[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 159 (2013), Part 2]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 2325]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                 IN RECOGNITION OF CASIMIR PULASKI DAY

                                 ______
                                 

                       HON. JANICE D. SCHAKOWSKY

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, March 4, 2013

  Ms. SCHAKOWSKY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Casimir 
Pulaski Day. I believe it is important that each year we celebrate and 
retell the story of this great Polish-American hero of the 18th 
century, and no one does it better than Illinois with our state 
holiday. But it is not just the story of one man. It is also true that 
when we celebrate the memory of Casimir Pulaski, we honor great 
principles and values that are just as true today.
  Principles like the idea of sacrifice for something you believe in, 
something much bigger than yourself. Casimir Pulaski was willing to 
risk and ultimately sacrifice his life for the idea of creating a new 
democracy--and today, young men and women are doing that very thing 
around the world. When we honor Casimir Pulaski, we honor our young men 
and women in uniform who are in harm's way even today.
  The lessons of this day include the importance of international 
cooperation, US--Poland friendship, and immigration reform.
  Casimir Pulaski made an amazing journey, considering the difficulty 
of travel in those days. He became, not just a participant in an 
historic struggle, but a great leader, a general, and helped shape the 
future of the United States of America. Young Polish soldiers are 
serving right now as part of a US-led coalition in Afghanistan and 
deserve our thanks today for standing shoulder to shoulder with us. 
When we honor Casimir Pulaski, we honor them too.
  And how many young Poles living here in Chicago are waiting for their 
chance to be Generals or simply wear the uniform of the United States 
or study so they can discover a cure for cancer or be the entrepreneur 
that develops the next new technology? But a broken immigration system 
is blocking their dreams. We can honor Casimir Pulaski by working to 
make this generation of Americans welcoming to the dreamers and all 
Polish immigrants who have embraced this country.
  I don't think Casimir Pulaski was asked for his visa when he mounted 
his horse and picked up his weapon. Today, visitors to our country from 
Poland should not be asked either. That is why, once again, I am a 
vigorous advocate for the Visa Waiver program for Poland. And by 
pushing for this change, we all honor the memory and heroism of Casimir 
Pulaski.
  I hope that this day will be one during which all Illinoisans and 
Americans will focus on the significance of this day and this one man 
on our lives in the 21st century.

                          ____________________