# Am-Pol Eagle Citizen of the Year Award

The Am-Pol Eagle Citizen of the Year Award is given out by the weekly Polish American newspaper the Am-Pol Eagle. The award is given to individuals and organizations in the Polish American community "in recognition of outstanding service and unselfish contributions on the behalf of the Polish-American cause" in various fields. There are 25 different categories but each category may not have a winner every year. The award is considered to be one of the highest honors given within the Polish-American community. The Am-Pol Eagle, published in Buffalo, New York, was founded in 1960 by Matthew Pelczynski who was known as "the voice of the Polish-American community."

## Am-Pol Eagle Citizen of the Year Award recipients
### National

* 2013 – None
* 2012 – None
* 2011 – None
* 2008 – Anthony Bajdek
* 2007 – Christian Holocaust Survivors
* 2006 – Deborah M. Majka
* 2005 – Bozenna Urbanowicz Gilbride
* 2004 – Edward Rowny
* 2003 – Kaya Ploss
* 2002 – None
* 2001 – Susanne Lotarski
* 2000 – Les Kuszynski
* 1999 – Edward Pinkowski
* 1998 – James Pawelczyk
* 1997 – Michael Preisler
* 1996 – Stanley Milewski
* 1995 – Myra Lenard
* 1994 – Adam Maida
* 1993 – David Bonior
* 1992 – Edward G. Dykla
* 1981 – Aloysius Mazewski
* 1980 – Michael Kogutek
* 1979 – Carl Yastrzemski
* 1978 – John G. Fray
* 1977 – Alfred Abramowicz D.D
* 1976 – Zbigniew Brzezinski
* 1975 – Mitchell Kobelinski
* 1974 – Bobby Vinton
* 1973 – Barbara Mikulski
* 1972 – Eugene Kusielewicz

### Art/Drama

* 2013 – Anna Gabryszak
* 2012 – Roman Kujawa
* 2011 – Tod Kniazuk
* 2009 – Rev. Walter Madej
* 2008 – Chopin Singing Society of Buffalo's production of Flis
* 2007 – None
* 2006 – Ron Urbanczyk
* 2005 – Brittany Mruczek
* 2004 – Kazimierz Braun
* 2003 – None
* 2002 – Gary Witkowski
* 2001 – Mark David Skura
* 2000 – Ted Pietrzak
* 1999 – Thoman Kazmierczak III
* 1998 – Thadeusz Pyzikiewicz
* 1997 – Fred Szatkowski
* 1996 – Kate Koperski
* 1995 – Tom Dudzick
* 1994 – Melva Wrobel
* 1993 – Thea Zastempowski
* 1992 – Christine Nowak
* 1981 – Louis F. Dlugosz
* 1980 – Laura Dory
* 1979 – George Lukasiewicz
* 1978 – Benedict T. Rozek
* 1977 – Alice Wadowski-Bak
* 1976 – Thomas Banasiak
* 1975 – Ann Nowak
* 1974 – Walter Prochownik
* 1973 – None
* 1972 – Daniel Reczek

### Business

* 2013 – Michael Kucinski
* 2012 – Buszka Funeral Home
* 2011 – Kaminski & Sons Truck Equipment Inc.
* 2010 – The Rutowski Family Pharmacies
* 2009 – Danny Potts
* 2008 – Mazurek's Bakery
* 2007 – John Mills
* 1981 – F. Ronald Malecki
* 1980 – Chet Musialowski
* 1979 – Daniel J. Majeski
* 1978 – Stanley Hajeski
* 1977 – Mathew Witkowski
* 1976 – Alfred Fabiniak
* 1975 – Andrew Ciolek
* 1974 – Florian Burczynski
* 1973 – Joseph Dziminski Jr.
* 1972 – Robert Kowalewski

