SVU RESOLUTIONS

The Preservation of Czech-American Cultural Heritage
A Proclamation

On July 12 and I3, 1997, a conference entitled "Czech-Americans in Transition: Challenges and Opportunities for the Future" was held by the Czechoslovak Society of Arts and Sciences (SVU) in conjunction with the historic celebration of the 100th anniversary of the Slavonic Benevolent Order of the State of Texas  (SPJST) in Belton, Texas.

At this conference, educators, historians. social scientists, librarians, and other scholars joined with business people and community leaders to discuss key issues facing Czech-Americans and Slovak-Americans today: the preservation of language, folklore and folk art; ethnic history and genealogy; fraternal and cultural activities; the establishment and maintenance of archives, libraries, and cultural centers. An entire day was reserved for discussions of relations between the United States and the Czech Republic.

United in a commonality of purpose, the undersigned believe that this historic event will mark the beginning of a warm friendship and mutually beneficial cooperation between the SPJST and SVU. Like other citizens of the United States and Canada, nations which thrive on cultural and racial diversity, the members of our organizations realize that there is no conflict between our loyalty to and love for the country where we live and our desire to preserve the rich and distinctive cultural heritage of our ethnic origins. We are also hopeful that activities such as the conference in Belton will enhance the social, cultural, political, and commercial relations between North America and Central Europe.

In this spirit, we will do our best to preserve the Czech, as well as the Slovak, cultural heritage in North America, and we call on all interested men and women to help us in this endeavor - particularly in efforts to encourage our children to learn about their heritage and to establish and promote cultural and language programs at universities throughout the United States and Canada, as well as educational exchanges with the Czech Republic and Slovakia.

Following the Velvet Revolution of November 1989, the members of many Czech and Slovak organizations in the United States and other Western countries felt
that their work was done, but this feeling was premature. Our work has only begun, and cooperation among our various organizations is essential. We propose to establish a Cultural Heritage Commission, which would initially consist of representatives from the SVU and SPJST and later incorporate representatives of other major Czech and Slovak organizations in North America.

Miloslav Rechcigl, Jr.                           Howard Leshikar
     SVU President                                    SPJST President

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