Emanuel Celebrates Pulaski Day
Honors Chicago’s Polish-American Community

WASHINGTON, D.C.—Today, U.S Representatives Rahm Emanuel (IL-5) and Dennis J. Kucinich (OH-10) and U.S. Senator Richard Durbin (D-IL) introduced a resolution to grant honorary posthumous citizenship to Casimir Pulaski, one of the heroes of the American Revolution, in celebration of Casimir Pulaski Day.  Pulaski Day, an annual Chicago tradition, is a celebration honoring General Casimir Pulaski, a Polish-born hero of the Revolutionary War and time-honored “Father of the American Cavalry.”

“General Casimir Pulaski was a brave hero who gave his life for our American independence. He is a great symbol of the Polish-American friendship,” said Emanuel. “And his spirit, which lives on in this celebration, is a symbol of Poland’s long history of political, cultural and economic ties with the United States and this city.”

General Pulaski, a native of Poland, fought on the side of the colonists against the British in the American Revolution. Pulaski was bestowed the rank of brigadier general by George Washington for his courage and bravery. Pulaski valiantly fought in defense of freedom at Brandywine and Charleston, SC, among other battles. Pulaski famously wrote, “I came here, where freedom is being defended, to serve it, and to live or die for it.”

“Pulaski day reminds us that Poland is a first class friend and you cannot treat your first class friend as a second class citizen,” said Emanuel.

Since taking office in 2003, Emanuel has been a champion for the over one-hundred thousand Polish Americans in the fifth congressional district. The city of Chicago has more people of Polish descent than any other city outside of Poland. Emanuel has been a constant advocate for Poland’s inclusion in the State Department and Department of Homeland Security’s Visa Waiver Program.