Condolences to the Family of Former President George H.W. Bush

December 8, 2018 by

 

As President of the Polish American Congress, and on behalf of the PAC Executive Committee, our PAC members, Polish Americans throughout our great country, as well as our many friends, I extend my deepest sympathies to the President George H.W. Bush Family upon his passing.

The death of the 41st President of the United States brings to mind the many times President Bush supported Poland’s quest for freedom.

As we say farewell to a decorated World War II veteran, as well as a consistent fighter for freedom during the Cold War, I wish to thank President Bush for his support of the Solidarity Movement that resulted in Poland becoming free in 1989.

Polish Americans stand in unity with Andrzej Duda, President of the Republic of Poland, who recently noted after President Bush’s passing the following words spoken during the Solidarity era. These words ring true today as they did in 1989:

“Today, to those who think that hopes can forever be suppressed, I say: Let them look at Poland. To those who think that freedom can be forever denied, I say: Let them look at Poland. And to those who think that dreams can be forever repressed, I say: Look at Poland! For here in Poland, the dream is alive.”

During his long career in public service, Mr. Bush traveled to Chicago and visited the Polish National Alliance headquarters. He was warmly received. As Vice President, Mr. Bush also attended the funeral wake for Aloysius Mazewski, Polish American Congress and Polish National Alliance President. For his genuineness and caring support, we are very grateful.

Sincerely,

Frank J. Spula

President, Polish American Congress

Filed Under: Featured, News

PAC Michigan to host a Celebration of 100th Anniversary of Poland’s Regained Independence

October 9, 2018 by

 

Filed Under: Featured, News

“Dywizjon 303” to be screened in Detroit

September 22, 2018 by

Kontrast Entartainment invites you to the screening of a movie “Dywizjon 303. Prawdziwa Historia” (“Squadron 303”).

The film, directed by Denis Delić, will be screened on Sunday, October 7, at AMC Forum 30 in Sterling Heights (44681 Mound Rd) at 4:00 pm.  Tickets are available for purchase at Srodek’s Campau Quality (Hamtramck), American Polish Cultural Center (Troy) and on-line at brownpapertickets.com.

Based on true story, the film tells the story of the highly regarded fighter squadron, in which served mainly soldiers from Poland, in the history of aerial combat and their heroic defense of England during World War II, Battle of Britain against Nazi attacks.  The 303 Squadron shot three times more Luftwaffe planes than any other allied squadrons.

The film features most popular Polish actors, including Maciej Zakościelny, Piotr Adamczyk and Antoni Krolikowski.

The screenplay for the movie was inspired by a book written by Polish famous writer, journalist and adventurer, Arkady Fiedler.  He wrote 32 books that have been translated into 23 languages and sold over 10 million copies in total.  He wrote books about his travels (including Mexico, Indochina, Brazil, Madagascar, West Africa, Canada and United States), documenting cultures, customs and natural wonders.

“Dywizjon 303” (“Squadron 303”) was his most famous book.  It was written in 1942 and sold over 1.5 million copies.

For more information about upcoming screening of “Dywizjon 303” movie, please call: 248-707-0577 lub 248-396-1370.

Filed Under: Featured, News

Polish Day Parade 2018

September 8, 2018 by

The annual Polish Day Parade organized by the Polish American Congress Michigan Division Polish Day Parade Committee took place on Labor Day, September 3, in downtown Hamtramck.

For more pictures visit our Facebook page:

https://www.facebook.com/Polish-American-Congress-Michigan-Division-241433862578705/

 

Filed Under: Featured, News

PAC-MI QUARTERLY MEMBERSHIP MEETING – SEPTEMBER 10

September 7, 2018 by

The Polish American Congress Michigan Division invites all its members and delegates to a Quarterly Membership Meeting.  It will take place on Monday, September 10, at 7:00 pm, at the PAC-MI Headquarters in Hamtramck, MI (11333 Joseph Campau, Hamtramck, MI 48212).

Filed Under: News

“Polskie getta” to kłamstwo historyczne. Wezwij do jego usunięcia! Apel Reduty Dobrego Imienia – Polskiej Ligii przeciw Zniesławieniom

August 4, 2018 by

Szanowni Państwo!

“Polskie getto” to oczywisty błąd zarówno historyczny, jak i językowy, kojarzący Polaków ze zbrodniami niemieckimi. “Polskie getta” nigdy nie istniały, ponieważ Polacy nie mieszkali w wydzielonych, odizolowanych częściach miast. To również nie Polacy tworzyli getta dla obywateli innych narodowości czy wyznań, choć i tak właściwym atrybutem w tym przypadku jest narodowość ludności zamieszkującej getto. Spośród wielu portali, które wzywaliśmy do poprawienia tej błędnej i zniesławiającej frazy, kilka pozostało przy swoim stanowisku.

