Matthew Mark Horn Decorated by President of the Republic of Croatia with Order of Stjepan Radic

WASHINGTON, Aug. 12, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The president of the Republic of Croatia, Dr. Ivo Josipovic, decorated Matthew Mark Horn, a long-time Washington government relations and foreign and defense policy expert, with The Order of Stjepan Radic in a ceremony on July 22nd. This high honor bestowed by presidential decree recognized Horn for his "selfless work strengthening U.S.-Croatia relations and for his tireless advocacy during critical phases in Croatia's NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization) accession," said the Republic of Croatia's Ambassador to the U.S., Josko Paro, in presenting the award. Croatia formally joined NATO on April 1, 2009.

"Recognizing the importance of Matt's contribution to the security and stability of Croatia, the government made decorating him its priority," Paro said. Croatia's NATO membership is essential to maintaining a Europe that is "whole, free and at peace," the ambassador added.

Paro presented the decree, a beautiful hand-painted document, along with accompanying medals, to Horn at a ceremony at the Embassy of Croatia in Washington. The well-attended ceremony and reception included Horn's wife and two children, family, friends, colleagues, diplomats, members of Congress and other dignitaries.

Horn, 49, a native of Monroe, N.Y., is a U.S. Marine Corps veteran and resides in Baltimore. He served in the Pentagon under President George W. Bush, on Capitol Hill as counsel to Congressman Benjamin A. Gilman (R-NY), and as the Policy Director and co-Executive Director of the American Jewish Congress. Horn also served as the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe's (OSCE) counsel in the Balkans in the 1990s. Horn referred to his public service as "transformative experiences."

The Order of Stjepan Radic is granted to Croatians and foreigners for services and sacrifices for the national and social rights of the Croatian people. The honor is named after Stjepan Radic (1871-1928), considered one of the greatest statesmen in Croatia's history.

Following his formal remarks, Paro said, "I am now speaking from the heart when I tell you that we would not be in NATO today without Matt...Matt knows Croatia and the region first-hand and saw the devastating effects of the war. He is a true friend who stood up for Croatia when we needed help most," he added. In a letter to the Croatian government, U.S. Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel wrote, "I am writing to congratulate Mr. Matthew Mark Horn … he is well deserving of this honor. I want to extend my sincere thanks to the Government of Croatia for its partnership with the United States, and for the wise decision to bestow this honor upon Matt." Congresswoman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL), former Chair of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs (HCFA) highlighted her 20-year friendship with Horn, recounting how she was introduced to Matt by Gilman in 1993. Matt briefed her and her Committee (HIRC) colleagues on the Balkans in 1997-98. She said, "It was during those briefings 16 years ago, I realized that Matt was one of those rare people who is not just smart and talented, but rolled up his sleeves and made a difference...He was a strong advocate for Croatia and Albania getting into NATO, and methodically worked the Senate, with support from the House to ensure that Croatia would become a NATO Member."

Senator Barbara A. Mikulski (D-MD), Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, on whose Service Academy Review Board Horn serves, praised him "for all your efforts on behalf of peace in Europe…"

"I am humbled and honored to receive this high honor from President Josipovic," Horn said. "I saw the effects of the war first hand. In a decade Croatia rebuilt its country and has become a NATO and EU member setting an example for other nations...NATO is the greatest defensive military alliance in history. I am proud of my role in Croatia and Albania's accession."

Horn earned his J.D., with Certificates in International Law and International Trade Law, from Pace University School of Law. He graduated with a B.A. in International Relations, History and Political Science, summa cum laude, from Farleigh Dickinson University in New Jersey, and attended the United States Naval Academy (class of 1989) as a Secretary of the Navy enlisted Marine appointee. In addition to numerous awards and honors, in October 2005, Horn was awarded the Secretary of Defense Medal for Outstanding Public Service for his service at the Pentagon.

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