On June 13, 2019, Professor John Plecnik spoke at the Celebration of the 28th Anniversary of the Independence of the Republic of Slovenia in Cleveland City Hall.  Professor Plecnik, who also serves as Vice President of Council and Councilman-at-Large for the City of Willoughby Hills, spoke alongside Mayor Frank Jackson, Councilman Mike Polensek and fmr. Councilman Joe Cimperman of Cleveland, State Senator and Democratic Minority Leader Kenny Yuko, Slovenian Consul General Andrej Rode, and Slovenian Ambassador to the United States Stanislov Vidovič.  In his remarks, Professor Plecnik recalled his conversation with Mayor, Governor and Senator George Voinovich three years ago at the 25th Anniversary of Slovenian Independence, and spoke of how all Slovenians are family.

Cleveland Mayor Frank Jackson and Professor Plecnik