U.S. Rep. Chris Smith (R-Hamilton) and a delegation from Mercer County’s Polish-American community joined former Polish President Lech Walesa, former Secretary of State Alexander Haig and former National Security Adviser Zbigniew Brzezinski to commemorate the 25^th Anniversary of the founding of the Solidarity Trade Union on Monday, September 26. Smith, who serves as Co-Chairman of the U.S. Helsinki Commission, was the main host of the event which was sponsored by the Polish Embassy. 

    “President Walesa is a patriot of the truest sense,” said Smith, who gave opening remarks in tribute to the former President of Poland. “Twenty Five years ago, a lone electrician named Lech Walesa roused the Polish nation to reclaim its freedom from the clutches of Communism."

    Smith was be joined by Mrs. Joan Duffy, Mr. & Mrs. Walter and Barbara Kramarz and their son John, and the Rev. and Mrs. Frederic Mechowski, all from Mercer County. Rev. Mechowski from the Church of Our Savior in Lawrenceville, New Jersey, provided an invocation – partly in polish – prior to the luncheon. 

    “I am thrilled New Jerseyans from the Polish-American community were able to meet a national hero,” Smith said. “This was a unique opportunity to hear from someone who made history by bringing freedom, respect for rights and enduring democracy to Poland and Eastern Europe.”

    In his remarks, President Walesa recalled working with Pope John Paul II to “awaken the Polish Nation to reflect in their faith” and leverage that into a unified strength. He spoke of Poland being the first nation to “knock the teeth out of the Soviet Bear,” creating a path on which other nations would follow – eventually leading to the fall of the Berlin Wall and the collapse of Communism.

    In addition to Rep. Smith and President Walesa, former Secretary of State Alexander Haig and former National Security Adviser Zbigniew Brzezinski made remarks. President Walesa presented each with a medal created by the city of Gdansk to commemorate the 25^th Anniversary of the founding of Solidarity for their work in bringing freedom to Poland.

    The Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe, also known as the Helsinki Commission, is a U.S. Government agency that monitors progress in the implementation of the provisions of the 1975 Helsinki Accords. The Commission consists of nine members from the United States Senate, nine from the House of Representatives, and one member each from the Departments of State, Defense and Commerce.