Sharing communication re: the proposed Resolution

Dear Friends,

I wanted to share with you the news that House Resolution 664 about Poland was officially introduced

 

https://www.congress.gov/bill/117th-congress/house-resolution/664/text

 

I wanted to thank Zbyszek Koralewski and the PAC-Long Island division for working with Rep. Suozzi and getting this done, as it is a great text.

 

I think we also should appreciate a lot president Bankowski’s efforts to make us aware of this resolution so that more of us got involved in the process.

 

I understand that the PAC-Western New York and president Lawicki were instrumental in securing two co-sponsors – Reps. Higgins and Jacobs, which also merits great praise.

 

Since I have some understanding how difficult proper advocacy can be, I have highest praise for this effort and that Zbyszek and his division succeeded in getting this text published.

 

The next step would be to persuade the House Foreign Affairs committee to adopt this resolution.

 

Here is the list of members.

 

https://foreignaffairs.house.gov/members

 

I think we should try to reach out to those members where we have contacts.

 

 

Resolution Information!

Resolution Information for PAC-MI

Legislative Alert

Recently our PAC-MI Division was called on to inform Polonia in Michigan and help seek support for a laudable congressional resolution about Poland, entitled: “Commemorating the anniversary of the Invasion of Poland and recognizing the importance of the United States alliance with the Republic of Poland.”

It is to be introduced this month to the US House of Representatives by Rep. Thomas Suozzi (Democrat from New York).

The resolution brings attention to the suffering and losses experienced by the nation of Poland during WWII, commemorating the attack on September 1, 1939, which inaugurated the Second World War and the subsequent occupation of Poland by Nazi Germany until 1945. It also underscores and appeals for continuing the long held strong alliance between Poland and the US which can be mutually very beneficial.

Below please read the wording of this resolution as well as a few points of information in how we can work to strengthen its support and passage in Congress.

RESOLUTION: Commemorating the anniversary of the Invasion of Poland and recognizing the importance of the United States alliance with the Republic of Poland.

 

Whereas on September 1, 1939, German forces led by Adolf Hitler attacked the Republic of Poland;

 

Whereas on September 17, 1939, Soviet forces led by Joseph Stalin attacked the Republic of Poland;

 

Whereas subsequent to the completion of the invasion, the Republic of Poland was divided under the terms of the “German–Soviet Boundary and Friendship Treaty”;

 

Whereas Adolf Hitler issued the command to invade with orders “to send to death mercilessly and without compassion, men, women, and children of Polish derivation and language”;

 

Whereas in Poland, a traditionally tolerant country that was home to Europe’s largest Jewish population, German occupying forces established death camps where millions were murdered;

 

Whereas Poland lost a higher percentage of its population than any other nation in World War II due to the genocide perpetrated by occupying forces;

 

Whereas relations between the United States and Poland date back several centuries;

 

Whereas Polish settlers first arrived in Jamestown in 1608;

 

Whereas the current relationship between the United States and the Republic of Poland is deep and mutually beneficial to both countries;

 

Whereas since the collapse of communism in Europe, the Republic of Poland’s prosperity and integration into Western institutions has provided a model for other countries in the region;

 

 

Whereas the addition of the Republic of Poland to NATO in 1999 has strengthened the alliance and provided a crucial bulwark against aggression by Russia;

 

Whereas the Department of State describes the Republic of Poland as “a stalwart ally in Central Europe and one of the United States’ strongest partners in fostering security and prosperity regionally, throughout Europe, and the world’;

 

;…Now, therefore, be it

 

Resolved, That the House of Representatives—

 

(1) honors the millions of Poles who lost their lives during the invasion and occupation of Poland;

 

(2) encourages increased education about the atrocities committed by German forces led by Adolf Hitler against the Poles;

 

(3) recognizes the critical role that the Republic of Poland plays in maintaining stability and security in Europe;

 

(4) calls for the strengthening and broadening of diplomatic, economic, and security ties between the United States and the Republic of Poland.

