[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 156 (2010), Part 4]
[House]
[Pages 5537-5541]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                    COMMEMORATING THE POLISH NATION

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under the Speaker's announced policy of 
January 6, 2009, the gentlewoman from Ohio (Ms. Kaptur) is recognized 
for 60 minutes as the designee of the majority leader.
  Ms. KAPTUR. I thank you, Mr. Speaker, and thank my colleagues who are 
joining us this evening, including Congressman Joe Donnelly of Indiana, 
as we begin this special order commemorating the Polish Nation during 
its days of deepest mourning and the magnificent people of that 
country.
  As we speak here tonight in this hour, in my home district of Toledo, 
Ohio, the Polish community has gathered for a memorial mass that began 
at St. Adalbert's Catholic Church at 6:30 p.m. They and we here tonight 
are united in solidarity with our Polish brothers and sisters halfway 
around the world.
  The Americans gathered tonight here in Congress, and in my home 
community, and the 9 million Americans of Polish descent across our 
Nation, in places as far flung as Chicago, Detroit, New York, Toledo, 
Las Vegas, in places like Pittsburgh and Philadelphia, and indeed in 
Colorado and Texas, from coast to coast Americans are united in our 
mourning and in the encouragement that we wish to share with the people 
of Poland in these dark hours.
  Today the House passed unanimously House Resolution 1246, originally 
introduced by Congresswoman Kathy Dahlkemper of Erie, Pennsylvania, 
another community with thousands of Polish Americans. And for that 
passage, the ambassador from Poland, Ambassador Robert Kupiecki, sat in 
the gallery as each vote ticked off. And it passed overwhelmingly, with 
over 400 votes. That was an exceptionally emotional moment for me, as 
we as a Nation mourn the death and terrible loss of life that the 
Nation of Poland is bearing.
  The resolution expresses its deepest sympathies to the people of 
Poland and the families of those who perished for their profound loss. 
The resolution expressed strong and continued solidarity with the 
people of Poland and all persons of Polish descent, and expressed 
unwavering support for the Polish Government as it works to overcome 
the loss of many of its key officials. And we know that Poland will 
prevail.
  It is important to place on the record also that the plane that 
crashed in the Katyn Forest, an area that embraces the collective 
tragedy of Poland's precious leaders. In the most morbid of ironies, 
the doomed plane was flying to Russia to commemorate the 70th 
anniversary of the Katyn massacre, when more than 22,000 Polish 
officers, intellectuals, leaders from all walks of life were summarily 
murdered at the hands of Joseph Stalin and the Soviet Army in and 
around Katyn Forest during World War II. Their bodies were buried and 
the truth hidden for seven decades. That is the truth of their 
slaughter. That history still must be made whole.
  And I know that on May 5, in a strange twist of fate, at the Library 
of Congress, with the help of the Kosciuszko Foundation, there had been 
planned a special all-day seminar, which will continue, on the Katyn 
massacre. I think that it will be even more well attended than was 
originally anticipated. We thank the Library of Congress, its director, 
James Billington, and the Kosciuszko Foundation from New York for their 
presence and their leadership in this effort.
  Before I turn to my colleagues who are on the floor tonight, let me 
just

[[Page 5538]]

