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Congressman Brian Higgins (NY-27) joined his colleagues in the House of Representatives in approving H.J. Res.26, a resolution proclaiming Casimir Pulaski to be an honorary citizen of the United States posthumously.
“General Pulaski was a brave and selfless patriot to not one, but two great nations and this is a long-overdue and fitting recognition for his sacrifice,” said Congressman Higgins.
General Pulaski, known as a fighter for freedom in his native Poland and throughout Europe, came to America to fight alongside the colonists in the Revolutionary War. He wrote to George Washington, ‘I came here, where freedom is being defended, to serve it, and to live or die for it.’ Pulaski’s efforts at the Battle of Brandywine saved the life of Washington, and he thereafter appointed Pulaski as Brigadier General of the American Cavalry. Pulaski went on to fight with distinction at both the Siege of Charleston and the Battle of Savannah, where his life ended after suffering a fatal wound. Pulaski was considered by many to be the “Father of the American Cavalry.”
Western New York is among a handful of communities which have recognized Gen. Pulaski’s contributions with a statue. The Western New York General Pulaski Association celebrates Pulaski’s legacy with an annual wreath laying ceremony in the City of Buffalo and parade in the Town of Cheektowaga.
Congressman Higgins is a cosponsor of the Pulaski Citizenship legislation and a member of the Congressional Poland Caucus.
Over 106,000 residents in Congressman Higgins’ district and more than 9 million Americans nationwide are of Polish ancestry.
Congressman Higgins offered the following remarks for the record on the citizenship authorization:
Madame Speaker, I rise today to support the passage of H.J. Res. 26, a resolution proclaiming Casimir Pulaski to be an honorary citizen of the United States posthumously.
As a cosponsor of this resolution and a member of the Congressional Poland Caucus, I am honored to recognize this valiant soldier with citizenship of a country for which he literally gave his life.
Pulaski, a revered military officer in his native Poland, came to the United States and fought alongside American colonists in the Revolutionary War. Known as the “Father of the American Cavalry,” Pulaski fought with distinction in several crucial battles, including the Battle of Brandywine, where he saved the life of George Washington, and the Battle of Savannah, where he was mortally wounded.
In a letter to Washington, Pulaski wrote: “I came here, where freedom is being defended, to serve it, and to live or die for it.''
Pulaski is a well-respected figure in the United States, having been honored with numerous statues and monuments. One such statue stands in my district in Western New York, where over 106,000 residents are of Polish ancestry. Each year in my district, the Western New York General Pulaski Association celebrates Pulaski’s legacy with an annual wreath laying ceremony in the City of Buffalo and parade in the Town of Cheektowaga.
Madame Speaker, I thank Representative Kucinich for introducing this resolution and the nearly 40 cosponsors for their support of this long-overdue recognition.
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