Thank Grassley for Czech, Slovak museum

Anyone who has even benefitted culturally or financially from the National Czech & Slovak Museum & Library owes a debt of gratitude to Sen. Chuck Grassley. At his direction, his staff diligently researched to make sure no other locale had claimed the title and Cedar Rapids had the collection to justify it. Only then, on July 2, 1992, did he enter his statement recommending national designation into the Congressional Record.

As liaison between the museum board and ambassadors, cultural attaches and museum directors in Washington, Prague and Bratislava, I can attest to the impact this designation made. We were offered many exhibits, starting with “A Thousand Years of Czech Culture.” These brought many tourists and tourist dollars to Eastern Iowa. Would the three Presidents (Clinton, Havel and Kovas) have gathered here in 1995 had the site not had national stature?

And when the flood of 2008 devastated this museum, some of the first offers of help to rebuild came from the Czech and Slovak Republics.

Yet Grassley has never exploited his role in making Cedar Rapids home of the National Czech & Slovak Museum & Library. Unlike other politicians, Grassley has looked on this as part of his job, working for the people of Iowa and the nation. He deserves to be re-elected.

Leora Zahorik

Marion