### Civic Leader

* 2013 – None
* 2012 – Bob Kresse
* 2011 – None
* 2009 – The Felician Sisters
* 2008 – None
* 2007 – Dr. Norman Weinberg
* 2005 – James Ostrowski
* 2004 – Bishop Edward M. Grosz
* 2003 – Msgr. Matthew Kopacz
* 2001 – John Dobrzenski
* 1994 – Pauline Nowak / William Trezevant
* 1993 – James Konicki
* 1981 – Rev. Joseph Bialek
* 1980 - None
* 1979 - None
* 1978 - None
* 1977 - None
* 1976 - None
* 1975 – Bishop Daniel Cyganowski
* 1974 – Robert Biniszkiewicz
* 1973 – Edward Posluszny
* 1972 – Dennis Kazmierczak

### Community Leader (Non Pole)

* 2013 – Dr. Andrew Wise
* 2012 – Jean Dickson
* 2011 – Mary Lanham
* 2009 – Amy Betros
* 2008 – Mary Holland
* 2007 – Dr. Muriel Howard
* 1981 – Most Rev. Edward D. Head
* 1980 – None
* 1979 – Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra
* 1978 – Richard Kellman
* 1977 – Douglas L. Turner
* 1976 – Hon. Jack Kemp
* 1975 – Edward V. Regan
* 1974 – Dr. E. K. Fretwell

### Community Organization

* 2013 – Broadway Market 125th Anniversary Committee
* 2012 – Permanent Chair of Polish Culture Canisius College
* 2011 – Polish Heritage Society of Rochester
* 2010 – Pulaski Police Association
* 2009 – Polish Singers Alliance District IX
* 2008 – Harmony Polish Folk Ensemble
* 2006 – Cheektowaga Polish American Festival Committee
* 2002 – University at Buffalo Polish Student Association
* 1981 – Polish American Congress, Western New York Division
* 1980 – Niagara Frontier Post 1041
* 1979 – Walden District Taxpayers Association

### Culture

* 2013 – Kathleen Rumfola
* 2012 – Dr. Peter Gessner
* 2011 – Robert Johnson
* 2010 – Sophie Hodorowicz-Knab
* 2009 – Rev. Louis Dolinic
* 2008 – Andrew Golebiowski
* 2007 – Wanda Slawinski
* 1981 – Adeline Wujeikewski
* 1980 – Hon.Frank Swiatek
* 1979 – Helena Golebiowski
* 1978 – Alice Posluszny
* 1977 – Maria Laskowska
* 1976 – Thaddeus Nyczko
* 1975 – Marian Strzelczyk
* 1974 – Sister Ellen Marie
* 1973 – Emilie Lubelski
* 1972 – Leonard Glowinski

### Education

* 2013 – Ashli Skura Dreher
* 2012 – Fr. Michael Sajda
* 2011 – Pomost International
* 2009 – Msgr. Adamski Polish Saturday School
* 2008 – Fr.Charles Jagodzinski
* 2007 – Patricia Weinreich
* 2006 – Danuta Nycz
* 1981 – Edward Szmraj
* 1980 – Father Leon Krop
* 1979 – Raymond Dziedzic
* 1978 – Dr. Joseph Gizinski
* 1977 – Anne Szczesny
* 1976 – Sister Mary Pachomia
* 1975 – Leonard Sikora
* 1974 – Frank Benbenek
* 1973 – Thomas Michalski
* 1972 – Mary Amalia

### Fraternal

* 2013 – Pulaski Police Assn.
* 2012 – None
* 2011 – None
* 2010 – Dunkirk Dom Polski
* 2006 – Polish Union of America
* 1981 – Lucy Rubach
* 1980 – Joseph Lipa
* 1979 – Thaddeus J. Zolkiewicz
* 1978 – Victor A. Drajem, Jr.
* 1977 – Bronislaw Durewicz
* 1976 – Clara Owczarczak
* 1975 – Lawrence Wujcukowski
* 1974 – Joseph Starosciak
* 1973 – Clara Weber
* 1972 – Irene Cwiklinski

### Good Neighbor

* 2013 – None
* 2012 – None
* 2011 – None
* 2010 – Canadian Polish Congress - Niagara District
* 2007 – Chester & Diane Stranczek
* 2006 – OLC Pierogi Makers
* 2001 – Daniel Mocniak

