[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 153 (2007), Part 17]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 24123]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                     IN RECOGNITION OF LECH WALESA

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. DENNIS J. KUCINICH

                                of ohio

                    in the house of representatives

                       Monday, September 10, 2007

  Mr. KUCINICH. Madam Speaker, I rise today in recognition of President 
Lech Walesa of Poland, and to celebrate his 64th birthday. As I, along 
with millions of celebrating Poles, recognize one of the great leaders 
of our time, we should look back at the contributions this man has made 
to his native Poland and to the world.
  As the first elected leader of a democratic Poland, President Walesa 
laid the foundation for a Poland that remain both strong and free to 
this day. He worked with leaders from all around the world to promote 
the welfare of the poor and downtrodden. As the leader of the 
opposition movement, he helped his country gain independence through 
nonviolent means.
  As a champion of labor, he led several worker strikes, risking both 
his livelihood and his life in the process. He fought for the rights of 
workers and his struggle gained worldwide recognition. His efforts won 
him, among other accolades, the Nobel Peace Prize in 1983. Even today, 
he remains a shining example of freedom and democracy in action.
  Madam Speaker and colleagues, please join me in honoring President 
Lech Walesa for his service to his country and to the world. Thanks to 
his efforts, Poland has thrived and has become a strong voice in the 
international community. May future democracies be inspired by his 
actions and his spirit.

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