Oto one:
Amerykański portal timesrecordnews.com promuje książki o tematyce Holokaustu. Z artykułu nie dowiemy się o Niemcach.
Brytyjski magazyn unbound.com, opisuje powojenne losy zbrodniarza Auschwitz, Josefa Mengele.
Lokalny amerykańskie media marblehead.wickedlocal.com, relacjonują spotkanie uczniów szkoły w Marblehead z ocalałą z Holokaustu.
Portal francuskiej fundacji artystycznej blouinartinfo.com, przedstawia twórczość inspirowaną losem prześladowanych.

Poniżej publikujemy wzór listu w języku angielskim oraz jego robocze tłumaczenie na język polski. Prosimy użyć w korespondencji wersji w języku angielskim.

Szanowni Państwo!

W artykule na Państwa stronie internetowej po linkiem …………………………….. znalazło się zniesławiające, uderzające w dobre imię Polski i fałszujące historię sformułowanie „Polskie getto” w odniesieniu do żydowskiego getta w okupowanej Polsce.

Podobnie jak podczas II Wojny Światowej nie było „polskich obozów śmierci”, tak też nie było „polskich gett”. Getta, w których niemieccy okupanci przetrzymywali ludność żydowską, organizowane były na ziemiach polskich, gdyż w miejscowościach przedwojennej Rzeczpospolitej znajdowały się największe skupiska ludności żydowskiej w Europie.

Nie istnieje racjonalne uzasadnienie dla używania określenia „polskie getto”. Taki  skrót myślowy jest bardzo mylący,  gdyż ani mieszkańcami, ani twórcami osiedli, jakimi były getta, nie byli przedstawiciele narodowości polskiej. Byli wśród nich co prawda obywatele polscy (narodowości żydowskiej), jednak nie ze względu na polskie obywatelstwo, lecz na żydowską narodowość. Mało tego, Polska jako państwo podczas II Wojny Światowej nie istniała – część jej terytorium zostało  włączone do Rzeszy, a na pozostałym obszarze utworzono tzw. Generalne Gubernatorstwo, twór administracyjny całkowicie podporządkowany III Rzeszy, które nie było samodzielnym bytem politycznym uznawanym na arenie międzynarodowej. Stąd przymiotnik „polski” używany dla określenia gett przeznaczonych dla ludności żydowskiej całkowicie nie ma racji bytu.

Właściwe odniesienie do tworzonych przez Niemców gett żydowskich brzmi następująco:
– Żydowskie getto założone przez Niemców w okupowanej przez Niemców Polsce
– Żydowskie getto założone przez Niemców na okupowanych przez nazistów
– Żydowskie getto w okupowanej przez Niemców Polsce
– Żydowskie getto w okupowanej Polsce

W związku z powyższym przyłączam się do wezwania Polskiej Ligii Przeciw Zniesławieniom do usunięcia wyrażenia „Polish ghetto” ze strony będącej pod Państwa administracją.

Z wyrazami szacunku,
(prosimy podać własne imię i nazwisko)
DO WKLEJENIA DO WIADOMOŚCI –timesrecordnews.com

Odbiorca:tedbuss@hotmail.com
Tytuł wiadomości (jeden do wyboru):
A request to remove defamatory content
Historical error in your article
I don’t agree!
Request for correction on your website
Please, delete the error
There was no Polish ghettos in occupied Poland
lub inny, stworzony przez Państwa

Treść wiadomości:Dear Sir,

I do inform you that despite a previous appeal by the Polish League Against Defamation regarding your statement “Polish ghetto”, it apears in the following article: https://www.timesrecordnews.com/story/opinion/2018/06/28/books-give-us-pause-thankful/741945002/. Such phrases are libellous, harmful to the good name of Poland, and historically false.

Just as there were no “Polish death camps” during World War 2, “Polish ghetto” is a misnomer as well. The ghettos in which the German occupiers forcefully detained the Jewish population were set up on Polish territory because the pre-War Poland was Europe’s largest Jewish Diaspora.

