[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 158 (2012), Part 11]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 15154]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




               IN HONOR OF CZECHOSLOVAK INDEPENDENCE DAY

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. DENNIS J. KUCINICH

                                of ohio

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, November 13, 2012

  Mr. KUCINICH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in recognition of 
Czechoslovak Independence Day, which is being celebrated at Cleveland's 
National Bohemian Hall on October 26 through 28, 2012.
  Czechoslovak independence was declared on Wenceslas Square on October 
28, 1918 and the Czechoslovak Republic was established. Thomas Masaryk 
was both the founder and the first president of the Czechoslovak 
Republic, often referred to as the ``First Republic.'' Although 
Czechoslovakia only lasted two decades because of Nazi Germany's 
occupation of the Czech Lands in 1938, Czechs continue to view October 
28 as the day of their national founding.
  Bohemian National Hall was built in Cleveland, Ohio, in 1897 to 
cultivate friendships, charity and benevolence among the Bohemian 
nationalities. Included in their priorities were gymnastics, education 
and the advancement of their culture. Thomas Masaryk made two visits to 
Cleveland in his lifetime, one in 1902 and another in 1918 where he 
spoke at the National Bohemian Hall. Located in Cleveland's Slavic 
Village neighbor, today Bohemian National Hall serves as the home to 
the Czech Cultural Center.
  This year's celebration of Czechoslovak Independence Day will be 
celebrated by Cleveland's Czech community and Sokol Greater Cleveland 
at Bohemian National Hall between October 26 and 28.
  Mr. Speaker and colleagues, please join me in honoring the 
anniversary of Czechoslovak Independence Day, October 28, 2012.

                          ____________________