58th Annual Captive Nations Dinner
American Nationalities Movement Parma Ohio July 22, 2021
Captive Nations Week was first recognized in 1959 by President Dwight D. Eisenhower at the urging of future Cleveland Mayor Ralph Perk Sr. and Congressmen Charles Vanik and US Senator Frank Lausche. Captive Nations Week has been supported each 3rd week in July by every US president since.
Judge Ralph Perk Jr. is the current (and only the third) president of the American Nationalities Movement. The first president was his father, the late Mayor Ralph Perk. He was followed by Irene Morrow. All three have been inducted into the Cleveland International Hall of Fame for their significant contributions to the region's ethnic diversity and heritage.
The American Nationalities Movement was formed for the purpose of uniting all the nationalities in the United States in the goal to educate, advocate and represent their interests of all the diverse ethnic groups to the public and mostly to the political leaders of the United States. This pursuit of our common interest to achieve an understanding of the complex issues that confront each group individually and collectively and that without our united efforts all of us will be endanger.
The annual Captive Nations dinner event was held at the Holy Spirit Party Center. After a welcoming introduction from ANM president Hon. Ralph J. Perk Jr., Jim Craciun gave the invocation.
Jim was filling in for Fr. John Loejos who is battling cancer.
Jim Craciun
The Pledge of Allegiance was recited and dignitaries were recognized.
The video below shows some snippets from their performance including When Irish Eyes are Smiling, My Wild Irish Rose, Rising of the Moon and, of course, Scotland the Brave.
Then, Terry Smith recited the Soldier's Creed of the US Army.
Terry Smith
The first Freedom Award was given to Ambassador Edward F. Crawford. Ambassador Crawford was called out of the country so Doug Bugie accepted the award for him.
Doug Bugie
Doug Bugie and Ralph Perk Jr.
The other Freedom Award was introduced by retired Ohio Supreme Court Justice Terrence O'Donnell.
Justice Terrence O'Donnell
He introduced Ohio Supreme Court Justice Sharon L. Kennedy for the award.
Justice Sharon L. Kennedy
Justice Sharon L. Kennedy, Justice Terrence O'Donnell and Judge Rocky Perk
There was a report on Senator Rob Portman's Congressional Delegation to Eastern Europe by Marta Kelleher, President, United Ukrainian Organizations of Ohio.
Marta Kelleher, President, United Ukrainian Organizations of Ohio
The last item was the Resolution in Support of Freedom for the People of Cuba read by President Rocky Perk. The resolution passed unanimously.
ANM President Ralph Perk Jr
Watch the video of the resolution in Support of Freedom for the People of Cuba
Here are a few other images from the annual Captive Nations Dinner.
Justice Sharon Kennedy, Justice Terry O'Donnell, Judge Ralph Perk, Irene Morrow and Doug Bugie
Cleveland American Middle Eastern Organization (CAMEO) table
Paul and Fran Burik
Jim Trakas and Tom Patton
Lorain Lochaber Irish dancers
Freedom Awards
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