[Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 39 (Tuesday, March 5, 2024)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E210]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  HONORING HIS EXCELLENCY MARKO DJURIC, AMBASSADOR OF THE REPUBLIC OF 
                      SERBIA TO THE UNITED STATES

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. ERIC SWALWELL

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, March 5, 2024

  Mr. SWALWELL. Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize the outstanding 
service of His Excellency Mr. Marko Djuric, Ambassador Extraordinary 
and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Serbia to the United States of 
America. Ambassador Djuric is an exceptional diplomat who has dedicated 
his career to expanding Serbia's relationships across the globe and 
shepherding his country's accession into the European Union.
  Ambassador Djuric assumed his duties as Ambassador to the United 
States in January 2021. In his three years of diplomatic service in 
Washington D.C., Ambassador Djuric has made countless contributions to 
the 140-year-old United States-Serbia relationship.
  In Congress, the Ambassador substantially expanded the Serbian 
Caucus, forging new relationships on Capitol Hill while strengthening 
bonds with American industry through a series of working visits.
  I was proud to host him in my district last year to connect him with 
the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory and some of California's 
most innovative and influential companies. I am hopeful that the 
Ambassador's visit to my district will lead to permanent partnerships 
in the areas of fundamental physics, critical materials development, 
and other pressing issues of our time.
  Under Ambassador Djuric's leadership, the United States became 
Serbia's number one trade partner in software and IT services, and the 
Serbian-American Business council was established to promote US 
businesses inside of Serbia. He has also worked to promote the Open 
Balkan Initiative, which aims to bring more political and economic 
stability to the Western Balkans region.
  I have had the pleasure of visiting Serbia twice, with the Ambassador 
serving as my host and guide. During those trips, I met with the 
Serbian President to discuss assistance to Ukraine and visited United 
States businesses with significant operations in Belgrade. We've also 
discussed, at length, the unique impact that wine production has on our 
regions.
  I have the honor of calling Ambassador Djuric a true friend. The 
people of Serbia and of the United States owe Ambassador Djuric thanks 
for his steadfast service to his homeland and for his honesty and 
curiosity about our shared future.

                          ____________________