[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 137 (Tuesday, September 27, 1994)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: September 27, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
     THE POLISH WOMEN'S CLUB OF THREE RIVERS, MA, 70TH ANNIVERSARY

                                 ______


                          HON. RICHARD E. NEAL

                            of massachusetts

                    in the house of representatives

                      Tuesday, September 27, 1994

  Mr. NEAL of Massachusetts. Mr. Speaker, it is on the occasion on the 
70th anniversary of the Polish Women's Club of Three Rivers, MA, that I 
enter into the Record today, the complete history of the Polish Women's 
Club of Three Rivers, MA.

       Recognizing the need for assisting women of Polish ancestry 
     to become citizens of this country, early in 1924 the Messrs. 
     Stanley Zerdecki, Walter Dymon, Michael Boyko, and Joseph Les 
     spearheaded an organizational drive toward this end.
       Records show that on February 24, 1924, these four 
     organizers were successful in getting together a group of 
     women for this purpose. A club was formed and named the 
     Polish American Women Citizens Political Club of Three Rivers 
     and Thorndike. On March 30, 1924, Miss Anna Rusek became the 
     first president of this group of 59 charter members.
       The purpose of the club was three-fold:
       1. To encourage women to become citizens and assist them in 
     procuring citizenship papers by teaching English and related 
     subjects.
       2. To take active part in politics and get proper 
     recognition and position on the local, state, and federal 
     level.
       3. To support businesses owned by people of Polish 
     extraction.
       With club members as volunteer teachers, and the financial 
     backing of this club, numerous men and women came forth to 
     lend their assistance in whatever manner necessary. Thus was 
     set in motion and accomplished the dream of the organizers--
     seeing women of Polish extraction becoming American citizens.
       This service and assistance continued for the next 20 
     years. The main purpose of the club was fulfilled.
       The second objective with regards to participation in 
     politics was also seriously undertaken in 1926 when we became 
     affiliated with the United Polish American Citizens of 
     Massachusetts on both county and state levels.
       For the next 40 years delegates were present whenever 
     possible at the annual conventions throughout the state to 
     exchange ideas and get a better knowledge of the working of 
     our government. Over the years we have sent innumerable 
     letters and telegrams, made contact with our state and 
     federal legislators on behalf of qualified individuals 
     seeking jobs, or in connection with expressing our support or 
     opposition of bills of proposed legislation. On a town level 
     our support has been solicited and given to those we feel 
     merit such support, be they Democrats, Republicans, or 
     Independents. Almost every election brings requests from 
     hopeful candidates asking to speak to the membership and 
     soliciting our vote.
       It is with pride that we note that at least one of our 
     members, our first president, Anna Rusek, was named 
     Postmaster of the Three Rivers Post Office in 1944 and served 
     the community faithfully until her retirement in 1968. Miss 
     Rusek died in 1982.
       Through the years we have actively commemorated historical 
     events. As early as 1926, the July 4 parade included our 
     members as a unit; in 1932, note was made of the 200th 
     anniversary of George Washington's birth; for many years the 
     May 3 observance of Polish Constitution Day included a 
     delegation from our club.
       In 1933, it was decided to join the Massachusetts 
     Federation of Polish Women's Club, Inc. Our affiliation with 
     that group continues to the present. Much has been gained 
     through this association particularly in fostering our Polish 
     culture. Several daughters of our members and members have 
     received scholarship grants from the Federation, thus 
     enabling them to continue their education. In 1952, 1969, 
     1979, 1984, 1989, and 1994 the annual convention of the 
     Federation has been held in Three Rivers. Delegates from the 
     entire state of Massachusetts have high praise for the 
     cordiality and hospitality not only of the members of this 
     club, but of the entire citizenry of the Town of Palmer. 
     Executive committee members and various committees have 
     included the Three Rivers Polish Women's Club members. Two of 
