[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 146 (2000), Part 6]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 7780]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]



               TRIBUTE TO THE LATE MYRA (CASIMIRA) LENARD

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. MARCY KAPTUR

                                of ohio

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 11, 2000

  Ms. KAPTUR. Mr. Speaker, today I have a heavy heart. It is in great 
sadness that I honor my dear friend, Myra (Casimira) Lenard, who fought 
her courageous and long bout with grave illness so valiantly. On Monday 
afternoon, May 1, Myra passed from this life after having served as the 
long time Executive Director of the Washington Office of the Polish 
American Congress. For nearly 20 years, she became the much revered 
force representing Polish Americans here in our Nation's Capital. Her 
fortitude was to be admired as she guided the Congress through the 
tumultuous times of Solidarity and Martial Law. What a gift that she 
lived to witness the fall of the Berlin Wall, and then saw the 
fulfillment of a life-long quest as Poland left the Warsaw Pact and 
became a member of NATO. She may be best remembered, though, for 
leading the charge to convert proceeds of the Polish American 
Enterprise Fund into the Polish American Freedom Foundation. It was 
Myra who worked tirelessly with the White House and Members of Congress 
ensuring that voices of Polish Americans in our country would be heard. 
It was Myra who sacrificed so much to fight for those unable to do it 
themselves.
  Born in Poland, she emigrated to the United States as a small child, 
where she spent many years involved in Chicago's Polonian 
organizations. There she met the love of her life, Casimir I. Lenard, 
whom she married and then moved with him to Washington, DC in 1962. 
Once here, she immediately began volunteering her time to needy, worthy 
causes. Her talents were recognized as she ultimately achieved a 
leadership position at the Polish American Congress. Myra was the 
worthy recipient of numerous awards, including the Commander's Cross of 
the Order of Merit--the highest civilian award granted by Poland, 
presented by Polish Foreign Minister Wladslaw Bartoszewski in 1995. At 
a meeting of the Supervisory Council of the Polish National Alliance in 
December 1998, she and her husband were enrolled in the PNA's Legion of 
Merit. The list of her accomplishments cannot fully capture the 
fullness of this dynamic, gracious, dedicated and politically brilliant 
woman. Truly she was a freedom-lover.
  Mr. Speaker, may we gain some small comfort in knowing the spirit and 
fire that Myra carried through her life that helped bring freedom to 
her first homeland inspired thousands who have been touched with her 
light and love. May peace bless her always. And may the work to which 
she dedicated her life--with family and career--stand as a living 
testament to this regal and loving woman. America is fortunate indeed 
that she chose this nation as her permanent homeland.

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