[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 8 (Tuesday, January 15, 2019)]
[House]
[Pages H552-H553]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




           MOURNING THE LOSS OF GDANSK MAYOR PAWEL ADAMOWICZ

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from 
Ohio (Ms. Kaptur) for 5 minutes.
  Ms. KAPTUR. Madam Speaker, as co-chair of the bipartisan 
Congressional Caucus on Poland, it is with a truly heavy heart that I 
rise this morning to express deepest sympathy to our NATO ally, Poland, 
and its countrymen and women on the brutal slaying of visionary Gdansk 
Mayor Pawel Adamowicz.
  Mayor Adamowicz had served his city since 1998 as it championed the 
values of liberty, equality, and democracy. I hold profound respect for 
his enduring dedication, perseverance, and honorable service to his 
community and nation. He loved Gdansk as a beacon for a free Poland and 
gave his life to it.
  What a deep tragedy this is for his grieving family, his wife, his 
children, his associates, for the Polish nation, and for freedom-loving 
people everywhere.
  Far too much blood has been shed on Polish soil for the world to 
ignore such a heinous crime that took his life.
  I visited Gdansk in both 2009 and 2013, and through these visits, I 
gained an even deeper respect for its noble history and its place on 
Earth, including the location where Nazi shelling at Westerplatte began 
the cataclysmic invasion of Poland starting World War II.

[[Page H553]]

This year, we will commemorate the 80th anniversary of that moment.

  Then more recently, Gdansk's redemptive transformative role in world 
history with the courageous Solidarnosc worker strikes that trip-wired 
the collapse of tyranny across Central Europe, imposed by the Soviet 
Union, ushering in the possibility of freedom for the millions who 
suffered under dehumanizing repression for over half a century.
  In our modern era, Gdansk became that symbol of liberty. It formally 
partnered with the city of Cleveland, Ohio, which I am privileged to 
represent, along with Congresswoman Marcia Fudge, in a sister-cities 
relationship. As part of my own congressional district, I am deeply 
honored and proud of this relationship.
  In Mayor Adamowicz's memory, I and this Congress must stand ready to 
strengthen this alliance of liberty, certainly at this moment in 
history. In his memory, our Poland Caucus must pursue an annual liberty 
exchange in his name to nurture aspiring young Polish leaders who 
follow in his footsteps in pursuit of liberty and security for Poland.
  Let his death serve as a constant reminder of how precious freedom 
remains. I am certain Polish law enforcement officials will examine the 
circumstances surrounding the perpetrator's actions with a diligent 
eye. They must ascertain whether there are any linkages that exist with 
outside influence or propaganda that might have catalyzed this heinous 
crime.
  I know I speak on behalf of all Americans and of millions of Polish 
Americans across our country, including in Ohio, to remind all freedom-
loving people that the United States stands with Poland now at this 
hour of mourning.
  During these uncertain times, we must work to strengthen our 
transatlantic and NATO alliances through increased diplomatic, 
cultural, and military exchanges.
  May the soul of Mayor Pawel Adamowicz rest in peace, and may the 
worth of his noble life inspire the young leaders of Poland to pursue 
his visionary leadership.

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