 Thank you Mr. Mayor Adams for arriving, a round of applause for the mayor. We now would like to invite Croatian Consul General Nikita Kopacovic to say a few words. Dear Mayor Adams, Madam President, Commissioner Mermostin, Deputy Commissioner Salgado, Ambassador Simunović, dear Croatian Americans and dear New Yorkers, distinguished guests. It is an honor to be with all of you today on this very special occasion. I thank you, Mr. Mayor, for honoring and acknowledging the contribution of Croatian community to the city of New York. Just like more than a million Croatian Americans in communities all across the United States, the Croats of New York are wound into the fabric of this great city. Ever since the first ship from Croatia arrived in New York in 1797, numerous Croats and people from Croatia have found a home right here. With them, they brought their Central European diligence and Mediterranean passion. New York was inspiration for them as they themselves inspired their fellow citizens. From the prima donna, Zinka Kunsmilano, who reigned supreme metropolitan opera for 30 years, the baseball player, Roger Marys, the record-breaking New York Yankee, the scientist Nikola Tesla, a mind from the future who changed our world, to the Croatian American firefighters, soldiers, patriots who died on or after 9-11, to thousands of hard-working laborers, artists, entrepreneurs, educators, and other who have and who continue to call New York their own. Many of them are with us here today. In this kitchen, we are midtown to Astoria and Queens and beyond. Croatia and New Yorkers have left their footprint in the Big Apple. Mr. Mayor, ladies and gentlemen, May 30th is an important date and has a special significance in Croatia long and rich history. It is on this date that we celebrate our democracy, our liberty, our statehood date. Our democracy came at a high cost three decades ago. We had to face a brutal aggressor and fight for our freedom. With fierce determination and a big heart, we prevailed against all odds. A reason like a phoenix from the ashes since then, Croatia, the beautiful land of thousands of islands, is today not only one of the world's most popular tourist destinations, but also the country that produces the fastest electric car in the world. Mr. Mayor, dear New Yorkers, today we raise the Croatian Red, White and Blue and our famous checkers next to the stars, Penguin Banner. As allies, we honor the deep friendship and partnership between Croatia and the United States. Our shared values of democracy and liberty. We honor and thank the many thousands of Croatian-Americans who have helped shape and built this magnificent city. God bless Croatia. God bless the United States of America. And God bless and protect the New York City. And now, Mr. Mayor, dear Eric, allow me to present to you a small token of our appreciation. The famous checkered Croatian jersey, sir. Thank you and we know New York City is the zapgrab of America, the largest Croatian population in America is right here. And I know how beautiful the country is because years ago when I was in Croatia and watching the beautiful waterfront, watching how lovely the people are, watching how one can come there to just renew their energy and spirit, we thank the Croatian people here. You believe in family, you believe in business, and you believe in public safety. And so to our council general, our ambassador from a president, just to have you here as we raised for the first time the flag here at Bowling Green, this is a symbol of the power and the strength of our country. And so when we raise the flag, we also raise and lift up this great country. I will wear this jersey proudly and consider me to be a member of Team Croatia. Thank you so much. So council general to wear as today's event also celebrate 30 years of the opening of the Croatian Consulate in New York City and 31 years of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the United States of America and the Republic of Croatia. It also provides a wonderful occasion to highlight the rich heritage of our Croatian American community. I look forward to the many ways everyone gathered will further invigorate New York as we take bold steps to get stuff done and forge a brighter, more inclusive and prosperous future for our global city. I, Eric Adams, Mayor of the City of New York, do proclaim today Croatia Heritage Day.