U.S. Rep. Chris Smith (R-Hamilton) has invited a delegation from Mercer County’s Polish-American community to join him in welcoming former Polish President Lech Walesa to a luncheon commemorating the 25th Anniversary of the founding of the Solidarity Trade Union on Monday, September 26. Smith, as Co-Chairman of the U.S. Helsinki Commission, is the main host of the event sponsored by the Polish Embassy and the Helsinki Commission.
U.S. Rep. Chris Smith (R-Hamilton) has invited a delegation from Mercer County’s Polish-American community to join him in welcoming former Polish President Lech Walesa to a luncheon commemorating the 25
th Anniversary of the founding of the Solidarity Trade Union on Monday, September 26. Smith, as Co-Chairman of the U.S. Helsinki Commission, is the main host of the event sponsored by the Polish Embassy and the Helsinki Commission.
“Twenty-five years ago, Europe experienced its second Renaissance thanks to leaders like Lech Walesa and I am honored to pay tribute and honor a man whose courage and faith helped to end an evil empire,” said Smith, who serves as Co-Chair of the Helsinki Commission.
“Lech Walesa and the Solidarity Union he led were essential to prying open the Iron Curtain.”
Smith will 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.
“I am thrilled that some New Jerseyans from the Polish-American community will be able to take part in this tribute,” Smith said.
“For years, New Jersey’s Polish-Americans have cared deeply about events in Poland. This is a chance for them to thank President Walesa for his incredible work which eventually helped bring freedom to the Polish people.
In addition to Rep. Smith and President Walesa, former Carter Administration National Security Adviser Zbigniew Brzezinski will make remarks. A medal created by the city of Gdansk to commemorate the 25
th Anniversary of the founding of Solidarity will be presented to several Polish-Americans in tribute to their work on behalf of freedom in 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.
