Polish Senators Visit PRCUA Offices and Polish Museum

Chicago, IL – (Photos) On Tuesday, July 3, the Polish American Chamber of Commerce (PACC) hosted a pre-Independence Day luncheon welcoming a delegation of Senators from the Republic of Poland. Held at The Polish Museum of America (PMA), the luncheon was co-hosted by the Polish Roman Catholic Union of America (PRCUA), represented by President Wallace Ozog, Resident V.P. Anna Sokolowski and Secretary-Treasurer Joyce Szarowicz.

The Polish delegation included Senator Franciszek Adamczyk, Chairman of the National Defense Committee and a member of the Foreign Relations Committee; Senator Czeslaw Rybka, Vice-Chairman of the National Defense Committee and a member of the Science, Education and Sports Committee; and Senator Ludwik Zalewski, Vice-Chairman of the National Defense Committee and a member of the Emigration Affairs and Contacts with Poles Abroad Committee. Acting Consul General of the Republic of Poland in Chicago, Pawel Pietrasienski, accompanied the Senators.

The idea to organize this meeting was conceived two weeks earlier when PACC representatives met Sen. Adamczyk in Warsaw as part of the Illinois delegation that accompanied Lieutenant Governor Pat Quinn.

“This event was an excellent opportunity for us to reconnect with one Senator from Poland and meet two others who play leadership roles with regard to some of the more important Senate committees,” said PACC President H. Kazmierczak.

The event was attended by a large group of PACC members, PRCUA representatives and numerous guests, including Amb. J.D. Bindenagel, Vice President at DePaul University; Andrzej Dajnowski, President of the Paderewski Association; Joyce Szarowicz, Secretary-Treasurer of the PRCUA; Camille Kopielski of the Polish Women Civic Club, the Illinois Division of the Polish American Congress and Treasurer of the PMA; Pat Michalski from the Cook County Treasurer’s Office; Maria Ciesla, PMA President; Joann Ozog, PMA Membership Chair; and Stanislaw Zagata, President of Polish Highlanders of America. Ireneusz Maj, Charter President, and members of Lions Club International from Poland, in town to attend the Club’s Parade of Nations, also participated in the luncheon meeting.

Following registration and refreshments, the Senators were given a tour of the PRCUA headquarters, where they were introduced to employees in the General Office. They also toured the Polish Museum and its Library.

Afterward, attendees were greeted by PACC President Henry Kazmierczak and PRCUA President Wallace Ozog. In his remarks, Sen. Adamczyk recalled his tour of duty as Consul General of Poland in Chicago several years ago, and also offered his thoughts regarding the Shield, that is, the potential installation of parts of the American National Missile Defense System in Poland.

“It is very fitting for us to host an event welcoming the special guests from Poland today, on the eve of the Independence Day, at the Polish Museum of America,” said Bogdan Pukszta, PACC’s Executive Director. “The museum includes sections featuring Tadeusz Kosciuszko and Kazimierz Pulaski, the Polish heroes of the American Revolution. There is a connection between their efforts many years ago and the fact that right here right now we can talk about trade development, politics, and military cooperation between the U.S. and Poland, two sovereign nations.”

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The PACC is at the forefront in encouraging and promoting domestic and foreign trade to benefit its members and future business associates. The Chamber is a not-for-profit organization incorporated in the State of Illinois as a business association. As the voice of Polish American business men and women, the Chamber is dedicated to serving their best interests through education on current trends and facilitating commercial contacts.

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