Ambassador Ryszard Schnepf was the guest of honor at the Pulaski Day Commemorations in Chicago. The event, held at the Polish Museum in Chicago, was attended by the highest representatives of the state of Illinois and the city of Chicago, as well as members of the Polish-American Community.
In his remarks, Ambassador Schnepf noted the uniqueness of General Pulaski’s legacy, symbolizing Polish-American friendship and solidarity. Commenting on the current challenges facing the international community, among them the conflict in Ukraine and the threat from ISIL, Ryszard Schnepf emphasized the importance of Euro-Atlantic solidarity and readiness to defend common values such as freedom, democracy and the rule of law. To the numerous members of Polonia in attendance, in Chicago, the “unofficial capital of Poland in the United States,” the Ambassador stressed, “you represent our country here in the United States. Through your accomplishments at the workplace, in your community and in politics, much like diplomats you contribute to the continued strengthening of bilateral relations between our two states and nations.”
Among the numerous guests present were the Governor of Illinois Bruce Rauner, Senator Mark Kirk, Congressman Mark Quigley, Mayor Rahm Emanuel, President of the Polish American Congress Frank Spula, Consul General of the Republic of Poland in Chicago Paulina Kapuścińska, a sizable group of state legislators and representatives of the judicial system.
During the course of the event, guests laid flowers at the foot of the painting “Pułaski at Savannah” by Stefan Batowski.