Dear compatriots,
Dear brothers and sisters,
Honored guests,
During the 80s and 90s, when the Albanian people in Kosovo were threatened by Milosevic’s oppressive and genocidal regime, our diaspora here in America became the voice of faith and hope.
Not only for our survival, but also for our freedom, independence and democracy, for which entire generations gave their lives. It was then that Albanians in America gathered, protested, lobbied and left no door unopened for the Republic of Kosovo. And one of the places where they gathered was precisely this place where we have gathered today.
Therefore, honorable Bruno, thank you for opening your doors to us today, just as you opened your doors once, and not only to doors but also to hearts for Albanians wherever they are, when this place became a refuge and a voice of hope for our diaspora.
Here, the historic President, Ibrahim Rugova, was welcomed, diplomats and leaders from Kosovo and America were welcomed, and many others who gave us light in times of darkness. Here, bridges of friendship were built that eternally connected Kosovo with America.
Honorable guests,
The honour of a nation is measured by those who stand by that nation even when they are far away.
There are some people who never seek glory, but with their deeds they give glory to their homeland. Women and men who build bridges in silence, but with work they protect dignity in every word and keep the name of their state and nation alive wherever they live.
Today, in one of the capitals of the world here in New York, we are together to honor some of the women and men of our diaspora in the United States of America.
A belated thank you, I would say, but never forgotten on our part. Because we are here to bow in gratitude to those who have written our modern history with action, dedication, vision and courage. They are women and men who, in the darkest years for our nation, when Kosovo was without a voice in the world, became its voice.
Those who, in times when hope was fading, kept hope alive with flags in their hands, with words in Congress and the White House, with protests and calls in the streets of New York and Washington and everywhere here in America. Those who, in the name of protecting freedom, the most sacred, built bridges with the democratic world and never forgot the country from which they come.
Albanians in America have been a decisive force, a decisive force in support of the most glorious chapters of our history.
The processes from the struggle for liberation to the declaration of independence, from the building of democracy and the strengthening of our state in the international arena bear the stamp of our exile in the United States of America.
And on this historic journey, we have had by our side a permanent friend and a steadfast ally, the United States of America, this holy place that made our holy, our freedom possible.
Without their help, Kosovo would never be what it is today. The Republic of Kosovo, an independent, sovereign, democratic state, is a direct result of the support, commitment and contribution of the United States and our precious exile. Therefore, it is never enough, even in events like this, to reiterate the eternal gratitude of the people of Kosovo to America and to our exile here.
Without the decisive intervention of NATO, led by America, Kosovo would not be free today. Without their support, the building of institutions, we would not have the democracy we have today. Without the voice of America, not only in Washington, but also here in New York, in the United Nations, in NATO and everywhere, we would not be heard. Without the Albanian diaspora in America, the sons and daughters of the Kosovo Liberation Army would not have the necessary support in the battles for freedom and independence. Without the Albanian diaspora in America, neither the doors of Congress nor the doors of the White House would have opened. Doors, which then became a guiding light on our path to freedom and independence. Without the Albanian diaspora in America, which built the bridge of trust between Kosovo and the USA, many things would still be distant, more difficult and perhaps even impossible.
Therefore, today, by bestowing these presidential awards, we eternally document the most glorious chapters of our history written by ordinary people, but with extraordinary deeds.
Among those honored are activists who faced injustice and turned silence into international awareness. There are business personalities who did not measure their wealth by what they accumulated for themselves, but by how much they donated to their nation, to democracy and the affirmation of our cause for freedom and independence and for the Republic of Kosovo. There are people of faith who kept the spirit of the community here united. There are journalists who wrote about Kosovo and did not stop and do not stop today, and made sure that the international press was also aware, at a time when no one was listening to our voice. There are extraordinary women who organized, protested, educated, created and spoke about the spirit of our nation. There are artists who, with their art and culture, placed Kosovo on the cultural map of the world and opened their doors and hearts to every artist who came here to the United States of America. There are intellectuals who make stoic efforts to preserve the Albanian language, our national identity and memory.
And besides you, there are many, many others, members of our diaspora, who deserve these presidential awards, and whom we will award at a future ceremony. So, this ceremony today is just the beginning, because you are many and because you were many, we are free today.
You, honorable brothers and sisters, are inspiring for the generations that will come after us. Your works are not only in the archives of history, but in the very foundations of our state.
You are living proof that the diaspora is a powerful pillar of the Republic, which we enjoy today. You are a heart that beats the same for the homeland, despite the distance.
Therefore, on behalf of the Republic of Kosovo, on behalf of the free people of the Republic of Kosovo and above all on behalf of the generations that are growing up in freedom today, because of your work, effort and sacrifice, thank you!
We honor and bow to you with the deepest respect that a nation can give to its best sons and daughters.
Honor for life to all those who contributed to the freedom, to peace, democracy and independence of Kosovo!
Honor for life to the heroes who gave their lives for freedom!
May God bless the eternal friendship with the United States of America!
Long live the Republic of Kosovo!
Long live the Albanian nation!
Thank you!
