[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 37 (Monday, March 5, 2007)]
[Senate]
[Pages S2630-S2631]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Mr. DURBIN (for himself, Mr. Obama, Ms. Murkowski, and Ms. 
        Mikulski):
  S.J. Res. 5. A joint resolution proclaiming Casimir Pulaski to be an 
honorary citizen of the United States posthumously; to the Committee on 
the Judiciary.
  Mr. DURBIN. Mr. President, I rise today to introduce S.J. Res. 5, 
honoring the valor of General Casimir Pulaski, who made the ultimate 
sacrifice in pursuit of American freedom. This Resolution would grant 
posthumous honorary citizenship to General Pulaski.
  Casimir Pulaski was a young soldier whose activities to advance 
Polish liberty'' from Russian influence led to his exile from Poland. 
In Paris, he met Benjamin Franklin and was inspired to join the 
Continental Army in its fight for American independence.
  On September 11, 1777, Casimir Pulaski fought with distinction in the 
Battle of Brandywine. His bravery and abilities in battle averted an 
American defeat and saved the life of George Washington. That same 
year, Pulaski wrote to George Washington, ``I came here, where freedom 
is being defended, to serve it, and to live or die for it.''
  Casimir Pulaski was promoted to Brigadier General and, as General, 
continued to provide great leadership. In 1779, at the siege of 
Charleston, South Carolina, he helped to fend off British forces. Later 
that year, his letter to George Washington proved prophetic when in 
October, during a major offensive against British forces in Savannah, 
Georgia, Pulaski was mortally wounded. He died at sea, aboard the 
U.S.S. Wasp, on October 11, 1779.
  General Pulaski's life and death inspired his contemporaries just as 
he inspires us today. Shortly after his death, the Continental Congress 
resolved to build a monument in his honor; one that proved to be the 
first of many. In 1825, General Lafayette, an honorary American 
citizen, laid the cornerstone for the Pulaski monument in Savannah, 
Georgia. In 1929, Congress resolved that October 11 of each year would 
be Pulaski Day in the United States, and several states have followed 
this example. In 1973, my own state of Illinois designated the first 
Monday of March as Pulaski Commemorative Day and in 1986 declared that 
day to be a state holiday. There are countless schools, streets, and 
memorials across the country that bear his name, and honor his great 
contributions.
  We in Illinois are privileged to have a large and vibrant Polish-
American

[[Page S2631]]

community. From Casimir Pulaski to legendary artists like Ignacy Jan 
Paderewski, the Polish people have contributed a great deal to 
Illinois, and to this country. Chicago is home to the Polish American 
Congress, which encompasses three thousand Polish organizations across 
the county, as well as the Polish Museum of America. The Polish-
American community also has a large presence in the Illinois National 
Guard which has enjoyed a long-standing relationship with the Polish 
Air Force.
  I am honored to rise today, on Pulaski Commemorative Day, to 
introduce this Resolution to grant posthumous honorary citizenship to 
General Casimir Pulaski. Honorary citizenship is a proper tribute to a 
man who gave his labor and life to the cause of American independence. 
When we think of our Nation's struggle for freedom in its early years, 
we also must think of Casimir Pulaski and his indelible contribution to 
our Nation's birth.

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