U.S.
Commission Chairman Warren L. Miller
Delivers Remarks at the Reception for
the Foreign Minister of the Republic of Moldova Nicolae Cernomaz
Following the Signing of the Agreement
on the Protection and Preservation of Certain Cultural Properties
St. Gregory Hotel, Washington,
DC
June 20, 2001
Mr. Foreign Minister
Cernomaz, Mr. Ambassador Ciobanu, and guests. As the newly appointed Chairman
of the U.S. Commission for the Preservation of America’s Heritage
Abroad, I am pleased to be with you this evening.
It is particularly noteworthy that earlier today Secretary Powell signed
the Agreement of Cooperation on behalf of the United States. It symbolizes
the importance that President Bush and his Administration place upon our
Commission and its work in preserving the foreign heritage of Americans
– particularly those groups who were victims of genocide during
the WWII.
The mission of the U.S. Commission for the Preservation of America’s Heritage Abroad ties us directly to the momentous meeting today between Minister Cernomaz, and Secretary of State Powell. At a ceremony at the Department of State, Secretary Powell and Minister Cernomaz signed an Agreement of Cooperation between our two Nations to work together for the goal of preservation and protection of historical sites and buildings, places of worship, monuments, collections, and cemeteries connected with the foreign heritage of Americans who trace their roots to Moldova. Our Commission will represent the United States to forge a partnership with the Ministry of Culture of Moldova to take advantage of this historic opportunity to strengthen the cultural ties between our countries
1. Steps will be taken to protect and preserve the cultural heritage of groups that were victims of genocide during WWII
2. Efforts will be made to ensure that no discrimination will exist against any group
3. A Joint Cultural Heritage Commission will be established to implement the goals of the Agreement
The Commission for the Preservation of America’s Heritage Abroad was founded in 1985 by Congress and President Ronald Reagan in recognition that the United States, as a nation of immigrants, has its values rooted in lands distant in miles and time. As a people, we believe that the fabric of our society is strengthened by visible reminders of our ancestral past. This past encompasses the history, culture, politics, sociology and religion of our forefathers. The Commission’s responsibility is to encourage the preservation and protection of sites and artifacts connected with the heritage of Americans from the 22 countries that comprise Eastern and Central Europe and the former Soviet Union. (Moldova is the 13th country to sign an agreement of cooperation with the Commission; others are Bosnia, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Slovak Republic, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Romania, Slovenia, and Ukraine).
Accordingly, we will join with Moldova to work to repair, restore, and preserve. Let us commit together to use whatever resources come available to build a future that honors the past.
