[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 158 (2012), Part 5]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages 6282-6283]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




               IN HONOR OF POLISH CONSTITUTION DAY, 2012

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. DENNIS J. KUCINICH

                                of ohio

                    in the house of representatives

                          Tuesday, May 8, 2012

  Mr. KUCINICH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in honor of Poles, Polish-
Americans on the occasion of Polish Constitution Day.
  Polish Constitution Day is a day when people of all cultures 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. The Polish Constitution 
established the separation of government powers, freedom of religion, 
and abolished elements of serfdom, all of these are key elements of 
freedom and democracy.
  The Polish American Congress strives to make Americans of Polish 
heritage more successful and involved U.S. citizens by encouraging them 
to assume the responsibilities of leadership. Since its foundation over 
sixty years ago, the group has created programs to successfully 
integrate people of Polish decent

[[Page 6283]]

in the U.S. and enrich Cleveland's social fabric. These programs 
include the Displaced Persons Program, which allowed almost 150,000 
Polish immigrants to enter the U.S. after World War Two. The group also 
won American veterans benefits for Polish Veterans of both World War 
One and World War Two. The Polish American Congress has played a 
crucial role in the Polish Community, and in its many years of support 
and service has been an invaluable contribution to the City of 
Cleveland and this nation.
  Mr. 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.

                          ____________________