This is a collection of papers based on presentations made at the 1997 annual meeting and conference of the Czechoslovak Society of Arts and Sciences. Because of the high ethnic consciousness of Czech in Texas, the national organization agreed to a meeting in Belton, Texas, on the 100th anniversary of the SPJST, the Slavonic Benevolent Order of the state of Texas A&M University College Station, edited the papers and presented one of five on Texas Czechs. One of the total of thirteen papers was given by Alexandr Voldra, the Czech ambassador to the United States. Dr. Machann has dedicated considerable research to his Czech past and often gives lecture.