[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 89 (Friday, June 28, 2002)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1196]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 TRIBUTE TO MR. JAN NOWAK--JEZIORANSKI

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. WILLIAM O. LIPINSKI

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, June 27, 2002

  Mr. LIPINSKI. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to one of the 
most respected leaders of America's Polish community, Jan Nowak-
Jezioranski. As he prepares to return to Poland, I would like to take 
this opportunity to bid him farewell and thank him for his decades of 
service in this country as a remarkable civil servant and defender of 
freedom and democracy.
  Both the United States and Europe are greatly indebted to Mr. Nowak-
Jezioranski. In World War II, he was an acclaimed ``Courier from 
Warsaw'' who served as a liaison between the Home Army in the occupied 
Polish territory and the Polish government in exile in London and 
representatives of the British government. In addition, he was a key 
witness that spoke out against the atrocities of the Nazi occupants in 
Central and Eastern Europe. Near the end of the Cold War, Jan Nowak-
Jezioranski was the director of the Polish section of Radio Free 
Europe. In this capacity, he gave millions of his countrymen the 
strength and courage to not give up hope behind the Iron Curtain. As a 
U.S. Citizen, Jan Nowak-Jezioranski bolstered my colleagues and my 
efforts to contain the Soviet block. Due to his leadership, he was able 
to help opposition groups in Central and Eastern Europe flourish.
  Jan Nowak-Jezioranski's vision helped Poland become one of our 
closest allies in Europe. Following the historic changes, he helped the 
American public realize the importance of supporting Poland's 
struggling democracy both economically and politically. Mr. Nowak-
Jezioranski recognized the need to abolish the political, social and 
economic divisions in Europe and therefore, he diligently supported 
NATO expansion. As a member of the Alliance, Poland has proven a 
creditable source during the Kosovo campaign and the war on terrorism.
  Mr. Nowak-Jezioranski has been a long time supporter of the 
transatlantic community and promoter of democratic values. I believe 
that our nations will maintain their commitment to strengthening the 
transatlantic community and encouragement of democratic ideals. It is 
my hope that from across the Atlantic, Mr. Jan Nowak-Jezioranski will 
remain active in the public debate on issues that are key to our 
nations' futures. I ask my colleagues to join me in expressing immense 
gratitude for Mr. Jan Nowak-Jezioranski's numerous contributions to the 
cause of democracy and freedom,

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