### Government

* 2013 – Gerald Chwalinski
* 2012 – None
* 2011 – Robert Giza
* 2010 – Steven J. Stepniak
* 2008 – Catherine Rybczynski
* 2007 – Richard Kloc
* 1981 – Daved Rutecki
* 1980 – Thomas Owczarczak
* 1979 – Edwin A. Gorski
* 1978 – Thaddeus J. Szymanski
* 1977 – William M. Skretny
* 1976 – Hon. Henry Nowak
* 1975 – Joseph Bala
* 1974 – Stanley Makowski
* 1973 – Stan Bolas
* 1972 – Daniel Kwiatkowski

### Health/Medicine

* 2013 – Jean Wactawski-Wende
* 2012 – Dr. Edwin Grzankowski
* 2011 – None
* 2008 – Dr.Kevin Cichocki
* 2007 – Dr. William F. Wieczorek, Ph.D.
* 1981 – Dr. Daniel Kozers
* 1980 – Dr. Robert Zwirecki
* 1979 – Anthony Prezyna, M.D.
* 1978 – Dr. Joseph Matala
* 1977 – None
* 1976 – Dr. Richard Powell
* 1975 – Dr. Lucian Rutecki
* 1974 – Dr. Eugene Ruszaj
* 1973 – None
* 1972 – Dr. Joseph Kij

### Heritage

* 2013 – Amy Smardz
* 2012 – Edward Prabucki
* 2011 – Henry Chimes
* 2010 – Dr. Margaret Stefanski
* 2009 – Barbara Frackiewicz
* 2008 – Polish Heritage Dancers of Western New York
* 2007 – Gregory Witul
* 2006 – Donna Zellner Neal
* 2005 – Bishop Thaddeus Peplowski
* 2004 – Martin Biniasz
* 2003 – Robert Fronckowiak
* 2002 – Lucyna Dziedzic
* 2001 – Edward Kornowski
* 2000 – David Newman
* 1999 – Polish Social Volunteers
* 1998 – Honorable Carl Bucki
* 1997 – Andrew Golebiowski
* 1996 – Walter Grabowski
* 1995 – Diane Cieczka – Jircitano
* 1994 – Benjamin Fiore
* 1992 – Edmund Kiedrowski & Alice Kiedrowski
* 1987 – Victoria Jarnot
* 1981 – Genevieve Pietka
* 1980 – Matthew Kubik
* 1979 – Theodore Mikoll
* 1978 – Stanly Dawidziak
* 1977 – William Borodacz
* 1976 – Zdaislaw Ordon
* 1975 – Bronislaus Trzyszewski

### Humanitarian

* 2013 – None
* 2012 – Lisa Florczak
* 2011 – None
* 2010 – Tom Zablotny
* 2007 – Christine Jozwiak
* 1981 – Judy Kasinski
* 1980 – Caroline Szymanski
* 1979 – Verna C. Neubauer
* 1978 – Irene Szczesnika
* 1977 – Dorothy Orlowski
* 1976 – Sister Mary Desponsata
* 1975 – Rev. Edward Ulaszewski
* 1974 – Richard Glowacki
* 1973 – Sophia Dabrowski
* 1972 – Apolonia Szpakowska

### Human Rights

* 1980 – Lech Walesa

### Individual in Organizations

* 2013 – Charles Peszynski
* 2012 – Stephen Flor & Andrew Pilecki
* 2011 – Bernadine Szymanski
* 2010 – Frances Cirbus
* 2009 – Edward Reska
* 2008 – Florence Oleszek
* 2007 – Irene Pawlowski
* 1981 – Walter Chrzanowski
* 1980 – Frank Niemiec
* 1979 – Richard B. Solecki
* 1978 – Edward Sieracki
* 1977 – Michael J. Kogutek
* 1976 – Karol Tomaszewski
* 1975 – John Fliss
* 1974 – Art Kilichowski
* 1973 – Leo A. Trembowicz
* 1972 – Jack R. Poczciwinski

