 The International Air Show in Radom on August 29-30
24 August 2009
The United States Air Force Airmen from the March Air Reserve Base in California will fly their C-17 “Globemaster” to Radom, Poland, where they will participate in a multi-national static display during the 11th Edition of Poland’s International Air Show. The annual Air Show takes place at the Radom Military Airfield and includes a dynamic display, static display, and the aviation industry exhibition. The Air Show in Radom is one of the largest events organized in Poland. During two days, over 200,000 guests come to see the air performances, static displays and military equipment expositions. This year, two American pilots will fly to Poland in their A-10 “Thunderbolts” from the 81st Fighter Squadron at Spangdahlem Air Base, Germany. The Thunderbolts will also be part of the static display. The U.S. Air Force aircraft and crews arrive on August 27 and their aircraft will be on display on August 28 and 29.[more]
|
 Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur Visits Warsaw
21 August 2009
Polish-American Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur, who represents Northern Ohio's Ninth Congressional District, is visiting Poland this month. On August 21, Lisa Helling, newly arrived Public Affairs Counselor at the U.S. Embassy in Warsaw, hosted a breakfast at the Bristol Hotel to introduce Congresswoman Kaptur to several Polish Women Leaders in the fields of government, academia, and journalism. Kaptur also gave an interview to a prominent, independent women’s weekly magazine Wysokie Obcasy. Congresswoman Kaptur, who has been a steadfast ambassador of Central Europe in the U.S. House of Representatives and supported Polish causes throughout her life, recently introduced a resolution recognizing the 70th anniversary of the Soviet and Nazi invasion of Poland. On this trip, she’s accompanying Marian Wojciechowski, the 95-year-old World War II Veteran, who decided to visit the land of his birth and participate in the commemoration ceremonies on September 1. “I am honored to have been asked to accompany this son of Poland and of Toledo, a living example of an indomitable spirit who continues to inspire people,” said Kaptur. “Truly, he is an extraordinary man.” [more]
|
 Journey to Poland: 95-year-old World War II Veteran Visits Warsaw
20 August 2009
On August 20, 2009, U.S. Ambassador to Poland, Victor Ashe, hosted a luncheon in honor of Marian Wojciechowski, 95-year-old World War II Combat Veteran from the Polish Cavalry who fought on both fronts and in the underground. Imprisoned by the Gestapo at Auschwitz and Gros Rosen, he was unable to talk about his horrifying war experiences until “time healed wounds” as he put it in one of his speeches. Wojciechowski, who resides in Las Vegas, NV, decided to visit the land of his birth and participate in the commemorative ceremonies marking the September 1, 1939 invasion of Poland by the Nazis. Polish-American Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur of Ohio, the longest-serving woman in the House of Representatives, accompanies Wojciechowski on this nostalgic journey. His other travel companion is Dr. Roman Różycki of Las Vegas, who heads the Polish-American community there. [more]
|
Alex Storozynski, Author of The Peasant Prince in Poland 20 August 2009
On Wednesday, August 19, U.S. Ambassador to Poland, Victor Ashe hosted a luncheon at his residence to honor Alex Storozynski, a renowned journalist, book author, and president of the Kosciuszko Foundation. His most recent book, The Peasant Prince: Thaddeus Kosciuszko and the Age of Revolution, received enthusiastic reviews in leading U.S. publications including the Wall Street Journal and the New York Daily News. It is the first comprehensive biography of the most legendary figure in Polish history. The colorful narrative delights the reader with unexpected details from the life of “the purest son of liberty“ as Thomas Jefferson once called Kosciuszko. While Kosciuszko is best-known for his revolutionary accomplishments, he was also a dedicated human rights advocate who stood up for the rights of the oppressed and discriminated ethnic groups including African Slaves, Native Americans, and Jews. “This fascinating publication is another contribution to strengthening ties between the United States and Poland as we celebrate the 90th anniversary of diplomatic relations between our countries,” said Ambassador Ashe. [more]