     our members have been president of the Federation; namely, 
     Genevieve Janosz (1982-1983), and Mary Rusiecki (1990-1991). 
     Marcia Topor, Vice-President of our club, is presently 
     serving as the Federation's president. She is the daughter of 
     Genevieve Janosz and the late John Janosz and has followed in 
     her mother's footsteps. Annually, since 1961, the Federation 
     sponsors an essay contest for 8th graders residing in 
     Massachusetts and attending Massachusetts schools who are 
     interested in Polish history, culture, traditions, and 
     contributions many Poles have made to the world and to 
     society.
       Our activities within the framework of the Federation also 
     include the Fifth District which compromises the Western 
     Massachusetts area. Here our members continuously hold office 
     and direct the activities of this unit. At present, Sophie 
     Valtelhas is Vice-President, Mary Rusiecki is Recording 
     Secretary, and Helen Grzywna is Treasurer. Our activities 
     have included a fashion show for many years, a raffle, and 
     work on the Essay Contest. Our club was responsible for the 
     essay contest and the chairwomen were Helen Grzywna in 1969, 
     Mary Rusiecki in 1984, Stephanie Putz in 1990, and Sophie 
     Valtelhas in 1994.
       Membership has also been held in the United Polish American 
     Citizens of Massachusetts, Polish American Congress, John 
     Paul II Polish-American Foundation, and the Kosciuszko 
     Foundation in New York.
       Locally our membership on the United Polish-American 
     Organization Council in the Township of Palmer is felt and 
     appreciated. Since its inception in March of 1955, our 
     members have consistently and faithfully served in various 
     offices and committees. We have been called upon to perform a 
     variety of services at the functions sponsored by this group. 
     We can truly boast that no other local club has contributed 
     more towards the scholarships given annually to local Polish-
     American high school students. Our contributions to date 
     stand unmatched, especially when considering the fact that up 
     to January 1, 1956, our membership dues were 5 cents per 
     month and since that time remain 10 cents per month. At age 
     65+ members are exempted from paying dues.
       May 8, 1946, marked the official observance of our 25th 
     anniversary. There was a Mass of Thanksgiving at SS Peter and 
     Paul Church and a banquet was held at St. Stanislaus Hall in 
     the evening. Local and state officials, as well as the 
     clergy, participated in this affair. Messrs. Boyko, Kymon, 
     and Les, three of the original organizers were invited 
     guests. Attorney Irene Dumas was our main speaker, with Miss 
     Lucy Wisniewski of the State Civil Service Commission, 
     Stanley Wondolowski of Worcester, and the Reverend Alfons 
     Skoniecki also giving brief talks.
       Active support of our parish during the past 70 years have 
     been maintained. Since 1926 when a $25 contribution was made 
     for the church renovation, we have bought church vestments, 
     chimes, contributed for an organ, flowers for various 
     occasions, ewer and bowl, and $200.00 to SS Peter and Paul 
     Church's cemetery fund. Our services were and still are 
     always available at bazaars, banquets, picnics, jubilee 
     observances, anniversaries, etc. We have always worked 
     harmoniously with the clergy, recognizing that our spiritual 
     well-being is an integral part of our life which affects our 
     club activities as well. We are graterful for being a part of 
     the SS. Peter and Paul Parish.
       During the period that the Franciscan Sisters were part of 
     our community, staffing at our parochial school until its 
     closing in June, 1973, we worked with them cooperatively and 
     had only the highest regard and praise for their invaluable 
     assistance. From September 1973 to January 1990, we had been 
     working with the Little Servant Sisters of the Immaculate 
     Conception until they had to leave us. From August 1990 to 
     the present we are delighted to have the Sister Minor of Mary 
     Immaculate (SMMI) working in our parish and teaching in our 
     nursery school.
       Children, locally and elsewhere, have been remembered by 
     us. For many years annual contribution made to the SS. Peter 
     and Paul School for their activities. Orphanages at Hyde 
     Park, Brightside, The Blind Children in Poland, Youth Camp in 
     Bondsville, Community Day Camp, and A Wish Come True, Inc, to 
     mention a few, have also been aided by us.
