[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 161 (2015), Part 10]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 13933]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




  HONORING AND WELCOMING CZECH AMBASSADOR PETR GANDALOVIC AND SLOVAK 
           AMBASSADOR PETER KMEC TO MISSOURI'S FIFTH DISTRICT

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. EMANUEL CLEAVER

                              of missouri

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, September 9, 2015

  Mr. CLEAVER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to welcome Czech Ambassador 
Petr Gandalovic and Slovak Ambassador Peter Kmec to Missouri's Fifth 
Congressional District, which I proudly represent. The Ambassadors were 
invited by Kansas City based honorary consuls, Sharon Valasek (Czech 
Republic) and Ross Marine (Slovak Republic) for a ``Celebration of 
Czechs & Slovaks Collabration.'' The celebration includes meetings with 
local business leaders, a tour of The National World War I Museum and 
Memorial, a commemorative wreath-laying ceremony at the Truman 
Presidential Library and Museum and a special musical performance by 
world renowned Slovak violinist, Filip Pogady, sponsored by the 
National Czech & Slovak Museum and Library in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.
  This is an especially notable visit because of the Midwest's strong 
relationship with their two home countries, the Czech Republic and the 
Slovak Republic. Thousands of immigrants from these central European 
countries have come to the heartland since the early history of our 
country. They farmed, worked hard labor jobs, became teachers and took 
great pride in being Americans. While the numbers are smaller than in 
the past, Czech and Slovak people continue to come to the Midwest and 
assimilate into our economy and our way of life.
  The Czech Republic and Slovak Republic have been allies and friends 
of the United States, dating back to the formation of Czechoslovakia on 
Oct. 28, 1918, as witnessed by the close relationship of the two 
presidents, Woodrow Wilson of the United States and Tomas Garrigue 
Masaryk of Czechoslovakia.
  The United States encouraged political and economic transformation in 
Czechoslovakia after its liberation from communism in 1989, and 
established diplomatic relations with the Czech Republic in 1993 after 
the country split into two republics (Czech Republic and Slovak 
Republic). The two sovereign nations are fellow members of the North 
Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) and are important and reliable 
allies in promoting U.S. interests. The two countries work together to 
strengthen security, promote economic development and democratic 
values, and defend basic human rights.
  Both nations have growing economies and are immersed in the global 
marketplace. The Slovak Republic has been recognized as a large and 
upcoming competitor in technology and automotive industries and was 
ranked in one of the highest tiers for ``Doing Business'' by the World 
Trade Organization. Similarly, the Czech Republic is a leader in 
aerospace and aviation, automotive manufacturing and engineering. The 
Czech government continues to emphasize Czech-American collaboration in 
the most demanding fields which require high quality and innovative 
products.
  Missouri's Fifth Congressional District is particularly proud to have 
been the host of the signing of Czech Republic's NATO admission 
documents in Independence, Missouri at the Truman Presidential Library. 
It is appropriate then that the Ambassadors have the opportunity to 
visit the Truman Library during their visit.
  Many communities in the Midwest take pride in their Slavic heritages, 
and the Fifth District is pleased to be one of them. The rich cultural 
and historical ties between our District and the Czech and Slovak 
Republics are a demonstration of the melting pot culture we celebrate 
in the United States.
  Mr. Speaker, please join me in expressing our heartfelt 
congratulations to the Czech Republic and Slovak Republic for their 
relentless efforts in extending good will, commerce and democratic 
principles, not only within their borders, but to the global community, 
including Missouri's Fifth Congressional District. I urge my colleagues 
to please join me in expressing our appreciation to these two nations 
and their Ambassadors, who continue to advance democratic principles.

                          ____________________