About UsThe Polish American Congress is a national umbrella organization, representing at least 10 million Americans of Polish descent and origin. Its membership is comprised of more than 3,000 fraternal, educational, veteran, religious, cultural, social, business, political organizations and individual memberships. These include the Polish National Alliance, Polish Women's Alliance, Polish Roman Catholic Union, Polish Falcons and others. The Polish American community prides itself on its deeply rooted commitment to the values of family, faith, democracy, hard work and fulfillment of the American dream. As such, the PAC promotes civic, educational and cultural programs designed to further not only the knowledge of Polish history, language and culture, but to stimulate Polish American involvement and accomplishments. The Ohio division, founded in1948, is one of 41 State Divisions and Chapters from 23 states. By 1953 membership in the Ohio Division of the PAC grew to 438 active participants. Each consecutive administration of the Division did their utmost to better the lives of the Polish people, both those living in the USA and those living in Poland. It has always been the philosophy of the PAC to avoid interference with the Polish government, although the PAC has always tried to assist the people of Poland achieve their goals and objectives. During the period of Martial Law in Poland, a significant donation was sent to Poland to support the Solidarity movement. Members of the Ohio Division of the PAC have always aided individuals in need in Poland, but special efforts were mounted to assist Poland in times of crises, such as the terrible floods in southeastern Poland in 1997 and in 2001. Over the years the Ohio Division of the PAC has fostered the customs and traditions of Poland in many ways. The Ohio Division has supported the media, including the press and radio. Language schools have been promoted; celebrations for Pulaski Day, Polish American Heritage Month, Polish Constitution of May 3rd have been held. Programs have been held in honor of Adam Mickiewicz, Frederick Chopin, Maria Sklodowska-Curie. Concerts, exhibitions, banquets, movies, displays, theater and folk dance performances have been held to promote the Polish heritage. The Ohio Division of the PAC has mounted full force support for a number of Poland's initiatives on the world stage, including admission to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization and admission to the European Union. Most recently the Ohio Division of the PAC took an active role encouraging in the United States Congress to grant posthumous honorary U.S. citizenship to Casimir Pulaski. OFFICERS: STATE DIRECTORS: Dr. Mitchell Bienia Ligia Borkowski Cecylia Dyczko Roman Dyczko Myron Gryniewicki Mieczyslaw Janczura Wayne Machnicki Edward Ostry Francis A. Rutkowski NATIONAL DIRECTORS: John Borkowski Mark Relovsky Walter Borkowski (Alternate) MEMBER ORGANIZATIONS: Cleveland Society of Poles Harmonia Chopin Polish American Priests Assoc. Polish Army Veterans Post 1 Polish Army Veterans Post 152 Polish Army Veterans Post 203 Polish Legion of American Veterans Polish National Alliance Polish Roman Catholic Union of America PolishYoungstown Polonia Foundation of Ohio Inc. Union of Poles of America, Division of PNA OUR MISSION Since the collapse of communism in Central Europe, when the dream of free and independent Poland was realized, new problems have developed and threaten the Polish American community. Therefore, the Polish American Congress continues to represent the interest of our community by: Our goals are very important. Therefore, we encourage you to join us in reaching them. Your active participation in the life of the Polish American Congress is a sign of your pride in your heritage and your concern about your community! HISTORY AND PURPOSE In May 1944, the representatives of the Polish American community from around the country met in Buffalo, NY to create the Polish American Congress (PAC), an organization that would represent them, and continue the struggle for free, democratic and independent Poland. On September 1, 1939, Poland was brutally invaded by Nazi Germans, and sixteen days later, by the Soviets. Those fatal events ripped Poland apart sending millions of its citizens into forced labor, and concentration camps. Methodic killings became common. The Polish military forces were fighting bravely together with the Allies on all fronts while the Polish Underground Army continued the struggle on the Polish territories. By the end of World War II, after the Teheran Conference in November 1943, where Churchill and Roosevelt conceded to Stalin the Polish territories, it became painfully evident that Poland would not be a free country. Now that the dream of a strong, independent Polish nation has been realized, the PAC continues to represent the interests of the Polish-American community by: We think these goals are important. We hope that you do, too! Please join the Polish-American Congress. ACCOMPLISHMENTS At the local level, the Ohio Division has succeeded with support the following issues: Working closely with the U.S. Government, The Polish American Congress succeeded on the following issues: |