[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 146 (2000), Part 15]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 22694]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]



    TRIBUTE TO POLONIA SPORT CLUB, INC. ON THE OCCASION OF ITS 50TH 
                              ANNIVERSARY

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. GERALD D. KLECZKA

                              of wisconsin

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, October 11, 2000

  Mr. KLECZKA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in tribute to the men and 
women of Polonia Sport Club, Inc., of Franklin, Wisconsin.
  Polonia Sport Club was founded to provide an opportunity for recent 
Polish immigrants to the Milwaukee area to gather for social activities 
and sporting events--mainly soccer games--and keep alive and 
flourishing the traditions of their homeland. Today, Polonia Park, 
located on West Loomis Road just west of Highway 100 in the Milwaukee 
suburb of Franklin, boasts 23 beautiful acres of parkland and soccer 
fields, a shaded picnic area and a quaint traditional Polish chapel. 
The grounds are utilized by young and senior citizens alike, and range 
from ethnic Polish groups to youth and adult weekend soccer tournaments 
attracting players and their families from throughout the Midwest.
  The members of Polonia Sport Club have truly witnessed a revival of 
it's original intentions of soccer being a unifying outlet for 
immigrants to the Milwaukee area to the game's present-day emergence as 
the fastest growing youth participatory athletic event in the US.
  My family and I have had the privilege of attending and hosting more 
than a few events at Polonia Park over the years and have always been 
impressed with the old-world charm of the park's grounds and 
hospitality offered by the park's managers.
  On November 4, the founders, active members and guests of Polonia 
will celebrate the club's 50th anniversary with a banquet at the new 
Polish Center of Wisconsin. It is my distinct pleasure to recognize 
this event by bringing Polonia Sport Club's many attributes to the 
attention of the United States Congress.
  To the members of Polonia Sport Club, I offer my sincere 
congratulations on your first 50 years and best wishes for the future. 
Sto lat.

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