[Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 95 (Thursday, June 4, 2026)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E531]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       POLISH-AMERICAN SOLIDARITY

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. JOE WILSON

                           of south carolina

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, June 4, 2026

  Mr. WILSON of South Carolina. Mr. Speaker, today, Chairman of the 
Foreign Affairs Committee, Pawel Kowal, hand delivered a Resolution 
from the Parliament of Poland to Armed Services Committee Chairman, 
Mike Rogers, and Helsinki Commission Chairman, Joe Wilson, reaffirming 
solidarity of Poland and the United States. Friendship between the 
people of America with the people of Poland has never been stronger 
with the bonds of 8.3 million Polish-Americans in all states and 
territories. I include in the Record the following Resolution:


  Resolution of the Semj of the Republic of Poland of May 29, 2026 On 
     Polish-American relations and the commemoration of the 250th 
      anniversary of the founding of the United States of America

       Two hundred and fifty years ago, on July 4, 1776, the 
     American Congress adopted the Unanimous Declaration of the 
     Thirteen United States of America, commonly known as the 
     Declaration of Independence. Since the very beginnings of the 
     history of the United States, close ties between Americans 
     and Poles also began to develop. The Declaration of 
     Independence, together with the United States Constitution, 
     adopted in later years, embodied the political ideals of the 
     Enlightenment and enshrined values that have continued to 
     inspire many nations around the world to this day--the ideas 
     of freedom, equality, human rights, as well as the separation 
     and balance of powers. Above all, these documents solidified 
     the conviction that power derives from the nation. Similar 
     tendencies and ideals led to the adoption of the Constitution 
     of 3 May in Poland in 1791--the second constitution in the 
     world and the first modern constitution in Europe.
       The Sejm of the Republic of Poland emphasizes that a 
     profound love of freedom and a shared understanding of 
     democratic ideals impelled the heroes of Poland's quest for 
     independence to engage in the American Revolution and in the 
     fight for the independence of the United States of America. 
     Through their many initiatives, Tadeusz Kosciuszko and 
     Kazimierz Pulaski helped defend the independence of the 
     nascent American state. In the years that followed, the 
     Polish-American bond forged in battle was put to the test on 
     numerous occasions and was sealed in blood by the sacrifices 
     made by soldiers of both nations during joint combat 
     missions.
       The Sejm of the Republic of Poland expresses its 
     appreciation for the role of the Polish diaspora in the 
     United States. For generations, Poles emigrated to America 
     and--through their labor--contributed to the economic success 
     of the United States, whilst at the same time preserving the 
     memory of their homeland in their hearts and cultivating the 
     traditions of their ancestors. In many cases they prepared 
     themselves to fight for Poland's independence and for the 
     rebuilding of the state once freedom had been regained.
       The Sejm of the Republic of Poland recalls with respect and 
     gratitude the role of the United States in restoring Poland's 
     independence after First World War. The position taken by the 
     United States effectively contributed to achieving the goal 
     pursued by several generations of Poles.
       The Sejm of the Republic of Poland further emphasizes that 
     the United States made a special contribution to the 
     liberation of Poland from the communist regime, the 
     restoration of its independence, and to advancing the process 
     of systemic transformation initiated in 1989. The support of 
     the United States for Poland's accession to NATO in 1999 was 
     crucial to ensuring the security of a free Poland and its 
     place within the Euro-Atlantic community.
       The Sejm of the Republic of Poland acknowledges the 
     importance of the contemporary parliamentary relations with 
     the Congress of the United States. We emphasize that the 
     Polish-American relations, grounded in the pursuit of shared 
     ideals, are fundamental to the security of our state. Poland 
     is an important ally of the United States, especially within 
     the context of the eastern flank of the North Atlantic Treaty 
     Organization. This is demonstrated by the permanent presence 
     of the United States Armed Forces troops in Poland.
       The Sejm of the Republic of Poland underscores that the 
     Polish-American friendship is important to Polish society and 
     is recognized as such across political lines. On the special 
     occasion of the 250th anniversary of the founding of the 
     United States of America and of the relations that have 
     developed between our nations, we wish the American people 
     prosperity in the spirit of the ideals that have shaped the 
     public life of the United States.

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