Forum Polonia Houston

	The Polish American Congress Texas Division Newsletter – January 2005
	The Polish American Congress is a National Umbrella Organization, representing at least 10 million Americans of Polish descent or origin. The Polish American community prides itself on its deeply rooted commitment to the values of family, faith, democracy, hard work and fulfillment of the American dream. The Polish American Congress, Texas Division is one of 41 State Divisions and Chapters represented in 23 states (For more about PAC see: http://www.polamcon.org/)
	60th anniversary of Polish American Congress and the victory at Monte Cassino In May 2004, Polish Americans were observed the 60th anniversary of two historic events that occurred in 1944 at the height of World War II and only days apart from each other - the victory at Monte Cassino and the founding of the Polish American Congress. As the Allied armies pushed north in their drive to liberate Italy from enemy control, they confronted a major German obstacle at the top of Monte Cassino. The Nazis had taken over and fortified the Benedictine Abbey there and used it to pin down the advancing Allies. After several failed attempts by the British and others to storm the German stronghold, the task of the next attack was given to the 2nd Polish Corps led by Gen. Wladyslaw Anders. It was the Poles who were the ones to finally reach the summit, rout the Germans and place the red and white flag of Poland above the battered monastery on May 18. The gallantry of the Poles was beyond praise. There is a particular poignancy at the inscription on the memorial in their war cemetery which now stands on the slopes of the hill known as Point 593:
	Passerby, Tell Poland We faithfully fell in her service For our freedom and yours We Polish Soldiers have given our soul to God Our bodies to the soil of Italy And our hearts to Poland.
	A few days after that monumental Polish victory in 1944, Polish Americans from around the nation gathered in Buffalo, N.Y. to lay the groundwork for a new organization. Its purpose would be to promote the interests of Poland and the Polish community in the United States. There were nearly 10,000 delegates representing 3,000 Polish organizations, societies and parishes from various states. After several days of deliberations, they formed the national leadership organization they named the Polish American Congress. To this day, the PAC continues to be the spokesman in the U.S. for the Polish community of importance to Poland and American Polonia.
	National PAC Elections The election of officers was held at the national director’s meeting in Chicago on November 19, 2004. The following officers were elected for two-year term: Mr. Edward Moskal as President, Virginia Sikora as First Vice President, Ludwik Wnekowicz as VP for Polish Affairs, Mr. Dean Anthony Bajdek as VP for American Affairs, Mr. Richard Pierchalski as VP for Financial Development, Mr. Rusk as VP for Public Relations, Mr. Wallace Zielinski as Secretary, and Mr. Robert Maycan as Treasurer. A new office was created for VP for Culture and Mrs. Deborah Majka, current president of the American Council of Polish Culture was elected to chair this office.
	US Presidential Election We have witnessed democracy in action, and Polish Americans were active participants. During this election, Polish Americans supported two U. S. Senators of Polish American heritage, Democratic Senator Barbara Mikulski of Maryland, who won her re-election bid by a margin of 65% to 35%, and newly-elected Republican Senator Lisa Murkowski of Alaska who won an uphill battle. Polish American votes were important in states across the United States, including swing states like Florida, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Michigan and Wisconsin. As political analysts look at who voted, they realized that the Polish American constituency must be heard. The Polish American Congress will maintain its goals during the next term of the President, his administration and the U.S. Congress so that the government knows that more than 10 million Americans who share our proud Polish heritage remain a vital part of America's present and future well-being.
