Senator John McCain to Receive the Spirit of Jan Karski Medal

The celebration was opened by Ewa Junczyk-Ziomecka, Consul General of the Republic of Poland, who welcomed the many guests in attendance. Special guests of the evening included First Lady Anna Komorowska, Ambassador of the Republic of Poland to the United States Ryszard Schnepf, Ambassador of the Republic of Poland to the United Nations Boguslaw Winid, Ambassador of the United States to Poland Stephen Mull, Congresswomen Carolyn Maloney, as well as Zygmunt Rolat, member of the board of the Polin Museum of the History of Polish Jews.

 In his remarks, Ambassador Ryszard Schnepf emphasized the timeless virtues that Karski embodied: tolerance, mutual understanding, freedom, democracy and human rights. The situation in the world today confirms that these virtues are as much needed today as they were during World War II, the Ambassador added. 

The main point of the program was the awarding of the Spirit of Jan Karski medal to Senator John McCain. President of the Jan Karski Educational Foundation Andrzej Rojek, presented the life and accomplishments of Senator McCain, his service to the United State Marine Corps and his wartime  imprisonment in Vietnam’s Hoa Loa Prison.

 “Elected to the House of Representatives in 1982, and to the United States Senate to 1986, he campaigned in 2008 for the Presidential nomination in the Republican party. A supporter of diplomacy, but when diplomacy fails intervention becomes necessary. It was just this past Tuesday that the Senate passed a resolution intending to remind President Barack Obama about the situation in Ukraine and the need to support Ukrainians in their pursuit of democracy and independence” said Andrzej Rojek. 

Senator John McCain, who could not attend the event, prepared video remarks, in which he expressed gratitude for being awarded the Spirit of Jan Karski award. “Due to the fact that I have to take part in Senate deliberations, I regret that I cannot join you all this evening. But I wanted to take the opportunity to speak about Jan Karski, a truly unique individual, who risked his life to tell the world about the situation which Jews found themselves in during the Nazi occupation of Poland in World War II” said Senator McCain.

 “His history cannot be forgotten. A history like that of Jan Karski’s reminds the world about the evils which we did not manage to prevent, as well as the lives which we did not manage to save” explained McCain, after which he added that we must, “fight against prejudice and loudly oppose injustice.” 

Next Senator McCain referred to the difficult political situation in Ukraine, Syria and Iran. “This is the price we now pay for silence, disengagement, at a time when decisive steps could have made a difference… this is a lesson which the legacy of Jan Karski gives us.” Added McCain. 

“We must always be ready to support people who share our values, for it is in our interest to shape the realities around the world. This will enable our citizens to live in peace and freedom at home” concluded John McCain.

 After the award presentation guests enjoyed a musical program prepared by the Estery Rachel and Ida Kaminski Jewish Theatre.