read a brief poem called ``Buttons'' by Zbigniew Herbert. What it talks 
about is the original Katyn massacre and how little is known about it 
in the outside world, and what a responsibility we have to document 
what happened there. The poem is brief, but it reads as follows:
  They come from depths upon the surface
  The only tribute on their graves.
  They are attesting God will count
  Extend his mercy upon them.
  But how to raise from the dead
  If they're a clammy piece of earth.
  A bird flew over, a cloud is passing
  A leaf is dropping, a mallow grows
  Heavens above are filled with silence
  The Katyn Forest smokes with fog.
  Only the buttons did not yield
  Powerful voice of silenced choirs,
  Only the buttons did not yield
  Buttons from coats and uniforms.
  I would like to yield to the gentleman from Indiana (Mr. Donnelly) 
who was proudly here today to cast his vote for the resolution for such 
time as he may need.
  Mr. DONNELLY of Indiana. I want to thank my good friend from Ohio.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise today in remembrance of the 96 people who died so 
tragically in the plane crash near Smolensk, Russia, on Saturday, to 
stand here in solidarity with the Polish people during their time of 
immense loss. This is a time of sorrow for both our nations. And I 
extend my deepest sympathy to the Polish people.
  The plane crash near Smolensk took the lives of many of Poland's 
leaders traveling to memorialize the 70th anniversary of the Katyn 
Forest massacre, as my good friend from Ohio had mentioned, where 
during World War II the Soviets executed approximately 22,000 Polish 
servicemembers, public servants, and citizens. Sadly, that site now 
claims the blood of more great Poles.
  Killed on Saturday were President Lech Kaczynski, the First Lady, the 
governor of Poland's central bank, 12 members of parliament, four 
generals, many other key leaders, and great Polish citizens such as 
Anna Walentynowicz, the labor activist whose firing at the Gdansk 
shipyard helped spark the Solidarity strike.
  President Kaczynski was a great leader of Poland and a close, 
important friend of the United States. The son of Polish freedom 
fighters, Lech Kaczynski was an active leader within the Solidarity 
movement for democratic reforms in Poland, which eventually led to free 
elections on June 4, 1989.
  Elected President in 2005, President Kaczynski was a tireless 
advocate for stronger ties with the west and expanding NATO membership 
in Eastern Europe. He strengthened the cooperation between Poland and 
the United States, and his loss will be felt both in Poland and here in 
America.
  Mr. Speaker, during the time of loss for the Polish people, I believe 
it is especially important that the United States work closely with the 
people of Poland on issues of mutual importance and that we assist 
their government in any way possible.
  I am honored to have joined the House of Representatives today in 
passing House Resolution 1246, which expressed this Chamber's sympathy 
to the people of Poland for their loss, and pledging continued 
solidarity with the people of Poland and persons of Polish descent.

                              {time}  1900

  Let us use this tragedy as an opportunity to recognize and celebrate 
the friendship between our two nations. As we know, Poland and the 
United States have had a long and important friendship based on 
solidarity together. In fact, at our Nation's very birth, Kazimier 
Pulaski, the great Polish cavalry officer, helped lead Americans in 
victories over the British and saved the life of George Washington. 
Polish Americans have contributed to the rich fabric of our Nation both 
throughout our history and today as vibrant and accomplished Americans, 
proud of their heritage and proud of their culture.
  To my good friend from Ohio, as you have so many wonderful Polish-
American communities in your district, in my district, South Bend, 
Mishawaka, Michigan City, La Porte, all of those wonderful cities in 
Indiana are home to over 10,000 Polish Americans, and many more 
Hoosiers can trace their roots to Poland and many more Hoosiers 
throughout my district can trace their roots to Poland.
  Poland is a crucial American ally. The role of Solidarity, led by 
Lech Walesa, and the support of Pope John Paul II were instrumental in 
bringing about a peaceful end to the Cold War and an end to communism 
in Europe. Since the fall of the Iron Curtain, Poland has worked 
closely with the United States, joining NATO in 1999, contributing 
troops to the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, and agreeing to cooperate 
with us on missile defense. Poland has instituted modern democratic and 
capitalist reforms, opening their country, economy, and their hearts to 
the world.
  Mr. Speaker, let us remember those who perished in this past 
weekend's tragic disaster, and let us honor their lives and their 
contributions by continuing America's strong and unbreakable friendship 
with Poland for all the years to come.
  Ms. KAPTUR. I thank the gentleman for his very, very heartfelt 
remarks this evening and for taking time after such a busy day to pay 
tribute to the nation of Poland and the people of Poland and citizens 
from his district and for sharing their grief and for offering a word 
of hope and encouragement for the future. We thank you so very much for 
your participation.
  Mr. DONNELLY of Indiana. It is a bond of friendship that has been 
strengthened year after year, born in Poland's struggles and America's 
struggles, a bond of solidarity that can never be broken. And we are 
both so proud to represent districts where we have so many Polish-
American citizens who are so proud of their ancestry and who take such 
great pride in the roots that they have.
  Ms. KAPTUR. As we think about what happened in Poland, we also 
experienced during this period now a peaceful transition of government. 
According to their constitution, as the Speaker of their Parliament, 
Bronislaw Komorowski assumed the office of President. And we can see 
through the magic of television thousands of Poles paying their 
respects to their lost President and First Lady in front of the 
Presidential Palace, and it's all peaceful in that great liberty loving 
land of Poland. And as the gentleman from Indiana has well stated, 
freedom-loving people who saw their nation wiped off the map of Europe 
for over a hundred years and then during World War II their nation 
partitioned and then the great struggle that they endured beginning 
with labor strikes during the 1950s in places like Poznan to begin to 
try to roll back that Iron Curtain, we are just so proud to be an ally 
of this great Nation of Poland.
  I yield to the fine Member from Arizona, Congressman Trent Franks, a 
leader in defense issues and so many other issues, who has come to the 
floor tonight to pay tribute.
  Mr. FRANKS of Arizona. I thank the gentlewoman so warmly.
  It's very difficult for me to add anything to the very touching words 
of the gentleman from Indiana and from the very kind and loving words 
of the gentlewoman from Ohio. This is one of those issues, obviously, 
where we stand together, and it transcends any political parties. And 
tonight we mourn with Poland because they have shown themselves to be 
some of the most brave, noble people in the history of humanity; and I 
can't express just, as with you, how we are all deeply saddened by the 
tragedy that has befallen them.
  Now, just this past Saturday, of course, it doesn't seem like it 
could have happened that recently, but we were all stunned when the 
Polish Air Force flight carrying 96 passengers, of course including the 
Polish President, Lech Kazczynski, and his wife, Maria. They went home 
together. The Polish Military Joint Chiefs of Staff, the head of 
Poland's National Security Bureau, and numerous other Polish public 
servants, all of them crashed and their lives ended suddenly, and I 
suppose it's a reminder to all of us of our own mortality and also a 
reminder to us of how

