[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1303]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]





   CONGRATULATING THE 2019 HONOREES OF THE POLISH AMERICAN CONGRESS 
                           ILLINOIS DIVISION

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. DANIEL LIPINSKI

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                        Friday, October 18, 2019

  Mr. LIPINSKI. Madam Speaker, I rise today to congratulate 10 
individuals who are being recognized as the 2019 Polish American 
Congress, Illinois Division, Honorees. These Polish-Americans will be 
honored on Sunday, October 20th, at the 50th Annual Polish American 
Heritage Award Banquets.
   Each year, the Illinois Division of the Polish American Congress 
presents awards to recognize notable work in public service, 
philanthropy, heritage, community service, the arts, and other notable 
accomplishments. This year's honorees are The Most Reverend Thomas John 
Paprocki, Bishop of the Diocese of Springfield in Illinois, Richard 
Owsiany, Lucie Bucki, Dominic A. Pacyga, Ph.D., Jacek Niemczyk, Tom 
Startek, Martin Obrecki, Maria Roszek-Kucharski, Ewa Milde, and Bogdan 
Lanko. The Polish American Congress, and its mission to unite the 
Polish-American community and to aid its members to become better 
informed American citizens, have benefitted from the contributions of 
these individuals.
   The Illinois Division is one of 25 state divisions under the 
national Polish American Congress, and it represents 39 Polish-American 
organizations and over one million Americans of Polish heritage from 
across the state. In Chicagoland, and Illinois as a whole, we are 
blessed to have the most robust Polish-American community in our 
nation. The Illinois Division works to bring community members 
together, and it is a privilege to represent and work closely with so 
many members of this organization.
   Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing the 
award recipients on this tremendous honor. They deserve praise for the 
energy and time they have dedicated to strengthening Polonia and our 
nation. I wish them the best in their future endeavors where they will 
surely continue their success.

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