[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 65 (Tuesday, May 4, 2010)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E737]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      HONORING POLISH NATIONAL DAY

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. CLIFF STEARNS

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                          Tuesday, May 4, 2010

  Mr. STEARNS. Madam Speaker, on May 3, the people of Poland celebrated 
the 219-year anniversary of the passage of the Constitution of May 3, 
1791. This Constitution is regarded around the world as Europe's first 
and the world's second modern codified national constitution, following 
only the ratification of the United States Constitution in 1788. This 
is a great day not only for the Polish people but also for freedom 
loving people around the world.
  The United States and Poland share similar values and the two 
Constitutions reflect that shared commitment to liberty for all people. 
In fact, according to one Polish historian, the May 3 Constitution was 
``founded principally on those of England and the United States of 
America . . . and adapted as much as possible to the local and 
particular circumstances of the country.'' In addition, historians have 
pointed out a number of similarities between the two Constitutions, 
including an advocacy of a separation and balance of powers and a 
bicameral legislature. Article V of the May 3 Constitution states that, 
``the integrity of the states, civil liberty, and social order remain 
always in equilibrium.'' The United States and Poland share an 
unbreakable commitment to freedom and liberty. I congratulate the 
people of Poland on this momentous day.
  In honor of this special day, I would like to put into the Record a 
speech given by the President of the European Parliament, Jerzy Buzek, 
in honor of Polish National Day.

       Dear Ambassador, Distinguished Guests, Ladies and 
     Gentlemen,
       I am delighted to be here in this wonderful old building, 
     the Renwick Gallery, in the heart of this nation's capital.
       Over the past few days, in my capacity as President of the 
     European Parliament, I have been holding discussions here in 
     Washington on issues relating to the European Union. I should 
     therefore like to thank you, Mr. Ambassador, for holding this 
     reception so that we might meet and celebrate together one of 
     the key events in Polish history.
       A few short steps away lies a park containing monuments to 
     great heroes of freedom and democracy. For the last century 
     and more, it has housed a monument to Tadeusz Kosciuszko, a 
     hero of two nations--Poland and the United States--and a 
     staunch defender of the Polish Constitution of 3 May 
     1791--Europe's first, and the world's second, such 
     document.
       This year's Polish Constitution Day celebrations are 
     overshadowed by the tragic events of 10 April, which have 
     shown how important a modern constitution is to Poland, as 
     indeed to any democratic country. During this difficult 
     period, the 1997 Constitution has ensured continuity of 
     government and a stable Presidency in our country.
       Ladies and Gentlemen,
       Having joined the European Union, Poland now enjoys a two-
     fold partnership with the United States: both as a sovereign 
     state and as an important member of a unique community of 27 
     countries and close to half a billion people.
       The European Parliament, with its more than 700 directly 
     elected Members, is the most democratic of the EU 
     institutions. I believe that the time has now come for closer 
     relations to be forged between our Parliament and the U.S. 
     Congress. Day-to-day responsibility for doing so will lie 
     with our newly opened office in Washington, which Piotr 
     Nowina-Konopka was recently appointed to head up.
       In today's world, the partnership between Europe and the 
     United States is an alliance whose importance cannot be 
     overstated. And it is because we are democracies that that 
     alliance should have a parliamentary dimension. The 
     commemoration of 3 May is an appropriate occasion to draw 
     attention to this fact, because constitutions are the supreme 
     expression of parliamentary law-making in the majority of the 
     world's democracies.
       May this anniversary inspire us, as politicians, to be ever 
     more effective in our efforts to ensure the good of our free 
     nations.

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