[[Page 5539]]

difficult it is to lose people that have led such a noble country.
  Now, of course, it's impossible for any of us to stand here and say 
anything that will really make sense of such an unexpected tragedy. But 
as Americans continue to stand in solidarity with the Polish people and 
with the families and friends of those taken all too soon by Saturday's 
crash, perhaps we can come away from this horrific event reminded 
uniquely of that strong bond that both of you spoke of that's shared by 
the United States and Poland.
  And I am reminded of the words of G.K. Chesterton reflecting upon the 
value of an ally. He said, ``There are no words to express the abyss 
between isolation and having just one ally. It may be conceded to the 
mathematicians that four is twice two. But two is not twice one; two is 
two thousand times one.''
  I think in a sense throughout history when we have had a firm 
knowledge that Poland stood with America for the cause of freedom it 
always made us feel like we were outnumbered, whoever was before us, 
and there can sometimes be a tendency among those of us in public 
service to focus our attention almost exclusively on the bad things 
that are happening all around us and all the wrongs that need to be 
righted. But sometimes in doing so, perhaps we occasionally lose sight 
of all the good things, the friends that we have in the world that 
share our common commitment to the ideal of freedom for everyone. And 
truly the United States has and has always had that kind of an ally in 
the nation of Poland, a friend that has continuously provided strong 
support to the United States both diplomatically and militarily.
  And, of course, as both of you have said, it's a tragic irony that 
those on board the Polish air flight were on their way to remember 
another dark day in their nation's history 70 years ago when 20,000 of 
their precious predecessors of Poles were brutally killed by a 
Communist regime. But because of those experiences, the people of 
Poland, including President Lech Kazczynski, who from a young age 
fought against the forces of communism within Poland, they have been a 
freedom-loving people who understand as well as perhaps anyone what it 
means for a brutal regime to attempt forcibly to suppress the light of 
liberty, and that shared value goes to the heart of what our Founding 
Fathers in America believed when they established this great Nation.
  So, Mr. Speaker and the gentlewoman from Ohio and the gentleman from 
Indiana, I just want to stand with you and hope all of us take time to 
remember this steadfast alliance between Poland and the United States 
of America. They are our friends, and the families of those on board 
the crash we know tonight mourn the premature death of their loved 
ones. But every American stands together with them in saying that the 
nation of Poland and those most directly affected by this tragedy 
remain deeply in our prayers.
  God bless Poland and God bless both of you.
  Ms. KAPTUR. Congressman Franks, I want to thank you so very much. I 
know what a long day you have had. You began on C-SPAN this morning, I 
believe, and you have worked way over time today. And to join us here 
this evening and to pay tribute particularly with your responsibilities 
in the area of defense, I know that the people of Poland are listening 
and Polish Americans across this country and they are helped at this 
very, very weighty moment to be healed by your words, by the words of 
Congressman Donnelly.
  Today, we were all a part of that very, very important moment when 
the congressman from Chicago, Congressman Dan Lipinski, who co-chairs 
the Polish Caucus in the Congress, asked for a moment of silence, and 
Speaker Pelosi was at the rostrum, and the entire Chamber rose above 
partisanship. It was just the expression of the American people, as the 
Ambassador from Poland, Robert Kupiecki, was in the gallery, and we 
remembered those who'd lost their lives. And we prayed for the strength 
of Poland today, for the courage of her people to endure.
  As we were expressing that respect, I kept thinking to my last trip 
to Poland, which was last August, and I have traveled there for many, 
many decades when it was under Communist control, and I remember how 
the people--how their faces, their eyes, their expressions were. And 
then in 1989 when the Berlin Wall came down, traveling to Poland and 
seeing this moment of possibility and the anxiousness at that 
particular period, and then to travel there last August and to see a 
new generation of Poland. I get pretty emotional thinking about it.
  And to see their eyes, the eyes of the young people who are going to 
be the leaders of the 21st century and they have been raised in a free 
country for the first time in over a century. And they have the same 
possibility as the Poles who right after World War I attempted to build 
a free country, and then it was taken away from them by Nazi and Soviet 
aggression. So this is really the first generation.
  And to see in 20 years the look of hope in those young people's eyes, 
I shall never forget it. And it told me that the world had progressed 
and that Poland had progressed and her deepest-held dreams lived in 
these young people.
  So I wanted to put that on the record tonight and also to mention 
that many, many Members, certainly the Speaker, the Vice President, 
Secretary of State, Members of our House, like Congressman Quigley, 
have worked their way to the Polish Embassy to sign the book of 
mourning that is at the Embassy for interested members and citizens.
  The Polish Embassy is overwhelmed with the outpouring of support and 
friendship of the American people. The street, 16th Street, just north 
of Dupont Circle, where the Embassy is located, the whole entire front 
is full of flowers and candles. Americans were walking by. They were 
attempting to gain entry to the Embassy to express their sorrow. It was 
quite a powerful sight to behold.
  And I know that there are memorials being held around the globe as 
well. President Obama has announced he will be leading America's 
delegation to Poland this weekend for the President's funeral. So the 
outpouring of love from the American people to the Polish people is a 
bond that will only be strengthened by this great tragedy.
  I wanted to also place on the Record, if I could, this evening a poem 
by Andrzej Wajda, who is a Polish filmmaker, about Katyn where the past 
generation and this generation of Poles has now paid the greatest 
price:
  ``There are no Great Walls there at Katyn,
  No towers leaning or not leaning,
  Declaring some king's success
  Or mocking another's failure,
  No gleaming cathedral where
  You can pray for forgiveness
  Or watch the cycle of shadows play
  Through the coolness of the day,
  And soon not even the names
  Of those who died will be remembered,
  Names like Skrzypinski, Chmura,
  Or Anthony Milczarek.
  Their harsh voices and tearing courage
  Are already lost in the wind,
  But their true monuments
  Will always be there, in the dust
  And the gray ashes and the mounds
  Settling over the bodies over which
  No prayers were ever whispered,
  No tears shed by a grieving mother
  Or a trembling sister.''
  This team of Polish leaders journeyed to Katyn, Russia, in order to 
begin to unravel this story of where history lived that for seven 
decades, three-quarters of a century, was denied. And I have to say 
that the Prime Minister of Russia, Vladimir Putin, is to be commended 
royally for his attention to what happened and, in addition to that, 
for having the courage to look history in the eye and not be afraid of 
it and to know that we are living in a new millennium and to allow the 
film Katyn by Andrzej Wajda to be shown on television in Russia before 
the crash and then after.

