LA GRANGE — Czech Republic President Petr Pavel rode into La Grange July 13 on a Harley Heritage, courtesy of The Ranch Harley-Davidson in College Station. Pavel's first stop was Dubina, where he and his Czech Republic dele gation, visited Sts. Cyril and Methodius Church.
Dubina is the first Czech settlement in Texas, established circa 1856, and is located in Fayette County.
After the president toured the historic church, he jumped on the Heritage Soft tail and headed to the Texas Czech Heritage and Cultural Center (TCHCC) in La Grange to address the crowd and tour the TCHCC museum. Many Czech descendants came from far and wide to get a glimpse of the Czech president, and for a subtle cultural
connection from where their ancestors arrived over 150 years ago from the Czech region.
Upon his arrival, Pavel and First Lady Eva Pavlova were greeted by Czech mu sic, TCHCC representatives in Czech traditional dress and several hundred other visitors.
During Pavel's address, he mentioned he noticed several Czech-familiar names and the countryside felt much like his own home country. A close ally of the United States, Pavel said that Texas, in
the Indian language, means "friends." As friends and allies, keeping the Czech heritage alive in Texas brings our nations closer together. His personal con- nection to Texas, through the similarities with the Czech Republic landscape and the Czech immigrants, he noticed, fur ther strengthens this bond.
After Pavel spoke to the crowd, he toured the museum and indulged in the
local delicacy, Texas barbecue. His en-
joyment of this traditional Texan dish was a testament to the shared cultural experiences that bring our nations closer together.
Pavel's visit is the first visit by a head of state since 1969 when President Lyn don B. Johnson visited La Grange.
