[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 162 (2016), Part 7]
[Senate]
[Page 10095]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                        REMEMBERING KASIA BOBER

  Mr. DURBIN. Mr. President, today I wish to note the passing earlier 
this month of a treasured member of Chicago's Polish community, Kasia 
Bober, at the age of 80.
  Back in August of 2005, I introduced a bill to grant honorary 
posthumous citizenship to Casimir Pulaski. I held a press conference in 
Chicago at the Polish Museum of America in front of a giant painting of 
Pulaski at the Battle of Savannah. Afterward, I sat down with leaders 
from the Polish community to discuss various issues. Kasia joined us 
for the meeting and brought those famous pierogi and other treats from 
her deli. I learned firsthand why some consider her the ``Pierogi 
Queen'' of Chicago.
  Kasia's story is like many immigrant stories in the great melting pot 
of Chicago. She came to the United States in 1974 in search of a better 
life. At first, she lived with relatives and was separated from her 
three children who remained in Poland. But after years of hard work, 
she was finally able to reunite with her children and open her own 
deli. Kasia's cooking quickly became a hit, especially her potato and 
cheese pierogi. Customers began to call from different States, which 
led to Kasia's pierogi being available today in 26 States.
  Kasia's pierogi are so well known that at least three U.S. Presidents 
have eaten them while in Chicago. In an article that appeared in the 
Chicago Sun-Times, her granddaughter recalled that President George 
H.W. Bush dined on Kasia's pierogi while visiting the Copernicus 
Center, President Bill Clinton had some at the Taste of Chicago, and 
President Barack Obama ate a few during a Sister Cities festival. 
Polish labor leader Lech Walesa also enjoyed Kasia's cooking on a trip 
to Chicago.
  It is quite the story for an immigrant who worked 7 days a week at 
multiple jobs while chasing her own American dream. Up until her 
passing, Kasia could still be found working at her namesake deli in 
Chicago's Ukrainian Village neighborhood. Chicago's ``Pierogi Queen'' 
may be gone, but she will not soon be forgotten.
  I offer my condolences to Kasia's daughters, Barbara Jakubowicz and 
Maria Kordas; her son, Christopher; her sisters, Janina and Jozia; her 
six grandchildren; and her great-grandchild.

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