At a recent reception at the Slovak Embassy in Washington D.C., Joseph Senko of Pittsburgh, PA was awarded the Medal of the President of the Slovak Republic for extraordinary merit in the development of friendly relations with the Slovak Republic, as well as for promoting Slovakia throughout the world. This is the highest award that the Slovak government awards to foreigners.
Joe Senko has been the Slovak Honorary Consul for Pennsylvania since 1997. In this capacity, he receives and responds to approximately 100 inquiries each year. Shortly after becoming Honorary Consul, he formed the Western Pennsylvania Slovak Cultural Association, a non-profit organization that presents approximately ten Slovak cultural programs each year.
He is also a charter member of the executive committee of the Washington D.C.-based non-profit organization, Friends of Slovakia, which was formed in 2001 to seek friendship and understanding between Slovakia and the United States. Joe is the Chairman and Treasurer. This organization has sponsored over 125 events since it was formed including scholarships for Slovak students, annual freedom lectures, receptions for dignitaries from Slovakia, and artistic and cultural events.