[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 102 (Monday, July 25, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1594]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 RECOGNIZING THE 25TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE SOLIDARITY MOVEMENT IN POLAND

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                         HON. ALCEE L. HASTINGS

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, July 18, 2005

  Mr. HASTINGS of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H. 
Res. 328, a resolution recognizing the 25th anniversary of the workers' 
strikes in Poland in 1980 that led to the establishment of the 
Solidarity Trade Union.
  This legislation praises Polish workers in the shipyards of Gdansk 
and Szczecin for rising up against the repressive Soviet controlled 
communist regime in demand of greater political freedom. The actions of 
these courageous and peaceful individuals were directly responsible for 
the establishment of the Solidarity Trade Union, a profound social 
movement that ultimately ended communism in Poland without bloodshed.
  This resolution rightly expresses the sense of Congress that our 
government should recognize and honor the struggle and sacrifice of the 
citizens of Poland, whose tireless efforts succeeded in restoring 
democracy to their country while simultaneously highlighting the 
correlation between organized labor and strong democratic institutions.
  Now, more than ever, it is important that Congress pay tribute to, 
and support, those nations that willingly and actively allow the 
unimpeded formation of labor unions. For it is those countries that 
exhibit the most free and fair democratic policies. No such phenomenon 
is better exemplified than in the case of the Solidarity Trade Union. 
The formation of this important group ultimately led to the election of 
Poland's first post World War II non-communist Prime Minister, Mr. 
Tadeusz Mazawiecki.
  Mr. Speaker, let me conclude by again expressing my support for this 
legislation and encourage my colleagues' support. It should be a 
priority of this Congress to pay homage to members of the Solidarity 
Trade Union on the 25th anniversary of its inception and acknowledge 
the ensuing bond of friendship that has flourished between our two 
nations on account of workers' rights.

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