[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 57 (Wednesday, May 4, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E867]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




            IN RECOGNITION OF POLAND'S MAY 3RD CONSTITUTION

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                           HON. BRIAN HIGGINS

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                         Wednesday, May 4, 2005

  Mr. HIGGINS. Mr. Speaker, it is with great respect that I recognize 
the anniversary of Poland's May 3, 1791 Constitution.
  This document signified the spiritual and moral renovation of the 
Polish nation after a period of stagnation caused by foreign influences 
under the Saxon kings. It has become a proud and integral part of the 
civic and patriotic activities in many cities in our great country, in 
Poland, and throughout the world.
  To the Poles and their descendants, May 3rd is a national holiday for 
it bestows upon the Pole a priceless heritage of humanitarianism, 
tolerance and a democratic precept conceived at a time when most of 
Europe lived under the existence of unconditional power and tyranny 
exemplified by Prussia and Russia.
  Poland's parliamentary system actually began at the turn of the 15th 
Century, but a series of defensive wars, internal stresses, outside 
influences, widespread permissiveness and excessive concern for the 
rights of dissent brought Poland to the brink of disaster and anarchy 
in the 18th Century. Urgently needed reforms became imperative.
  The May 3rd, 1791 Constitution was the first liberal constitution in 
Europe and the second in the world, after the Constitution of the 
United States.
  Following the American pattern, it established three independent 
branches of government--executive, legislative and judiciary. 
Throughout the constitution runs philosophy of humanitarianism and 
tolerance including: perfect and entire liberty to all people; rule by 
majority; secret ballot at all elections; and religious freedom and 
liberty.
  But, most importantly, the constitution abolished the one-vote veto 
powers of individuals who would undermine proposals, for their own 
dubious reasons.
  The constitution curtailed the executive power of the King and State 
council. It forbid them to contract public debts, to declare war, to 
conclude definitely any treaty, or any diplomatic act. It only allowed 
the Executive branch to carry on negotiations with foreign courts, 
always with reference to the Diet (Parliament).
  In terms of democratic precepts, the May 3rd Constitution is a 
landmark event in the history of Central and Eastern Europe.
  The Polish constitution was deemed too dangerous by the tyranny of 
absolutism still rampant in Europe. Thus Russia, Prussia and Austria 
decided to wipe out ``the Polish cancer of freedom'' from the face of 
the earth. In 1795 partitioned Poland ceased to exist as a state. For 
123 years of foreign occupation (1792-1918) and again from 1939 to 
1989, the Third of May Constitution kept the Polish spirit alive as a 
symbol of freedom, generated healthy pride among people of Polish 
ancestry everywhere, and inspired them to fight to regain their lost 
independence.
  Our very own country owes part of its being to the inspiration the 
3rd of May Constitution provided.
  The principles and values set in ink were the very same that brought 
to our shores Polish freedom fighters Casimir Pulaski and Thaddeus 
Kosciuszko. For their dedication to the American cause, these sons of 
liberty are honored to this very day in both Poland and the United 
States, proof of the mutual loyalty to the philosophy and beliefs 
instilled in each country's Constitution.
  It is for this reason that I remind my esteemed colleagues and 
constituents of the importance of Poland's Constitution of May 3, 1791, 
and congratulate all the Polish Americans in my district on this 
honorable day.

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