[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 94 (Wednesday, July 13, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1481]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[[Page E1481]]
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   IN SUPPORT OF H.J. RES. 54; GIVING POSTHUMOUS U.S. CITIZENSHIP TO 
                        GENERAL CASIMIR PULASKI

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. BRIAN HIGGINS

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, July 13, 2005

  Mr. HIGGINS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.J. Res. 54, 
honoring the heroism and sacrifice of General Casimir Pulaski (1748-
1779), who fought valiantly with the Continental Army during the 
American Revolutionary war and died for freedom and American 
independence.
  General Pulaski was born in Poland in 1748. As a young man of 
fifteen, Pulaski joined the Polish army, along with his father, to 
fight Russian and Prussian interference in Polish political affairs. 
After being outlawed by Russia for his actions in favor of liberty, 
Pulaski moved to Paris where he soon met Benjamin Franklin. In his 
quest to find mercenary soldiers, Franklin convinced Casimir Pulaski to 
join the colonies' cause against Great Britain.
  In 1777, Casimir Pulaski came to Philadelphia to meet General George 
Washington. Upon meeting Washington Pulaski wrote in a letter that: ``I 
came here, where freedom is being defended, to serve it, and to live or 
die for it.''
  On September 11, 1777, Pulaski fought bravely in the battle at 
Brandywine, helping to avert a disastrous American defeat and 
courageously saving the life of George Washington. General Washington 
was so impressed with Pulaski's valor and abilities at Brandywine Creek 
that he recommended that Continental Congress appoint Pulaski as 
general of the American cavalry.
  General Pulaski continued serving the Continental Army for two years 
until a major offensive in October 1779 took his life. On an assault 
against British forces in Savannah, Georgia, Casimir Pulaski was 
mortally wounded. Once taken aboard the American ship the USS Wasp, 
Pulaski died at sea on October 11, 1779.
  Directly after his heroic death in 1779, the Continental Congress 
resolved that a monument be erected in General Pulaski's honor. Today, 
almost every city has a street, memorial or a school named in Pulaski's 
memory.
  We in Western New York have the great privilege of having a strong 
and vibrant Polish American community. The Polish influence in Western 
New York can be traced back to Pieter Stadnitski, one of the partners 
of the Holland Land Office Company; the Dutch company which purchased 
and brought settlers to the area in the early 19th century. Since that 
time the community in Cheektowaga has thrived both culturally and 
politically. It is therefore fitting that the Pulaski Parade honoring 
General Pulaski is to take place in Cheektowaga, NY on July 17, 2005. 
This parade will honor Polish artists, politicians, dignitaries and 
heroes like Pulaski. I very much look forward to attending this parade, 
supporting the great courage of General Casimir Pulaski and saluting 
our great Polish American friends in Western New York.

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