	PAC TD Annual Convention and 150th Anniversary of Panna Maria The 2004 PAC - TD Convention was held at the Town Square Marriott hotel, Sugar Land, Texas, October 22nd – 24th. Of course, the main theme was 150th Anniversary of the first Polish settlement in Panna Maria (1854 – 2004). Many dignitaries have been invited and took part in our October celebration. They included former President of the Republic of Poland, Lech Walesa; Ambasador of the Republic of Poland to the USA, Dr. Przemyslaw Grudzinski; Consul General Krystyna Tokarska Biernacik, Texas State Secretary, Jeffrey O’Conor; the Mayor of Sugar Land, David Wallace, Bishop John Yanta and others. The three day festivities were full of excitement and pride for our Polish heritage. Thanks to TV Polonia our Jubilee celebrations was recorded as a Sesquicentennial of North American Polonia and presented as a special program before Christmas . Here are the highlights from the PAC TD Annual Convention and 150th Anniversary of Panna Maria in October: • Gala Concert, Acadiana Symphony Orchestra, Lafayette, Louisiana under the direction of Marjusz Smolij, at the Wortham Theatre, The program entitled “Musical Bridges” with Adam Golka, piano, included compositions by Chopin, Kilar, Ives/Schumann and Copland. • Symposium entitled: "The Contribution of Polish-Americans to American History, Science and Culture" led by distinguished guests representing various authorities of Polish-American life, at the Rice University, • PAC – TD and Panna Maria Historical Society joint session entitled: “150th Anniversary of the First Polish Settlement in Panna Maria – the birthplace of American Polonia”, included panel discussions on various aspects of Polish American matters, • Polonia Gala Banquet, during which the following members of our Polish community were recognized with “The Cross of Merit” by the President of the Republic of Poland: Drs. Barbara and Stanislaw Burzynscy, Prof. Anthony Kruszewski, Msgr. Frank Kurzaj, Mr. & Mrs. Adam Mazewscy and Mr. Waldemar Sokalski. • Three great exhibits: “Second language” at the Williams Bros. Tower Gallery with an opening night guest Mr. Rafal Olbinski who presented his beautiful poster commemorating 150th Anniversary of Polish Heritage in America; “The Greatest Untold Story” by the Poland-USA Promotion, and “Warsaw Hospital Patients Exhibit” were on display during our convention. • One day visit to Panna Maria and a Holy Mass celebrated by Bishop John Yanta was the most awaited spiritual conclusion of our Jubilee celebration. While in Panna Maria, the Ambassador of the Republic of Poland, Przemyslaw Grudzinski presented two “Amicus Poloniae” Awards: one to Bishop John Yanta and one to Ms. Loretta Niestroy, both natives of the Panna Maria area, for their efforts to promote the Polish tradition and culture in the United States of America. Also, the Polish American Congress, Texas Division presented its 2004 Heritage Award to the Panna Maria Historical Society for its efforts to preserve our heritage in Texas. A special thanks goes to all guests and presenters for making this Jubilee the most memorable event in our recent history of Polonia. We are very thankful to all our sponsors, in particular, Polish National Alliance, Mr. Richard Krzyzanowski, Mr. Marcus Lechter, Drs. Barbara and Stanislaw Burzynscy, Dr. and Mrs. Piotr Kwater, Honorary Consul of the Republic of Poland in Houston, Dr. Zbigniew Wojciechowski and others. Only together can we promote the good name of Americans of Polish ancestry and preserve our precious cultural heritage and ethnic identity.
	OAK Tree Project Our Jubilee will not rest until we complete a living memorial, “The Oak Tree Park” which is dedicated to the First Polish Settlement in America. As you know, the oak tree under which the original settlers celebrated their first Christmas Eve mass in America still stands in the church yard at Panna Maria. It has become the symbol of strength and durability of our ancestors on this continent. To date we collected $4,500 from individuals and various organizations that are willing to sponsor this project. We urge all Polish organizations to participate in this project by purchasing a symbolic tree which will commemorate the 150th Anniversary of American Polonia. Currently, thanks to Dr. Zbigniew Wojciechowski, Honorary Consul of the Republic of Poland introduction to Sugar Land city hall, we are considering an option to place our project in newly created Brazos Park in Sugar Land. The park, in which we may have our own Polish section/Pavilion, is under construction and will not be opened until 2006/7. Therefore, we have plenty of time to complete the list of participants/sponsors. Please join us for this very important project.
	Slavic Festival In the spirit of festivities we would like to remind you that this year the Polish community will host the 42nd Annual Slavic Heritage Festival. Please plan ahead for the autumn activities of this important cultural event in Houston.