There are no reasonable grounds to use the phrase “Polish ghetto”. Even if considered a sort of verbal shortcut, it is very misleading, as neither the population of the ghettos, nor their creators, were of Polish nationality. While we could find some Polish citizens (of Jewish origin) among them, they were confined within the ghetto walls because of their Jewish roots, not because of their citizenship. But that is not all. Poland did not exist as an independent state during World War 2, as some of its territory had been annexed to Germany, and the remaining part came under the so-called General Government, an administrative entity completely subject to the German Reich. Therefore, the adjective “Polish” used with reference to WW2 Jewish ghettos is absolutely unfounded.

The proper reference to the Jewish ghettos set up by Germans therefore is as follows:
– Jewish ghetto set up by Germans in German-occupied Poland
– Jewish ghetto set up by Germans in Nazi-occupied
– Jewish ghetto in German-occupied Poland
– Jewish ghetto in Nazi-occupied Poland

I therefore wish to endorse the request by the Polish League Against Defamation and urge you to remove the defamatory expression “Polish ghetto” from the website under your administration.

Faithfully
DO WKLEJENIA DO WIADOMOŚCI – unbound.com

Odbiorca:arifa@unbound.com
Tytuł wiadomości (jeden do wyboru):
A request to remove defamatory content
Historical error in your article
I don’t agree!
Request for correction on your website
Please, delete the error
There was no Polish ghettos in occupied Poland
lub inny, stworzony przez Państwa

Treść wiadomości:Dear Sir of Madam,

I do inform you that despite a previous appeal by the Polish League Against Defamation regarding your statement “Polish ghetto”, it apears in the following article: https://unbound.com/boundless/2018/07/06/jo-glanville-on-josep-mengele/. Such phrases are libellous, harmful to the good name of Poland, and historically false.

Just as there were no “Polish death camps” during World War 2, “Polish ghetto” is a misnomer as well. The ghettos in which the German occupiers forcefully detained the Jewish population were set up on Polish territory because the pre-War Poland was Europe’s largest Jewish Diaspora.

There are no reasonable grounds to use the phrase “Polish ghetto”. Even if considered a sort of verbal shortcut, it is very misleading, as neither the population of the ghettos, nor their creators, were of Polish nationality. While we could find some Polish citizens (of Jewish origin) among them, they were confined within the ghetto walls because of their Jewish roots, not because of their citizenship. But that is not all. Poland did not exist as an independent state during World War 2, as some of its territory had been annexed to Germany, and the remaining part came under the so-called General Government, an administrative entity completely subject to the German Reich. Therefore, the adjective “Polish” used with reference to WW2 Jewish ghettos is absolutely unfounded.

The proper reference to the Jewish ghettos set up by Germans therefore is as follows:
– Jewish ghetto set up by Germans in German-occupied Poland
– Jewish ghetto set up by Germans in Nazi-occupied
– Jewish ghetto in German-occupied Poland
– Jewish ghetto in Nazi-occupied Poland

I therefore wish to endorse the request by the Polish League Against Defamation and urge you to remove the defamatory expression “Polish ghetto” from the website under your administration.

Faithfully
DO WKLEJENIA DO WIADOMOŚCI –marblehead.wickedlocal.com

Odbiorca:marblehead@wickedlocal.com; cstevens@wickedlocal.com
Tytuł wiadomości (jeden do wyboru):
A request to remove defamatory content
Historical error in your article
I don’t agree!
Request for correction on your website
Please, delete the error
There was no Polish ghettos in occupied Poland
lub inny, stworzony przez Państwa

Treść wiadomości:Dear Sir or Madam,

I do inform you that despite a previous appeal by the Polish League Against Defamation regarding your statement “Polish ghetto”, it apears in the following article: http://marblehead.wickedlocal.com/news/20180619/schindlers-list-survivor-passes-memory-torch-to-marblehead-students. Such phrases are libellous, harmful to the good name of Poland, and historically false.

Just as there were no “Polish death camps” during World War 2, “Polish ghetto” is a misnomer as well. The ghettos in which the German occupiers forcefully detained the Jewish population were set up on Polish territory because the pre-War Poland was Europe’s largest Jewish Diaspora.

There are no reasonable grounds to use the phrase “Polish ghetto”. Even if considered a sort of verbal shortcut, it is very misleading, as neither the population of the ghettos, nor their creators, were of Polish nationality. While we could find some Polish citizens (of Jewish origin) among them, they were confined within the ghetto walls because of their Jewish roots, not because of their citizenship. But that is not all. Poland did not exist as an independent state during World War 2, as some of its territory had been annexed to Germany, and the remaining part came under the so-called General Government, an administrative entity completely subject to the German Reich. Therefore, the adjective “Polish” used with reference to WW2 Jewish ghettos is absolutely unfounded.

