Proclamation 6353 Polish-American Heritage Month, 1991
October 9, 1991
By the President
of the
United States of America
A Proclamation
The ties that exist between the peoples of the United States and Poland
are as old as our Nation itself -- firmly rooted in kinship and fortified
by our mutual devotion to the ideals of liberty and self-government, they
have withstood the tests of time and adversity. This month, we proudly
celebrate those ties, as well as the many contributions that Americans
of Polish descent have made to our country.
Our Polish American heritage traces back to the settlement of Jamestown
in 1607, when Poles stood among the first immigrants to the New World.
Since then, generations of Polish immigrants have built new lives on these
shores, inspiring others by their faith and hard work and enriching American
culture through the unique customs and traditions of their ancestral homeland.
And from the scientific genius of Copernicus and Madame Curie to the brilliant
work of artists such as Chopin and Paderewski, individuals of Polish descent
have enriched not just America but the world with a wealth of talent and
vision.
However, of all the gifts that Poland has given to the world, one of
the most valuable and enduring is the example of her people, who have
demonstrated extraordinary faith, courage, and resolve in their quest
for freedom. Indeed, since the earliest days of our Republic, Americans
and Poles have shared an abiding love of liberty and self-government.
Brave Poles such as Tadeusz Kosciuszko and Kazimierz Pulaski helped to
achieve our Nation's independence. They stood in solidarity with our ancestors
because they knew that the hopes of all freedom-loving peoples were invested
in this country's bold experiment in self-government. Through their historic
Constitution of May 3, 1791, which was modeled after our own, Poles bravely
asserted their desire for freedom. That document has remained a cherished
symbol of Polish patriotism and courage.
Despite generations of foreign occupation and repressive rule, including
invasion by Nazi Germany and the Soviet Union in 1939 and the declaration
of martial law in 1981, Poles have remained firm in their hopes for freedom.
Their recent triumph over communist rule and their peaceful transition
to a democratic system of government underscored the truth of the timeless
refrain: ``Poland is not lost while Poles still live.''
Today the people of Poland are writing a bright new chapter in their
nation's history. We Americans applaud their courageous steps to reform
their economy and government, and we reaffirm our support for their efforts.
In addition to offering direct financial aid, the United States has been
engaged in efforts to encourage private sector investment and the growth
of market institutions in Poland, through such vehicles as a housing loan
guarantee program, the Polish Stabilization Fund, and the Polish-American
Enterprise Fund. They symbolize our commitment to helping Poland establish
stable democratic rule and a successful market-oriented economy.
In recognition of the strong and friendly ties that exist between the
United States and Poland, the Congress, by Public Law 102 - 115, has designated
October 1991 as ``Polish-American Heritage Month'' and has authorized
and requested the President to issue a proclamation in observance of this
month.
Now, Therefore, I, George Bush, President of the United States of America,
do hereby proclaim October 1991 as Polish-American Heritage Month. I urge
all Americans to join their fellow citizens of Polish descent in observance
of this month.
In Witness Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand this ninth day of October,
in the year of our Lord nineteen hundred and ninety-one, and of the Independence
of the United States of America the two hundred and sixteenth.
George Bush
[Filed with the Office of the Federal Register, 10:22 a.m., October
10, 1991]
Note: This proclamation was published in the Federal Register on October 11.