LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commemorating the 110th Anniversary of the land-
ing of Alexander and John Piekarski and Casimira and Stephanie Kwiatkow-
ski in New York to be celebrated August 5, 2012

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to commemorate events
of significance which exemplify the strength of family and heritage; and
WHEREAS, The past and present members of the Piekarski Clan represent
that spirit and are proud to celebrate the beliefs and family commitment
they value so much; and
WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is justly proud to commemorate the
110th Anniversary of the landing of Alexander and John Piekarski and
Casimira and Stephanie Kwiatkowski in New York, to be celebrated with a
Family Reunion on Sunday, August 5, 2012, at Reis Park, Lincolndale, New
York, with approximately 200 family members in attendance; and
WHEREAS, In October of 1912, two Piekarski brothers and two Kwiatkow-
ski sisters arrived in New York City from Poland; they settled in Yonk-
ers and here, Alexander Piekarski married Casimira Kwiatkowski, and John
Piekarski married Stephanie Kwiatkowski; and
WHEREAS, The first family settled in the area of Yonkers, while the
second family settled in the Scarsdale area; they immediately set to
work in their new country doing whatever they could to better their own
circumstances and raise their large families; and
WHEREAS, As their children became educated, they found their way into
other communities and began to raise their own families; they became
"Americanized" and used their gifts and talents to help in the develop-
ment of New York State, particularly along the Hudson and Mohawk Rivers,
from New York City to Schenectady; and
WHEREAS, Though a number of the first generation Piekarskis have
already been laid to rest, their descendants continue to live and work
in New York, and contribute to its well-being; and
WHEREAS, They were all down to earth individuals, laboring tirelessly
in the carpet factory in Yonkers, at the sugar house in Yonkers, and
Niagara Mohawk in the Albany area; and
WHEREAS, They became involved in many kinds of activities including,
education, healthcare, politics, the U.S. Postal Service, communication,
construction, road work, agriculture, and asbestos and mold removal; and
WHEREAS, Many have served their country as members of the United
States military, and even today, continue to serve, particularly during
World War II, the Korean War, the Vietnam War, Desert Storm, and Afghan-
istan; and
WHEREAS, Sergeant Alexander Piekarski made the ultimate sacrifice
fighting for his country during the end of World War II in Normandy, and
is buried in the Military Cemetery in St. Lo, France; and
WHEREAS, Regardless of the field of their activity, all of them have
contributed to the betterment of the State of New York; Alexander and
Casimira Piekarski proudly displayed their World War II Blue Star banner
which included five stars for their sons serving in the military: Fran-
cis, John Benjamin, Alexander, Thaddeus and Stanley; with joy, two of
the surviving brothers will be present at this year's Family Reunion;
and
WHEREAS, In subsequent generations, the Piekarski Clan has had a total
of three family members graduate from military academies, including
David Majdanski USMA 1981, Robert John Milan USMA 1999, and Ryan Baker
USAFA 2006; in addition, Alexandra Marion Baker will be the fourth, who
is part of the USMA class of 2016; and
WHEREAS, Currently serving their country as members of the United
States Navy are Bruce P. Jazwinski and Lindsey Jazwinski; and

WHEREAS, As the Piekarski Family comes together for this memorable
Reunion in testament to the bond of family unity, it honors its illus-
trative past, its proud heritage, and its promising future; now, there-
fore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commemorate the 110th Anniversary of the landing of Alexander and John
Piekarski and Casimira and Stephanie Kwiatkowski in New York; and be it
further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to the Piekarski Family.