[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 79 (Tuesday, May 15, 2018)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E653]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




     HONORING THE 100TH ANNIVERSARY OF CZECHOSLOVAKIA AND THE 25TH 
     ANNIVERSARY OF ESTABLISHMENT OF THE CZECH AND SLOVAK REPUBLICS

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                          HON. EMANUEL CLEAVER

                              of missouri

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, May 15, 2018

  Mr. CLEAVER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commemorate two significant 
anniversaries for two of America's closest allies. One hundred years 
ago, Czechoslovakia was formed through the Pittsburgh Agreement 
following the dissolution of the Austro-Hungarian Empire at the end of 
World War I. Additionally, this year marks the twenty-fifth anniversary 
of Czechoslovakia, from what many refer to as the ``Velvet Revolution 
of 1989'' or the ``Gentle Revolution,'' peacefully becoming two 
democratic countries by mutual consent: the Czech Republic and the 
Slovak Republic on January 1, 1993. The Pittsburgh Agreement and the 
Velvet or Gentle Revolution, whichever you prefer, are monumental 
events for these great nations as it opened the door for democracy and 
prosperity for the people of the former Austro-Hungarian Empire.
  During their brief history as independent, democratic nations, both 
the Czech Republic and Slovak Republic have formally become members of 
the European Union, the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) and 
the United Nations, showcasing their commitment to democracy through 
institutional participation and military cooperation in NATO missions 
around the globe.
  Let it also be known that the Czech Republic has a local tie to 
Missouri's Fifth Congressional District. When applying for admission 
into NATO, the Czech Republic had the official documents signed at the 
Truman Presidential Library in Independence, Missouri. Visiting 
diplomats from the Czech and Slovakian governments will gather again 
May 15-16, 2018 in Kansas City for a diplomatic luncheon and to 
commemorate the anniversary of the Czechoslovakian Declaration of 
Independence, which officially created the nation state of 
Czechoslovakia in 1918.
  Mr. Speaker, please join me and all of Missouri's Fifth Congressional 
District in expressing our sincerest congratulations to the Czech 
Republic and the Slovak Republic for their monumental achievements in 
independence and their tireless efforts in promoting democracy, not 
only within their borders, but throughout the world. I urge all of my 
colleagues and fellow citizens across the country to join me in showing 
our appreciation to these two great nations and their commitment to 
continued friendship with the United States and democracies everywhere.

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