|
PRCUA Offers Condolences on the
Tragic Death of
Poland’s President and First Lady
|
April 12, 2010 |
 |
 National President Wallace
M. Ozog, the Executive Officers, Board of Directors and members of the Polish Roman
Catholic Union of America (PRCUA) extend their heartfelt condolences to the
people of Poland and Polonia on the tragic death of the President of the
Republic of Poland, Hon. Lech Kaczynski and First Lady Maria Kaczynska on
April 10, 2010.
The PRCUA also expresses
sympathy to the Kaczynski family and the families of all of those in the
presidential entourage who were killed in the airplane crash near Smolensk,
in western Russia, while on their way to commemorate the 70th anniversary of
the atrocious Katyn massacre. They included many deeply respected Polish
government officials and civic leaders who had devoted their lives to their
country. Among the deceased are President of "Wspólnota Polska", Maciej
Płażyński; President of the National Bank of Poland, Sławomir Skrzypek; and
Wojciech Seweryn, Chicago's sculptor of the Katyn Memorial at St. Adalbert
Catholic Cemetery in Niles, IL - all of whom worked closely with Poles in
the United States of America.
Throughout history, Poland
has demonstrated incredible resilience in times of adversity; surely it will
continue to do so now, in light of this terrible calamity. The bonds of
Polish Americans with the Motherland run deep. Poland’s loss is also our
loss. Words are inadequate to express the extent of our deep sorrow.
Kaczynski, age 60, was
the national leader of the Republic of Poland since 2005. He began his political
career as an activist in the Solidarity Movement. He was a strong
nationalist, who sought to give Poland a more powerful voice in
international affairs. Under his leadership, Poland assisted the USA in the
war in Iraq and Afghanistan. His populist beliefs
commended him to many Poles, especially to the large number of our fellow
Roman Catholics in Poland. President Kaczynski was committed to expanding
the cultural exchange between Poland and Polish Americans. In fact, he had
planned to visit the Polish Museum of America in Chicago, IL this May to
promote this purpose.
We pray that all those who
died in this tragedy may rest in eternal peace. May each one be recognized
and blessed for the many contributions they have unselfishly made toward
making this world a better place in which to live.
Wallace M. Ozog, FICF
National President
Polish Roman Catholic Union of America
|