 Mr. Andrzej Siennicki, the First Totalization Agreement Beneficiary
21 August 2009
On August 20, 2009, Ambassador Ashe presented Mr. Andrzej Siennicki with a letter recognizing him as the first recipient of benefits under the Retirement Benefits Totalization Agreement. Signed last year and activated on March 1, 2009, the agreement has been a priority for Ambassador Ashe and will have a long lasting impact on US-Polish relations. Mr. Siennicki thanked the Ambassador for his efforts in seeing the agreement through to completion. Mr. Siennicki arrived in New York City in 1978 just days before the election of Pope John Paul II and began working in a clothing store almost immediately. Prior to returning to Poland in 1983, Mr. Siennicki also worked as a sales assistant and electronics repairman. He lived in Williamsburg, Brooklyn. After his return, Mr. Siennicki worked as a recording studio maintenance specialist for Polish Television. He is now retired and lives with his wife in Warsaw.[more]
|
 New Senior Commercial Officer Jim Wilson arrives in Warsaw
20 August 2009
Jim Wilson assumed his position as the Senior Commercial Officer at the U.S. Embassy in Warsaw, Poland on August 20, 2009. Mr. Wilson most recently served as the Senior Commercial Officer in Ankara, Turkey (1994-1997), Buenos Aires, Argentina (2000-2004), and Madrid, Spain (2004-2008). In 1998, Mr. Wilson was Director, Office of Energy, Infrastructure and Industrial Machinery at the Commerce Department headquarters in Washington D.C. That office supported American firms in their international efforts to market capital equipment and to successfully develop major infrastructure projects around the world. [more]
|
 General Ham Visits Warsaw
17 August 2009
General Carter Ham, the Commander of United States Army, Europe, visited Poland on the invitation of the Polish Land Forces Commander, Lieutenant General Waldemar Skrzypczak. During his visit, General Ham attended a mass in honor of the Polish military, a ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in celebration of Poland's Armed Forces Day, and a reception at Belvedere Palace hosted by President Lech Kaczynski. This is General Ham's second visit to Poland. Before coming to Poland, General Ham visited Germany, where he met with Major General Edward Gruszka at the Landstuhl military hospital. Major General Gruszka, Chief of Staff, Deputy Commander of the Polish Land Forces, came to Ramstein-Landstuhl together with relatives of seven wounded Polish soldiers. During the visit, General Ham emphasized Polish soldiers’ heroism, courage, and excellent training. “Every Army would be proud to have such soldiers in their ranks,” he said. [more]
|
 U.S. and Polish SOFA Negotiations in Warsaw
18 August 2009
The U.S. delegation arrived in Warsaw on Monday August 17, for the ninth round of SOFA (Status of Forces Agreement) negotiations. The U.S. team is headed by a new lead negotiator, Kurt Amend, who is the Special Advisor on Security Negotiations and Agreements in the State Department’s Bureau of Political Military Affairs. Before assuming his new duties, Mr. Amend was Consul General at the U.S. Embassy in Moscow. A Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA) is an agreement between a country and a foreign nation stationing military forces in that country. The SOFA is intended to clarify the terms under which the foreign military is allowed to operate. [more]
|
 Gdynia Business Week Opens on August 16
17 August 2009
On August 16, 2009, U.S. Ambassador to Poland, Victor Ashe, spoke at the opening of Gdynia Business Week, a project of the Seattle-Gdynia Sister Cities Association and the Foundation for Private Enterprise, inspired by the Washington Business Week. Gdynia Business Week, taking place on August 16-22 this year, is an intensive six-day program in which high-school aged students experience a simulated work environment, and develop business management skills. In his opening remarks, Ambassador Ashe emphasized the significance of Sister City programs. “Sister Cities provide a real person-to-person foundation for the continued relationship between the United States and Poland,” he said. “The Washington Business Week in Gdynia is an excellent example of the lasting impact on young lives that Sister City Associations can have.” Ambassador Ashe received an award from the National League of Mayors, signed by its current president Seattle Mayor Greg Nichols. [more]