                              {time}  1915

  And so to make history right, and the President of Russia, Mr. 
Medvedev,

[[Page 5540]]

to be able to move on and to work together with the deep heritage that 
our peoples all have together and to use our power to make the world a 
better place, what a moment for all of us to be living, and an 
opportunity, a set of opportunities that should not be lost.
  And I would like to yield back to my friend from Indiana (Mr. 
Donnelly).
  Mr. DONNELLY of Indiana. In listening to your comments, what 
continues as a theme throughout all of this is the unbreakable spirit 
of freedom of the Polish nation; that, despite some of the most harsh 
treatment from other countries, some of the most difficult challenges 
ever faced, their strength, their courage, their determination changed 
the face of the world.
  I'm sure my good friend from Ohio remembers that day when a new Pope 
was chosen many years ago, and out on to the balcony came Pope John 
Paul II. And I remember the announcer saying, This Pope is from Poland. 
And when that happened, the whole world changed.
  And it wasn't too long after that that a strike at a shipyard in 
Gdansk again changed the face of the world, and that the courage of 
those workers and the strength of their belief in freedom and the 
Pope's keeping an eye on them, so to speak, helped change the entire 
world again; where you heard so many times that the Iron Curtain could 
never be broken, that the Soviet Union would never change, that Poland 
was a smaller nation than the Soviet Union and would never have a 
chance to see their spirit of democracy bloom and flower.
  But the determination of the people of that country could not be 
denied, and their example led to the Berlin Wall coming down, led to 
country after country getting their own freedom and their own 
democracy. And it was all started in a shipyard in Gdansk by the Polish 
nation who believed in a cause that was right, in a cause that was 
just, and believed that we are all creatures of God, and God has given 
us that opportunity to have freedom. And because of that, the whole 
world changed because of the strength of the people of Poland.
  And so tonight, as we stand here in our own beloved Capitol of this 
Nation we love so much, we want all of our friends of Polish heritage 
to know and all of our friends who are in Poland to know that we stand 
together with them, that we are as one, and that they can always count 
on our being there whenever needed.
  Ms. KAPTUR. The gentleman's words are so eloquent. And I am reminded 
that in the resolution that was passed this afternoon here in the 
Congress, one of those who lost her life on that plane was Anna 
Walentynowicz, who's the former dock worker whose firing in 1908 
sparked the solidarity strike that ultimately overthrew the Polish 
communist government, and of course she was killed in the crash as 
well.
  And last August, when I traveled to Poland, one of the cities we 
visited was Poznan, and what was--there were many, many moments that 
were memorable, but I can remember standing near the town square and 
seeing very huge, huge crosses, metal crosses that had rope bonds 
around them, and underneath it, the years 1956 through the late 
fifties, through the sixties, through the seventies, all of the strikes 
and protests inside of communist Poland that ultimately, in 1980 and 
during the decade of the 1980s, then erupted.
  But the courage, the progressive courage, decade after decade after 
decade, at, obviously, threat to loss of their own life and loss of 
their own life, the people of Poland trying to build a solidarity 
movement to change life in that part of the world was an extraordinary 
story. It's a story of great heroism. And I think the gentleman reminds 
us of the price that has been paid by the people of Poland for their 
liberty.
  Mr. DONNELLY of Indiana. And I think back of all the incredible 
accomplishments that have occurred because of that desire for freedom, 
that recognition that each human being is special and that God has 
given us those rights. And that's why Lech Walesa stood up and said, 
Enough.
