Honor Polish-American Heritage Month

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.