[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 150 (2004), Part 14]
[Senate]
[Page 19289]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                      POLISH HERITAGE ASSOCIATION

 Ms. MIKULSKI. Madam President, I rise today to salute the 
Polish Heritage Association of Maryland on the occasion of their 
thirtieth anniversary.
  In 1974, a hearty band of Polish-Americans in Maryland decided to 
make a difference by founding the Polish Heritage Association of 
Maryland. Founders, like Stan Ciesielski, came together to make 
outstanding contributions to America, future generations and Poland. 
The Polish Heritage Association shows that in America, it is possible 
to be both Polish and American; by promoting the rich legacy of our 
past and enriching our community for the future.
  The Polish Heritage Association does this through scholarships for 
young people: over $160,000 supporting more than 150 of Maryland's best 
and brightest students of Polish ancestry. The Polish Heritage 
Association has also been tireless in their humanitarian support for 
Poland. As the Polish people suffered under martial law, they created 
and organized Maryland Action for Poland, raising thousands of dollars 
and sending thousands of food packages to Poland. In 1995, the Polish 
Heritage Association raised over $300,000 to send medical supplies to 
Lodz, where Communist mismanagement had led to severe supply shortages.
  The Polish Heritage Association has forwarded Polish life with 
cultural and educational programs, such as lectures, concerts and 
exhibits. The Polish Heritage Association has shown that by organizing 
and cooperating with each other, we can make a real difference.
  I am proud to be the first Polish-American woman in Senate. Growing 
up in East Baltimore, I learned about our proud history. Poland's 
history is marked by strong, achieving women, from Queen Jadwiga, 
ushering in Poland's ``golden age,'' to Marie Sklodowski Curie, the 
first woman to win a Nobel Prize. I learned about Polish heroes like 
Copernicus, Chopin and General Pulaski and General Kosciuszko. I also 
learned that the history of Poland has been a sometimes melancholy one. 
Every king, Kaiser, czar or comrade who ever wanted to have a war in 
Europe always started by invading Poland. But while Poland was 
sometimes occupied, the heart and soul of the Polish nation was never 
occupied.
  In 1980, an obscure electrician, working in the Gdansk shipyard 
jumped over a wall proclaiming the Solidarity movement. He took the 
Polish people and the whole world with him to bring down the Iron 
Curtain.
  I grew up with the values that our Polish community holds so dear. 
Values like patriotism, social justice, respect for others, hard work 
and loyalty. These are the values I carry with me on the floor of the 
Senate.
  I am proud of my record of standing up for Poland: from solidarity to 
the Senate floor. I fought to enlarge NATO and I am so proud that 
Poland is now a full, contributing member, playing an important role in 
every NATO action. Poland has stood with our American troops in Iraq, 
fighting alongside from day one.
  We know that Poland faces many challenges: its economy, growing 
international commitments and the pains from moving to a free market 
democracy. But I will continue to stand up for Poland, and so will the 
Polish Heritage Association.
  Just this week, I introduced legislation to extend the United States 
Visa Waiver Program to Poland. I joined with Lech Walesa to stand up 
for Polish citizens who want to travel to the U.S. for business or 
tourism so they can stay for up to 60 days without needing to stand in 
line to get a visa. I am fighting to remove barriers so the Pulaskis 
and Kosciuszkos and Marie Curies of today can visit our country, to 
keep the doors of friendship open. Immigrants built this country; we 
can't close the door behind us.
  I am proud to celebrate the thirtieth anniversary of the Polish 
Heritage Association of Maryland, and salute this organization on the 
floor of the United States Senate. So many things to celebrate: a 
thriving Polish Community in Baltimore and 30 years of contributions to 
family, country, and heritage.

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