Assembly Resolution No. 545

BY: M. of A. Zebrowski

MEMORIALIZING Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim
October 2017, as Polish-American Heritage Month in
the State of New York

WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to recognize and
pay just tribute to the cultural heritage of the ethnic groups which
comprise and contribute to the richness and diversity of the community
of the State of New York; and

WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its
long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to
memorialize Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim October 2017, as
Polish-American Heritage Month in the State of New York; and

WHEREAS, Polish-Americans were among the first immigrants in the
country with roots tracing back to a 1608 immigration to Virginia;
today, there are approximately 10 million Polish-Americans living in the
United States; and

WHEREAS, New York City is home to the largest Polish population in
the United States; Sloan, New York, is comprised of nearly 50 percent
Polish residents; and

WHEREAS, Polish-Americans have made significant contributions to
American society as war heroes, doctors, politicians, musicians, and
athletes; and

WHEREAS, Pulaski, New York, is named after General Casimir Pulaski,
a Polish-American war hero of the American Revolution who most famously
led an impromptu charge in the Battle of Brandywine to protect the
retreat of George Washington and the Continental Army; in October of
1779, he gave the ultimate sacrifice and died in battle; and

WHEREAS, Polish-American and prominent political scientist Zbigniew
Brzezinski served as a counselor to President Lyndon B. Johnson, as well
as United States National Security Advisor to President Jimmy Carter;
today, he serves as the Robert E. Osgood Professor of American Foreign
Policy at Johns Hopkins University's School of Advanced International
Studies; and

WHEREAS, Edmund Muskie, a former Governor of Maine, a United States
Senator, and Secretary of State, has held the highest office among
Polish-Americans, and was the only Polish-American to be nominated for
Vice President by a major party; and

WHEREAS, Another famed Polish-American Revolutionary War Hero,
Tadeusz Kosciuszko, also died in October; he was the chief engineer in
improving defenses at West Point, designing fortifications of the West
Point garrison at a time when George Washington claimed West Point to be
the most important military post in America; and

WHEREAS, Tadeusz Kosciuszko, a champion of equality, was also a
friend of Thomas Jefferson; although ultimately unfulfilled, he left his

estate to the abolition of slavery, and education of slaves in his will;
and

WHEREAS, Polish-American Wladimir Krzyzanowski organized a volunteer
unit of Polish and German Americans from New York in the Civil War,
officially titled the 58th New York Infantry Regiment, but more commonly
known as the Polish Legion; and

WHEREAS, Polish-American immigrant from Germany, Dr. Marie Elizabeth
Zakrzewska, together with Dr. Elizabeth Bennett, opened the New York
Infirmary for Women and Children in 1857, the first hospital focusing on
pediatric and women's health; and

WHEREAS, Musician and Polish-American Ray Manzarek was a founding
member of the classic rock band The Doors, and John Rzeznik is a
founding member and current front man of the rock band the Goo Goo
Dolls; and

WHEREAS, Major League Baseball Hall of Famer and Triple Crown Winner
Carl Yastrzemski, and Duke University Men's Basketball Coach Mike
Krzyzewski are both of Polish decent; in addition, Coach Krzyzewski is
the winningest coach in NCAA Division I Men's Basketball history, and
reached 1,000 wins in January of 2015, at Madison Square Garden in New
York City; and

WHEREAS, Polish-American Heritage Month is a time to celebrate the
aspirations and values that have been shared with Polish people for
generations, and to recognize the countless contributions of Americans
and New Yorkers of Polish descent to every aspect of society; now,
therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
memorialize Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim October 2017, as
Polish-American Heritage Month in the State of New York; and be it
further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to The Honorable Andrew M. Cuomo, Governor of the State of
New York.