[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 103 (Thursday, July 22, 2004)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1519]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   RECOGNIZING THE ANNIVERSARY OF WARSAW UPRISING DURING WORLD WAR II

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. RAHM EMANUEL

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, July 22, 2004

  Mr. EMANUEL. Mr. Speaker, as the House of Representatives adjourns 
for the next six weeks, I am proud to rise on behalf of more than 
111,000 of my constituents who are of Polish descent in the Fifth 
Congressional District of Illinois on Chicago's northwest side. It is 
my privilege to join with friends of Poland and people of Polish 
descent around the world who will join together to commemorate the 
Warsaw Uprising.
  On their behalf, it is my honor to have introduced H. Con. Res. 470, 
recognizing the anniversary of the Warsaw Uprising during World War II. 
It was 60 years ago this August when ordinary Polish citizens, fighting 
against overwhelming odds and extreme hardships, took up arms against 
their German oppressors.
  Counting on Allied forces to assist in the impending liberation of 
Warsaw, the Underground Home Army launched its attack against German 
forces in an attempt to win back their country. Heavily outnumbered and 
armed mostly with homemade weapons, the Polish resistance fought 
bravely and heroically for 63 days.
  On the verge of victory but with Allied forces still far from the 
scene, their fates were sealed when the Germans reinforcements arrived. 
Ultimately, 250,000 civilians and troops were killed and in the wake of 
the uprising's outcome, centuries-old buildings, monuments and cultural 
treasures were systematically destroyed by the Germans.
  To this day, the courage and valor demonstrated by the Polish 
resistance stands as a symbol to the spirit of the Polish people and 
remains a shining example of the world's greatest challenges to fascism 
and oppression. Polish citizens can be proud of the men and women who 
fought in this landmark chapter of Poland's resistance, and proud of 
their resolve and belief in freedom.
  Today, this resolution serves another purpose. It reaffirms the 
special relationship between United States and Poland and the 
unwavering bond-that exists among our two peoples. I offer this 
resolution as a symbol of gratitude for Poland's friendship and for 
standing shoulder to shoulder with our troops in Iraq and where the 
global war against terror is waged.
  Mr. Speaker, our Nation shares and appreciates Poland's values and 
democratic ideals of liberty and human rights. The same indomitable 
spirit that was alive 60 years ago remains strong in the Polish 
consciousness today.