Archives: Issues

2nd Annual Convention of the CPA took place on November 9-10 in Orchard Lake, MI. The Convention discussed the future directions for the organization, and elected the new leadership.

On October 20-21 the Coalition of Polish Americans held its first Annual Convention in Chicago. Saturday October 20 was devoted to discussion of internal matters. On Sunday October 21,2018 the Coalition of Polish Americans met in Chicago with representatives of local Polish-community. The meeting was preceded by attendance at the Mass at the Holy Trinity Church on 118 N. Noble Street. At the Mass attendees had a chance to witness a special event: the introduction of the relics of two Polish martyrs that were killed for their faith in Peru, Blessed Michal Tomaszek and Blessed Zbigniew Strzalkowski.

After the Mass the members of the Coalition were given a warm welcome by the pastor of the church and proceeded to meet with the local Polish-Americans and with the representatives of local Polish-American media. In the opening presentation the president of the Coalition Stanislaw Sliwowski discussed the core values and the main objectives of the Coalition. President Sliwowski was followed by Vice-president Wieslaw Golebiewski who described the unsatisfactory, and often criticized, state of relations between the Polish-Americans community and their Motherland. Mr. Golebiewski presented a vision of how to reform these relations so that Polish-Americans can use their potential to help Poland effectively present its positions in the United States, and particularly by creating effective ways
to communicate with the main Polish institutions, perhaps by allowing Polonia representation in the Polish Parliament so that it can address issues such as double taxation of American retirement payments in Poland.

Maria Szonert Binienda spoke about the weaknesses of the Polish-American community. She underlined that the 80 years of skewed teaching of Polish history because of Nazi and Soviet dominance over Poland and neglect of Polish governments to address the issue since
1989 have hampered the development of effective historical diplomacy and allowed outside forces to dominate the discussion of Polish history. She argued that the focus on domestic issues as well as weak international position prevent the current Polish government from addressing this issue effectively. Ms. Szonert Binienda suggested that this space should be filled by the Polish-American organizations who are not hampered by these constraints and should conduct historical diplomacy through series of historical conferences and by creating an effective form of information dissemination that would allow the Polish-Americans to get

through to the mainstream with the proper interpretation of Polish history.

The conference also addressed the issues of involvement and participation of Polish-Americans in their ethnic organizations and in the American society in general. Krzysztof Waz spoke about social background and history of the Polish-American organizations. Zbigniew Piwoni presented on his personal work with Polish youth and attempts to engage them to contribute to the Polish-American community by fostering connections to Poland. These presentations met with positive response from attendees from local Chicago Polonia who raised many questions and contributed to extensive discussion.

The Coalition of Polish Americans was founded on September 24, 2017 in Washington, D.C. The Coalition is an independent political and social organization that emphasizes traditional values and whose goal is to encourage wider involvement of the Polish-American community in the American public life. The Coalition promotes Polish-American engagement in social life of United States, and wants to define and represent the interests ofthe Polish-American community.

We are excited to invite all CPA members to our 1st Annual Convention that will take place on October 20-21st in Chicago. The event is by invitation only.

On the centennial of Poland’s regaining independence, a solemn conference entitled “Poland Reborn; 100 years of struggle and glory” took place in the United States Congress. The conference was organized by the patriotic communities of the American Polonia with the congressional sponsorship of Representative Gerald Connolly. In the conference representatives of the US Senate and House of Representatives took part as well as representatives of the Polish American community from across the United States.

The leading motto of the conference was a quote by Dorothy Height: “the greatness is not measured by achievements but the ability to overcome obstacles in achieving the goals.” This wise quote perfectly reflects the greatness of Poland and the Polish people in the post-partition period and provides timeless inspiration for overcoming hardship. The unwavering Polish spirit in the fight for independence of Poland was also emphasized at the conference by American guests of honor.

Senator Tammy Duckworth of Illinois, who is a Iraq war veteran, underlined the important role played by Americans of Polish descent in the United States Army, in particular in the Illinois Army National Guard. It is the US Army Illinois National Guard that prides itself on the longest partnership cooperation with the Polish Army. Senator Duckworth stressed that thanks to her close relationship and friendship with many Americans of Polish descent she learned the rich history of Poland and learned a lot from the Polish history. She also emphasized that the close bond between Poland and the United States is important for both countries.

Brad Wenstrup who represents Ohio 2nd Congressional District in the House of Representatives of the US Congress congratulated Poland on the centennial of regaining independence. “The greater the challenges, the greater the reward,” said Congressman Wenstrup. “I do not know many countries on this earth that had to endure as many challenges as Poland has. You think it is bad enough that you are under Nazi (Germany) rule. And the war is over. Nazi (Germany) is defeated. And what you get? The Communism rule. Well, I guess it is not even a bad luck. There is no luck at all. This is what the people of Poland have endured, and they did it so proudly and so bravely.”

On behalf of the organizers, Maria Szonert, President of Libra Institute, stressed that on the 100th anniversary of Poland’s regaining independence, Polish Americans gathered on Capitol Hill to pay tribute to their ancestors, both Poles and Americans, who had a bold vision for Poland’s revival from abyss of history. They showed great courage and determination in implementing this ambitious far-reaching vision. “Thanks to their heroic efforts, the Polish people were able to defend and preserve their national identity, heritage, their language, culture, traditions and religion,” said Szonert. “They passed to the next generations Poland independent, just, prosperous and beautiful. Today, it is our duty to protect this treasure given to us by our ancestors, so that we will be able to pass such Poland to future generations,” Szonert said.

Seven speakers made presentations at the conference, drawing attention to the most important events in the history of Poland from the last century. Peter Sawicki from Canada, a laureate of the 2018 historical essay competition sponsored by the Polonia Institute, presented a paper on the Polish-Bolshevik War and the Battle of Warsaw. Judge Aurelia Pucinski from Chicago presented addressed the Katyn Massacre. Rich Widerynski from California gave a presentation on the Siberian Gehenna. Stephen Gilbride, son of a Polish victim of German concentration camps, presented the fate of Poles under German occupation. Stanislaw Sliwowski, President of the Coalition of American Polonia, signaled the problem of German war reparations. Wojciech Mazur from Connecticut and former activist of the Solidarity underground from Gdansk presented an essay on the Solidarity Movement. Maria Szonert addresses the problem of dangers that threaten Poland’s independence in the 21st century. More information about the conference, including presentations and video recordings, will be posted at librainstitute.org.

Remarks by Senator Tammy Duckworth of Illinois at the conference “Poland Reborn – 100 years of Struggle and Glory.” September 7, 2018, Capitol Hill.

Remarks by Congressman Brad Wenstrup of Ohio at the conference “Poland Reborn – 100 years of Struggle and Glory.” September 7, 2018, Capitol Hill.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WZF5vELz_jU