June 5, 2019 - Issue: Vol. 165, No. 94 — Daily Edition116th Congress (2019 - 2020) - 1st Session
RECOGNIZING THE RE-ESTABLISHMENT OF NON-STOP TRANSATLANTIC FLIGHTS BETWEEN THE UNITED STATES AND THE REPUBLIC OF CROATIA; Congressional Record Vol. 165, No. 94
(Extensions of Remarks - June 05, 2019)
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[Extensions of Remarks] [Page E715] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] RECOGNIZING THE RE-ESTABLISHMENT OF NON-STOP TRANSATLANTIC FLIGHTS BETWEEN THE UNITED STATES AND THE REPUBLIC OF CROATIA ______ HON. NANETTE DIAZ BARRAGAN of california in the house of representatives Wednesday, June 5, 2019 Ms. BARRAGAN. Madam Speaker, as Co-Chair of the Congressional Croatian Caucus, I rise today to bring attention to a very special milestone scheduled to take flight this coming Friday. On June 7, 2019, for the first time in twenty-eight years, non-stop transatlantic air travel will occur between the United States and the Republic of Croatia. American Airlines will have the honor of transporting passengers directly from Philadelphia International Airport to Dubrovnik International Airport in Croatia. This event is especially momentous to me because my congressional district is home to the largest concentration of Croatians living in the United States. In fact, several of my constituents from San Pedro, California, will be on hand in Philadelphia to witness the inaugural flight and celebrate this exciting partnership with fellow Croatians, Croatian government officials, diplomats, and prominent civic leaders from Philadelphia. The return to direct non-stop air service is yet another example of the United States' strong economic and political relationship with Croatia, a very important NATO ally. For me and my constituents, this new chapter will not only enhance these relationships but create opportunities to connect our communities and cultures. With this in mind, I am including in the Record a letter from Steven Rukavina, President of the National Federation of Croatian Americans, to Philadelphia Mayor Jim Kenney underscoring the significance of this first flight from Philadelphia and the strengthened relationship that will result between our two countries. I wish this new endeavor between the United States and Croatia every success and look forward to one day soon being a passenger on this flight. National Federation of Croatian Americans Cultural Foundation, Washington, DC, May 10, 2019. Hon. Jim Kenney, Mayor, Philadelphia, PA. Dear Mayor Kenney: On behalf of the National Federation of Croatian Americans Cultural Foundation (NFCA), and as a proud resident of Philadelphia, please allow me to share with you a quickly approaching milestone for our City. The Croatian American community is so pleased that we will see the Croatian flag raised at City Hall on Friday, June 7th. Of course, we are thrilled that you and so many of Philadelphia's civic and business leaders will attend the Croatian gala celebration at the National Constitutional Center on June 6th, too. These events will salute the first commercial non-stop flight in twenty-eight years from the United States to Croatia, which will depart Philadelphia International Airport on the evening of June 7. This historic American Airlines flight will touch down on Croatia's Adriatic coast in the City of Dubrovnik the next morning. I must say that I am very honored to be able to fly on this inaugural flight that night. The non-stop flights that will follow will directly connect our World Heritage City of Philadelphia to the City of Dubrovnik--which is known as the ``Pearl of the Adriatic'' and which has also been included as a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1979. This important Croatian city holds historic relevance as a significant Mediterranean port and sea power since the 13th century. Dubrovnik flourished really well throughout the 15th and 17th centuries and was lauded internationally for its skilled diplomacy and wealth! It is also historic and coincidental that the Republic of Ragusa-- an aristocratic maritime republic that once included Dubrovnik--was one of the first political entities to recognize the independence of the United States of America in the 1770s. In the coming years tourism between our two countries will only grow, and Americans will be able to further engage in the rich culture and history of Croatia. These newly inaugurated American Airlines non-stop flights will specifically allow Philadelphians the ease and comfort of non-stop travel to the Adriatic Coast. This will prompt many in our City to take a unique trip that they may not have before considered. This kind of unprecedented access will also draw many tourists to visit Philadelphia, too, as the departure city for their travels to and from Croatia. The Croatian American community has also held a significant place in the history of the State of Pennsylvania. Croatian American immigration helped to significantly propel the steel industry in the western part of our Pennsylvania during the Second Industrial Revolution. Significantly, the Croatian Fraternal Union of America (CFU), which is now headquartered in Monroeville PA, will celebrate its 125th anniversary from September 21-25 in Pittsburgh. The special bond between the U.S. and Croatia has been further strengthened during the past ten years with Croatia's 2009 ascension into full membership in the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). This multilateral Euro-Atlantic security alliance membership and treaty, now has only further cemented the strong bilateral relationship between our two nations over the last ten years. Looking to the future--with Croatia assuming the Presidency of the European Union in January, 2020--we hope to build on the success of these important air flight activities beginning in June via additional global-oriented events within the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania during 2020, especially in our City of Philadelphia. We applaud all your efforts to promote Philadelphia as a global destination for tourism, for international business growth, and now as a bridge to the City of Dubrovnik, another World Heritage site with a special bond to our historic American city! Sincerely, Steve Rukavina, President, National Federation of Croatian Americans Cultural Foundation. ____________________