embassy events 2007 

U.S. Senate Passes Resolution Granting Honorary Posthumous Citizenship to Casimir Pulaski

21 March 2007

 

Casimir Pulaski

A resolution proclaiming Casimir Pulaski to be an honorary citizen of the United States posthumously was passed in the U.S. Senate by Unanimous Consent on March 19.  “Pulaski is a great symbol of the Polish-American friendship,” said U.S. Ambassador to Poland, Victor Ashe. “And his spirit is a symbol of Poland’s long history of political, cultural and economic ties with the United States.”

The resolution was sponsored by Senator Richard Durbin of Illinois and had nine cosponsors, Senators: Ben Cardin of Maryland, Thomas Carper of Delaware, Robert Casey, Jr. of Pennsylvania, Hillary Clinton of New York, John Kerry of Massachusetts, Barbara Mikulski of Maryland, Lisa Murkowski of Alaska, Barack Obama of Illinois and Mark Pryor of Arkansas.

The Resolution was forwarded to the U.S. House of Representatives where a corresponding resolution was introduced on March 5 by Congressman Dennis Kucinich of Ohio and cosponsored by 23 other Representatives.

General Casimir Pulaski was a Polish-born hero of the American Revolution and is known as the time-honored “Father of the American Cavalry.”  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, South Carolina, among other battles. He died during a battle in Savannah, Georgia, in October of 1779.

Pulaski has been honored throughout U.S. history. In September, 1929, Congress designated October 11 as Pulaski Day to be observed by Presidential Proclamation; it also authorized the Post Office to issue a Pulaski commemorative stamp. In 1973, Illinois designated the first Monday of March as Pulaski Commemorative day in Illinois and in 1986 declared the day to be a state holiday.

Only six people have ever been declared honorary citizens of the United States.

 

Full text of the Resolution:

 

JOINT RESOLUTION

Proclaiming Casimir Pulaski to be an honorary citizen of the United States posthumously.

Whereas Casimir Pulaski was a Polish military officer who fought on the side of the American colonists against the British in the American Revolutionary War;

Whereas Benjamin Franklin recommended that General George Washington accept Casimir Pulaski as a volunteer in the American Cavalry and said that Pulaski was `renowned throughout Europe for the courage and bravery he displayed in defense of his country's freedom';

Whereas, after arriving in America, Casimir Pulaski wrote to General Washington, `I came here, where freedom is being defended, to serve it, and to live or die for it.';

Whereas the first military engagement of Casimir Pulaski with the British was on September 11, 1777, at the Battle of Brandywine, and his courageous charge in this engagement averted a disastrous defeat of the American Cavalry and saved the life of George Washington;

Whereas, on September 15, 1777, George Washington elevated Casimir Pulaski to the rank of Brigadier General of the American Cavalry;

Whereas Casimir Pulaski formed the Pulaski Cavalry Legion, and in February 1779, this legion ejected the British occupiers from Charleston, South Carolina;

Whereas, in October 1779, Casimir Pulaski mounted an assault against British forces in Savannah, Georgia;

Whereas, on the morning of October 9, 1779, Casimir Pulaski was mortally wounded and was taken aboard the American ship USS Wasp, where he died at sea on October 11, 1779;

Whereas, before the end of 1779, the Continental Congress resolved that a monument should be erected in honor of Casimir Pulaski;

Whereas, in 1825, General Lafayette laid the cornerstone for the Casimir Pulaski monument in Savannah, Georgia; and

Whereas, in 1929, Congress passed a resolution recognizing October 11 of each year as Pulaski Day in the United States: Now, therefore, be it

Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That Casimir Pulaski is proclaimed to be an honorary citizen of the United States posthumously.