       World War II and its various activities brought requests 
     for help with Bond Drives, Blood Banks, U.S.O., Air Raid 
     Committees, National War Funds and Polish Relief. Clothes 
     were sewn and sent to the needy, soldiers from Westover were 
     entertained, money and services were generously donated to 
     the various causes. Sons and daughters also served in the 
     Korean and Vietnam conflicts and are remembered as serving 
     their country well. When the Joint Declaration of War by 
     nations of the United Nations against Iraq was made, our sons 
     and daughters were right there to serve. Our club donated 
     items to Operation Desert Storm to be sent through Westover 
     to the military fighting in Iraq.
       The post-war period (World War II) brought a renewal of 
     activity among organizations. Each month brought invitations 
     or requests for religious, civic, political and community 
     groups for participation and donation.
       Having outlived its original intent, in 1958 a committee 
     was named to revise our constitution. On October 20, 1958, 
     the name of our club was changed to ``Polish Women's Club of 
     Three Rivers.'' Fostering our ethnic culture, encouraging 
     higher education, exchange of cultural ideals, replaced the 
     original aim to help with citizenship papers. Integrating 
     this culture with the cultures of other ethnic groups of our 
     U.S.A. offers a new challenge. Much is being done to 
     implement new ideals. We are constantly sponsoring, 
     attending, or contributing toward attainment or these aims.
       April 27, 1974, marked the official observance of our 50th 
     Anniversary. A dinner was held at the St. Stanislaus Hall 
     that evening. The welcome address was made Helen B. Grzywna, 
     President, and Anna Kulig, Recording Secretary, served as 
     toastmistress. Town of Palmer Selectman Chairman William J. 
     Lemanski, U.S. Congressman Edward P. Boland, Massachusetts 
     State Senator Frederick W. Schlosstein, Jr., and 
     Massachusetts State Representative Alexander Lolas were among 
     the honored guests who extended greetings to our 
     organization. Greetings from the Massachusetts Federation of 
     Polish Women's Clubs were given by Beatrice Melody, 
     President, and Rose Corso, District V Vice president. The 
     keynote speaker was Attorney Mary A. Socha. The invocation 
     and benediction was given by Reverend Robert Ceckowski, 
     Pastor SS Peter and Paul Church.
       Besides our 25th and 50th anniversaries, our club also 
     observed our 55th on October 27, 1979, and our 60th on 
     October 27, 1984, our 65th on October 28, 1989, and our 70th 
     on October 22, 1994.
       A scroll signed by members of our club was included on 
     November 13, 1976, in the time capsule buried at that time as 
     part of the commemoration of the 200th anniversary of the 
     Town of Palmer. The capsule will be reopened in the year 
     2076.
       Noteworthy to mention is the Polish-American Night Benefit, 
     Help for Poland, which was sponsored by the Polish Women's 
     Club of Three Rivers and the Polish Women's Alliance Group 
     $506 (member Alice Pilch--President) featuring the Villagers 
     Chorus and the St. Cecilia Choir, SS Peter and Paul Church. 
     The event was held at the SS Peter and Paul Community Center 
     on June 18, 1982. Guest musician was Joe Lazarz, well-known 
     violinist and orchestra leader. $500 was derived from this 
     benefit and was donated to the Help for Poland Drive.
       Monetary contributions have been made to numerous 
     organizations. In 1983, a School Day Clock was presented to 
     the Palmer Public Library Community Room to replace the clock 
     that had been stolen. The Polish Women's Club also 
     contributed money for a piano and bust of Chopin to the 
     Community Room for the Library. The United Polish American 
     Organizations Council in the Township of Palmer was in charge 
     of obtaining the piano.
       Records show that our first contribution to the Wing 
     Memorial Hospital was made in 1928. Sizable donations have 
     been made to their building fund, expansion fund, emergency 
     room, X-ray camera, operating room, Cardiac Monitoring 
     System, and Lab. Members served as volunteers in staffing the 
     Wing Memorial Auxiliary Gift Shop and Cart. As early as 1930, 
     a Community Chest donation had been made and this was 
     continued until recently. The Red Cross has also been 
     remembered over the years. Yearly donations continue to be 
     made to the Wing Memorial Hospital. Yearly donations are made 
     to the United Polish-American Organizations Council in the 
