rescue operation 
of American airmen in history.
  In 1944, American bombers were flying frequent missions to strike 
Germany's vital oil supplies in Romania as part of the allied advance 
into Europe.
  The 15th Air Force led this effort by launching nearly 20,000 sorties 
into Eastern Europe, with many of the missions flying over Nazi-
occupied Yugoslavia. As many as 1,500 pilots and airmen were shot down 
during these courageous air raids.
  Serbians, who had been resisting German forces since 1941, risked 
their own lives to rescue American aircrews and hide them from 
patrolling Nazis.
  For months these brave and noble Serbians cared for and protected 
American and allied pilots.
  By August 1944, the allied forces, including the 15th Air Force and 
Office of Strategic Services, devised a daring operation to evacuate 
the hundreds of allied pilots being sheltered by the Serbian 
resistance.
  American aircraft flew into enemy territory and evacuated these 
airmen from an air field built and protected by local Serbians near the 
village of Pranjani.
  For over 60 years this operation was kept secret. But now we can 
remember the courage of our Serbian friends and say thank you.
  The spirit of the Halyard mission still lives on today as a 
remarkable story of resistance and heroism.
  As was the case in both World Wars, Serbia and the U.S. still face 
shared threats.
  About 600 foreign fighters in Syria have come from the Balkan states. 
ISIS and al-Qaeda terrorists present a threat to Serbia and the region 
just as they present a threat to the U.S.
  We must continue to coordinate with our Serbian partners to stop 
returning terrorists and neutralize networks that recruit fighters in 
the Balkans.
  The U.S. is also working with Serbia to improve its independent 
judiciary and fight corruption. A democratic Serbia with a strong rule 
of law is in America's interests.
  But there are others who do not share this goal.
  Russian disinformation efforts are designed to keep Serbia in its 
sphere of influence and poison our warming friendship.
  Nevertheless, Serbia's integration to the West has continued to move 
forward.
  In 2006, Serbia joined NATO's Partnership for Peace program and, in 
2015, signed an Individual Partnership Action Plan with the alliance to 
strengthen cooperation.
  Recently the European Union announced that Serbia could join the EU 
as early as 2025. I applaud this step which will strengthen Belgrade's 
political institutions and economic ties with the West.
  Together we share the same dreams of a bright and free future for 
both our countries.
  We are blessed to have brave men and women that ensure our futures 
are bright and free.
  Thank you to the Serbian armed forces for standing with America in 
the wars of the past and in the challenges we will face together in the 
future.
  And that's just the way it is.

                          ____________________