Mr. Speaker, I stand today to commemorate Serbian Statehood Day, also known as Sretenje. February 15 is a day that speaks of faith, humility and the encounter between the human and the divine. It is also the day in 1835 when Serbia adopted its first modern constitution, a symbol of liberty, dignity and the rule of law, values deeply shared with Canada.
Our two nations stood together in the darkest hours of the 20th century. One great example is Leslie Joy Whitehead, a young Canadian woman who volunteered to serve with the Serbian army during World War I. She marched through war-torn lands, endured capture as a prisoner of war and fought on the front lines, a testament to the courage, compassion and deep human bonds between our peoples.
Canada offered many Serbs a new home. Serbia offered Canada devoted citizens. Together, we have built 85 years of bilateral relations that are rooted in hard work, faith and freedom.