Recognizing The Significant Anniversaries Of The Czech Republic And Slovakia

Floor Speech

* Mr. CLEAVER. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the anniversary of two U.S. allies. Twenty years ago, during the month of November 1989, the country then known as Czechoslovakia freed itself of communist control, instituted democratic elections and set out to adapt its command economy to the free market. From what many refer to as the ``Velvet Revolution of 1989'' or the ``Gentle Revolution,'' Czechoslovakia peacefully became two democratic countries by mutual consent: the Czech Republic and Slovakia on January 1, 1993. The Velvet Revolution or the Gentle Revolution, if you wish, opened the way for democracy and prosperity for the people of the former Czechoslovakia.

* During their brief history as independent nations, both the Czech Republic and Slovak Republic garnered worldwide respect with their admittance into the European Union, the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) and the United Nations. They have further solidified their commitment with their military units participating in NATO missions throughout the globe.

* The Czech Republic has a local tie to its NATO admission with Missouri's Fifth District. The documents of admission were signed at the Truman Presidential Library in Independence, Missouri. We are honored to have H.E. Peter Burian, Ambassador of the Slovak Republic to the U.S. and Daniel Kostoval, Deputy Chief of Mission from the Embassy of the Czech Republic in Missouri's Fifth District from November 5-7, 2009 to celebrate the birth and growth of two allied nations. Amongst their many activities with our local Czech-American and Slovak-American communities, the visiting dignitaries will lay a wreath at President Truman's grave on Friday, November 6th to commemorate their NATO affiliations.

* Madam Speaker, please join me in expressing our heartfelt congratulations to the Czech Republic and Slovakia for their relentless efforts in extending goodwill and democratic principles, not only within their borders, but to the global community including the Fifth Congressional District of Missouri. I urge my colleagues to please join me in expressing our appreciation to two nations who continue to evolve in the democratic tradition.

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