CHICAGO, IL  – (October 11, 2010) Today Rep. Jan Schakowsky (IL-9) released the following statement in response to President Barak Obama’s designation of October, 11, 2010 as General Pulaski Memorial Day. It is a tribute to General Casimir Pulaski, the Revolutionary War hero, on the anniversary of his death. Illinois observes the first Monday in March as Casimir Pulaski Day.

“I wholeheartedly stand with President Obama and legions of Polish Americans in remembering and celebrating the valor of General Casimir Pulaski on this 231st anniversary of the day he gave his life to ensure that America would flourish. As a representative of Chicago, I know that the designation of General Pulaski Memorial Day is particularly meaningful in our city, which has a rich, vibrant, proud Polish community—and the largest Polish population outside of Poland.

“General Casimir Pulaski is revered among Chicagoans, Illinoisans and Americans alike for his devotion to the simple ideas of freedom, independence and basic human rights. More than two centuries ago, this patriot from Poland fought to ensure that the birth of our country—an experiment built on those three powerful ideas—would succeeded instead of being extinguished by the forces of tyranny and oppression.

“On October 11, 1779, General Casimir Pulaski died from battle wounds sustained fighting under the command of our first President, General George Washington. We lost him in battle, but General Pulaski’s example endures. We are all indebted to his belief in what America could be.”