[Congressional Bills 118th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 1198 Introduced in House (IH)]

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118th CONGRESS
  2d Session
H. RES. 1198

  Commemorating the 105th anniversary of diplomatic relations between 
                     Poland and the United States.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                              May 6, 2024

Ms. Kaptur (for herself, Mr. Smith of New Jersey, Mr. Keating, and Mr. 
 Turner) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the 
                      Committee on Foreign Affairs

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION


 
  Commemorating the 105th anniversary of diplomatic relations between 
                     Poland and the United States.

Whereas the United States and Poland have shared a consequential history, 
        encompassing a fundamental commitment to democratic principles, freedom, 
        the rule of law, and human rights;
Whereas shared values have formed the bedrock of the enduring friendship between 
        the United States and Poland, and an unwavering commitment to the North 
        Atlantic military alliance and the broader transatlantic relationship 
        has contributed to security in Europe and across the globe;
Whereas the United States-Poland friendship predates the founding of the United 
        States itself, with Polish generals Tadeusz Kosciuszko and Casimir 
        Pulaski bravely fighting for the independence and freedom of both 
        nations during the United States Revolutionary War;
Whereas, during World War I, prominent Polish figures such as Ignacy Jan 
        Paderewski and Henryk Sienkiewicz traveled to the United States to 
        promote the idea of an independent Poland;
Whereas many people in the United States of Polish descent came to Europe to 
        fight for a sovereign Poland, with the most famous example being the 
        Blue Army of General Jozef Haller, consisting of over 20,000 Americans 
        of Polish descent, largely inspired by Paderewski;
Whereas, in a historic moment, President Woodrow Wilson delivered a compelling 
        speech to Congress on January 22, 1917, passionately advocating for 
        Poland's independence as a justified war aim;
Whereas the pivotal role played by President Woodrow Wilson and Ignacy 
        Paderewski in advocating for Poland's independence was instrumental in 
        securing recognition of Polish sovereignty following World War I;
Whereas, on January 8, 1918, President Wilson announced his famous ``Fourteen 
        Points'', with point 13 explicitly stating: ``An independent Polish 
        state should be erected which should include the territories inhabited 
        by indisputably Polish populations, which should be assured a free and 
        secure access to the sea, and whose political and economic independence 
        and territorial integrity should be guaranteed by international 
        covenant'';
Whereas Poland's embrace of democratic values dates back to the 1700s, 
        culminating in the historic adoption of Europe's first constitution in 
        1791, embodying the principles of liberty and constitutional monarchy;
Whereas Poland became the first European nation to strive toward ensuring 
        liberty for all its citizens when Tadeusz Kosciuszko, upon his return 
        from the American Revolution, issued the Proclamation of Po5aniec on May 
        7, 1794, which provided for personal freedoms to Polish serfs and 
        reduced compulsory serfdom, among other liberties and rights;
Whereas, in the wake of Poland's remarkable constitutional achievement, the 
        nation would face tragic annihilation in history, including the third 
        partition of Poland in 1795, that resulted in Poland being erased from 
        the map of Europe for 123 years and its territory divided among the 
        empires of adjoining nations Russia, Prussia, and the Hapsburg Empire;
Whereas, despite centuries of adversity, Poland's resilient spirit endured, as 
        evidenced by the November Uprising of 1830 and the January Uprising of 
        1863, where countless Poles laid down their lives to preserve the dream 
        of Polish sovereignty;
Whereas, during this period of foreign domination, Poland persevered in 
        safeguarding its national identity through initiatives such as the 
        ``organic work'' ideology, which recognized the importance of 
        modernizing Polish society to ensure the survival of Polish nationhood;
Whereas, on November 11, 1918, the Regency Council of Poland appointed Jozef 
        Pi5sudski as Commander in Chief of Poland, marking the formation of the 
        Second Republic of Poland and a triumphant return to independence;
Whereas the brave Polish resistance fighters and soldiers valiantly fought 
        against tyranny on all fronts during World War II, only to find their 
        liberation from Nazi oppression followed by domination by the Soviet 
        Union;
Whereas, on September 18, 1944, as part of the allied FRANTIC-7 mission, though 
        the Royal Air Force, 12 United States citizens, including 2d Lt. Clyda 
        Arrants, 1st Lt. Joseph Vigna, 1st Lt. Robert Peters, 1st Lt. Francis 
        Akins, 2d Lt. Forrest Shaw, Flight Officer Ely Berenson, 2d Lt. Myron 
        Merrill, Technical Sgt. Frank De Cillis, Staff Sgt. Paul Haney, Staff 
        Sgt. George MacPhee, Staff Sgt. Walter Shimshock, and 1st Lt. Paul 
        Hibbard, were killed in the skies over Poland during operations to 
        supply Polish resistance units during the Warsaw Ghetto Uprising;
Whereas Poland's indomitable spirit was exemplified by the Solidarity movement, 
        led by Lech Wa5esa, which played a pivotal role in defeating Communism 
        and ultimately led to the fall of the Soviet Empire, ushering in a new 
        era of liberty for millions across Europe;
Whereas Poland joined the community of democracies by acceding to the NATO 
        alliance in 1999 and the European Union in 2004, further cementing its 
        commitment to democratic principles;
Whereas Poland's ongoing steadfast relationship with the United States is 
        demonstrated by the Illinois-Poland National Guard Partnership, a 
        program of the United States European Command State Partnership Program, 
        through which nations share in military excellence and in friendship;
Whereas, in March of 2023, the United States Army established the United States 
        Army Garrison in Poland, representing an undying commitment to the NATO 
        alliance and to the defense of global democracy;
Whereas the contributions of up to 10,000,000 Polish Americans to the United 
        States have been invaluable, with many serving in political leadership, 
        defending liberty in the Armed Forces, driving innovation in factories, 
        and leading in creative and economic spheres; and
Whereas the United States and Poland have been resolute in their joint 
        commitment to support Ukraine as it defends against Russia's war of 
        aggression: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
            (1) commemorates the 105th anniversary of the establishment 
        of diplomatic relations between Poland and the United States, 
        recognizing the historic events and courageous individuals that 
        led to the reconstitution of Poland's sovereignty;
            (2) honors the unwavering determination and sacrifices of 
        the Polish people, who never wavered in their pursuit of 
        independence and liberty during 123 years of foreign partitions 
        and 43 years of Soviet occupation; and
            (3) reaffirms the enduring bonds between Poland and the 
        United States, forged by a shared love of freedom, an 
        unquenchable thirst for liberty, a mutual commitment to the 
        rule of law, and a steadfast partnership in advancing security 
        and democracy worldwide.
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