     Township of Palmer. Other donations which have been made over 
     the years include the Pope Paul II Guest House in Rome; SS 
     Peter and Paul 75th Anniversary Program; AmVets Auxiliary 
     Post #74 Jaws of Life (Juanita Gralinski, Member of our Club, 
     was in charge of this drive); Support for Solidarity; SS 
     Peter and Paul Lady of Czestochowa Icon; Kosciuszko 
     Foundation Renovation Fund in New York; Statue of Liberty 
     Renovation Fund; The Blind Children of Poland; Child's Wish 
     Come True, Inc.; Palmer Ambulance Service; Palmer Public 
     Library; Polish American Congress for the Polish Room; Museum 
     of Immigration at Ellis Island; Pope John Paul II's Endowment 
     Fund; SS Peter and Paul Church; Operation Desert Storm (Iraq 
     conflict); CROP-Walk for Hunger; and the Literacy Volunteers 
     of Palmer.
       To keep our treasury healthy we hold one big raffle a year 
     during the winter. Our members are to be commented for their 
     wholehearted support to requests for contributions of items 
     and selling of raffle tickets.
       Our club started in 1924 with 59 members; today we have 
     134. Membership is open to all women of Polish-American 
     extraction who have reached their 16th birthday and reside in 
     the Palmer area. Dues are $1.20 a year and anyone age 65 and 
     over is exempted from payment. Meetings are held from 
     September to May (this will be changed for 1995 where we will 
     follow a calendar with no meetings in June, July and August) 
     on the fourth Wednesday of the month at 7:3oPM in the St. 
     Stanislaus Polish Home, Three Rivers.
       Our past presidents were Anna Rusek, Nellie Motyka, 
     Stephanie Kolbusz, Mary Jajuga, Anna Kulig, Genevieve Janosz, 
     Sophie Zerdecki, Julie Midura, and Edna Pytka. Helen Grzywna 
     is our present president. Anna Rusek, Nellie Motyka, 
     Stephanie Kolbusz, Mary Jajuga, Sophie Zerdecki, and Julie 
     Midura are deceased.
       A special thanks must be given to our president of 22 
     years--Helen Grzywna--who is a dynamic and selfless 
     individual who gives her time, expertise and energy to her 
     office as president and to the many tasks that she is either 
     asked to do or volunteer to do. She is to be commended for 
     all of her efforts. Through her leadership, our club is very 
     much alive, working well for the good of helping in the 
     religious, civic, political and community affairs.
       Volunterrism is nothing new in our club--from its 
     beginning, members have done volunteer work in various 
     capacities. As of now, members are involved with the Senior 
     Center of Palmer, Literacy Volunteers of Palmer who serve the 
     Quaboag Valley, Wing Memorial Auxiliary, Food Share, Inc., 
     CROP-Walk for Hunger, SS Peter and Paul Parish's Rosary 
     Sodality and Guild, and others.
       Much is being done to implement new ideas and we are 
     constantly sponsoring, attending and contributing toward 
     attainment of these aims. Examples are the Pops Concert, 
     attendance at various plays, Krakowiak Dance Group, 
     Kosciuszko Foundation Presentation Ball, Poznan Boys Choir, 
     Liberace Concert, Kopernik Observance, exhibits, donations of 
     books to schools and libraries dealing with the 
     accomplishment of Poles, etc.
       Our present officers are: Helen Grzywna, President; Marcia 
     Topor, Vice-President; Edna Pytka, Treasurer; Sophie J. 
     Valtelhas, Recording Secretary; Phyllis Misiaszek, Financial 
     Secretary; Juantia Gralinski, Publicity; and Alice Pilch and 
     Sophi Walulak, auditors.
       The spirit that brought together in 1924 those fifty-nine 
     women is still carried on today. Truly our success has been a 
     team effort for the past 70 years, and each member's 
     contribution is and was valued highly. We must, however, 
     remember to include Josephine Roman, the first volunteer 
     teacher; Nellie Motyka, who served as President for 24 years; 
     Sophie Jorczak, our Secretary for 12 years, Bernice Tenczar, 
     our Treasurer for 20 years; Frances Frydryk; Mary Jajuga; 
     Frances Dymon; Anna Kulig--Historian for our 50th Anniversary 
     and toastmistress for our anniversaries; Julie Midura, our 
     decorator for our 50th, 55th, and 60th anniversaries, and 
     last but not least, our President, Helen Grzywna, who for the 
     past 22 years led us successfully and skillfully in the tasks 
     set before us. Again, we must salute those 59 valiant women 
     whose desire to become American citizens started us toward 
     making possible our 70th anniversary.

                          ____________________