Senate Resolution No. 1862

BY: Senator FAHY

HONORING the life and legacy of Tadeusz Kosciuszko

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to recognize and
honor those patriotic and courageous individuals who have given so much
of themselves in times of war for the advancement of the democratic
ideals and principles of freedom which we cherish; and

WHEREAS, In keeping with its long-standing traditions, this
Legislative Body is justly proud to honor the life and legacy of Tadeusz
Kosciuszko, a Polish general, engineer, and revolutionary who fought for
American liberty and independence; and

WHEREAS, Tadeusz Kosciuszko, at the age of 30, volunteered of his
own free will and at his own expense to cross the Atlantic in 1776 to
participate in the American Revolution; and

WHEREAS, In 1776, the President of the Continental Congress, John
Hancock, appointed Kosciuszko as an officer, stating: "Reposing especial
trust and confidence in your patriotism, valor, conduct, and fidelity,
we do by these presents constitute and appoint you to be an Engineer
with the rank of Colonel in the Army of the United States"; and

WHEREAS, Kosciuszko was one of George Washington's most accomplished
military engineers and strategists during the Revolutionary War; he
played a critical role in the American victory at the Battle of
Saratoga, widely regarded as the turning point of the war; in 1777, he
designed and constructed fortifications at Bemis Heights overlooking the
Hudson River, which significantly contributed to the Continental Army's
success; and

WHEREAS, In 1778, General George Washington directed Brigadier
General Tadeusz Kosciuszko to design and oversee the construction of
fortifications at West Point; working with Continental soldiers, he
built forts, batteries, and redoubts, and engineered a 150-ton iron
chain across the Hudson River to control British naval movement; West
Point was never captured by British forces, and Kosciuszko's vision
contributed to the eventual establishment of the United States Military
Academy at that site; and

WHEREAS, Kosciuszko was an ardent advocate of liberty and equality,
declaring that "we are all equal"; Thomas Jefferson described him as "as
pure a son of liberty as I have ever known, and of that liberty, which
is to go to all, and not to the few or the rich alone"; and

WHEREAS, In recognition of his exemplary service, Kosciuszko was
promoted to Brigadier General in 1783 and granted American citizenship,
along with land and financial compensation, in appreciation of his
contributions to the American Revolutionary War; and

WHEREAS, True to his ideals, Kosciuszko encouraged Thomas Jefferson
and others to emancipate enslaved persons and championed education and
equality for all; at the conclusion of the war, before returning to

Poland, he entrusted his American estate to Jefferson to support these
causes; and

WHEREAS, Tadeusz Kosciuszko's contributions to American
independence, his devotion to liberty, and the values he espoused merit
recognition and commemoration; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
honor the life and legacy of Tadeusz Kosciuszko; and be it further

RESOLVED, That copies of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to the Albany Polish Community Center; the Dobra Polska
Szkola Foundation; the Consulate General of the Republic of Poland in
New York; and members of the Polish American community of New York.