[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 154 (Thursday, October 22, 2009)]
[Senate]
[Pages S10708-S10709]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  PROCLAIMING CASIMIR PULASKI TO BE AN HONORARY CITIZEN OF THE UNITED 
                          STATES POSTHUMOUSLY

  Mr. REID. I now ask we proceed to H.J. Res. 26, after the Judiciary 
Committee is so discharged.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered. The clerk 
will report the joint resolution by title.
  The legislative clerk read as follows:

       A joint resolution (H.J. Res. 26) proclaiming Casimir 
     Pulaski to be an honorary citizen of the United States 
     posthumously.

  There being no objection, the Senate proceeded to consider the joint 
resolution.
  Mr. DURBIN. Mr. President, October 11, 2009, marked the 230th 
anniversary of the death of General Casimir Pulaski, a man who made the 
ultimate sacrifice in pursuit of American independence.
  In March, I introduced S.J. Res. 12 to grant honorary posthumous 
citizenship to General Pulaski. The Senate passed my resolution 
unanimously. Recently, the House of Representatives passed H.J. Res. 
26, the House's version of this resolution, which was introduced by 
Representative Dennis Kucinich. Today, the Senate will consider H.J. 
Res. 26 and I urge my colleagues to support it.
  I would like to thank Senator Lisa Murkowski, the lead Republican 
cosponsor of S.J. Res. 12, as well as the resolution's other 
cosponsors, Senators Mikulski, Cardin, Whitehouse, Dodd, Brown, Burris, 
and Pryor. I would especially like to thank the Polish Legion of 
American Veterans, U.S.A., for their longstanding and tireless support 
for this resolution.
  This resolution is a long overdue tribute to a man who gave his life 
to the cause of American freedom, a man who is often referred to as the 
``Father of the American Cavalry.''
  General Pulaski was born in Warsaw, Poland, and became a Polish 
national hero for his struggles against Russian domination. His 
opposition to Russian influence and participation in an unsuccessful 
rebellion against Russia led to his exile from Poland.
  Seeking refuge, Pulaski traveled to France, where he met Benjamin 
Franklin and was inspired to join the Continental Army in its fight for 
American independence. Franklin recommended Pulaski to General George 
Washington as ``an officer renowned throughout Europe for the courage 
and bravery he displayed in defense of his country's freedom.''
  On September 11, 1777, Casimir Pulaski fought with distinction in the 
Battle of Brandywine, where his bravery and military skill helped to 
avert American defeat and save the life of George Washington. Upon 
Washington's recommendation, the Continental Congress promoted Pulaski 
to General and appointed him General of the Cavalry. That same year, 
Casimir Pulaski wrote to Washington, ``I came here, where freedom is 
being defended, to serve it, and to live or die for it.''

[[Page S10709]]

  General Pulaski recruited, outfitted, and trained America's first 
true cavalry. Pulaski often even used his own personal finances to 
provide his troops with the finest equipment to ensure their safety in 
battle.
  Two years after he joined the fight for American freedom, Pulaski was 
mortally wounded during a major offensive against British forces in 
Savannaha, GA. He died at sea, aboard the USS Wasp, on October 11, 
1779.
  General Pulaski's valiant service and heroic death inspired his 
contemporaries and continue to inspire us today. Shortly after his 
death, the Continental Congress resolved to build a monument in his 
honor 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, GA. In 1929, Congress resolved that October 11 of 
each year would be Pulaski Day in the United States, and several States 
have followed that example. There are countless schools, streets, 
towns, and memorials across this country that bear his name and honor 
his contributions to our Nation's birth.
  In my home State of Illinois, we are privileged to have a large and 
vibrant Polish American community. Chicago is home to the Polish 
American Museum and the Polish American Congress, which includes three 
thousand Polish organizations from across the country. 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.
  Illinois honored General Pulaski in 1973 by designating the first 
Monday of every March Pulaski Commemorative Day. In 1986, that day was 
declared a State holiday.
  Honorary citizenship is long overdue and a proper tribute to a man 
who gave his labor and life to the cause of American independence. I 
urge my colleagues to support H.J. Res. 26 to honor General Casimir 
Pulaski and his indelible contribution to our Nation's birth.
  Mr. REID. I ask unanimous consent the joint resolution be read a 
third time and passed, the preamble be agreed to, the motions to 
reconsider be laid upon the table, with no intervening action or 
debate, and any statements be printed in the Record.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
  The joint resolution (H.J. Res. 26) was ordered to a third reading, 
was read the third time, and passed.

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