Romanian-American Cultural Association

of Florida, Inc.

2026 Scott St., Hollywood, FL 33020, United States

Ph. (954) 920-9074

The Honorable Barbara Boxer,

Senator, US Senate SH-112 ,

Washington DC 20510

May 8, 2002

Dear Senator:

While we know that you may have many other requests to which you are asked to listen to, we are asking you to pay a special attention to ours.

In Florida, state where in the past too little attention was paid to the immigrants, these are by far more united here by a sense of unity than in their original countries. This has been amply demonstrated during the last US Presidential Elections. Among them, the American Romanians number at least 10,000 and have some 10 churches only in Broward County. Their majority has immigrated following the abuses of the Communist regimes and supports an integration of their countries in European Union and in the NATO defense system as a no-return guarantee.

While there is still room for improvement and reform in Romania, even people like the one signing below (a former political prisoner in Romania’s infamous“ Death Canal”) are since long convinced that the integration of this country in NATO is its best protection against terrorism and expansionism. Indeed, in 1998 a group including myself has purchased a full page in Los Angeles Times stating “Romania belongs to NATO”, while being well aware about the painful territorial sacrifices implied (old Romanian lands have been ceded to Ukraine, a state that didn’t existed before).

Based upon the above, in behalf of the American-Romanian Community we are writing you hoping in your continued support and contribution in promoting the enlargement of NATO while urging you to consider cosponsoring the “Freedom Consolidation Act of 2001” (S.1572) which will be scheduled soon for debates and vote in the US Senate.

In the light of the September 11 tragic events, we are firmly convinced that the goal of promoting Europe that is whole, undivided, free and secure by means of a significant enlargement of the Alliance in 2002 is in the vital interest of the United States.

It is also important to note that Romania stand shoulder to shoulder with the United States in the war against terrorism. Romanian Government expressed political solidarity with the US and NATO after September 11, and also provided concrete support to military operations, as well as troops serving in Afghanistan. Moreover, the Romanian Parliament has recently approved the deployment of additional 405 infantry troops, 70 military specialized in nuclear, chemical and biological warfare and 10 staff and liaison officers as part of the American led operation “Enduring Freedom”.

We look forward to hearing your views and comments after the passage of the “Freedom Consolidation Act of 2001”, and we thank you, in advance, for your timely consideration on our important request.

Sincerely yours,

Professor Claude G. Matasa, D. Ch.E., D. Sc.

Honorary President, Romanian-American Cultural Association of Florida