[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 154 (2008), Part 8]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages 10974-10975]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                       HONORING PAULINA TUL-ORTYL

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. MARCY KAPTUR

                                of ohio

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 22, 2008

  Ms. KAPTUR. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize Paulina Tul-
Ortyl of Toledo, Ohio on the 40th anniversary of the commencement of 
the Echoes of Poland
  It is with the deepest appreciation that I pay tribute to Paulina 
Tul-Ortyl upon reaching the 40th anniversary as the founder, director 
and choreographer of the Toledo-based ``Echoes of Poland'' song and 
dance ensemble. Her enthusiasm, energy and dedication to the 
performance of Polish folk dances and songs have given appreciative 
audiences, through the United States, Canada, and Poland, the 
satisfaction of seeing and hearing the essence of absolute beauty.
  Paulina was born and educated in Poland and has a degree in dance 
choreography from the prestigious Catholic University of Lublin. She 
has blessed the Toledo community with her talents, her pride of our 
Polish-American culture and her generous nature, providing numerous 
years to the development and awareness of the artistic and cultural 
gifts in our Toledo youth.
  The Echoes of Poland was founded in the fall of 1967, when Paulina 
was asked to prepare a group of young people to perform some of the 
traditional aspects of the Polish Christmas celebration. She gathered 
some of her friends from the Nebraska Avenue and Lagrange Street areas 
in Toledo, OH, for the church pageant. During the first few years, the 
troupe held practices once a week. They were asked to participate at 
many local festivals and church functions. At that time, the ensemble 
practiced at several places in Toledo including St. Anthony's, The 
Argonne Post, Polish Falcons, PNA Hall and the Lagrange-Central Center. 
Today, the group practices at the Polish Roman-Catholic Union of 
America (P.R.C.U.A.) hall on Tuesday and Thursday nights.
  Through the weekly practices, Paulina has instilled in her members a 
great sense of pride and love for Polish folk customs through dancing 
and singing. A nonprofit organization, the Echoes of Poland have 
performed at festivals and concerts throughout the United States and in 
Canada. In 1977, the ensemble traveled to Rzeszow, Poland for the 
Triennial World Festival of Polish Folk Dancers. One reviewer said, 
``By the end of the performance, everyone in the audience was tapping 
feet or clapping hand to the infectious rhythms.'' Since 1979, the 
group has staged their own concerts in the Toledo area to show our full 
repertoire of regional and national dances. During the mid-seventies, 
Mrs. Ortyl began a children group to train the young members for the 
adult ensemble. By starting at a young age, the children become 
familiar with many of the rudimentary skills in the art of song and 
dance. In 1980, a Kapela, a Polish band, was added. The dancers 
certainly enjoy dancing and singing to a live musician.
  Because of Paulina's untiring drive and inspiration, the ensemble was 
awarded first prize from a field of 64 competitors at the Rzeszow, 
Polish Folk Festival in 1980. The ensemble won the highest honor for 
authentically portraying Polish Folk culture by performing the Dozynki, 
the Polish Harvest Celebration. The Ensemble has made the trip to the 
Rzeszow Festival seven times and always performs admirably.
  Through the years, Paulina has received numerous proclamations, 
certificates, awards of

[[Page 10975]]

appreciation and recognition for her outstanding contribution in the 
field of preserving one of the most endearing aspects of Polish 
culture; the traditional folk songs and dances from the several 
distinct regions in Poland.
  For example, On October 16, 1983, The Echoes of Poland Folk Song & 
Dance Ensemble held their Fifteenth Anniversary. Mrs. Ortyl was honored 
for her dedication in perpetuating Polish culture among hundreds of 
youth in the Toledo area.
  In 1996, WGTE Public Broadcasting was putting together a special on 
the Polish people of Toledo for their Cornerstones series entitled 
``The Polish in Toledo'' and contacted Paulina about providing the 
music for this endeavor. Paulina got some musicians together and 
recorded all the folk music for this 41-minute tribute to the Poles in 
Toledo.
  In 1997, The Ohio House of Representatives recognized the members of 
the Echoes of Poland for their valuable contribution to the 
preservation of our Polish culture through song and dance.
  On January 16, 1999, the ensemble had the honor to welcome Lech 
Walesa, former leader of Solidarnosc and former President of Poland, to 
St. Adalbert for an informal meeting with the Polish community.
  In the spring of 2002, Echoes of Poland celebrated their 35th 
anniversary. Paulina remains the sole choreographer and director of the 
ensemble. Paulina was presented an appreciation award from P.R.C.U.A. 
and recognition award from Polish American Congress at the Annual 
Spring Concert for all her years of dedication.
  The Echoes of Poland, under Paulina performed their first television 
show in America, ``Polka Bandstand'' in October 2004. They performed a 
suite of dances from the Lublin region and Kujawac Obarac to an 
enthusiastic live audience.
  Therefore, it with sincere gratitude that I extend heartfelt 
congratulations to all Paulina has done to strengthen our community 
through the Echoes of Poland. I wish her unremitting energy, enthusiasm 
and success as she continues her journey as being the director and 
choreographer of this most esteemed and talented group.
  Sto Lat Paulina!

                          ____________________