(Washington, D.C. - June 8, 2005) The National Federation of Croatian Americans (NFCA) Twelfth Annual Assembly of Delegates came to a close on Sunday June 5, 2005 after a very successful convention. Over thirty Croatian American leaders and activists from a number of Croatian organizations throughout the United States met in Omaha, NE to plan the NFCA strategies and programs for the coming year with a renewed emphasis on the Congressional Croatian Caucus and membership development, particularly with young people.

The Assembly officially opened on Saturday morning with a state of the organization address by NFCA President Ed Andrus who detailed the accomplishments of the NFCA over the past year. Mr. Andrus emphasized the critical positions that the NFCA takes in Washington, DC on behalf of Croatian Americans and the Republic of Croatia. He highlighted the role that the NFCA played in the successful formation of the Croatian Congressional Caucus. Mr. Andrus spoke about how the NFCA organized and hosted the reception for the launch of the Croatian Congressional Caucus with the able assistance of the Croatian Embassy. He pointed out that there are 44 members of the Caucus today, more than 10% of the Members of the House of Representatives. He detailed the other legislative successes that the NFCA has had during the last year including NFCA Treasurer Zvonko Labas' testimony before the Human Rights Caucus in Congress on the rise of ethnic violence in Vojvodina and the subsequent success in amending House Resolution # 726 on Serbian Elections to include mention of Vojvodina and the need for protection of minority rights. Mr. Andrus went on to discuss the steps that the NFCA must undertake to improve its financial and organizational health.

Past President Steven Rukavina delivered a report concerning the activities of the NFCA Business Development Committee which he chairs. Mr. Rukavina described the new initiatives that the NFCA Business Development Committee is pursuing to implement the U.S.-Croatia partnering initiative. Mr. Rukavina also discussed the current status of Group 100 which was formed at the World Summit of Croatian Business Leaders in Cleveland last year.

NFCA Development Director Erik Milman delivered the legislative report for Government Relations Director Joe Foley who was not able to attend. The report detailed the legislative successes and priorities for the NFCA during the past year including the formation of the Croatian Congressional Caucus. Mr. Milman highlighted the successes that the NFCA had in interacting with Members of Congress and Congressional staffs in implementing the NFCA legislative priorities, sometimes with short notice.

The Assembly of Delegates and guests heard from Croatian Ambassador Neven Jurica who was visiting Omaha for the very first time. He discussed Croatia's candidacy for NATO membership and what it will mean for Croatia. He also highlighted the recent developments in the relationship between Croatia and the United States, particularly the establishment of the Congressional Croatian Caucus. The Ambassador expressed his gratitude to the NFCA for it steadfast support of Croatia over the years and looks forward to the success of our shared goals. Tania Raguz, the First Secretary for Political Affairs at the Croatian Embassy also addressed the delegates on the Embassy perspective of Congressional relations and her work in Washington, DC. She highlighted the good working relationship that Embassy has with NFCA Government Relations Director, Joe Foley, and Development Director, Erik Milman, in achieving their legislative priorities.

The featured speaker of the Assembly was Congressman Lee Terry of Omaha who is a member of the Congressional Croatian Caucus. Congressman Terry is a long time friend of NFCA Vice President Jim Kresnik and the local Croatian American community. He spoke about his ties to the local Croatian Americans and the contributions that they have made in his legislative district. He spoke about how proud he was to be a member of the Congressional Croatian Caucus and of his strong support for the Republic of Croatia. He took questions from the delegates and mentioned that he would like to see more events where the Caucus is educated about the issues facing Croatia as well as have interaction with Croatian officials when they are visiting the United States.

NFCA President Ed Andrus conducted two highly successful workshops on the Congressional Caucus and membership development. Mr. Andrus explained the rules and role of the Caucus to the delegates. He then engaged with the delegates to solicit their creative ideas on how to deal effectively with the Caucus. The delegates were highly responsive and generated a list of actionable items on what the Caucus should be doing and on how to attract more Members of Congress to join. The membership workshop resulted in a renewed focus on cultural activities and in attracting young Croatian Americans to join the NFCA to add their support in helping the Old Homeland.

The NFCA Delegates concluded the meeting by electing new officers and members of its Board of Directors. The new officers are: Edward Andrus, President (PA), Joseph Brigich, Executive Vice President (PA), John Kraljic, Past President (NY), Zvonko Labas, Treasurer (MD), Miro Koletic, Secretary (CA), Steve Rukavina, Eastern Region Vice President (MD), Frank Jerbich, Central Region Vice President (IL), Jim Kresnik, Western Region Vice President (NE). The other Board members are John Balaich (MN), Louise Birt (MO), John Cindrich (PA), Joe Cupich (NE), Pat Gates (NE), Andrew Marcec (IL), Marie McGuckin (IL), Anne Pavlich (MD), Ed Pazo (PA), Mijo Radocaj (OH) , Joseph Rukavina (MN), Bozidar Sicel (IL), Davor Sicel (IL), Otto Sutej (NE), William Vergot (PA), Connor Vlakancic (CA) and Dr. Judy Vogelsang (MO).

The Assembly's formal activities ended with a dinner at the Croatian Hall for NFCA delegates and guests on Saturday evening, which was also attended by Ambassador Jurica and his wife. After dinner, on behalf of the NFCA, President Andrus presented a commeration plaque to Mr. Frank Mac, the President of Croatian Cultural Society of Omaha, for the Society's continued support of the NFCA over the years and especially at this year's convention.

The NFCA wishes to express its debt of gratitude to longtime Secretary Anne Pavlich for her service, and for her continued dedication to the NFCA as a Board Member.

The NFCA is a national umbrella group of major Croatian-American organizations which collectively have 120,000 members.

For more convention information, please call the NFCA's Director of Development, Erik Milman, at the NFCA's headquarters at 202-331-2830 or by email at NFCAhdq@aol.com.