Press Release

#2

OAK BROOK, IL - On Wednesday, April 26, 2006 a private Welcoming Reception was held at the CSA Fraternal Life Building for the President of the Czech Republic, His Excellency Vaclav Klaus, along with the Czech Ambassador, Petr Kolar and the New Consulate General of Chicago, Marek Skolil. Hosted by CSA Fraternal Life, American Sokol and Czech American Congress, 100 guests from all three organizations attended to welcome His Excellency to Chicago and the Czech Community. Members of the Moravian Cultural Society and United Moravian Societies dressed in costume to welcome and sing the National Anthems. As the entourage arrived, Deborah Zeman, CSA President, greeted His Excellency and escorted him up the walk, lined with people dressed in traditional Czech and Moravian Costumes. He paused to speak to those in costume and to admire the flags on display. John Pritasil, CAC President, announced his arrival as he entered the building and the UMS singers sang the beautiful anthems. His Excellency Vaclav Klaus, very happy to be able to speak in Czech, gave a warm speech to all guests and was very touched to see the Czech Culture "alive" in our city. He stated that although these cultural customs are fading back in the Czech Republic, he was proud of what the Czech Communities are doing, and encouraged us to keep the traditions going. "Maybe the Czech-Americans can help bring it back to the country!"

He was then escorted to tour the Czech and Slovak Heritage Museum by Larry Laznovsky, President of American Sokol, Deborah Zeman, CSA and John Pritasil, CAC. All guests were then allowed into the Museum to personally meet His Excellency and all dignitaries that accompanied him. Deborah Zeman, CSA Fraternal Life, presented him with a gift of Chicago Cufflinks, John Pritasil, CAC, gave him a book of Chicago and Larry Laznovsky, American Sokol presented a commissioned painting titled, "The Gift that Lives," created by Rome Milan, Sokol Ft. Worth. In reading "The Gift that Lives, Larry Laznovsky thanks the people of the Czech Republic for Sokol. The Sokol idea was a gift to the American people from the Czech Republic and we will work hard to keep it alive.

The warm evening concluded with some farewell songs that His Excellency joined in singing, and cocktails and hors d’oeuvre which were prepared by Marie’s Catering, Willowbrook. This was an exciting and unique opportunity to be close to the President of not only a country, but a Country that is Remembered and Loved by so many here in Chicago and the Czech Communities around the United States. The guests were awe-struck in his presence and smiles were spread from ear to ear! It is not often that one gets to touch the hand of a President, the hand that holds a country, a country that held the hand of our ancestors and a country that many hold dear to their hearts.

On May 4, 2006 the American Sokol organization was awarded the Jan Masaryk Gratias Agit award in Czernin Palace, Prague, by the Czech Ministry of Foreign Affairs. American Sokol President, Larry Laznovsky and Vice President Paul Lebloch were in attendance to receive the award from the Minister of Foreign affairs, Hon. Cyril Svoboda.  The organization was nominated by the Embassy of the Czech Republic in Washington DC. The purpose of this prestigious award is to commemorate and honor the meritorious actions of exceptional personalities and organizations which have made a significant contribution to the promotion of the Czech Republic abroad. As stated by the Czech Ministry of Foreign Affairs, "Many of the awarded are compatriots who have ended up in all corners of the world, but who have never forgotten their origin and have proclaimed their Czechness proudly, raising the fame of a small country in the heart of Europe, the greatness of which cannot be measured…we owe special gratitude to the friends of the Czech Republic who, besides their professional engagement and with no expectations of material gain, have spent their free time promoting the Czech Republic and helping to raise its profile on the map of the world." Other individual Sokol members have been honored with this award, Jerry Elzner, Sokol Corpus Christi, Fred Kala, former President of American Sokol and Walter Slavik, Officer and Member of Sokol New York.  Another US recipient this year was Madeleine Korbel Albright.

American Sokol is a non-profit organization dedicated to the physical, mental and cultural development of its members, youth and the community. Conceived in Prague by Dr. Miroslav Tyrs in 1862, American Sokol was founded in 1865, in St. Louis, Missouri. Today, American Sokol stands strong with over 35 units throughout the United States conducting exhibitions, clinics, training courses, gymnastics, and physical fitness classes for all ages (3-103) and abilities, and also sponsors many cultural and social events. Sokol is a Czech word that means "FALCON". Activities of American Sokol have proudly grown not only the Czech communities but also in the propagation of Sokol ideals in American society. For more information on American Sokol: www.american-sokol.org or call 630.368.0771.