President of the Czech Republic visited Texas on Saturday

LA GRANGE, Texas (KBTX) – President Petr Pavel and First Lady Eva Pavlová of the Czech Republic were in Texas this weekend.

The visit follows a work trip to Washington D.C. where he led the delegation of the Czech Republic to the NATO Summit.

The President of the Czech Republic visited the Texas Czech Heritage and Cultural Center (TCHCC) in La Grange where he made a public appearance.

President Petr Pavel of the Czech Republic

President Pavel rode into the cultural center on a motorcycle from The Ranch– Harley Davidson in College Station.

KBTX met up with President Petr Pavel in La Grange and asked about his visit.

“I’m really grateful that we could have finished our visit in the United States right here in Texas in the heart of Czech heritage,” said Pavel.

Hundreds of people gathered to hear the Czech Republic President speak at the TCHCC.

Attendee Veronika Mojik is from the Czech Republic and is studying abroad at Texas A&M University.

Mojik said having the president of her country in the country she’s attending school in, is an experience she’ll never forget.

“Seeing him, you know, it’s pretty meaningful, it connects me to where I am from it makes me feel welcome where I am currently, so I am happy to be here,” said Mojik.

Many were honored that President Pavel made La Grange part of his trip.

“It’s very much of an honor and I think this may be the first time for our President to actually come here, great part due to the fact of the history of the Czechs here in Texas dating back to the 1850′s and the immigration here,” said Woody Smith, past board member of the Texas Czech Heritage and Cultural Center.

During the ceremony, city and county officials spoke, traditional Czech music played, and kolaches were served.

When President Pavel spoke, he acknowledged those who came to Texas from what is now the Czech Republic years ago and said he’s appreciative the Czech heritage has been kept alive in Texas as it has brought our nations, the United States and the Czech Republic, together.

This is the first time in history that the President of the Czech Republic visited La Grange, Texas, and the first of any head of state since President Lyndon Johnson in 1969.