  In my own district, on the West side of South Bend, also Saint 
Adalberts, which is the central--one of the central points of the 
Polish communities in South Bend, and in Michigan City, Saint Stanislas 
Kostka, which is another central point where the community today is as 
strong and as vibrant as ever and has a very heavy heart this week 
after what has happened, after seeing folks they care so much about be 
in such a terrible, terrible accident, a terrible loss. And their 
tremendous pride in their American heritage and their Polish heritage 
has led those communities to be such bright lights in my State and, I 
know, in Ohio as well.
  Ms. KAPTUR. You know, Congressman Donnelly, when we think back to 
Poland's history during World War II, no nation lost a higher 
percentage of its people. Twenty percent of the population of Poland 
was eliminated. And the strength that it took to survive that and to 
endure, history should well note the dismembering of their nation and 
their ability to prevail and ultimately then, in the fifties and 
sixties and seventies and eighties, they come from a heritage of great 
suffering and great triumph.
  Mr. DONNELLY of Indiana. And to a community where Easter is such a 
special event and to have this happen so shortly after Easter, in 
Rolling Prairie, a little town just outside of South Bend where there 
is also another Saint Stanislas Kostka, where Easter is celebrated as 
something not only very important spiritually, but also to the Polish 
community as well, to have this happen so shortly after that may have 
made the pain even more difficult.
  But what the people of Poland know is that they have suffered and 
struggled before, and from each time they deal with struggling and 
suffering, they come out stronger and they come out as a nation more 
united every time. And so from this pain, from this sorrow will come 
comfort and the understanding and knowledge of all the friends that the 
nation of Poland has throughout the world. And that, we hope, can be of 
some comfort.
  Ms. KAPTUR. I thank you for your words and compassion; and, in a 
similar vein, wish to place in the Record two letters that have been 
issued relating to this tragedy. One is from Stefan Wisniowski, who is 
the President of the Kresy-Siberia Foundation. This particular 
foundation is trying to virtually tell the history of the millions of 
Poles who were relocated during World War II from the eastern half of 
Poland and sent to concentration camps and labor camps in Siberia and 
points east as the Red Army assumed control of the eastern half of 
Poland. There were lives, hundreds of thousands upon thousands of lives 
lost.
  And he writes the following: What has happened is a black day for 
Poland and for her children around the world, including all of us at 
the Kresy-Siberia Foundation who are working for the remembrance and 
recognition of our collective history.
  Those who perished were all leaders in the nation's quest for 
remembrance and identity. Many were close friends of the Kresy-Siberia 
Foundation, and among those we have lost are two of the honorary 
patrons of the Kresy-Siberia Virtual Museum: Ryszard Kaczorowski, the 
last Polish President-in-Exile, and Janusz Krupski, Ministry for 
Veterans and Repressed Peoples.
  Our first important backer, Mr. Maciejski, who's President of the 
Inota Polska, which is the Polish Union Association, who had the 
courage and vision to be the first major sponsor of our virtual museum 
and whose organization now hosts our office in Warsaw.
  He also says, Janusz Kurtyka, president of the Institute for National 
Remembrance, who headed one of our foundation's most important 
partners, Andrzej Przewoznik, who's Secretary overseeing the Council 
for the Protection of Memory of Struggle and Martyrdom, an important 
friend and collaborator of the Kresy-Siberia Foundation, and of course 
he references President Kaczynski and his wife, Maria, who were both 
aware and very supportive of the foundation's efforts.
  And then he recognized the scores of leaders of the Siberian 
Association, the Katyn Families Association, the Golgotha of the East 
Foundation, and

