[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 50 (Thursday, April 18, 1996)]
[Senate]
[Pages S3632-S3633]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Mr. DOLE (for himself, Mr. Simon, Mr. Abraham, Ms. Moseley-
        Braun, Mr. Murkowski, Ms. Mikulski, Mr. Helms, Mr. Roth, Mr. 
        Santorum, and Mr. Lugar):
  S.J. Res. 51. A joint resolution saluting and congratulating Polish 
people around the world as, on May 3, 1996, they commemorate the 205th 
anniversary of the adoption of Poland's first constitution; to the 
Committee on the Judiciary.


  poland constitution 205th anniversary commemoration joint resolution

  Mr. DOLE. Mr. President, today I am introducing a joint resolution 
which salutes and congratulates Polish people around the world on the 
occasion of the 205th anniversary of the Polish Constitution. I am 
pleased to be joined by Senators Simon, Abraham, Moseley-Braun, 
Murkowski, Mikulski, Helms, Roth, Santorum, and Lugar. This resolution 
is being introduced today in the House by Congressman Jack Quinn of New 
York and a number of bipartisan cosponsors.
  Poland is one of America's oldest and closest friends. Many of its 
sons and daughters have crossed the ocean to our shores over the past 
200 years. Indeed, from the very birth of our great nation we have 
benefited from the talent and dedication of the Polish people. When we 
fought for our independence, Thaddeus Kosciuszko--a native son of 
Poland--fought alongside General Washington. Today, memorials to 
Kosciuszko's courage, military skill, and genuine friendship, can be 
found in our Capital and in many cities across the United States.
  Following the War of Independence, Kosciuszko carried back to Poland 
the American concept of constitutional democracy. Poland's 1791 
Constitution was the first constitution in Central and Eastern Europe 
to secure individual and religious freedom for all persons. It also 
formed a government much like ours, composed of distinct legislative, 
executive, and judicial powers. I would like to quote from the Polish 
Constitution which declares, ``All power in civil society should be 
derived from the will of the people.''

  Tragically, this Constitution was only in effect for less than 2 
years. However, its principles endured for 2 centuries. And over the 
last 5 years--since the disintegration of the Warsaw Pact--Poland has 
finally realized the promise of freedom and democracy held in the 1791 
Constitution.
  So, on May 3, 1996, when the citizens of Poland celebrate the 205th 
anniversary of the adoption of Poland's first Constitution, we want 
them to know that the United States Congress shares in their 
celebration. No doubt, all across our 50 States, Polish-Americans will 
be celebrating and taking pride in their rich heritage. This joint 
resolution salutes and congratulates all Polish people, wherever they 
may now reside, on this great and historic occasion.
  Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the text of the joint 
resolution be printed in the Record.

[[Page S3633]]

  There being no objection, the joint resolution was ordered to be 
printed in the Record, as follows:

                              S.J. Res. 51

       Whereas, on May 3, 1996, Polish people around the world, 
     including Americans of Polish decent, will celebrate the 
     205th anniversary of the adoption of the first Polish 
     constitution;
       Whereas American Revolutionary War hero Thaddeus Kosciuszko 
     introduced the concept of constitutional democracy to his 
     native country of Poland;
       Whereas the Polish constitution of 1791 was the first 
     liberal constitution in Europe and represented Central-
     Eastern Europe's first attempt to end the feudal system of 
     government;
       Whereas this Polish constitution was designed to protect 
     Poland's sovereignty and national unity and to create a 
     progressive constitutional monarchy;
       Whereas this Polish constitution was the first constitution 
     in Central-Eastern Europe to secure individual and religious 
     freedom for all persons in Poland;
       Whereas this Polish constitution formed a government 
     composed of distinct legislative, executive, and judicial 
     powers;
       Whereas this Polish constitution declared that ``all power 
     in civil society should be derived from the will of the 
     people'';
       Whereas this Polish constitution revitalized the 
     parliamentary system by placing preeminent lawmaking power in 
     the House of Deputies, by subjecting the Sejm to majority 
     rule, and by granting the Sejm the power to remove ministers, 
     appoint commissars, and choose magistrates;
       Whereas this Polish constitution provided for significant 
     economic, social, and political reforms by removing 
     inequalities between the nobility and the bourgeoisie, by 
     recognizing town residents as ``freemen'' who had judicial 
     autonomy and expanded rights, and by extending the protection 
     of the law to the peasantry who previously had no recourse 
     against the arbitrary actions of feudal lords;
       Whereas, although this Polish constitution was in effect 
     for less than 2 years, its principles endured and it became 
     the symbol around which a powerful new national consciousness 
     was born, helping Poland to survive long periods of 
     misfortune over the following 2 centuries; and
       Whereas, in only the last 5 years, Poland has realized the 
     promise held in the Polish constitution of 1791, has emerged 
     as an independent nation after its people led the movement 
     that resulted in historic changes in Central-Eastern 
     Europe, and is moving toward full integration with the 
     Euro-Atlantic community of nations: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
     United States of America in Congress assembled, That--
       (1) the people of the United States salute and congratulate 
     Polish people around the world, including Americans of Polish 
     descent, as on May 3, 1996, they commemorate the 205th 
     anniversary of the adoption of the first Polish constitution;
       (2) the people of the United States recognize Poland's 
     rebirth as a free and independent nation in the spirit of the 
     legacy of the Polish constitution of 1791; and
       (3) the Congress authorizes and urges the President of the 
     United States to call upon the Governors of the States, the 
     leaders of local governments, and the people of the United 
     States to observe this anniversary with appropriate 
     ceremonies and activities.

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