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[Pages H552-H553]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
MOURNING THE LOSS OF GDANSK MAYOR PAWEL ADAMOWICZ
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from
Ohio (Ms. Kaptur) for 5 minutes.
Ms. KAPTUR. Madam Speaker, as co-chair of the bipartisan
Congressional Caucus on Poland, it is with a truly heavy heart that I
rise this morning to express deepest sympathy to our NATO ally, Poland,
and its countrymen and women on the brutal slaying of visionary Gdansk
Mayor Pawel Adamowicz.
Mayor Adamowicz had served his city since 1998 as it championed the
values of liberty, equality, and democracy. I hold profound respect for
his enduring dedication, perseverance, and honorable service to his
community and nation. He loved Gdansk as a beacon for a free Poland and
gave his life to it.
What a deep tragedy this is for his grieving family, his wife, his
children, his associates, for the Polish nation, and for freedom-loving
people everywhere.
Far too much blood has been shed on Polish soil for the world to
ignore such a heinous crime that took his life.
I visited Gdansk in both 2009 and 2013, and through these visits, I
gained an even deeper respect for its noble history and its place on
Earth, including the location where Nazi shelling at Westerplatte began
the cataclysmic invasion of Poland starting World War II.
[[Page H553]]
This year, we will commemorate the 80th anniversary of that moment.
Then more recently, Gdansk's redemptive transformative role in world
history with the courageous Solidarnosc worker strikes that trip-wired
the collapse of tyranny across Central Europe, imposed by the Soviet
Union, ushering in the possibility of freedom for the millions who
suffered under dehumanizing repression for over half a century.
In our modern era, Gdansk became that symbol of liberty. It formally
partnered with the city of Cleveland, Ohio, which I am privileged to
represent, along with Congresswoman Marcia Fudge, in a sister-cities
relationship. As part of my own congressional district, I am deeply
honored and proud of this relationship.
In Mayor Adamowicz's memory, I and this Congress must stand ready to
strengthen this alliance of liberty, certainly at this moment in
history. In his memory, our Poland Caucus must pursue an annual liberty
exchange in his name to nurture aspiring young Polish leaders who
follow in his footsteps in pursuit of liberty and security for Poland.
Let his death serve as a constant reminder of how precious freedom
remains. I am certain Polish law enforcement officials will examine the
circumstances surrounding the perpetrator's actions with a diligent
eye. They must ascertain whether there are any linkages that exist with
outside influence or propaganda that might have catalyzed this heinous
crime.
I know I speak on behalf of all Americans and of millions of Polish
Americans across our country, including in Ohio, to remind all freedom-
loving people that the United States stands with Poland now at this
hour of mourning.
During these uncertain times, we must work to strengthen our
transatlantic and NATO alliances through increased diplomatic,
cultural, and military exchanges.
May the soul of Mayor Pawel Adamowicz rest in peace, and may the
worth of his noble life inspire the young leaders of Poland to pursue
his visionary leadership.
____________________