 

How might we help gain support for this resolution?

Steven Peterson, senior legislative assistant to Congressman Suozzi (Senior Legislative Assistant-Congressman Thomas R. Suozzi (NY-03)407 Cannon HOB | Washington, D.C. 20515 Office: (202) 225-3335 | Fax: (202) 225-4669 http://suozzi.house.gov)  requests that Polish American organizations and members of Polonia contact their US Representatives (depending on the district they live in) asking them to co-sponsor this resolution along with Congressman Suozzi. Later, once it comes before the whole House for a vote, we should summon our US Representative to vote in support of the resolution. If you have any questions or would like more information about the resolution, you may contact Steven Peterson.

Contact can be made by, email, letter, or telephone call to your representative. Be sure to state in your introduction, when calling or writing, that you are a voting constituent in the representative’s district. Remember to state the title of the resolution you are contacting them about. Telephone calls provide the opportunity to leave a voice mail message. See who represents your district: https://www.govtrack.us/congress/members/MI where you will enter your 8 digit zip code and find a link or Google your representative by name for specific contact information. As of January 2021, current US House Delegation from Michigan:

Resolution Information

Resolution Information for PAC-MI 2

Dzień Żołnierza, Polish Soldiers Day ~ August 15th.

Dzień Żołnierza.

Medale Dla Zasłużonych

12 Małopolan otrzymało dziś z rąk z rąk wojewody małopolskiego Łukasza Kmity Medale Stulecia Odzyskanej Niepodległości, przyznane decyzją prezydenta Andrzeja Dudy.

To odznaczenie jest przyznawane osobom, które przyczyniły się do odzyskania lub umacniania suwerenności Rzeczypospolitej, w tym szczególnie budowania wspólnoty obywatelskiej Polaków i poczucia tożsamości narodowej, rozwoju nauki, rozsławiania dobrego imienia Polski poprzez kulturę i sztukę.
- Działalność każdego z was to drogowskaz, jak pozostać wiernym ideałom i wyznawanym wartościom, jak podtrzymywać wiedzę o historii i kulturze naszej ojczyzny. Małopolska potrzebuje takich ambasadorów, którzy w swoich środowiskach inspirują i zachęcają do działania, wnosząc przy tym niesamowitą energię i entuzjazm – powiedział wojewoda małopolski.
Wśród wyróżnionych znalazła się m.in. krakowska sercanka s. Witalisa Hanna Żaboklicka. Brała czynny udział w przygotowywaniu wielu uroczystości patriotycznych. Szczególne uznanie przyniosło jej przygotowanie albumu biograficznego dotyczącego gen. bryg. Tadeusza Bieńkowicza “Rączego”, partyzanta AK i powojennego podziemia niepodległościoweg.

Jan Franczyk z kolei to psycholog, opozycjonista z czasów PRL, współzałożyciel nowohuckiej Chrześcijańskiej Wspólnoty Ludzi Pracy i redaktor “Krzyża Nowohuckiego”, internowany w stanie wojennym, po 1990 r. wieloletni radny Krakowa, wykładowca Uniwersytetu Pedagogicznego, redaktor nowohuckiego tygodnika “Głos” i korespondent mediów polonijnych w Stanach Zjednoczonych. O uhonorowanie go za tę działalność medialną, przybliżającą Polonii w USA to, co dzieje się w kraju, wnioskował Kongres Polonii Amerykańskiej w stanie Michigan i Sieć Polonijnego Radia w USA.