### Labor

* 2013 – None
* 2012 – Stan Nowak
* 2011 – None
* 2006 – Paul R. Dobrzenski
* 1981 – Joseph Benbenek
* 1980 – Edward Ziarnowski
* 1979 – Jerome C. Gorski
* 1978 – Hon.Richard Slisz
* 1977 – Casimir Walas
* 1976 – Peter Rybka
* 1975 – Frank Malinkiewicz
* 1974 – Matt Ginal
* 1973 – Louis Dudek
* 1972 – Floyd Lisinski

### Law

* 2013 – Robert Ciesielski
* 2012 – Hon. Leslie Foschio
* 2011 – Charles Tomaszewski
* 2010 – Hon. Henry J. Nowak, Jr.
* 2009 – Hon. William Skretny
* 2008 – Hon.Michael Pietruszka
* 2007 – William Hochul
* 1981 – Eugene Buczkowski
* 1980 – Norman Walawender
* 1979 – Hon. Joseph S. Forma
* 1978 – Hon. Edward V. Mazur
* 1977 – Hon. Julian F. Kubiniec
* 1976 – Hon. Victor Manz
* 1975 – Hon. William Ostrowski
* 1974 – Leonard Walentynowicz
* 1973 – Hon. Theodore Kasler
* 1972 – Hon. Alois C. Mazur

### Media

* 2013 – Christopher Parker
* 2012 – Charity Vogel
* 2011 – Rick Franusiak
* 2010 – Mark Wozniak
* 2009 – Steve Cichon
* 2008 – Christopher Byrd
* 2007 – Ron Dombrowski
* 1996 – Alice Wadowski-Bak
* 1981 – Don Polec
* 1980 – Matthew Gryta
* 1979 – Robert S. Bukaty
* 1978 – Eugene M. Krzyzynski
* 1977 – John Krieger
* 1976 – Wanda Kogut
* 1975 – Daniel Lesniak
* 1974 – Matt Kopanty
* 1973 – Sister Mary Donata

### Military/Veteran

* 2013 – None
* 2012 – Brett Gornewicz
* 2011 – None
* 2009 – Stanley Blake
* 2008 – Alfreda Miecyjak, Krystyna Pienkowska, & Jozefa Solecki
* 2007 – Stanley & Antonina Markut

### Music

* 2013 – Michelle Cofield
* 2012 – Michael Zachowicz
* 2011 – CitySide
* 2010 – Emily Tworek-Helenbrook
* 2009 – Jacek Muzyk
* 2008 – Jerry Darlak and the Touch
* 2007 – Bell Choir of Holy Mother of the Rosary Cathedral
* 2006 – Goo Goo Dolls
* 2005 – Art Kubera
* 2004 – St. Michael the Archangel Choir
* 2003 – Sunshine Records
* 2002 – St. Casimir Choir
* 2001 – Buffalo Concertina All-Stars
* 2000 – Buffalo Polka Boosters
* 1999 – Steve Krzeminski
* 1998 – Valerian Ruminski
* 1997 – Donald Jenczka
* 1996 – Radosc-Joy Choir
* 1995 – Villa Maria Chorale
* 1994 – David Seweryniak
* 1993 – Mark Kohan
* 1992 – Linda Orszulka
* 1986 – Edward Witul
* 1981 – Walter Szwajda
* 1980 – Louis Distel
* 1979 – Sr. Mary Virginis Kozlowska
* 1978 – Art Kubera
* 1977 – Czarnik Quartet
* 1976 – Genia Lars
* 1975 – Michael Tworek
* 1974 – Joseph Macielag
* 1973 – Sister M. Martinelle
* 1972 – Janina Staniewicz

