US Congress to Deal with Bill Marking Independence of Slovakia

Washington/Bratislava, January 21 (TASR-correspondent) – Rod Blum, an American Congressman with Slovak roots, submitted a draft law on Friday (January 19) marking the 25th anniversary of the founding of the independent states of Slovakia and the Czech Republic to the House of Representatives, TASR learnt on Sunday.

The document highlights the strong partnership and friendship between Washington and Bratislava and recognises Slovakia’s contributions towards the UN, NATO and the European Union. The document also speaks about the Czech Republic.

Republican Blum, whose great-grandmother came from Czechoslovakia, is the chairman of the Congressional Slovak Caucus within the US Congress, in which he represents the state of Iowa. The midwestern American state is known for its large Slovak and Czech communities.

According to Blum, the law will help to make the history of Slovakia and the Czech Republic more visible. “We’re here to mark important events – the 100th anniversary of the setting up of an independent Czechoslovakia, the 50th anniversary of the Czech-Slovak communist-era reform process known as the Prague Spring and the 25th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the United States and Slovakia. I was honoured to submit to the House of Representatives a bill highlighting these extremely important milestones and anniversaries. I’m looking forward to further cooperation and the strengthening of our relations,” said Blum at a ceremony on Friday marking the 25th anniversary of the independence of Slovakia that was organised by the Slovak Embassy in Washington.

It’s not yet known when Congress will deal with the bill.