[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 149 (Thursday, October 15, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2558]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


   CELEBRATING 90 YEARS OF UNITED STATES-POLISH DIPLOMATIC RELATIONS

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                               speech of

                         HON. MICHAEL R. TURNER

                                of ohio

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, October 14, 2009

  Mr. TURNER. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Illinois, Mr. 
Lipinski, for introducing this legislation commemorating the 90th 
anniversary of the establishment of U.S.-Polish Diplomatic Relations.
  The Polish people and the people of the United States have a long 
history of friendship that dates back to the American war of 
independence when Polish patriot Casimir Pulaski volunteered to serve 
in the Continental Army and led his own cavalry regiment in fighting 
the British.
  We have stood shoulder to shoulder during dark times in both our 
histories, and in more recent times, we rejoiced together as the iron 
curtain that had enshrouded Poland and Eastern Europe was cast aside.
  And, in 1999, the United States and NATO welcomed Poland into our 
security partnership.
  In 2008, America signed a cooperative security agreement with Poland 
to further our mutual security interests. This included the 
establishment of a missile defense system to protect both Europe and 
the United States from ballistic missile attacks from rogue states such 
as Iran.
  This agreement was signed as a result of the strong courage of 
Poland's leaders who believed the United States government when it 
promised to help protect their homeland.
  Ironically, on September 17, 2009--the 70th anniversary of the 1939 
Soviet invasion of Poland--the Administration withdrew U.S. support for 
this mutual missile defense system in Europe. The Administration must 
now respond to find other ways that our cooperative partnership may be 
advanced.
  As a member of the NATO Parliamentary Assembly and the author of the 
NATO First Act, I believe the United States must remain committed to 
working with the Polish people to sustain our mutual partnership.
  I urge support of H. Res. 266.

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