On March 1, 2012, the co-chair of the Congressional Caucus on Bosnia, Congressman Russ Carnahan (D-MO) made a statement in the House of Representatives congratulating the Bosnian people on BiH Independence Day. Congressman Carnahan stated:

"Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to the Bosnian people as they celebrate the 20th anniversary of Bosnia and Herzegovina's independence. As a founding member and co-chairman of the Congressional Bosnian Caucus and having the distinct honor of representing a growing, vibrant community of Bosnian Americans in St. Louis, Missouri, one of the largest Bosnian American communities in the U.S., I'm pleased to recognize Bosnian Independence Day with my constituents and the people of Bosnia.

Yesterday, our caucus co-chair, Representative Chris Smith and I had a meeting with Secretary of State Hillary Clinton to discuss progress and continued challenges in Bosnia. I'm encouraged that the elected leaders have begun to do what is in the best interest of their country: to form a government, to begin to pass laws that will help put Bosnia on a path to membership in NATO and the European Union.

In the face of tremendous challenge, Bosnia has made great progress over the past 20 years, but there is much more to be done.

Yesterday, I urged Secretary Clinton to continue active U.S. involvement in the country and to strengthen U.S. support for the Bosnian people as they embark on a wide range of needed reforms. I'm proud to represent thousands of Bosnian Americans in the St. Louis region. It's with great pride that I continue to stand with them today and offer hearty congratulations on the 20th anniversary of independence."

On behalf of the Bosnian American community, we are proud to have Congressmen Chris Smith (R-NJ) and Russ Carnahan (D-MO) as the co-chairs of the Congressional Caucus on Bosnia and thank them for meeting with Secretary Clinton and emphasizing to her the importance of strengthening U.S. involvement for Bosnia and Herzegovina.