[[Page 5541]]

all our friends and colleagues drawn to the common flame of Katyn and 
all lost in the flames of the presidential jet crash.
  The tragic irony of this circumstance is not lost on us. Like the 
cream of the Polish nation murdered 70 years ago and who the 
presidential party was en route to commemorate at Katyn, an entire 
leadership group of our nation has been lost to us. Literally, the 
entire chiefs of staff of the Army, Air Force, Navy have all perished, 
along with scores of parliamentarians, government officials, religious 
leaders, and historical activists like us.
  We Poles will recover, for as a nation we always have, but we have 
lost a strong core of our most passionate and historically aware 
patriots. We are in shock and mourning. Our thoughts and prayers are 
with the nation and with the families of those who lost their loved 
ones. May Poland and all her children around the world rally in unity 
at this tragic blow.
  And I would hope that the United States of America would take up the 
gauntlet and help Poland continue the effort to remember, to restore 
her archival collections, to try to make and honor those who lost their 
lives under such horrendous circumstances over 70 years ago, and that 
the ground that now is sacred because of additional lives lost as well 
as those in the past has special meaning in the world today, and that 
we need to remember and we need to account for every lost life. America 
can help in this cause.
  And another letter that was sent from Alex Storozynski, who's 
president and executive director of the Kosciuszko Foundation based in 
New York writes:
  ``Dear friends,
  ``As we mourn the loss of President Lech and Maria Kaczynski and 
their talented delegation of leaders, we must make sure that these 
deaths were not in vain.
  ``After a coverup, the Katyn Massacre which lasted for decades, today 
the truth about Katyn was on television and page 1 news around the 
world.
  ``As the anthem says, `Poland has not perished while we are alive.'
  ``President Kaczynski and his Cabinet presided over a period of 
prosperity, and today Poland has the 18th largest economy in the world, 
a free press where people can speak their minds, and a stable 
democratic system where voters elect their leaders.
  ``These are great strides made by our fatherland over the past 20 
years and we should all be proud. So wherever you are, go visit a 
Polish Consulate, a Polish church, a Polish club, or a Polish cultural 
center and share your condolences. But remember to count your blessings 
as well.''
  I thought that was a beautiful call to action here in the United 
States and abroad.
  Congressman Donnelly, please.
  Mr. DONNELLY of Indiana. I just want to thank my good friend from 
Ohio for letting me be part of this. And to the nation of Poland, our 
hearts and our sympathy are with you at this very, very difficult time.
  Ms. KAPTUR. I thank Congressman Donnelly for joining us this evening, 
and Congressman Franks from Arizona, Congressman Donnelly from Indiana, 
Congresswoman Kaptur from Ohio. To all of our colleagues from across 
this country, and certainly from the Polish American Caucus here in the 
Congress--Congressman Lipinski, Congressman Dingell, Congressman Chris 
Murphy, Congressman Mike Quigley of Chicago, Congressman Dennis 
Kucinich of Cleveland, Ohio, Congresswoman Marcia Fudge of the same 
region--all of us are united in our common grief as well as common hope 
that the future of Poland in this millennium will be very bright, and 
America stands with you at this very historic moment.