Renata Groyecka, muzykolog z wykształcenia, była m.in. związana w drugiej połowie lat 70. ub.w. ze Studenckim Komitetem Solidarności, brała wówczas i w latach 80. udział w kolportażu wydawnictw niezależnych, w stanie wojennym współorganizowała pomoc dla represjonowanych, w ostatnich latach mocno angażowała się w upamiętnianie wydarzeń i postaci historycznych związanych z walką o niepodległość. Brała udział w koordynowaniu prac związanych ze wzniesieniem w Krakowie pomnika Pála Telekiego, premiera Węgier, który wspierał Polaków w czasie wojny polsko-bolszewickiej w 1920 r. i w trakcie II wojny światowej.
Kazimierz Korabiński, niegdyś górnik, angażował się w działania protestacyjne, m.in. na terenie Skawiny, brał udział w działaniach upamiętniających górników kopalni Wujek, poległych 16 grudnia 1981 roku.
Kolejny odznaczony – Józef Wieczorek – to geolog, od wielu lat dziennikarz niezależny, który dokumentuje słowem, fotografiami i filmami krakowskie wydarzenia patriotyczne i religijne. W latach 80. ub. wieku za działalność opozycyjną był represjonowany i inwigilowany przez SB. W 1986 r. został usunięty z Instytutu Nauk Geologicznych UJ za “negatywne oddziaływanie na młodzież” i do dziś nie został przywrócony do pracy.
Jan Znamiec, adwokat, rotmistrz kawalerii ochotniczej, dowódca Szwadronu Niepołomice w barwach 8 Pułku Ułanów Księcia Józefa Poniatowskiego, zasłużył się w przypominaniu tradycji kawalerii polskiej.
Medale otrzymali także: Marek Buda, Janusz Kozłowski, Ryszard Musiał, Zdzisław Szczur, Robert Szczurek i Roksana Szczypta-Szczęch, historyk z Instytutu Pamięci Narodowej w Krakowie.

https://krakow.gosc.pl/doc/6976470.Medale-dla-zasluzonych

Windfall Legislation in the 117th Congress

Polish American Congress is urging everyone to call their representatives as more congressional cosponsors are needed for to the proposed bill known as the Social Security Fairness Act 2021. It will help to ensure that a person receiving a pension from 2 government sources, such as US and Poland, is not penalized and their pension is not unjustly reduced, as now is the case.

  1. CALL YOUR CONGRESSMAN/WOMAN IN WASHINGTON, DC THIS WEEK
  2. IN YOUR PHONE CALL, STATE THAT “IF YOU WANT MY VOTE AS A POLISH AMERICAN VOTING CONSTITUENT, SIGN ON AS A CO-SPONSOR OF H.R. 82 THAT IS KNOWN AS THE ‘SOCIAL SECURITY FAIRNESS ACT’.”
  3. THANK THE PERSON WHO BRINGS YOUR MESSAGE TO THE ATTENTION OF YOUR CONGRESSMAN/WOMAN.
  4. WHEREAS IT APPEARS THAT WITH ONLY 19 MORE CO-SPONSORS LEFT TO ATTRACT THIS YEAR OR IN 2022 DURING THE FINAL SESSION OF THE 117TH CONGRESS, THE NUMBER OF SENATE CO-SPONSORS MUST AT LEAST BE PASSED BY THE SENATE VIA A “SIMPLE MAJORITY” (I.E., 51) WHICH CAN BE REACHED BY THE ADDED VOTE OF THE SENATE PRESIDENT WHO IS ALSO THE VICE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES. AS OF TODAY, S. 1302 HAS ATTRTACTED 31 CO-SPONSORS.
  5. IN SHORT, IT APPEARS THAT BOTH BILLS WILL BE PASSED, MOST LIKELY IN 2022, PROVIDED THAT WE REMAIN RELENTLESSLY FOCUSED ON ACHIEVING THAT OBJECTIVE WHICH WILL REQUIRE THAT, ON ONE HAND, OUR DIVISIONS IN DE, FL, IL, IN, NY, AND VA EACH ENLIST THEIR 2 SENATORS, AND THAT AS WELL, MD, OH, PA, AND WI, EACH ENLIST THEIR SECOND

July 24, 2021 – Polish Ethnic Novena at Ste. Anne’s Church

Dear Friends,

We hope this letter finds you well and in good health. As we slowly return to what we know as normal, once again, we will be celebrating the Annual Novena to St. Anne at Detroit’s historic church, 1000 St. Anne Street, from July 17- 26, 2020.

