IV 

115TH CONGRESS 

2D SESSION H. RES. 1168 

Commemorating the 100th anniversary of Polish independence. 

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 

DECEMBER 3, 2018 

Ms. KAPTUR (for herself, Mrs. WALORSKI, Mr. LIPINSKI, Mr. SMITH of New 

Jersey, Mr. FITZPATRICK, Mrs. DINGELL, Mr. HIGGINS of New York, 

Mr. QUIGLEY, Mrs. COMSTOCK, Mr. SENSENBRENNER, Mr. SIRES, and 

Mr. DIAZ-BALART) submitted the following resolution; which was referred 

to the Committee on Foreign Affairs 

RESOLUTION 

Commemorating the 100th anniversary of Polish 

independence. 

Whereas a shared commitment to democratic principles, freedom, rule of law, and human rights form the foundation 

of the close United States-Polish relationship, as well as 

the deep resolve to the North Atlantic military alliance 

and the transatlantic relationship to ensure security in 

Europe and globally; 

Whereas the United States-Polish friendship precedes the 

birth of the United States, where Polish generals 

Taddeus Kosciuszko and Casimir Pulaski bravely fought 

for independence and freedom for both the United States 

and Poland; 


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•HRES 1168 IH 

Whereas the democratic values of the United States and Poland go back to the 1700s; 

Whereas, on May 3, 1791, Poland adopted the first constitution in Europe based on the ideas of liberty and constitutional monarchy, which paved the way for future democratic reforms and equal rights for all; 

Whereas in October 1795, Poland was invaded and succumbed to the third partition between the Russian Empire, the Kingdom of Prussia, and the Habsburg Monarchy, and as a result lost its sovereignty for the next 

123 years; 

Whereas Poles’ perseverant fight to regain independence culminated in the November Uprising of 1830 and the January Uprising of 1863, in which hundreds of Poles sacrificed their lives to help rebuild Poland’s sovereignty; 

Whereas Poland’s national identity was preserved through 

fostered education and economic empowerment of the 

masses, coined in the ‘‘organic work’’ ideology, that recognized modernization of the Polish society as a prerequisite for preservation of Polish nationhood; 

Whereas President Woodrow Wilson’s and Igancy Paderewski’s advocacy for the cause of Poland’s independence 

were critical for the recognition of Polish sovereignty 

after the end of the First World War; 

Whereas, on November 11, 1918, the Regency Council of Poland named Jozef Pilsudski the Commander in Chief of 

Poland and entrusted him to build a government for the 

newly reconstituted Poland, marking the formation of the 

Second Republic of Poland; 

Whereas heroic Polish resistance fighters and soldiers fought 

in World War II against tyranny on all fronts and at 


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•HRES 1168 IH 

home only to find that liberation from the Nazis became 

domination by the Soviet Union; 

Whereas Poland’s solidarity movement headed by Lech 

Walesa led to the ultimate defeat of communism and the 

fall of the Soviet Empire, and paved the way for the 

blessings of liberty for millions of Europeans; 

Whereas Poland joined the community of democracies and 

availed itself of democratic principles by acceding to the 

NATO alliance in 1999 and the European Union in 

2004; and 

Whereas up to 10 million Polish-Americans continue to make 

remarkable and valued contributions to the Nation, including serving in political leadership, fighting for liberty 

in the armed forces, building America’s future in factories, and leading in creative and economic innovation: 

Now, therefore, be it 

1 Resolved, That the House of Representatives— 

2 (1) commemorates the 100th anniversary of 

3 Polish independence and values the opportunity to 

4 remember the historic events and brave individuals 

5 that brought about reconstitution of Poland’s sov6 ereignty; 

7 (2) honors the courage and sacrifice of the peo8 ple of Poland, who did not lose their determination 

9 to advance the cause of Polish independence during 

10 123 years of partitions; and 

11 (3) reaffirms the close bonds between Poland 

12 and the United States based on the love of freedom, 


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•HRES 1168 IH 

1 thirst for liberty, and shared commitment to rule of 

2 law, as well as a strong military cooperation to cre3 ate a more secure and democratic world. 

Æ 


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