Friday, 9th July 2010
"Croatian Prime Minister Jadranka Kosor is Honored by US Congressional Croatian Caucus at Capitol Hill Reception - NFCA Cosponsors Historic Event"


Washington, DC: On the honor of her historic visit to Washington, DC, during the week of May 24th, Croatia's new Prime Minister Jadranka Kosor was given a Congressional reception sponsored by the Croatian Congressional Caucus on Capitol Hill and the Embassy of Croatia in Washington. The National Federation of Croatian Americans (NFCA) was pleased to be an official co-sponsor and helped organize the event for Ms. Kosor.

Earlier in the week, Prime Minister Kosor met with Vice President Joe Biden, US House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Senator George Voinovich (R-OH), House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Howard Berman (D-CA), and several other House Members instrumental in European relations. In attendance at the Capitol Hill reception were members of the national leadership of the Croatian American community represented by the National Federation of Croatian Americans: NFCA President John Kraljic (NY) and his son Matt, NFCA's immediate past President Steven Rukavina (PA), National Secretary Bill Vergot (PA), NFCA Vice President Zvonko Labas (MD), Parliamentarian Tom Steich (MD), and Public Affairs Director Joe Foley.

Also in attendance for the Prime Minister were several NFCA board members and general members: Ankica Pavlich (MD), Slavko Yambrusic (DC), Tony Margan (VA), and NFCA's first National President, US Court of Federal Claims Judge Edward Damich. Several of the NFCA's Croatian American national leaders in attendance had time to meet and discuss the diaspora's concerns and goals with Madame Prime Minister Kosor.

The Congressional Croatian Caucus, organized in the US Congress in 2005 with strong support and guidance by the NFCA, had several Members of Congress in attendance. US Senator Mark Begich (D-AK) and Co-Chair of the Caucus, Rep. Peter Visclosky (D-IN), introduced the Prime Minister, the current US Ambassador to the US, Kolinda Grabar Kitarovic, and her excellent Washington diplomatic staff. Members of Congress who attended the packed reception in the Rayburn House Office Building included Rep. Jay Inslee (D-WA), Rep. Dana Rohrabacher (R-CA), Rep. Bill Delahunt (D-MA), Rep. Dennis Kucinich (D-OH), and Rep. Robert Aderholt (R-AL).

Prime Minister Kosor also had the opportunity to address the Washington foreign policy establishment and academic communities with a speech sponsored by Johns Hopkins University's (JHU) foreign service school entitled: "Croatia's Role in Fostering a Euro-Atlantic Perspective for Southeastern Europe." The Senior Fellow at JHU's Center for Transatlantic Relations, Michael Haltzel, moderated the event and the related discussions.
by Joe Foley,NFCA
http://www.nfcaonline.com