[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 156 (2010), Part 5]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 7107]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




               IN HONOR OF POLISH CONSTITUTION DAY, 2010

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. DENNIS J. KUCINICH

                                of ohio

                    in the house of representatives

                          Tuesday, May 4, 2010

  Mr. KUCINICH. Madam Speaker, I rise today in honor of Poles, Polish-
Americans and the Honorable Ambassador from Poland, Robert Kupiecki, 
and his wife, Malgorzata Kupiecki, on the occasion of Polish 
Constitution Day, celebrated on May 2, 2010.
  Polish Constitution Day is a day when people of all cultures, in 
America and around the world, join with the people of Poland to 
celebrate the rich culture, traditions and history of Poland. After 
almost five centuries of struggle and perseverance, the Governmental 
Statute of Poland became the first written constitution in Europe on 
May 3, 1791. An important document in the history of democracy, the 
Polish Constitution established the separation of government powers, 
freedom of religion, and abolished key elements of serfdom.
  The first Polish immigrants arrived on American shores in 1608 at 
Jamestown, Virginia. Today, more than 10 million Americans trace their 
ancestry to Poland and nearly 700,000 report that they speak Polish at 
home. Many Polish-Americans find strength from their family, faith, and 
hard work. They also find strength and inspiration in their unbreakable 
bonds to their heritage and their homeland. From Poland's courageous 
freedom fighters to the Solidarity leaders who rose from the union 
lines, Poles have been an inspiration.
  Madam Speaker and colleagues, please join me today, Polish 
Constitution Day, in honoring the struggles, courage and triumphs of 
the people of Poland and honoring all people of Polish descent. Through 
their successive struggles for freedom, the people of Poland have given 
the world hope.

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