[Congressional Record Volume 161, Number 132 (Tuesday, September 15, 2015)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1279-E1280]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                COMMEMORATING THE KATYN FOREST MASSACRE

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. ALBIO SIRES

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                      Tuesday, September 15, 2015

  Mr. SIRES. Mr. Speaker, as we commemorate the tragic events that took 
place on September 11th, 2001, we pause to remember all those that 
innocently lost their lives on that day.

[[Page E1280]]

  We also come together to remember two other tragic events that 
devastated the Polish-American community. I stand with the Polish 
people today at the Katyn 1940 Monument as they commemorate the 75th 
anniversary of the Katyn Forest Massacre, and the 5th anniversary of 
the tragic airplane crash that killed 96 people, including the Polish 
President and other top Polish officials. The Monument, located in 
Jersey City, is a symbol of the important history of the Polish-
American community in New Jersey and the sacrifices of their ancestors.
  The Katyn Forest Massacre occurred during World War II in April and 
May of 1940 while Poland was fighting a war on two fronts. The Soviet 
secret police brutally killed over 20,000 Poles whose bodies were later 
recovered in a mass grave at Katyn. Tragically, five years ago as a 
delegation of Polish officials were traveling to Katyn to commemorate 
the massacre, their plane unexpectedly crashed in western Russia, 
killing all aboard.
  The Polish people throughout the course of history have been 
unwavering in their resilience and patriotism in the face of adversity. 
Their courage is admirable and inspiring, and on this day we stand in 
solidarity as they commemorate these occasions of great loss.

                          ____________________