Congressional Breakfast, Sep 17

On September 17, a pre-Convention Congressional breakfast took place on Capitol Hill. Hosted by Rod Blagojevich (D-IL) and Duke Cunningham (R-CA) and organized by Alex Brkic of the SUC Washington chapter, this event attracted 7 congressmen including Chairman Ben Gilman of the House International Relations Committee. In addition to Chairman Gilman, the following attended: Ike Skelton (D-MO-4)—Ranking, House National Security Committee, Dennis Kucinich (D-OH), Bill Coyne (D-PA), Dan Burton (R-IN), Duke Cunningham (R-CA) and Rod Blagojevich (D-IL-5). In addition the following staffers attended: Mark Gage - Rep. Gilman, John Wyman and Greg Adams - Rep. Blagojevich, Melissa Smith - Rep. Royce, Kay King - Rep. Lantos, and Susan Woodworth and Bill Berl - Rep. Cunningham

Over coffee and pastries, SUC members enjoyed the opportunity to present their views to the Congressmen. Given that this was the first event of this kind staged by the SUC and that it was also the day that the Judiciary Committee was discussing publication of the Starr report (!), this was a creditable turnout. Bishop Artemije was able to present the Serb position on Kosovo to Chairman Gilman and Vojin Joksimovich informed Chairman Gilman about SUC proposals for democratic and economic reform in Serbia. Both Congressman Cunningham and Congressman Blagojevich made short remarks praising the efforts of the SUC. At a subsequent hearing on Kosovo later that day, Chairman Gilman recognized Bishop Artemije and a number of accompanying SUC delegates, instructing his committee to "pay attention to their views."