[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