Ste. Anne Novena has been celebrated annually for over 100 years in this beautiful church, now designated a Basilica by Archbishop Vigneron in 2019. We gather to pray for all our own intentions, the intentions of our families, our community, our Archdiocese, and continue to pray for the world affected by the pandemic.

The Novena encompasses nine days of prayer and masses, each day’s mass designating an ethnic group associated with Metropolitan Detroit. It culminates with mass, July 26, the Feast Day of St. Anne, celebrated by Archbishop Allen Vigneron.

On Saturday, July 24th at 7:00 pm, we will be honoring Eastern European cultures, however Msgr. Kosanke, Ste. Anne’s Pastor, again extended a special invitation to Polish American Congress Michigan Division to be the principal patron for that day, with His Excellency Bishop Robert Fisher as main celebrant and Fr. Roman Pasieczny as homilist at this mass.

The Polish American Congress Michigan Division serves as coordinator of the Polish Novena Mass and we are focused, once again, on making this a successful Polonian event.  We encourage representatives and members of your organization to join us in celebrating the Polish American community in Michigan.

As in the past we will feature a procession into the church with flags, organizational banners, uniforms and colorful costumes, proudly exhibiting our heritage. We especially encourage organizational representation in this procession. Please note, we will gather in front of the church at 6:30 pm.

Please accept our warm invitation to come pray to St. Anne for all our intentions and to show our Polish Pride!

 

Sincerely,

Ann Bankowski, President

Polish American Congress-Michigan Division

Office Closed July 2021

NOTICE

The Michigan Division office of Polish American Congress will be closed for the entire month of July 2021 for a summer break. Any requests for assistance can be made by calling the office at 313-365-9400 and leaving a message. Someone will get back with you. You may also drop a message into the mail slot or email it to the office@pacmi.org. These will be checked regularly

Thank you.


UWAGA

Z powodu letniej przerwy, uprzejmie powiadamiamy że biuro Kongresu Polonii będzie zamknięte na miesiąc lipiec 2021. W razie potrzeby można zadzwonić na numer biurowy 313-365-9400  i zostawić wiadomość. Zapewniamy  że oddzwonimy w najbliższym czasie. Można także napisać prośbę o asystę i wrzucić przez otwarcie pocztowe. Również można wysłać maila na adres biura: office@pacmi.org. Wszelkie prośby będą regularnie sprawdzane.

Dziękujemy.

A Call for Legislative Action

Please view 2 format letters you may use regarding US legislative actions, in each the House and Senate. You are encouraged to send it to your US Congressman and our 2 US senators seeking support from them for the current proposed resolutions for the Social Security Fairness Act 2021. One letter format can be used by the individual voter and the other letter on behalf of an organization. You may adjust the wording as you choose. Another possibility is to call your US Congressman and US Senators and leave a message with the request. Thank you for taking an active part in our legislative process and helping many Polish immigrant retirees to receive the full social security benefits they earned and are entitled to receive.

The Distortion Of Polish History

The agendas of historical revisionism about Poland at play right now.

It’s not the Russians or Germans intent on rewriting history, but sadly it’s the co-victims from the Holocaust who are now trying to revise history and turn Poles into the aggressors, worse than the Germans for various reasons, which I address in the video.

I look at this objectively and in doing so I have been attacked repeatedly as an anti-Semite, Holocaust denier, and a white nationalist. My work is all research based and factual and though some of it may not sound positive for some people, it is the truth and our goal as historians is to find the truth and that is what I did.

It is important that we share this message so people understand why Poland is being attacked now and the reasons behind it as well as the truth about Poland’s wartime heroism, which is hardly known. The more people hear the truth, the better. Poland has been defamed and her good name needs to be repaired for the sake of all of the heroes that died in the name of freedom.

https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=1075295745996640