"Congressman Carnahan has helped give Bosnian Americans a voice in Congress, and for his many years of service, loyalty and exemplary leadership, we wanted to present him with the ACBH Bosnia and Herzegovina Friendship Award. We also thank his entire staff, especially Jeremy Haldeman for working with us throughout the years" stated ACBH Vice President, Adna Karamehic-Oates.

Congressman Carnahan and his wife, Judge Debra Carnahan were joined by ACBH friends and partners and the Washington, D.C. Bosnian American community. BiH Ambassador to the U.S., H.E. Ambassador Jadranka Negodic gave a speech thanking Congressman Carnahan for his support of Bosnian Americans and BiH over the years. In addition, Robert Hand, Policy Advisor at the U.S. Helsinki Commission delivered a moving speech on behalf of the Republican Co-Chair of the Congressional Caucus on Bosnia, Congressman Chris Smith (R-NJ-4th), who thanked Congressman Carnahan for his friendship and hard work, and thanked ACBH for spearheading advocacy efforts on important human rights issues and for being instrumental in helping start the Congressional Caucus on Bosnia. 

Congressman Carnahan co-founded the Congressional Caucus on Bosnia to focus legislative attention and action on issues important to Bosnia and Bosnian Americans and today, the caucus is 27 members strong. In addition, he co-sponsored, and helped pass two important pieces of legislation, House Resolution (H.R.) 199 – recognizing the 10 year anniversary of the Srebrenica genocide and H.R. 171 – a resolution on the need for constitutional reform in BiH. In his speech, Congressman Carnahan stated that he has enjoyed working with ACBH and spoke proudly of his Bosnian American constituents, who he said, are an incredible success story. He hopes that more focus will be given to BiH in the 113th Congress.

As the voice for Bosnian Americans, ACBH looks forward to working with all members of the Congressional Caucus on Bosnia in furthering its work on U.S. – BiH relations. The Caucus provides congressional support for necessary political and economic reforms in BiH and works to strengthen the U.S. engagement in the region. ACBH encourages all Bosnian Americans to contact their members of Congress and ask them to join the bipartisan Congressional Caucus on Bosnia.       

To learn more about how you can get involved, please click here or contact the ACBH Executive Director, Ms. Ajla Delkic at (202) 347-6742 or send an e-mail to adelkic@acbih.org.

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