WASHINGTON – Today, Congressman Mike Quigley (D-IL) co-sponsored and spoke on behalf of a measure to grant Casimir Pulaski with honorary posthumous United States citizenship. Pending the President’s signature on the bill, Pulaski would be only the 7th person in American history to be granted the honor, joining Mother Theresa and Winston Churchill, among distinguished others.
Quigley issued the following statement on the bill, H.J.Res.26, also pointing out and celebrating that October is Polish American Heritage Month:
“Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the great American and Polish hero, Casimir Pulaski, and to echo the sentiments of my Colleagues in support of honoring him with posthumous citizenship.
Casimir Pulaski fought as a Polish military officer on the side of the American colonists against the British in the American Revolutionary War, writing to General George Washington, “I came here, where freedom is being defended, to serve it, and to live or die for it.”
Pulaski first fought in 1777 and continued to demonstrate his courage and bravery in battle until his death in 1779. In the Battle of Brandywine, his courageous charge saved the life of our great forefather George Washington.
Additionally, Pulaski is known as the father of the American Calvary. He rose through the ranks to Brigadier General, where he used his position to mount assaults, to remove British troops from our lands, and to defend freedom no matter the circumstances or opposition.
So great was Pulaski’s dedication to the ideals of liberty and freedom that he made the ultimate sacrifice. He was mortally wounded in 1779 during the battle of Savannah. In recognition of his service to this great country, in 1929 Congress passed a resolution recognizing October 11th as “Pulaski Day,” a day Chicago has long celebrated.
Madam Speaker, for these reasons, and many more, I encourage my Colleagues to grant posthumous citizenship to Casimir Pulaski, a man who understood that freedom and democracy have no boundaries.”
Since being elected to Congress several months ago, Quigley has been an ardent supporter of Poland, leading a charge to include Poland in and make permanent the Visa Waiver Program. Quigley’s 5th District in Illinois is home to a large population of Polish Americans.