[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 67 (Thursday, May 25, 2006)]
[Senate]
[Page S5218]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     HONORING IGNACY JAN PADEREWSKI

  Ms. MIKULSKI. Mr. President, I am honored to have joined my 
colleagues Senator Hagel, Senator Durbin and Senator Murkowski to 
submit S. Res. 491 commemorating the 65th anniversary of Ignacy Jan 
Paderewski's death on June 29, 1941 and recognizing his accomplishments 
as a musician, composer, statesman, and philanthropist.
  I.J. Paderewski was a brilliant pianist who played hundreds of 
concerts in the United States and Europe. Paderewski always gave back 
to his society. As a pianist Paderewski donated a bulk of the proceeds 
from his concerts to charitable causes and helped establish the 
American Legion's Orphans and Veterans Fund.
  When he decided to enter into politics, Paderewski continued to work 
for the betterment of society. He worked hard to bring independence to 
Poland, served his country as the first Premier of Poland during World 
War I and fought against the Nazi dictatorship in WWII.
  During his time in politics one of Paderewski's main goals was to 
build a strong relationship between Poland and the United States. This 
is why it is so fitting that this resolution acknowledges Poland as an 
ally a strong partner in the war against global terrorism. The strong 
relationship that exists today is due in part to the foundations laid 
by I.J. Paderewski.
  Ignacy Jan Paderewski's contributions to music, democracy, and 
humanity--as a renown pianist, composer, humanitarian and great Polish 
statesman--make him one of the most deeply valued and appreciated 
figures in the Polish American community. His close and friendly 
relationship with his contemporary U.S. social, cultural and political 
leaders, including many U.S. Presidents, made him a real friend of the 
American people. That is why it is an exciting opportunity for me, an 
American of Polish heritage to honor Ignacy Jan Paderewski by 
acknowledging his work, his accomplishments and all that he contributed 
to the world with this resolution.

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