Kosciuszko Foundation acquires National Polish Center

NEW YORK & WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Kosciuszko Foundation President and Executive Director Alex Storozynski today announced that the foundation has acquired the National Polish Center (NPC) and has added Al Koproski and Julian Kulski to its board of trustees.
 
Mr. Storozynski said, "This is an exciting alliance that expands the Polish community's presence in our nation's capital.  We want all Polish-Americans to think of this as their headquarters in Washington, D.C. And we invite members of the U.S. Congress and all branches of government to visit our office on 2025 O Street in Washington D.C. to learn about Polish contributions to life, liberty and culture in America."
 
NPC Chair Patricia Koproski said, "For years, the National Polish Center and the Kosciuszko Foundation have had the same goal, to promote Polish culture, science and scholarship in America. With the economies of scale, this marriage makes perfect sense, and together, we become stronger and can do even more to educate future generations of Polish scholars and leaders."
 
The Kosciuszko Foundation's Board of Trustees Chairman, Joseph E. Gore, Esq. said, "By joining forces with our organization, NPC members become part of a rich heritage that dates back to 1925.  The Kosciuszko Foundation has promoted Polish culture in America for 85 years, and given fellowships to numerous doctors, attorneys, artists, professors, and people such as the economist Leszek Balcerowicz whose 'shock therapy' policies helped turn Poland into the fastest growing economy in Europe."
 
New trustees added to the Kosciuszko Foundation Board:
Al Koproski, a businessman, activist, philanthropist and real estate broker, who loves baseball and all things Polish.  He has sent huge shipments of baseball equipment to Poland and is National Vice President of the Polish National Youth Baseball Foundation. Mr. Koproski, and his wife Patricia Koproski, devoted years of service to the NPC which was also known as The American Center of Polish Culture, Inc.
 
Dr. Julian Kulski, FAIA, is a renowned international architect, a war hero, a distinguished professor and author of award winning book and DVD; Legacy of the White Eagle, a story of teenagers fighting for Poland's freedom and independence.
 
Mr. Storozynski said, "The Kosciuszko Foundation also is indebted to the international law firm White & Case LLP who did excellent work representing the Foundation in this transaction on a pro bono basis.  The White & Case LLP team included Petr Polasek, Hansel T. Pham, Maury J. Mechanick and Marisa R. Bassett in Washington DC and Meredith J. Beuchaw in New York.  White & Case LLP also has represented our interests in Warsaw, Poland."
 
The Kosciuszko Foundation Inc., The American Center of Polish Culture raises funds throughout the United States and Poland to support its mission, and is now registered as a corporation, licensed to perform charitable solicitation and designated a tax exempt corporation in the District of Columbia.
 
The Foundation is named after Thaddeus Kosciuszko, the Polish General who devised the winning strategy for the U.S. Continental Army at the Battle of Saratoga, the turning point of the American Revolution.  Kosciuszko also drafted the plans for West Point that Benedict Arnold tried to sell to the British, and suggested that the Fortress be used as a Military Academy.  After the revolution, Kosciuszko presented his salary from the U.S. Army, $17,000, to Thomas Jefferson, with the instructions that the money be used to purchase black slaves and free them. Kosciuszko then returned to Europe, where he started a revolution to end serfdom and liberate burghers, peasants and Jews.
 
The KF works to strengthen the relations between the peoples of Poland and the United States through educational, scientific and cultural exchanges. It holds annual competitions, such as the prestigious Chopin competition and awards up to one million dollars per year in scholarships.
 
Its major fundraiser of the year takes place on the last Saturday in April, this year on the 24th, at the Waldorf Astoria Hotel on Park Avenue and 50nd Street in New York City.
 
For information on joining the Kosciuszko Foundation,
Log on to: http://www.kosciuszkofoundation.org/  
Or Call (212) 734 2130
 
The Kosciuszko Foundation Inc.,
The American Center of Polish Culture
15 East 65th Street, New York, NY 10065-6501
Phone (212) 734-2130, Fax: (212) 628-4552
E-Mail: alex@thekf.org

KF Washington DC Office
2025 O Street, NW, Washington, DC 20036-5913
(202) 785-2320, (202) 785-2159
 
KF Warsaw Office
ul. Nowy Swiat 4, Room 118
00-497 Warsaw, Poland
Tel./Fax:011-48-22-621-7067