    [United States Statutes at Large, Volume 128, 113th Congress, 2nd Session]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

    PROCLAMATION 9192--OCT. 10, 2014

    Proclamation 9192 of October 10, 2014

    General Pulaski Memorial Day, 2014

    By the President of the United States of America

    A Proclamation

    More than 200 years ago, Brigadier General Casimir Pulaski answered the
    call of our fledgling Nation as we sought to secure liberty and justice.
    A Polish-born leader, he fought and sacrificed his life for a country
    not fully his own. He understood that the promise of our new Nation was
    not about circumstance of birth, but rather a set of beliefs and
    unalienable rights. Today, we pay tribute to a hero of the American
    Revolutionary War, and we celebrate the contributions that generations
    of Polish-Americans have made to the country for whose independence
    Pulaski took up arms.
    As a young man, Casimir Pulaski fought for Polish sovereignty, defending
    his homeland from foreign occupation with courage and bravery. After
    many years, his confederation was overpowered, and he was exiled to
    France where he met Benjamin Franklin. With Franklin, Pulaski

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    discussed America's struggle to throw off the tyranny of an empire, and
    in 1777, Pulaski crossed the Atlantic to stand with a small band of
    patriots.
    In America, Pulaski served with honor and distinction. During battle, he
    aided George Washington and--because of his leadership and skill on
    horseback--became known as the ``Father of the American Cavalry.'' But
    tragically in October of 1779, as Pulaski led his troops during the
    siege of Savannah, Georgia, he was mortally wounded. While he was not
    witness to the conclusion of the war, his memory is forever enshrined in
    the pages of its history.
    Pulaski's life represents only one chapter in the Polish people's long
    and storied legacy of fighting for freedom. This year, we celebrated the
    25th anniversary of an election where, for the first time, the people of
    Poland had a choice. The culmination of centuries of struggle, it marked
    the beginning of a new course for Poland--one that has ushered in the
    return of democracy and demonstrated the enduring strength of the ideals
    our two nations share. As we also recognize the 15th anniversary of
    Poland's membership in NATO, we are proud to call Poland one of our
    strongest and closest allies, and we are reminded that the blessings of
    liberty must be earned and renewed by every generation.
    On General Pulaski Memorial Day, we reflect on the beginnings of our
    relationship with Poland. In the centuries since, Polish immigrants have
    sought the opportunities in America that Pulaski helped secure, and as
    they have, our nations' bonds of friendship have grown stronger. As we
    renew our commitment to honoring all those who fought for the freedom of
    our new Nation, let us resolve to stand with developing democracies
    around the world and with all people yearning to be free.
    NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the United States of
    America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and
    the laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim October 11, 2014, as
    General Pulaski Memorial Day. I encourage all Americans to commemorate
    this occasion with appropriate programs and activities paying tribute to
    Casimir Pulaski and honoring all those who defend the freedom of our
    Nation.
    IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this tenth day of
    October, in the year of our Lord two thousand fourteen, and of the
    Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirty-
    ninth.
    BARACK OBAMA