The proper reference to the Jewish ghettos set up by Germans therefore is as follows:
– Jewish ghetto set up by Germans in German-occupied Poland
– Jewish ghetto set up by Germans in Nazi-occupied
– Jewish ghetto in German-occupied Poland
– Jewish ghetto in Nazi-occupied Poland

I therefore wish to endorse the request by the Polish League Against Defamation and urge you to remove the defamatory expression “Polish ghetto” from the website under your administration.

Faithfully
DO WKLEJENIA DO WIADOMOŚCI –
blouinartinfo.com

Odbiorca:support@artinfo.com; generalinfo@artinfo.com
Tytuł wiadomości (jeden do wyboru):
A request to remove defamatory content
Historical error in your article
I don’t agree!
Request for correction on your website
Please, delete the error
There was no Polish ghettos in occupied Poland
lub inny, stworzony przez Państwa

Treść wiadomości:Dear Sir or Madam,

I do inform you that despite a previous appeal by the Polish League Against Defamation regarding your statement “Polish ghetto”, it apears in the following article: http://www.blouinartinfo.com/news/story/3086367/the-evolution-of-michal-rovner. Such phrases are libellous, harmful to the good name of Poland, and historically false.

Just as there were no “Polish death camps” during World War 2, “Polish ghetto” is a misnomer as well. The ghettos in which the German occupiers forcefully detained the Jewish population were set up on Polish territory because the pre-War Poland was Europe’s largest Jewish Diaspora.

There are no reasonable grounds to use the phrase “Polish ghetto”. Even if considered a sort of verbal shortcut, it is very misleading, as neither the population of the ghettos, nor their creators, were of Polish nationality. While we could find some Polish citizens (of Jewish origin) among them, they were confined within the ghetto walls because of their Jewish roots, not because of their citizenship. But that is not all. Poland did not exist as an independent state during World War 2, as some of its territory had been annexed to Germany, and the remaining part came under the so-called General Government, an administrative entity completely subject to the German Reich. Therefore, the adjective “Polish” used with reference to WW2 Jewish ghettos is absolutely unfounded.

The proper reference to the Jewish ghettos set up by Germans therefore is as follows:
– Jewish ghetto set up by Germans in German-occupied Poland
– Jewish ghetto set up by Germans in Nazi-occupied
– Jewish ghetto in German-occupied Poland
– Jewish ghetto in Nazi-occupied Poland

I therefore wish to endorse the request by the Polish League Against Defamation and urge you to remove the defamatory expression “Polish ghetto” from the website under your administration.

Faithfully

 
Filed Under: Featured, News

PIAST INSTITUTE MOURNS THE PASSING OF DR. THADDEUS RADZILOWSKI

July 21, 2018 by

Today, Piast Institute, our Polish-American family, and our Hamtramck community lost a great leader in the passing of Dr. Thaddeus C. Radzilowski. Earlier today, July 20th, he passed away surrounded by loved ones.

Dr. Radzilowski was a highly accomplished historian and academic studying Poland and Central and Eastern Europe, producing countless manuscripts on these important topics. Over the course of his rich academic career he has taught at University of Michigan, Madonna University, Heidelberg College, and Southwest Minnesota State University. He also served as the President of St. Mary College. Over the years, he not only educated thousands of American students about Polish and Central European history, he also mentored many of them and fostered countless community leaders.

In 2003, Dr. Radzilowski co-founded the Piast Institute with Virginia Skrzyniarz. It quickly became the largest Polish-American think tank in the United States. As President of Piast, Dr. Radzilowski has focused the organization as a major research center, one of U.S. Census Information Centers, and as a representative of Poland and Polish-Americans in the United States, with worldwide network of accomplished fellows. Under his leadership, the Institute produced position papers, school curricula, research reports, conducted surveys, organized conferences and exhibits, and was very involved in the life of American Polonia. He also cultivated many relationships with Polish universities and institutions.

Over the years, Dr. Radzilowski received many awards for his academic work, community involvement, and leadership. He was a corresponding member of the Polish Academy of Sciences (PAN). He served as an advisor and consultant to the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights and the U.S. Bureau of the Census and was a member of the Ford Foundation Commission on Ethnicity on American Life. In 1999, the President of Poland presented Dr. Radzilowski with the Cavaliers Cross of the Polish Order of Merit for distinguished contributions to the dissemination of Polish culture in the world.

In addition to his contributions to preserving Polish heritage in the U.S., Dr. Radzilowski was an American patriot, a veteran of the U.S. Armed Forces who served his country in Vietnam.