       This is a black day for Poland and for her children around 
     the world, including all of us at Kresy-Siberia who are 
     working for the remembrance and recognition of our collective 
     history.
       Those who perished today were all leaders in the Nation's 
     quest for remembrance and identity.
       Many were close friends of the Kresy-Siberia Foundation, 
     and among those we have lost are:
       Two of the Honorary Patrons of the Kresy-Siberia Virtual 
     Museum; Ryszard Kaczorowski, the last Polish President-in-
     Exile, and Janusz Krupski, Ministry for Veterans and 
     Repressed Persons.
       Our first important backer, Maciejski, President of the 
     ``lnota Polska'' (Polish Union) Association, who had the 
     courage and vision to be the first major sponsor of our 
     virtual museum and whose organization now hosts our office in 
     Warsaw.
       Janusz Kurtyka, President of the Institute for National 
     Remembrance, who headed one of our Foundation's most 
     important Partners.
       Andrzej Przewonik, Secretary overseeing the Council for the 
     Protection of Memory of Struggle and Marytdom, an important 
     friend and collaborator of the Kresy-Siberia Foundation.
       President Kaczyski and especially Mrs. Kaczyska, who we met 
     in Warsaw last September, who were both aware of and very 
     supportive of Kresy-Siberia.
       Scores of leaders of the Siberian Association, the Katyn 
     Families Association, the Golgotha of the East Foundation, 
     and all our friends and colleagues drawn to the common flame 
     of Katyn and all lost in the flames of the presidential jet 
     crash.
       The tragic irony of this circumstance is not lost on us.
       Like the cream of the Polish nation murdered 70 years ago, 
     and who the Presidential party was en route to commemorate at 
     Katyn, an entire leadership group of our nation has been lost 
     to us. Literally, the entire chiefs of staff of the Army, Air 
     Force, and Navy have all perished. Along with scores of 
     parliamentarians, government officials, religious leaders, 
     and historical activists like us.
       We Poles will recover, for as a Nation we always have. But 
     we have lost a strong core of our most passionate and 
     historically aware patriots.
       We are in shock and mourning.
       Our thoughts and prayers are with the Nation and with the 
     families of those who lost their loved ones.
       May Poland and all her children around the world rally in 
     unity at this tragic blow.
                                                Stefan Wisniowski,
     Foundation President, Kresy-Siberia Foundation.
                                  ____

       Dear Friends,
       As we mourn the loss of President Lech and Maria Kaczynski 
     and their talented delegation of leaders, we must make sure 
     that these deaths were not in vain.
       After a cover up of the Katyn Massacre, which lasted for 
     decades, today the truth about Katyn was on television--and 
     page-one news around the world!
       As the anthem says, ``Poland has not perished while we are 
     alive.''
       President Kaczynski and his cabinet presided over a period 
     of prosperity, and today Poland has the 18th largest economy 
     in the world, a free press where people can speak their 
     minds, and a stable democratic system where voters elect 
     their leaders.
       These are great strides made by our fatherland over the 
     past 20 years and we should all be proud. So wherever you 
     are, go visit a Polish Consulate, a Polish church, club, or 
     cultural center and share your condolences. But remember to 
     count your blessings as well!
           All the best,

                                             Alex Storozynski,

                                   President & Executive Director,
                                        The Kosciuszko Foundation.

     

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