Gilich, whose four grandparents immigrated to Biloxi from Croatia, welcomed President Milanović and decided to officially designate 22 September, the date of Milanović’s visit, as Croatian Heritage Day for the city of Biloxi.
The governor of Mississippi, Tate Reeves, designated also 22 September as Croatian Heritage Day for the whole state, reads the press release.
During the ceremonies in Biloxi, President Milanović said that he was pleasantly surprised by the good organisation of the the Croat community in Mississippi and its good connections with Croatia.
Those are mainly descendants of emigrants from Dalmatia who built their new homes in Biloxi, a city in Harrison County. It lies on the Gulf Coast in southern Mississippi.
Milanović is the first Croatian president to visit this expat community in Biloxi.
Most of those emigrants have their roots on the island of Brač, and Milanović invited them to visit that Adriatic island. He expressed confidence that they would be appealed by the scenery of that island and that they would fall in love with the country of their ancestors.
In attendance at the ceremonies in Biloxi were Governor Reeves, Senators Roger Wicker and Cindy Hyde-Smith and Congressman Mike Ezell.
On Saturday, Milanović will be traveling on to Louisiana for the opening of the Croatian House, the new cultural centre of the Croatian community in New Orleans. The Croatian House, located in in Belle Chasse, part of New Orleans, will be opened by the Croatian American Society.
"This momentous occasion marks a milestone for the Croatian American Society in the New Orleans area," Tony Cibilich, Croatian American Society president, said in a news release, as carried by the local New Orleans City Business news outlet.
"We are honored to have President Milanovic visit as part of this goodwill trip to the United States. Croatians have a long history in the United States going back generations. The Croatian House is meant to honor our past and build on our future, and it will help reconnect Croatian-American friends and family and build new relationships across the community," Cibilich was quoted as saying.
The house will represent the strength of the Croatian community in the USA and will serve for its activities, preservation of heritage and strengthening of ties.
Construction of the $5.2 million, 9,000-square-foot facility began in December 2021. It was completed in August. The steel and stone building is built in a Croatian style. It comprises a great hall, indoor kitchen, bar, outdoor pavilion and kitchen for roasting lamb and grilling oysters.
The opening ceremony will also be attended by Roman Catholic Archbishop of New Orleans Gregory Aymond and Deputy Governor of Louisiana Billy Nungesser, New Orleans City Business announced.