Tom Begich (left), Croatian American from Alaska, has been elected to the State Senate there and won in the Anchorage downtown “J” district. Tom ran unopposed in the general election after he won the August 16th Democratic primary with 62% of the vote against Ed Wesley. The Senate seat opened up when long time Democratic State Senator Johnny Ellis retired after 24 years. This popular incumbent endorsed Tom in the competitive primary race which was a key endorsement. Tom ran an energetic and issue-oriented campaign to win a strong majority of votes in this crucial party primary. This was Tom’s first campaign for office and he will be sworn in to the Alaska State Senate on January 17, 2017.
Category: Politics
NFCA January 2016 Newsletter
The National Federation of Croatian Americans Cultural Foundation has released their end-of-the-year 2015 newsletter highlighting many activities promoting Croatian causes within the United States including: Pittsburgh convention, NFCA meeting with U.S. Ambassador Julieta Valls Noyes, NFCA collaboration with Team Croatia at the Special Olympics Summer World Games in Los Angeles and a UN meeting in New York City with Dragan Covic, the Chair of of the Presidency in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Esther Gitman's interview 2016 about Archbishop Alojzije Stepinac and his role in saving the Jews in Croatia
Dr Esther Gitman analized about 5000 archival documents kept in various Croatian archives. Especially important among them are 500 signed petitions for the rescue of Jews in Croatia during the WW2. Some of these documents contain as many as 150 names, signed by ordinary people, who risked their lifes in order to save the lifes of their endangered Jewish neighbors and friends. Furthermore, according to Dr Girtman, THOSANDS OF ORDINARY PEOPLE signed these petitions, which is a fact totally unknown in historigraphy (not only Croatian). Similar documents in such abundonce, cannot be found in any other European country, said Dr Gitman. We invite you to see and listen to this extremely interesting and important interview, conducted by the Laudato TV in Zagreb, Croatia.
The Story of Ilija Letica by distinguished Croatian filmmaker Jakov Sedlar
We present the readers of the CROWN a fascinating documentary by Croatian filmmaker Jakov Sedlar about the life and work of Ilija Letica in the USA, about his very successful LETICA CORPORATION in the USA, with a special emphasis on his ties with Croatia and on his life philosophy. LETICA is a multi-faceted packaging company with diverse talent and technologies to support business on a number of fronts. The company works in multiple technologies such as thermoform, injection mold, paper-forming and sheet extrusion as well as with multiple mediums including paper, rigid and thinwall plastic, reclaimed post-consumer fiber, and other environmentally-friendly materials.
Andrej Plenkovic Croatian diplomat and a Member of the European Parliament speaking about Ukraine
Andrej Plenković, Croatian diplomat and a Member of the European Parliament, was the Chairman 2nd meeting of the EU-Ukraine Parliamentary Association Committe held in Kyiv on 4-5 November 2015. “We had two days of very intensive and productive discussions with our friends in the Verkhovna Rada, and very fruitful meetings with President Poroshenko, Prime Minister Yatsenyuk and Speaker Groysman. … The European Parliament stands ready to assist Ukraine’s efforts on its European path, against the backdrop of the complex economic, financial and social situation, and of the temporary occupation of parts of Donetsk and Luhansk oblasts and the illegal annexation of Crimea by Russia.”, said Mr. Plenković.
President of Croatia Kolinda Grabar-Kitarović visits New York City
Croatian President Kolinda Grabar-Kitarovic (left) was at the United Nations headquarters in New York on Friday March 6, 2015 for an event marking International Women’s Day and the 20th anniversary since the adoption of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, and she also meet with representatives of the Croatian community in New York. She also attended the “No Ceilings: Full Participation Project”, a Bill, Hillary & Chelsea Clinton event, and met with former President Bill Clinton and former First Lady and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.
Dražen Katić an independent candidate for the 11th Croatian electoral district
Dražen Katić (left) is an independent candidate running for the 11th Croatian electoral district which represents Croatians living outside of Croatia. His professional experience covers multiple fields and currently he is working with sustainable development. He serves as a volunteer in multiple organizations. He is a published author and writes for several Croatian websites. He is also a veteran of the Homeland War. Read his campaign platform and determine if your goals are reflected in it.
Kolinda Grabar Kitarovic Croatia's first woman president inaugurated on 15th February 2015 in Zagreb
Mrs. Kolinda Grabar-Kitarovic was sworn in as Croatia’s first female president in history. She was a former foreign minister, ambassador of the Republic of Croatia to Washington and an Assistant Secretary General of NATO for Public Diplomacy. She was the first woman ever to be appointed Assistant Secretary General of NATO. Mrs. Grabar-Kitarovic is at the age of 47, and except her native Croatian, she fluently speaks English, Castillano and Portuguese and can also communicate in French, Italian and German.
Mark Begich US senator presented with the Croatian American Bar Association’s 2013 Vinodol Code Award
At the Russell Senate Office Building in Washington, D.C., on May 20, 2014, the Croatian American Bar Association presented the 2013 Vinodol Code Award to U.S. Senator Mark Begich, in recognition of his distinguished public service career and vigilant attention to international matters affecting the worldwide Croatian community, as specifically exemplified by his insight on matters affecting economic and political progress in Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) and for his introduction of Senate Resolution 131 on May 8, 2013 in the Senate.
