Lipinski Helps Pulaski Become U.S. Citizen

Lipinski spoke on the floor of the House of Representatives in favor of the resolution. Video of Congressman Lipinski’s speech can be seen below:



The text of his statement follows:

• As a proud Polish-American, I rise today to honor the life and service of Casimir Pulaski and ask my colleagues to support the passage of H.J. Res. 26.
• Pulaski played an instrumental role and gave the ultimate sacrifice in support of the American Revolution and deserves our utmost respect and gratitude. Casimir Pulaski devoted his life to the cause of liberty around the world. Inspired by the plight of a young nation striving to be free, Pulaski traveled to America to serve under General George Washington. Quickly distinguishing himself as a brilliant military tactician, Pulaski was entrusted by General Washington with sole command of the fledgling national cavalry.
• Pulaski was appointed brigadier general four days after a heroic performance at Brandywine, where he rescued the cavalry from certain defeat and saved the life of General Washington. General Pulaski also played an instrumental role in conflicts with British forces in the battles of Germantown, Little Egg Harbor, and Minisink before heading south to Charleston and ultimately Savannah.
• It was in Savannah that General Pulaski was struck with cannon fire while charging into battle. He died a few days later at the age of 34. In Chicago, we honor Casimir Pulaski with his name on a major road. In Illinois, we honor Pulaski with a state holiday, Pulaski Day.
• Today, let us do what he is truly deserving of: Let us give Casimir Pulaski — this brave, deserving patriot — the rare honor of being named an honorary American citizen. I urge my colleagues to support this resolution.

The resolution passed unanimously, 422-0.

Congressman Dennis Kucinich

House Unanimously Approves Honorary Citizenship for American Revolutionary War Hero

WASHINGTON - October 8 - The House of Representatives today unanimously passed Congressman Kucinich's resolution, H. J. Res. 26, to grant Brigadier General Casimir Pulaski honorary posthumous citizenship for his service during the American Revolutionary War.

"Casimir Pulaski was one of the great heroes of the American Revolution. He was a dedicated freedom fighter who deserves the highest recognition the United States can give to an immigrant war hero. I am honored to join with other Members of Congress to help enshrine his memory with honorary posthumous citizenship," said Kucinich.

General Pulaski left his native Poland and fought on the side of the colonists against the British in the American Revolution. George Washington best owed the rank of brigadier general on Pulaski, who organized a legion of cavalry known as the Pulaski legion. Pulaski is credited with being the ‘Father of the American Cavalry.'

He famously said, "I came here, where freedom is being defended, to serve it, and to live or die for it." After fighting bravely at Brandywine and ejecting the British occupiers from Charleston, Brigadier General Pulaski was mortally wounded in Savannah, Georgia and was taken aboard the American ship USS Wasp, where he died at sea on October 11, 1779.

Congress has previously granted honorary U.S. citizenship posthumously only five times, most recently to the Marquis de Lafayette in 2002. Lafayette was a Frenchman who, like Pulaski, fought courageously on the side of America during the Revolutionary War.

Kucinich first introduced this legislation in 2005. A similar bill introduced by Senator Richard Durbin (D-IL) has previously been approved by the Senate.