[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 149 (2003), Part 18]
[House]
[Page 24604]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




            WELCOMING THE BULGARIAN SPEAKER TO U.S. CAPITOL

  (Mr. WILSON of South Carolina asked and was given permission to 
address the House for 1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. WILSON of South Carolina. Mr. Speaker, today America welcomes to 
Washington the Speaker of Bulgaria's National Assembly, Ognian 
Gerdjikov. Tomorrow morning, the Speakers of our two democracies will 
meet for the first time in history. The Bulgarian Speaker and the 
United States Speaker of the House, the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. 
Hastert), will meet here in the Capitol. Additionally, Speaker 
Gerdjikov will meet with our majority leader, the gentleman from Texas 
(Mr. DeLay).
  Bulgaria has become a great friend and ally to America, emerging from 
totalitarian communism to recognizing 100 years of diplomatic relations 
with the United States and, now, unwavering partnership in the war on 
terrorism. To commemorate the 100th anniversary of diplomatic 
relations, their country has produced this beautiful medal indicating 
how significant it is, this friendship with America.
  I ask all of my colleagues to join me in welcoming the Bulgarian 
Speaker and other members of the National Assembly to the United States 
Capitol. This indicates the growing significance of the Bulgarian-
American friendship.
  In conclusion, God bless our troops.

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