[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 150 (2004), Part 17]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 23410]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]


                      HONORING MATTHEW M. LEWICKI

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. DALE E. KILDEE

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, October 7, 2004

  Mr. KILDEE. Mr. Speaker, I rise before you today on behalf of the 
members of the Michigan Department of the Polish Legion of American 
Veterans, USA to pay tribute to Matthew M. Lewicki, World War II 
veteran, for his service in the United States Army's 45th Infantry 
179th Infantry Division from May 1, 1943 to November 5, 1945. On 
Saturday, October 16, 2004 the Polish Legion along with family and 
friends will gather to present Mr. Lewicki with medals he earned during 
his military career.
  On May 1, 1943 Mr. Lewicki entered into the U.S. Army during World 
War II. He was assigned to the 45th Infantry 179th Infantry Division as 
a Private Infantry Auto Rifleman. He was wounded at Anzio Beach, Italy. 
Dunlop Acting Adjutant General sent notification to Mr. Lewicki's 
family on April 11, 1944 stating that he had been captured by the 
Germans and was a Prisoner of War. He had been missing in action since 
February 18th. The Germans sent him to a warehouse in Italy for three 
weeks, after which he was transferred to a prison camp in Germany where 
he was assigned to work on a farm. His Prisoner of War number was 
Stalag 7-B, #11689. Mr. Lewicki spent a total of 14 months in 
captivity. Corporal Lewicki was honorably discharged on November 5, 
1945. Mr. Lewicki, after his discharge from the service, returned to 
his employment at General Motors Buick Motor Division. He retired in 
1980 after 44 years of employment.
  Matthew M. Lewicki was born on June 13, 1915 in Troy, New York. The 
Lewickis relocated to Flint, Michigan in 1917 when Matthew was 2 years 
old. Mr. Lewicki met his lovely wife, Albina Piotrowski, in 1940 and 
they were married on May 3, 1941. To this blessed union were born two 
sons, Matthew and David. Mrs. Lewicki passed away on March 6, 1992 at 
the age of 70. Matthew Lewicki is a lifelong charter member of Dom 
Polski and the Sea League. In his spare time Mr. Lewicki enjoys bowling 
and fishing.
  Mr. Speaker, as a Member of Congress, I consider it my duty and my 
privilege to protect and defend human dignity and the quality of life 
for our citizens. I am extremely grateful to have a person like Matthew 
M. Lewicki who shares these beliefs, and has made it his life's work to 
see this task achieved. I honor Mr. Lewicki for his commendable service 
to our Nation and its mission of spreading peace. I ask my colleagues 
in the 108th Congress to please join me in congratulating Mr. Lewicki, 
and wishing him the best in future endeavors.

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