### Politics

* 2013 – Steven Walters
* 2012 – Hon. Dennis Gabryszak
* 2011 – None
* 2010 – Kevin Smardz
* 2009 – Supervisor Mary Holtz
* 2006 – Marck C. Poloncarz
* 2005 – Deborah Bucki
* 2004 – Stasia Vogel
* 2003 – Senator George Maziarz
* 2002 – Joseph Augustine
* 2001 – Norman Polanski
* 2000 – Raymond K. Dusza
* 1999 – Joseph Golombek
* 1998 – Mayor Robert Kesicki
* 1997 – Mayor Robert Kucewicz
* 1996 – Greg Olma
* 1995 – Janice Kowalski – Kelly
* 1994 – James Jankowiak
* 1993 – Sen. William Stachowski
* 1992 – Leonard Gramza
* 1981 – Sen. William Stachowski
* 1980 – Hon. William Rogowski
* 1979 – Hon. Edward J. Rutkowski
* 1978 – Stanley Stachowski
* 1977 – Hon. Richard Okoniewski
* 1976 – Hon. Shirley Storarski
* 1975 – Genevieve Starosciak
* 1974 – Dennis Gorski
* 1973 – Stan Franczyk
* 1972 – Legislator Stanley Zagora

### Religion

* 2013 – Rev. Richard Jedrzejewski
* 2012 – Rev. Mike Burzynski
* 2011 – Parishioners of St. Adalbert's Basilica
* 2010 – Sr. Judith M. Kubicki, CSSF
* 2009 – Rev. Walter Szczesny
* 2008 – Fr.Anzelm Chalupka
* 2007 – Daniel Geary, OFM, Conv.
* 1981 – Rev. Sister Alberta Surowiec
* 1980 – Rev. Max Panczakiewicz
* 1979 – Rev. Robert K. Golombek
* 1978 – Rev. Lucian Krolikowski
* 1977 – Rev. Msgr. D. J. Szostak
* 1976 – Rev. Msgr. Chester Meloch
* 1975 – Mother Mary Benice
* 1974 – Rev. Anthony Konieczny
* 1973 – Rev. John Gabalski
* 1972 – Rt. Rev. Msgr. Francis Wlodarczak

### Science

* 2013 – None
* 2012 – None
* 2011 – None
* 2010 – Leonard Amborski
* 2006 – Arthur M. Michalek
* 1981 – Dr. Felix Milgrom
* 1980 – Dr. Francis Bajer
* 1979 – Eugene Sulkowski, Ph. D
* 1978 – Dr. Michael S. Hudecki
* 1977 – Dr. Raymond Trudnowski
* 1976 – John Kopczynski
* 1975 – Dr. Peter S. Pawlik
* 1974 – Dr. Sigmund Zakrzewski

### Sports

* 2013 – Stan Figiel
* 2012 – Don Pieczynski
* 2011 – Candis Kapuscinski
* 2010 – Rob Gronkowski
* 2009 – Dan Kryzanowicz
* 2008 – Jenn Stuczynski
* 2007 – Lee Stempniak
* 1981 – Ben Richards
* 1980 – Ray Wasielewski
* 1979 – John Sikorski
* 1978 – Frank Podsiadlo
* 1977 – Robert Pacholski
* 1976 – Henry Breski
* 1975 – Peter Machnica
* 1974 – Ron Joworski

### Youth

* 2013 – None
* 2012 – None
* 2011 – Katherine Rivard
* 2010 – Gabrielle Pawlowski
* 2009 – Barry Pawlowski & Christina Slomczewski
* 2008 – Corrine Lasek
* 2007 – Peter Miecyjak
* 2006 – Alicia Krawiec
* 2005 – Kimberly Majewski
* 2004 – Veronica Couzo
* 2003 – Brooke Wiechec / Schwedner
* 2002 – None
* 2001 – Marguerite Rivard
* 2000 – Aniela Baj
* 1999 – Tersa Kaczynska
* 1998 – Conrad Malkowski
* 1997 – Agatha Glowacki
* 1996 – Craig Bucki
* 1995 – Thomas Wasiuta
* 1994 – Alexandra Krupski
* 1993 – Lisa Urbanski
* 1992 – David Smaczniak
* 1981 – Irene Woszczak
* 1980 – Wallace Piotrowski
* 1979 – Ann Dobrowolski
* 1978 – Joe Kroczynski
* 1977 – Denise Gryglewicz
* 1976 – Carl Bucki
* 1975 – Kasia Wrobel
* 1974 – Rev. Richard Zajac
* 1973 – Ray Marciniak