[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 150 (2004), Part 13]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 18223]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




             CONGRATULATING CROATIAN SONS LODGE NUMBER 170

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. PETER J. VISCLOSKY

                               of indiana

                    in the house of representatives

                       Monday, September 13, 2004

  Mr. VISCLOSKY. Mr. Speaker, it is my distinct honor to congratulate 
the Croatian Sons Lodge Number 170 of the Croatian Fraternal Union on 
the festive occasion of its 97th Anniversary and Golden Member banquet 
on Sunday, October 3, 2004.
  This year, the Croatian Fraternal Union will hold this gala event at 
the Croatian Center in Merrillville, Indiana. Traditionally, the 
anniversary celebration entails a formal recognition of the Union's 
Golden Members, those who have achieved fifty years of membership. This 
year's honorees that have attained fifty years of membership include: 
Mary Badovinac, Betty Balanoff, Mary Lou Brown, Matthew Guglielmetti, 
George Kepcher, Margaret Knack, Anastasia Kresich, Charles Lacko, 
Beverly Perko, Mary Plesha, Theresa Anne Young, and Mary Ann Zorich.
  These loyal and dedicated individuals share this prestigious honor 
with approximately 429 additional Lodge members who have previously 
attained this important designation.
  This memorable day will begin with a morning mass at Saint Joseph the 
Worker Catholic Church in Gary, Indiana, with the Reverend Father 
Stephen Loncar officiating. The festivities will be culturally enriched 
by the performance of several Croatian musical groups. The Croatian 
Glee Club, ``Preradovic,'' and the Hoosier Hrvarti Adult Tamburitza 
Orchestra, will both perform at this gala event. The Croatian Strings 
Tamburitzans and Junior Dancers directed by Dennis Barunica will 
provide additional entertainment for those in attendance. A formal 
dinner banquet at 3:30 in the afternoon will end the day's festivities.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge you and my other distinguished colleagues to join 
me in commending Lodge president Betty Morgavan, and all the other 
members of the Croatian Fraternal Union Lodge Number 170, for their 
loyalty and radiant display of passion for their ethnicity. The 
Croatian community has played a key role in enriching the quality of 
life and culture of Northwest Indiana. It is my hope that this year 
will bring renewed hope and prosperity for all members of the Croatian 
community and their families.

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