[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 139 (Thursday, September 29, 1994)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: September 29, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
                           PULASKI DAY PARADE

                                 ______


                        HON. CAROLYN B. MALONEY

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, September 29, 1994

  Mrs. MALONEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in tribute to a wonderful 
annual event in New York City--the Pulaski Day Parade. This year's 
parade, to be held this Sunday, October 2, will be the Nation's 
largest, with over one million people attending. I would like to give a 
special note of tribute to Mr. Thomas Wojslawowicz, president of the 
Parade Committee and a leading citizen in the Polish-American community 
and to Grand Marshal Leon P. Klementowicz, director of the Polish and 
Slavic Center and a resident of my own Greenpoint district. I would 
also like to add a note of thanks to all my loyal friends in 
Greenpoint, a large and vibrant Polish-American community. Their 
continuing support has been wonderful.
  Mr. Speaker, the Pulaski Day Parade commemorates that great son of 
Poland Gen. Casimir Pulaski, the Father of the American Cavalry. At the 
age of 30, General Pulaski came to America on July 23, 1777, to help 
our struggling Nation in its fight for independence against British 
tyranny. This heroic son of Poland organized the cavalry forces of our 
infant Republic and died of a wound received at the Battle of Savannah 
on October 11, 1779.
  General Pulaski's career highlights the special responsibility 
America has toward Poland--a responsibility which is recognized in the 
recently announced Partnership for Peace program. However, I do not 
believe that program goes far enough. Poland had demonstrated her 
commitment to democracy. The bravery of her people in the struggle for 
independence inspired the world. I believe that Poland will assume an 
increasingly vital role in central Europe in the years to come.
  That is why I strongly support the NATO Expansion Act, legislation 
that would guarantee Poland full membership in NATO by 1999 at the 
latest. I think it is time for America to look to the long-term 
security and stability of Central Europe. The inclusion of Poland and 
the other newly reborn democracies of Eastern Europe in NATO is the 
best means to that end.
  I am fighting hard for the extension of many of the benefits of NATO 
membership to Poland. Poland was the forerunner of the democratic 
spirit which has swept through Eastern Europe over the past decade. She 
deserves to be treated just like any other European democracy. America 
must not repeat the mistakes made at Yalta 50 years ago. We must start 
bringing Poland into NATO now.

                          ____________________