Congressman Albio Sires: Statement on Katyn Memorial in Jersey City

Press Release

(Washington, D.C.)- Today, Congressman Sires made the following statement regarding the planned removal of the Katyn Memorial at Exchange Place in Jersey City:

“The Katyn Memorial has stood for decades in Jersey City to commemorate the massacre of more than 20,000 Polish soldiers and leaders by the Soviet Union in 1940.  The Polish American community has a long and vibrant history in Jersey City and they deserve to have a voice in the future of the monument. 

The memorial is significant to not only the Polish American community, but to many veterans of World War II as well.  The Polish American residents of Jersey City diligently worked with the city to dedicate the statue to honor the victims and to stand as a reminder of the horrific atrocity. 

I spoke with Ambassador Piotr Wilczek of Poland about the Polish American community’s concerns with the removal of the statue and offered my understanding of the historical significance of the statue to the community.  It is my hope that moving forward a productive dialogue can be had with the Polish American community in Jersey City to ensure that the statue stands for future generations to learn about and remember the history of the greatest generation.”