Tomislav Sunic former Croatian diplomat author of the monograph Chronique des Temps Modernes in 2014
One is surprised when Tomislav Sunić, a political theorist and former Croatian diplomat, states that Europeans have as much to learn from Americans as Americans, from Europeans. The reason is that far too many European nationalists still define themselves through a hostility and antagonism towards neighboring Europeans. As Sunic argues, in light of our current geopolitical situation, European nationalists cannot afford the luxury of dwelling on historical grievances, no matter how real they might be.
Glasovanje u Generalnom konzulatu Republike Hrvatske u New Yorku
Podsjećamo hrvatske državljane koji su se do 14. svibnja 2014. pismeno prijavili Generalnom konzulatu Republike Hrvatske u New Yorku za glasovanje u izboru članova iz Republike Hrvatske u Europski parlament, da mogu u isti Konzulat na adresi: 369 Lexington Avenue, New York, NY 10017, 11 kat pristupiti glasovanju u nedjelju, 25. svibnja 2014. od 7 do 19 sati.
Vlasta Zekulic Croatian Army female officer trained Afghan military police
Croatian female military police officer Vlasta Zekulić, PhD in international relations and national security, trained Afghan military police, despite social taboos. In Croatia during her career, she commanded military police platoon and company, and as instructor trained Croatian officers for missions, and then in Afghanistan she trained Afghan military police students on military investigation and work of the provost marshals. She was not afraid of being discriminated against because she is a woman. She completed her education at the Croatian Defense Academy “Petar Zrinski” and at the prestigious Military Academy “The Citadel” in South Carolina in the USA.
Dr Peter Kuzmic authority on Christian response to Marxism and on Christian ministry in post-Communist contexts
Dr. Peter Kuzmic is the foremost evangelical scholar in Eastern Europe and is considered an authority on the subject of Christian response to Marxism and on Christian ministry in post-Communist contexts. He co-founded and directs Evangelical Theological Seminary in Osijek, Croatia, the first evangelical theological school in Eastern Europe and the Balkans. He also founded Timisoara Theological Institute, a Romanian school affiliated with ETS.
Zed Seselja's maiden speech to the Australian Senate
Video of the speech prepared by newly elected ACT Liberal Senator Zed Seselja for his maiden speech in Australia’s Federal Parliament. He was elected to the Australian Senate in the Australian federal elections held on 7 September 2013.
It's not a Velvet but a Snowflake Revolution
Why a Snowflake? Simple. A snowflake is innocent, unique, gentle and clean, just like the vast majority of us. A snowflake is a child’s joy just like we all want to be joy and pride for our children because we did something for their future. But a snowflake upon snowflake, though gentle, can become a deep snow and an avalanche. Then they have a power that cannot be ignored. Croatian Hamed Bangoura started a non-violent Snowflake Revolution on Facebook, asking for fundamental change in a Croatian political arena. They expect over 50.000 snowflakes in 48 hours. Democracy by example.
Vesna Drapac: Deconstructing Yugoslavia – a Transnational History, a monograph reviewed by Dr. Mladen Ibler
Deconstructing Yugoslavia would be probably a more appropriate title of this book. The country failed twice as an integrated state – first as a Kingdom and next as a Communist state. Apart from the communist party and the army, which where the repressive organs of a corrupt and self-serving ruling elite after the Second World War, all cross-republican institutions fell well of atracting lasting interest. The idea of Yugoslavia died well before the state finally disapeared at the end of 20th century. The monograph has been written by Vesna Drapac, associate professor at the University of Adelaide, Australia.
NFCA Alert: Croat Bosnian Census Requirement October 1-15, 2013
The National Federation of Croatian Americans alerts all Croat Bosnians living in the United States, in Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH), and around the world to register in early October for the first national census in twenty-two years. It is important for all Croatian Americans with Bosnian dual citizenship and/or Bosnian citizenry to register for the census to ensure that Croats will remain one of the three constituent peoples of BiH – according to the Dayton Peace Accords – and NOT fall into minority status.
Croatia in EU on July 1st 2013 seen by professional designers
Croatia has 12 centuries of uninterrupted international legitimicy, much longer than great majority of other members of the EU. As such, Croatia as an international subject is much older than EU itself. Among the most important moments of Croatia’s recent past are June 25th 1991, when Croatian Deit (one of the oldest in Europe), as a result of 93,24% majority of votes of Croatian citizens, decided to become a sovereign state, as well as the decision of Badinter’s Committee from September 7th 1991 about de facto recognition of Croatia. On the photo is an amusing pair of shoes, designed by Teo Bekavac, professional Croatian designer. The red one represents Croatia, and the blue one the EU.
The Council for Croats outside of Croatia is founded
The council will assist in designing and implementing policies, programs and activities in relation to Croats who live beyond the borders of our beautiful country. Members of the council are among the most prominent representatives of the Croatian community from around the world, as well as representatives of the most important institutions in the country. All of them will help the Croatian government in designing and implementing policies, programs and activities in relation to the Croats living outside its borders.