Those who knew Dr. Radzilowski well will miss him for his charm, his sense of humor, his countless stories, his sharp mind, and his infectious cheerfulness.

Dr. Radzilowski is survived by his wife, Kathleen, three sons, John, Paul and Stefan, grandchildren Radek and Diana, sisters Fran and Cynthia, and brothers, Norbert and Fred.

Details on a celebration of Dr. Thaddeus Radzilowski’s life will be announced shortly. Please direct any questions to the Executive Vice President of the Piast Institute Virginia Skrzyniarz,Skrzyniarz@piastinstitute.org or (313) 733-4535.

Filed Under: Featured, News

PACMI to Present Scholarship Recipients

July 14, 2018 by

HAMTRAMCK, MI – On Wednesday, August 1, 2018, the Polish American Congress of Michigan (PACMI) Scholarship Fund will host its annual Fund Raiser / Dinner, during which 2018 PACMI Scholarship Recipients will be presented.  The event will take place at Krakus Restaurant in Detroit (12900 Joseph Campau).  Doors open at 5:30 pm; dinner served at 6:00 pm.  Suggested contributions: $30.00 per person (contributions in excess of $20.00 are tax deductible).  For a contribution of $250.00 or more towards the Scholarship Fund, each donor will receive a document of their contribution.  Reservations can be made by July 25, by calling 313-365-9400 or 586-751-8168.

Filed Under: News

POLISH AMERICAN CONGRESS MICHIGAN DIVISION INVITES TO POLISH NOVENA AT STE. ANNE DE DETROIT

July 14, 2018 by

HAMTRAMCK, MI – St. Anne De Detroit Church, located near Ambassador’s Bridge in Detroit, dates back to Cadillac’s settling of Detroit in 1701, and it’s considered the second-oldest continuously operating Roman Catholic parish in the U.S.  The current Neo-Gothic structure, the parish’s 8th church building, dates to 1886 and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

What was once Detroit’s signature French-language parish – the old school building has the name “Ecole Ste. Anne” carved into it – now has a growing, vibrant, primarily Hispanic congregation.

But once a year, for 10 days, the church becomes a site for Ethnic Novena, catered to the diverse community of Metro Detroit.

On Wednesday, July 25, a Polish Novena will be held, with Bishop Robert Fisher as Presider, and featuring award-winning Filarets Choir.  Knights of Columbus, Polish dance groups will also be featured.  We encourage all Polish American local organizations to come with their banners to be represented in the Novena opening procession.  The Polish American Congress Michigan Division acts as the coordinator of the Polish Novena.

Refreshments will be served after the Novena at the Parish Hall.

St. Anne De Detroit Church: 1000 St Anne St, Detroit, MI 48216.  Visit www.ste-anne.org for more information.

Filed Under: News

2018 “Invest in the Future” Make a Difference Scholarship Appeal

June 9, 2018 by

Dear Member and Friend of the Polish American Congress,

It is that time of the year for the Polish American annual Scholarship appeal “Invest in the Future and Make a Difference”.  With the cost of college education increasing each year, more and more students are applying for scholarships.  The Dinner Fundraiser that is held each year at Krakus Restaurant is not sufficient to award each student at least a one thousand dollar scholarship.

We are requesting contributions from you or your organization or from your family estates that can also be donated “in memory of” or “in honor of” an individual.  Donations of any amount will be greatly appreciated.  Those who give $100.00 or more will have their name placed on a Donor Board that will on display at the PAC office in Hamtramck for the entire year.

We have also enclosed our Scholarship Dinner flyer which is our major fundraiser.  It will be held at Krakus Restaurant on Wednesday, August 1, 2018.  This is a time to have a good meal, socialize, meet and talk with the scholarship recipients and donate towards a worthy cause.

Today, higher education is very expensive and for those young adults who continue their education to a higher degree, it is difficult for them to attend and at the same time, hold down a job to pay their expenses.  Your generous investment, whether large or small, is greatly appreciated and will make a difference for our youth who attend college and who are the future leaders of Polonia.

Polish American Congress of Michigan Scholarship Fund has given scholarships since 1972.  We hope that we can continue through your generosity.  Checks are to be made payable to: PAC of Michigan Scholarship Fund, Inc. and send to: PAC of Michigan Scholarship Fund, Inc. c/o 30214 Woodhouse Dr., Warren, MI 48092.  Deadline for this appeal is July 25, 2018.

 

With deep gratitude,

 

Wallace M. Ozog, President

PAC of Michigan Scholarship Fund, Inc.

 

Ann Bankowski, Chairman

PAC of Michigan Board

 

Filed Under: Featured, News