    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2002, Book II)]
    [July 17, 2002]
    [Pages 1263-1264]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Remarks at a State Dinner Honoring President Aleksander Kwasniewski of
    Poland
    July 17, 2002

        Thank you all. Mr. President and Madam First Lady, it's a great privilege for Laura and I to host you
    here in the White House. Tonight's dinner is a small way of saying
    dziekuja for the warm hospitality you showed us last year in Warsaw.
        Today, Poland and the United States are meeting the challenges of
    our times, sustained by bonds of kinship, culture, and commerce that
    unite our peoples. Two centuries ago, Poles fought for America's
    independence. Before and since, thousands of American communities have
    been enriched by the energies of millions of Poles who came here to
    settle.
        Mr. President, tomorrow we'll travel to Michigan to visit one of
    those communities. But pride requires me to point out that the oldest
    permanent Polish settlement in America can be found in my home State. In
    the fall of 1854, more than 100 Polish families traveled to the prairies
    of south Texas, seeking greater freedom and opportunity. They arrived at
    their destination on Christmas Eve, and they christened their new
    settlement Panna Maria, or Virgin Mary. The town is still there, a
    living symbol of our common ties.
        Just as Poles keep contributing to America's vitality, Poland keeps
    contributing to the vitality of the entire world. Poland's opposition to
    Soviet tyranny inspired half a continent and helped bring down an evil
    empire. And the passion for human dignity and iron integrity of a Polish
    Pope has added to the momentum of freedom around the globe. Freedom did
    not have to be imported into Poland. It is found naturally in the rhythm
    of every Polish heart, a commitment of conscience and faith stronger
    than the brutality of conquerors or the official lies of oppressors.
        In 1989, Poles on all sides of the ideological divide made an
    historic decision to build a society based on democracy and human rights
    and the rule of law. Two years later, more than 100 political parties
    participated in Poland's parliamentary elections, including one party
    called the Beer Lovers' Party. We're watching to see how

    [[Page 1264]]

    much beer you drink tonight, Mr. President. [Laughter] All but a handful
    of these parties were committed to a Poland founded on freedom.
        In the decades since, Poland has continued to be an example for
    other nations seeking to claim their democratic future. And Poland has
    found what America has found, that democracy and free markets are
    honorable and just and indispensable to national progress.
        America and Poland are joined by a commitment to helping each other
    along freedom's road. Thomas Jefferson once wrote to Kosciuszko and
    praised him for being true to a single object, the freedom and happiness
    of man. Today, this single object defines Poland itself, and it defines
    the partnership between Poland and America. Together we can and we will
    complete the unification of Europe. We will reach out to Russia and
    Ukraine, and we will win the war against terror.
        Poland and America share a vision that is stronger than intolerance
    and hatred and bigotry. It is a vision of a world that is free and just,
    a world that respects people's dignity and rewards their enterprise and
    creativity.
        Mr. President, let us toast to friendship between our countries.
    Tonight the old Polish saying has new meaning in a new century: For your
    freedom and ours.

    Note: The President spoke at 8:37 p.m. in the State Dining Room at the
    White House. In his remarks, he referred to Jolanta Kwasniewska, wife of
    President Kwasniewski. The transcript released by the Office of the
    Press Secretary also included the remarks of President Kwasniewski.