[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 69 (Tuesday, May 3, 2016)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E647]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




     IN RECOGNITION OF POLISH DAY AT THE CONNECTICUT STATE CAPITOL

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. ELIZABETH H. ESTY

                             of connecticut

                    in the house of representatives

                          Tuesday, May 3, 2016

  Ms. ESTY. Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize today's Polish Day 
celebration at the Connecticut State Capitol, and to congratulate the 
Polish people in celebrating the 225th anniversary of Europe's oldest 
written constitution.
  Poland adopted the first written constitution in Europe on May 3, 
1791. With the leadership of King Stanislaw August, Poland's 
constitution established many of the same principles of freedom and 
democracy ratified in the United States, like freedom of religion, the 
separation of powers, and political equality.
  I am proud to represent New Britain, Connecticut, which has more 
residents of Polish descent than any other community in our great 
state. Polish-Americans have made invaluable contributions to the 
social, cultural, and economic life and history of communities in 
central and northwest Connecticut, and throughout our great state.
  As a member of the Congressional Caucus on Poland, I am committed to 
strengthening the bilateral relationship between Poland and the United 
States. Those bonds of friendship date back centuries, and have only 
grown stronger through solidarity in the Cold War and continued 
collaboration to expand economic opportunity and promote security in 
the region and around the world.
  So Mr. Speaker, on this Polish Constitution Day, it is my privilege 
to join neighbors across Connecticut and the entire United States in 
celebrating the 225th anniversary of Poland's first constitution. I 
know that this House joins me in honoring the many contributions of the 
people of Poland and those of Polish descent in developing democracy 
and furthering the cause of freedom throughout the world.

                          ____________________