[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 23 (Thursday, February 27, 1997)]
[Senate]
[Page S1764]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 TRIBUTE TO BRIG. GEN. CASIMIR PULASKI

 Mr. DURBIN. Mr. President, I rise today in honor of Casimir 
Pulaski, as we commemorate the 250th anniversary of his birth, and 
acknowledge his exemplary service to our country.
  Casimir Pulaski was born in Warka, Poland on March 4, 1747. Before 
coming to America in 1777, he distinguished himself in Poland's battle 
for independence from Russia. Forced to flee his native country because 
of his activities on behalf of Polish freedom, he became an exile.
  When Pulaski first arrived in America to aid the colonists in the 
American Revolution, he led a valiant counterattack at the Battle of 
Brandywine which saved the retreating American army from being cut off 
by the British.
  At the insistence of Gen. George Washington, the Continental Congress 
appointed Pulaski brigadier general and the first commander of the 
American cavalry. His services in the field justly won him the title of 
``Father of the American Cavalry.''
  On October 9, 1779, at the Battle of Savannah, GA, Pulaski led a 
daring, but fatal, charge against the heavily fortified British forces 
occupying the city.
  Today, the people of Illinois proudly remember General Pulaski's 
courageous sacrifice fighting for our Nation's independence, and his 
defense of the freedoms that we cherish in America.
  The anniversary of Casimir Pulaski's birth will be celebrated on 
March 2, 1997, at a special dinner ceremony in Chicago. I want to take 
this opportunity to congratulate the Chicago Society of the Polish 
National Alliance for hosting this commemorative dinner, and commend 
its efforts to help restore the Pulaski Monument in Savannah, GA.
  The Pulaski Monument, whose cornerstone was laid by the Marquis 
Lafayette in 1825, is currently in a state of disrepair. With the hard 
work and dedication of the Chicago Society and donations from the 
people of Savannah, this 55-foot-tall historic monument will soon stand 
with renewed glory as a symbol of patriotism for all future generations 
of Americans.
  Mr. President, it is my great pleasure to pay tribute to Brig. Gen. 
Casimir Pulaski on behalf of my home State of Illinois. I invite my 
colleagues in the Senate to join me in commemorating this heroic 
patriot and in honoring the many accomplishments Polish-Americans have 
made throughout history.

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