Ambassador Ashe to Present an Award to Prof. Franciszek Tomczak

12 March 2009

Ambassador Victor Ashe Presents Prof. Franciszek Tomczak with Award as Agricultural Attaché Eric Wenberg and Mrs. Tomczak Look on

U.S. Ambassador to Poland, Victor Ashe, presented a lifetime achievement award from the American Embassy and the U.S. Department of Agriculture to Professor Franciszek Tomczak during a ceremony at the Ambassador’s residence on March 16.  The award acknowledges Prof. Tomczak’s contributions to global agriculture and the understanding of the United States in Poland.  Ambassador Ashe noted that “Tomczak taught a generation of Polish agriculturalists about the market economy and his life shows us how important it is to relate the truth as we see it, no matter the circumstances.”  

Professor Tomczak is an economist, a member of the Polish Academy of Sciences, and author of over 350 works, including two books in Polish on American agriculture.  He has also written about Denmark, Japan, and many other nations.  Professor Tomczak’s 50-year teaching career prepared a generation of Polish economists to operate with an understanding of market economics in agriculture and rural development.  Tomczak’s works offered praise for free markets and capitalism even during Poland’s communist era.  Professor Tomczak is considered by his peers and friends as an example of what can be accomplished to promote international understanding and cooperation.  His work ethic represents his commitment to learning and his students as he continues to teach and write.  Please click here for Prof. Tomczak’s full biography. [photo gallery]