	VISA Program We would like to bring to your attention an issue of great concern to all of Polonia. We have learned that a new U.S. Senate Bill regarding visa waiver for Poland will be re-introduce next month. As you know last year Senate Bill 2844 was introduced by Senator Rick Santorum and Senator Barbara Mikulski to designate Poland as a visa waiver country. However, one Democratic Senator, placed an objection on the bill, blocking passage by the Senate of this vital legislation for the Polish people if passed into law. If passed into law Polish citizens visiting the U.S.A. within a 90-day period would not have to apply for a visa and, thus, Polish citizens would be treated with the respect they deserve as age-old American allies. We will need your help and we ask you to contact your Senators to let them know that Polish Americans want this bill placed back on the Senate Calendar for immediate consideration. You can e-mail the Senators through www.senate.gov and then clicking the senator’s name and then e-mailing your message.
	Recognizing the Death of Jan Nowak-Jezioranski The following is a Press Release by the White House recognizing the death of our great countryman: “ President Bush mourns the passing in Warsaw of Jan Nowak-Jezioranski, a great Polish freedom fighter and American patriot. Jan Nowak's life was devoted to freedom's cause. He was a leader in freedom's struggle in the 20th century from Poland's resistance to the Nazis in World War II through the return of democracy to Poland after 1989, in which he played important roles. Jan Nowak-Jezioranski pursued his values tenaciously, and contributed greatly to the building of a Europe whole, free, and at peace. A longtime leader in the Polish-American community, he was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 1996 in recognition of his achievements on behalf of liberty.”
	Pogrzeb Jana Nowaka-Jezioranskiego (relacja z Gazety Wyborczej) Zdzisław Jeziorański (Jan Nowak to jeden z jego pseudonimów konspiracyjnych) - żołnierz Armii Krajowej, legendarny Kurier z Warszawy, wieloletni dyrektor sekcji polskiej Radia Wolna Europa, dziennikarz, pisarz, publicysta, wielki polski patriota - zmarł w nocy z czwartku na piątek. Miał 92 lata. Trumna z ciałem Jana Nowaka-Jeziorańskiego, zgodnie z jego ostatnią wolą, spoczęła w grobie rodzinnym na Starych Powązkach. Kondukt dotarł na Cmentarz Powązkowski z Archikatedry św. Jana Chrzciciela, gdzie mszę żałobną celebrował abp Józef Życiński. Wcześniej trumna została wystawiona na dziedzińcu Zamku Królewskiego w Warszawie. Towarzyszyły jej honorowe warty wojska, straży miejskiej i żołnierzy AK. Jako pierwsi hołd zmarłemu oddali marszałek Sejmu Włodzimierz Cimoszewicz, marszałek Senatu Longin Pastusiak, prezydent stolicy Lech Kaczyński oraz minister kultury. Aleksander Kwaśniewski, przemawiając nad trumną zmarłego, powiedział, że "Jan Nowak-Jeziorański mimo 45 lat przymusowej emigracji nigdy Polski nie opuścił". "Polska była jego obsesją, wielkim marzeniem i wielkim wyzwaniem. W dużym stopniu to jemu zawdzięczamy naszą wolność i bezpieczeństwo. Nieoceniony w zabiegach na rzecz opozycji demokratycznej i na rzecz redukcji naszego zadłużenia" - mówił prezydent. Podkreślał zarazem "wielką prawość, niespotykaną pracowitość i entuzjazm" Nowaka-Jeziorańskiego. "To dlatego za autorytet uznają go dziś także ci, którzy niegdyś inaczej odczytywali polskie wyzwania" - dodał Kwaśniewski.
	Dr. Joseph Jachimczyk “Joe” has died The Texas Division mourns the loss of one of our Division founders and active member Dr. Joseph Jachimczyk “Joe”. Dr. Jachimczyk had battled hypertension and Parkinson's Disease for a number of years. He was Harris County's first medical examiner and really built the medical examiner's office from scratch. He was also a Deacon of Galveston Houston Diocese. He was a great Polish American.
	Book sale Just a reminder that our books, posters and videos are on sale and 20% discount is offered to all PAC members. We offer 50% discount on all Rafal Olbinski’s calendars (beautiful). Please stop by at the Book Sale Booth during our semi-annual meeting or call 281 561 6304.