June 5, 2019 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks E715 My wife Lisa and I took shelter in our base- I wish this new endeavor between the Union in January, 2020—we hope to build on ment as the storms passed. The totality of the United States and Croatia every success and the success of these important air flight ac- destruction emerged with Tuesday’s sunrise. look forward to one day soon being a pas- tivities beginning in June via additional The caved roofs, toppled power lines, and senger on this flight. global-oriented events within the Common- wealth of Pennsylvania during 2020, espe- staircases without surrounding structures gave NATIONAL FEDERATION OF CROATIAN cially in our City of Philadelphia. powerful testimony to the violence of the AMERICANS CULTURAL FOUNDATION, We applaud all your efforts to promote storms. Washington, DC, May 10, 2019. Philadelphia as a global destination for tour- Despite the terrible destruction in our dis- Hon. JIM KENNEY, ism, for international business growth, and trict, we also saw signs of hope. Our commu- Mayor, Philadelphia, PA. now as a bridge to the City of Dubrovnik, an- DEAR MAYOR KENNEY: On behalf of the Na- other World Heritage site with a special bond nities always come together to help one an- tional Federation of Croatian Americans other in times of need. It is why southwest to our historic American city! Cultural Foundation (NFCA), and as a proud Sincerely, Ohio is such a special place to call home. resident of Philadelphia, please allow me to STEVE RUKAVINA, Our first responders do an amazing job. share with you a quickly approaching mile- President, National Federation of There were no Democrats, no Republicans; stone for our City. Croatian Americans Cultural Foundation. The Croatian American community is so there were just neighbors helping neighbors. f It’s too bad that it often takes a tragedy to pleased that we will see the Croatian flag raised at City Hall on Friday, June 7th. Of HONORING THE WORK OF KOJO highlight this special quality in us, but it is course, we are thrilled that you and so many there—and it is a great thing to see. of Philadelphia’s civic and business leaders NNAMDI I want to thank our first responders, Ohio will attend the Croatian gala celebration at Senators PORTMAN and BROWN for their lead- the National Constitutional Center on June HON. ELEANOR HOLMES NORTON ership during this time of crisis, the Ohio dele- 6th, too. OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA gation, Governor DeWine, and leaders across These events will salute the first commer- cial non-stop flight in twenty-eight years IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES the country who are standing with the people from the United States to Croatia, which Wednesday, June 5, 2019 of Ohio. will depart Philadelphia International Air- Madam Speaker, as relief and recovery ef- port on the evening of June 7. This historic Ms. NORTON. Madam Speaker, I rise today forts continue in Southwest Ohio, I use my American Airlines flight will touch down on to ask the House of Representatives to join time on the floor today to honor the heroes Croatia’s Adriatic coast in the City of me in recognizing Kojo Nnamdi and The Kojo and survivors. We will rebuild and be stronger Dubrovnik the next morning. I must say that Nnamdi Show for two decades on air with than before. I am very honored to be able to fly on this WAMU 88.5, Washington’s National Public inaugural flight that night. Radio news station. f The non-stop flights that will follow will No other local radio program brings the RECOGNIZING THE RE-ESTABLISH- directly connect our World Heritage City of Philadelphia to the City of Dubrovnik— depth, sensitivity and familiarity with the impor- MENT OF NON-STOP TRANS- which is known as the ‘‘Pearl of the Adri- tant issues of the Washington, D.C. region ATLANTIC FLIGHTS BETWEEN atic’’ and which has also been included as a better than The Kojo Nnamdi Show. Hosted by THE UNITED STATES AND THE UNESCO World Heritage site since 1979. This the universally beloved Kojo Nnamdi, the REPUBLIC OF CROATIA important Croatian city holds historic rel- show has been at the center of critical con- evance as a significant Mediterranean port versations about society, community, race, ´ and sea power since the 13th century. HON. NANETTE DIAZ BARRAGAN Dubrovnik flourished really well throughout housing, education, politics, the arts and more OF CALIFORNIA the 15th and 17th centuries and was lauded for 20 years. IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES internationally for its skilled diplomacy and While divisiveness has become the talk wealth! It is also historic and coincidental show norm, Nnamdi takes the time to create Wednesday, June 5, 2019 that the Republic of Ragusa—an aristocratic thoughtful dialogue—engendering trust