The potential site is a park located in front of the World Bank on Pennsylvania Avenue. The site holds a strong connection to President Masaryk's time spent in Washington, DC and his philosophy of political change. This park is only a short walk away from the old site of the Powhatan Hotel, which served as Masaryk's residence. The World Bank backdrop to this statue is fitting as this organization seeks to support the growth of free and democratic nations.

The National Capital Memorial Commission unanimously voted to support the concept of a proposed memorial. In addition, on May 8, the House Subcommittee on National Parks, Recreation, and Public Lands also unanimously voted to support this project. The memorial statue has Congressional approval of both Houses and the bill has been signed by President Bush.

The Memorial will provide a point of focus in understanding the role that President Masaryk played in the spread of freedom and democracy to other parts of the world. More importantly, it will also serve as a reminder to visitors of our nation's capital that the foundation and principles that the United States is based upon transcend language, time, and ethnicity; and that the American ideals of freedom and democracy ingrained in just one individual can impact millions throughout history.

The Czechoslovak Society of Arts and Sciences (SVU) donation for the Statue in the amount of $1,000 was presented by SVU President Mila Rechcigl to Czech Prime Minister Milos Zeman, on the occasion of Premier's visit to Washington, DC on November 8, 2001, in the presence of new Czech Ambassador to the US Martin Palous and Dr. Milton Cerny, representing the American Friends of the Czech Republic.

SVU members and friends are urged to give additional donations for this worthy cause by making a check payable to "Thomas Garrigue Masaryk Memorial Fund" and mail it to AFCR, 2801 M Street, NW, Washington, DC 2007.

With reference to Masaryk Memorial, and as a part of the new SVU initiative, "Accent on Youth", the Society has launched a new drive to raise money for a new "Masaryk Youth Incentive Fund" for the purpose of supporting short-term visits of Czech and Slovak Students to the US that would lead to collaborative projects with US and Canadian institutions of higher learning. Comtributions are tax-dedictible. Please send your donations to Frank Mucha, SVU Treasurer, 200 Riverside Drive, Apt. 5F, New York, NY 10025.