Embassy Events 2009

Resolution Posthumously Granting Kazimierz Pulaski U.S. Citizenship Referred to the House Committee

11 March 2009

Kazimierz Pułaski

On March 2, a few days before the anniversary of Kazimierz (Casimir) Pulaski’s birthday, the resolution to posthumously grant Pulaski U.S. honorary citizenship was passed in the U.S. Senate by unanimous consent.  The resolution, sponsored by Illinois Senator Richard Durbin, was then referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary with Ohio Congressman, Dennis J. Kucinich, as the sponsor.  Kazimierz Pulaski was a Polish military officer who fought on the side of the American colonists against the British in the American Revolutionary War under the command of George Washington.  “Pulaski is an undisputed hero and a great symbol of the long-standing U.S.-Polish friendship,” said U.S. Ambassador to Poland, Victor Ashe.  Only six people have ever been declared honorary citizens of the United States.  The resolution honoring the Polish commander comes at a time when the United States and Poland celebrate the 90th anniversary of diplomatic relations between our countries. 

Kazimierz Pułaski, often written “Casimir Pulaski” in English (born March 4 or March 6, 1745, died October 11, 1779), was a Polish soldier, member of the Polish-Lithuanian nobility and a politician.  He was a military commander for the Bar Confederation and fought against Russian domination of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth. When this uprising failed, he emigrated to North America, where he became a General in the Continental Army during the American Revolutionary War.  He died of wounds suffered in the Battle of Savannah.  In the United States, October 11 is celebrated as Pulaski Day with a festive “Pulaski Day Parade” on Fifth Avenue in New York City held on the first Sunday in October. Pulaski is often referred to as the “Father of the American Cavalry” and the resolution credits his courageous cavalry charge in the Battle of Brandywine on September 11, 1777 with saving the life of General George Washington, the future U.S. President.  Pulaski was fatally wounded in the Battle of Savannah in October, 1779.  Monuments to Pulaski were erected in Savannah and in downtown Washington and his name was given to a number of towns, bridges and streets in the United States. 

The twenty-seven resolution cosponsors include (in alphabetical order):

Rep. Neil Abercrombie (HI)
Rep. John Barrow (GA)
Rep. Judy Biggert (IL)
Rep. Timothy H. Bishop (NY)
Rep. Rick Boucher (VA)
Rep. Jerry F. Costello (IL)
Rep. John D. Dingell (MI)
Rep. Michael F. Doyle (PA)
Rep. Luis V. Gutierrez (IL)
Rep. Sheila Jackson-Lee (TX)
Rep. Paul E. Kanjorski (PA)
Rep. Marcy Kaptur (OH)
Rep. Daniel Lipinski (IL)
Rep. Thaddeus G. McCotter (MI)
Rep. Harold Rogers (KY)
Rep. Mike J. Rogers (MI)
Rep. Peter J. Roskam (IL)
Rep. Bobby L. Rush (IL)
Rep. Tim Ryan (OH)
Rep. John P. Sarbanes (MD)
Rep. Janice D. Schakowsky (IL)
Rep. Joe Sestak (PA)
Rep. Carol Shea-Porter (NH)
Rep. John Shimkus (IL)
Rep. Bill Shuster (PA)
Rep. Chris Van Hollen (MD)
Rep. Frank R. Wolf (VA)