The United Macedonian Diaspora (UMD) is pleased to announce the newest member to the Congressional Caucus on Macedonia and Macedonian-Americans (Macedonia Caucus) – Congressman Marlin Stutzman (Republican-Indiana). Congressman Stutzman represents the 3rd Congressional District of Indiana and is the second Member of Congress from Indiana to join the Macedonia Caucus.
Congressman Stutzman was elected to Congress in 2010 and is a member of the House Financial Services Committee and the Dean of Indiana’s Republican delegation in the House. Congressman Stutzman sits on the Financial Institutions and Consumer Credit as well as the Monetary Policy and Trade Subcommittees. Before coming to Congress, Stutzman served in the Indiana House of Representatives from 2002-2008, and in the Indiana State Senate from 2008-2010. When first elected at the age of twenty-six, he served as the youngest member of the Indiana legislature until 2006.
“It was a pleasure to meet Congressman Stutzman yesterday and personally thank him for his support of our Macedonian-American community of Fort Wayne, Indiana by becoming a member of the Macedonia Caucus,” said UMD President Metodija A. Koloski.
Fort Wayne, Indiana is home to one of the oldest Macedonian-American communities in the United States having started emigrating there over a century ago. Last year, Fort Wayne hosted the 91st Macedonian Patriotic Organization Convention, and is also home to the oldest continuously published Macedonian newspaper in the world, the Macedonian Tribune, founded in 1927, as well as the Macedonian Museum.
The community primarily congregates at St. Nicholas Orthodox Church, which was founded by Macedonian-Americans after the end of World War II. It is hosting its 43rd Annual Macedonian Ball this November in celebration of the cultural heritage of its founding members.
“I have come to know Marlin Stutzman as a man of deep faith, a man who has great regard for family, and a man who loves liberty. Family, faith, and freedom defines him,” said Timothy Goeglein, a proud American of Macedonian heritage originally from Fort Wayne who served as Special Assistant to U.S. President George W. Bush and Deputy Director of the White House Office of Public Liaison from 2001 to 2008.
“Fort Wayne has over 100 years of rich Macedonian history. This includes the likes of Advisors to U.S. Presidents, a Mayor, Doctors, Teachers, Judges, Business Owners, Attorneys, and others representing all facets of our American society,” said Fort Wayne-based UMD Indiana Regional Representative Argie N. Bellio. “Representative Stutzman joining the Congressional Macedonia Caucus is a natural fit that strengthens our partnership and shows respect for the contributions Macedonian-Americans have made to our community-at-large.”
The Macedonia Caucus serves as a body to maintain and strengthen the positive and mutually beneficial relationship between the United States and Macedonia.
As the voice for Macedonian-Americans in Washington, D.C., UMD looks forward to working with all Macedonia Caucus members in furthering its work to strengthen U.S.-Macedonia relations. UMD encourages all Macedonian-Americans to contact their members of Congress and ask them to join the bipartisan 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 us at (202) 350-9798 or info@umdiaspora.org.