[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 29 (Wednesday, March 8, 2006)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E310]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   POLISH NATIONAL ALLIANCE (PNA) OF NORTH AMERICA--LODGE 711 100TH 
                              ANNIVERSARY

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. RICHARD E. NEAL

                            of massachusetts

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, March 8, 2006

  Mr. NEAL. Mr. Speaker, I would like to recognize on the House floor 
that 2005 marked the one-hundredth anniversary of Lodge 711 of the 
Polish National Alliance (PNA) of North America. I'm proud to have 
Lodge 711 headquartered in my district in the town of Wilbraham.
  PNA is the largest ethnic fraternal insurance society in the United 
States that offers quality life insurance and annuity products, which 
allows its members and families to achieve financial security. But the 
PNA's involvement in the communities it serves goes beyond providing 
quality financial services by organizing various social and cultural 
programs. Whether its sports and youth programs, spelling bees, college 
scholarships, or Saturday Schools promoting Polish heritage and 
culture, PNA helps its members live more fuller and enjoyable lives.
  Mr. Speaker, I'm honored to have the opportunity to represent a 
diverse and culturally rich constituency, particularly the Polish 
communities that have a large presence in Massachusetts' second 
congressional district. Throughout my years of public service I have 
witnessed with great pleasure the Polish communities' dedication and 
commitment to civic affairs. The lessons of Poland's long and hard 
history of achieving independence has not been lost with the Polish 
immigrants who came to America or their offspring born in America.
  The American and Polish people have a long and warm relationship that 
evolves around the love of freedom and opportunity. This bond goes back 
to America's revolutionary years when the Polish patriot, Tadeusz 
Kosciuszko, fought in the American War of Independence and achieved the 
title of brigadier general. Later, Kosciuszko once again fought for 
independence when leading the Polish-Lithuania uprising of 1794. The 
American people honor Kosciuszko with a statue of the patriot in the 
U.S. Capitol building.
  Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank Teresa Struziak-Sherman, Director 
for PNA Region A, for all her wonderful work over the years that has 
contributed to the success of the PNA. I would also like to recognize 
all the other people of Polish ancestry that I have known and worked 
with throughout my years as a public servant and look forward to my 
continued relationship with them.

                          ____________________