The United Macedonian Diaspora (UMD) is pleased to announce that Congressman John Larson (D-Connecticut), Congressman Ted Poe (R-Texas), and Congressman Patrick Tiberi (R-Ohio) have joined the Congressional Caucus on Macedonia and Macedonian-American, increasing the number to fifteen members since April 2011. The Macedonia Caucus currently has representation from nine states out of fifty, and one U.S. territory.
“The growth of the Macedonia Caucus to fifteen members is an achievement that signifies the growing activism on the part of the Macedonian-American community, and the strength of the U.S.-Macedonia relationship,” said UMD President Metodija A. Koloski.
Congressman Larson is serving his seventh term representing the first district of Connecticut. He is the Chairman of the House Democratic Caucus in the U.S. House of Representatives – the fourth highest-ranking position among House Democrats. Congressman Larson is a friend of the Macedonian-American community in Connecticut, and was one of the signatories of the letter to President Obama in support of Macedonia’s NATO membership in March 2012.
Congressman Poe, also a signatory to the Macedonia NATO membership letter, is serving his fourth term representing the second district of Texas. He is a member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee. Parts of Houston fall in his district and there is a growing Macedonian-American population in the area. Congressman Poe has visited Macedonia and has been a huge proponent of the U.S.-Macedonia relationship. This past April, during a NATO hearing at the Europe Subcommittee, Congressman Poe questioned Obama Administration officials on U.S. policy towards Macedonia’s NATO membership in light of the Chicago Summit and made it known that Macedonia has been a great ally to the U.S. and deserves its full backing.
Congressman Tiberi is serving his sixth term representing the twelfth district of Ohio, where one of the largest Macedonian-American communities in the U.S. is concentrated. Ohio’s twelfth district is also home to one of the largest Macedonian Orthodox congregations – St. Mary Macedonian Orthodox Cathedral, outside of Columbus, in Reynoldsburg. Congressman Tiberi is the only Ohioan on the powerful House Ways and Means Committee. Given his Italian heritage, he also is the co-chair of the Italian Caucus. UMD President Koloski and UMD Fellow Ana Donevska met with Congressman Tiberi on August 1, 2012 to discuss U.S.-Macedonia relations.
“I have known Congressman Tiberi for many years and he is a close friend to the Macedonian-American community of Ohio,” said prominent Columbus attorney and UMD Advisory Council Member Thomas N. Taneff. “Our community is privileged to have such a leader as a member of the Macedonia Caucus. Being born to immigrant parents from Italy, Congressman Tiberi understands what many Macedonian-Americans had to go through when coming to this great nation.”
The Macedonia Caucus is chaired by the long-time friend of Macedonia, Congresswoman Candice Miller (R-MI) and serves as a body to maintain and strengthen the positive relationship between the U.S. and Macedonia. In March 2012, the Macedonia Caucus led an effort putting together fifty-four members of Congress to send a letter to President Obama urging him to support Macedonia’s NATO membership during the NATO Summit in Chicago.
UMD is excited to work with the all of the Macedonia Caucus members to enhance U.S.-Macedonia relations, and it encourages all those who are friends of Macedonia to contact their members of Congress to ask them to join the Congressional Caucus on Macedonia and Macedonian-Americans. Please click HERE to send your letter.
To learn more about how you can get involved, please contact UMD President Metodija A. Koloski at (202) 350-9798 or mkoloski@umdiaspora.org.
To learn more about Congressman John Larson, please visit http://www.larson.house.gov/.
To learn more about Congressman Ted Poe, please visit http://poe.house.gov/.
To learn more about Congressman Pat Tiberi, please visit http://tiberi.house.gov/.
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