among Ms. BARRAGA´ N. Madam Speaker, as Co- maritime republic that once included guests and listeners alike. Whether talking to Chair of the Congressional Croatian Caucus, I Dubrovnik—was one of the first political en- citizens or politicians, he generates honest, rise today to bring attention to a very special tities to recognize the independence of the productive discussions with guests, incor- United States of America in the 1770s. milestone scheduled to take flight this coming In the coming years tourism between our porating engagement with listeners. Friday. On June 7, 2019, for the first time in two countries will only grow, and Americans Nnamdi makes it a priority to meet people twenty-eight years, non-stop transatlantic air will be able to further engage in the rich cul- where their lives happen—in the community. travel will occur between the United States ture and history of Croatia. These newly in- Nnamdi’s conversations in communities and the Republic of Croatia. American Airlines augurated American Airlines non-stop around the region amplify the voices of those will have the honor of transporting passengers flights will specifically allow Philadelphians who would not be. directly from Philadelphia International Airport the ease and comfort of non-stop travel to A native of Guyana, Nnamdi moved to D.C. the Adriatic Coast. This will prompt many in to Dubrovnik International Airport in Croatia. our City to take a unique trip that they may in 1969 to engage with the civil rights move- This event is especially momentous to me not have before considered. This kind of un- ment. Now a longtime D.C. resident, Nnamdi because my congressional district is home to precedented access will also draw many tour- brings both a global perspective and vast the largest concentration of Croatians living in ists to visit Philadelphia, too, as the depar- knowledge of the region to front page head- the United States. In fact, several of my con- ture city for their travels to and from Cro- lines and explores emerging stories before stituents from San Pedro, California, will be on atia. they are news. hand in Philadelphia to witness the inaugural The Croatian American community has From 1973 to 1985, Nnamdi worked at also held a significant place in the history of flight and celebrate this exciting partnership the State of Pennsylvania. Croatian Amer- WHUR-FM, where he served as news editor with fellow Croatians, Croatian government of- ican immigration helped to significantly and then news director, producing the award- ficials, diplomats, and prominent civic leaders propel the steel industry in the western part winning local news program The Daily Drum. from Philadelphia. of our Pennsylvania during the Second In- From 1985 to 2011, he hosted Evening Ex- The return to direct non-stop air service is dustrial Revolution. Significantly, the Cro- change, a public affairs television program yet another example of the United States’ atian Fraternal Union of America (CFU), broadcast by WHUT-TV at Howard University. strong economic and political relationship with which is now headquartered in Monroeville Nnamdi became host of a WAMU program Croatia, a very important NATO ally. For me PA, will celebrate its 125th anniversary from called Public Interest in August 1998, and the September 21–25 in Pittsburgh. and my constituents, this new chapter will not The special bond between the U.S. and Cro- name was changed to The Kojo Nnamdi Show only enhance these relationships but create atia has been further strengthened during in September 2002. opportunities to connect our communities and the past ten years with Croatia’s 2009 ascen- In 2001, Nnamdi was honored as a civil cultures. With this in mind, I am including in sion into full membership in the North At- rights hero by the National Council for Com- the RECORD a letter from Steven Rukavina, lantic Treaty Organization (NATO). This munity Justice. In 2003, the Library of Con- President of the National Federation of Cro- multilateral Euro-Atlantic security alliance gress selected Nnamdi as the keynote speak- atian Americans, to Philadelphia Mayor Jim membership and treaty, now has only fur- er for African American History Month. In addi- ther cemented the strong bilateral relation- Kenney underscoring the significance of this ship between our two nations over the last tion to his hosting duties, Nnamdi has chaired first flight from Philadelphia and the strength- ten years. the board of the Public Access Corporation of ened relationship that will result between our Looking to the future—with Croatia as- Washington, D.C. for the past 25 years. In two countries. suming the Presidency of the European 2014, Nnamdi was inducted into the Hall of VerDate Sep 11 2014 05:22 Jun 06, 2019 Jkt 089060 PO 00000 Frm 00003 Fmt 0626 Sfmt 9920 E:\CR\FM\A05JN8.011 E05JNPT1.