Washington,
Mar 6, 2007 -
WASHINGTON, D.C. (March 6) — Congressman Dennis Kucinich (D-OH) introduced HJ Res. 39, proclaiming Casimir Pulaski an honorary U.S. citizen posthumously. The resolution was introduced in honor of Pulaski Day, which is celebrated on the first Monday of every March.
“Casimir Pulaski was one of the great heroes of the American Revolution. He was a dedicated freedom fighter who deserves the highest recognition the United States gives its immigrant war heroes,” Kucinich said.
General Pulaski left his native Poland and fought on the side of the colonists against the British in the American Revolution. George Washington bestowed the rank of brigadier general on Pulaski, who organized a legion of cavalry known as the Pulaski legion. Pulaski is credited with being the ‘father of the American cavalry.’
“Pulaski made the ultimate sacrifice for this country and he deserves nothing but the highest honor and recognition for his service,” Kucinich said. “I can think of no better way to do that than to bestow on him posthumous citizenship.”
Kucinich has a very large Polish constituency in his Congressional District. There are approximately 227,800 Poles living in greater Cleveland – comprising one of the region’s oldest, biggest and proudest ethnic groups, according to the 2006 Multicultural Guide to Cleveland.
Substantial numbers of Poles founded Cleveland’s largest Polish community known in the 1880’s as Warszawa, which is called Slavic Village today. About 50 active organizations and churches serve Cleveland’s Polish community.
The Pulaski resolution was introduced with 23 original cosponsors. Kucinich first introduced legislation to make Pulaski an honorary U.S. citizen in June 2005. Sen. Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) introduced the same legislation in the Senate yesterday.
The resolution is supported by the Polish Legion of American Veterans and the Polish American Congress.
