[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 157 (2011), Part 7]
[Senate]
[Pages 9701-9702]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




          CONGRATULATING SLOVENIA ON ITS TWENTIETH ANNIVERSARY

  Mr. HARKIN. Mr. President, I have come to the floor today to speak on 
S. Res. 212, congratulating the people and Government of Slovenia on 
the 20th anniversary of their nation's independence. I am pleased that 
the Senate

[[Page 9702]]

passed this resolution yesterday by unanimous consent and I am grateful 
to my colleagues Senators Shaheen, Klobuchar, Barrasso, Brown of Ohio 
and Portman for joining with me in submitting this resolution.
  As many of my colleagues know, the Republic of Slovenia holds a very 
special place in my heart. Ninety years ago, my mother came to America 
from the village of Suha in what is now Slovenia.
  The modern Republic of Slovenia is only 20 years old. But more than 
1,000 years ago, in what is now the Slovenian state of Carinthia, there 
was a duke who later served as one of Thomas Jefferson's inspirations 
for American democracy. What inspired President Jefferson? It was the 
tradition that the dukes of Carinthia could take office only after 
being questioned by a simple peasant to test their worthiness. If the 
peasant was satisfied with the answers, then he gently slapped the duke 
as a symbol of accountability to the people. Imagine that: people 
slapping around politicians in a democracy!
  I have been tremendously impressed by the great strides Slovenia has 
made since breaking away from Yugoslavia two decades ago. In this short 
period of time, Slovenia has become one of the world's most successful 
democracies, which I witnessed firsthand during a visit 5 years ago.
  Slovenia is what you might call an ``overachiever'' among new 
nations. In a short period of time, it has gained entry into NATO and 
the European Union. Indeed, it has already held the rotating Presidency 
of the EU. Slovenia has built the most successful economy in Central 
and Eastern Europe and has been a force for stability and democratic 
reform in the Balkans.
  On a personal note, I am especially grateful for the Republic of 
Slovenia's outstanding leadership in the campaign to rid the world of 
landmines and to assist the victims, especially children. This is a 
humanitarian mission of profound importance--a mission that I have 
worked on, with many of my colleagues, including Senator Klobuchar and 
former Senator Voinovich, to secure support from the U.S. Congress.
  The world looks at Slovenia's success, and wonders: How could a 
nation of just 2 million people accomplish so much in such a short 
period of time? As an American, I know the answer.
  Bear in mind that, when Jefferson wrote the Declaration of 
Independence, America was also a nation of just 2 million people. Like 
Americans in 1776, Slovenians in 1991 dared to break away from a much 
larger and more powerful mother country. Like Americans, Slovenians 
paid in blood for their freedom. Like Americans, Slovenians demanded a 
democratic course for their new country.
  Nine decades ago, my mother left Slovenia--a Slovenia that was 
impoverished, ruled by autocrats, and dominated by foreign powers; a 
nation that sent forth immigrants desperate to find a better life. 
Today, a free, prosperous, and democratic Slovenia sends forth global 
leaders and humanitarians who are helping to build a better world.
  This is a magnificent achievement--a testament to the vision, 
courage, and talents of the Slovenian people. On this proud 
anniversary, I join with all of my colleagues here in the Senate in 
saluting our friend and ally, the Republic of Slovenia.

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