Polonia Calendar
An Invitation and Earnest Appeal to Come Together ~ First Sunday, Polish Mass at Orchard Lake
Dear PAC Officers and Chairpersons!
I extend this invitation on behalf of PAC-MI and all who care about our beloved Orchard Lake.
There is commotion within Polonia re OLS and the Seminary closing. There is much controversy, many emotions, and many opinions being expressed. However we feel there is one very positive and important way we can come together- in prayer.
I attach the invitation for each of you to join Polonia on Sunday, October 3, 2021 for 1:00 pm Polish mass at the St. John Paul II Shrine on the OLS campus.
Our appeal to you: Let us fill the Shrine Chapel!
Please come and let others know of this opportunity for us to come together and make our supplications known to our Lord. May He hear us and direct us in the right direction.
Sent from Mail for Windows
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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:
- 1st district: Jack Bergman(R) (since 2017)
- 2nd district: Bill Huizenga(R) (since 2011)
- 3rd district: Peter Meijer(R) (since 2021)
- 4th district: John Moolenaar(R) (since 2015)
- 5th district: Dan Kildee(D) (since 2013)
- 6th district: Fred Upton(R) (since 1987)
- 7th district: Tim Walberg(R) (since 2011)
- 8th district: Elissa Slotkin(D) (since 2019)
- 9th district: Andy Levin(D) (since 2019)
- 10th district: Lisa McClain(R) (since 2021)
- 11th district: Haley Stevens(D) (since 2019)
- 12th district: Debbie Dingell(D) (since 2015)
- 13th district: Rashida Tlaib(D) (since 2019)
- 14th district: Brenda Lawrence(D) (since 2015)Resolution
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.
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.
- CALL YOUR CONGRESSMAN/WOMAN IN WASHINGTON, DC THIS WEEK
- 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’.”
- THANK THE PERSON WHO BRINGS YOUR MESSAGE TO THE ATTENTION OF YOUR CONGRESSMAN/WOMAN.
- 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.
- 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