|
 Ambassador Ashe Visits Southern Poland
11 August 2009
U.S. Ambassador Victor Ashe travelled across southern Poland on 10 August, 2009. He visited the town of Słomniki and met with the mayor, Paweł Knapfel, and discussed the impact of the financial crisis on the local economy. He then travelled to Świetokrzyskie province and visited the town of Jędrzejów. After the meeting with the mayor, Marek Wolski, at the City Hall he toured the city and visited the famous sundials museum and the 12th century Cistercian Monastery. [more]
|
 House Resolution Recognizes 70th Anniversary of the Soviet and Nazi Invasion of Poland
4 August 2009
A resolution recognizing the 70th anniversary of the Soviet and Nazi invasion of Poland was introduced in the House of Representatives on July 31, 2009 and referred to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs. The Resolution (H.Res.715), sponsored by Representative Marcy Kaptur, emphasizes the pivotal role Poland has assumed at freedom's edge since gaining independence. The Resolution pays tribute to the millions of innocent lives lost during World War II, the suffering of Poles and praises their subsequent endurance in the struggle for freedom. “Poland lost more lives as a percentage of its population than any other nation during World War II,” it says. “Poland's freedom-loving people continued to endure political suppression and selective annihilation from 1939 to 1989.” Please click here to read the full text of House Resolution 715. [more]
|
 President Obama Nominates Lee Feinstein as Ambassador to Poland
31 July 2009
On July 20, 2009, President Obama nominated Lee A. Feinstein as the next U.S. Ambassador to Poland. An international lawyer, Mr. Feinstein is an expert on national security, foreign policy, and international institutions. Mr. Feinstein is on leave from the Brookings Institution, where he has been a Visiting Fellow in Foreign Policy Studies. He was National Security Director to Hillary Rodham Clinton during her presidential campaign. Ambassador Victor Ashe congratulated Mr. Feinstein: “President Obama made an excellent choice in announcing his intent to nominate Lee Feinstein as the next U.S. Ambassador to Poland. I know the Embassy and Polish-American relations will be in good hands under his leadership." If confirmed, Mr. Feinstein will be the 25th U.S. Ambassador to Poland. [more]
|
 The "American Dream" Exhibition in Kraków
14 July 2009
The U.S. Consulate General in Kraków and the U.S. Embassy in Warsaw
together with the National Museum and Jagiellonian University invite
the public to see the "American Dream" exhibition
open from July 2nd - October 4th, 2009 at the National Museum in
Kraków. On July 1, a large
crowd joined Ambassador Victor Ashe, Consul General Anne Hall, and
National Museum Director Zofia Gołubiew for the opening of the
"American Dream" exhibition and a reception in honor of America's
Independence Day. Please click here to see a photo gallery from the event. [more]
|
 Warsaw Electronic Festival Artists Inspired by Apollo 11 Moon Landing
17 July 2009
Warsaw Electronic Festival artists are working on a special audio presentation published online and as a gift CD to commemorate the 40th Anniversary of the Apollo 11 Moon Landing accomplished on July 20, 1969 by astronauts Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin. The project will feature the sound sample of Neil Armstrong’s famous quote, “One small step for man, one giant leap for mankind.” These words, and the buzzes and noises that accompany them, will undergo all possible alterations with the use of the most recent electronic tools available. To date, 15 artists representing various genres of electronic music have joined the project. For more details on the project, please visit www.wef.pl. You can also join the discussion on the audio collection here. [more]
|
New Exhibit on the U.S. in Polish Historiography and Periodicals from 1764-1919
19 June 2009
U.S. Ambassador Victor Ashe and Dr. Michał Strąk, Director of the Warsaw’s Main Public Library, proudly opened the exhibition U.S. in Polish Historiography and Periodicals from 1764-1919 on June 17, announced Cultural Attaché Chuck Ashley. Composed of materials from the library’s own collections (newspapers, memoirs, photographs and drawings) this exhibition illustrates how the U.S. was perceived by Poles in the years 1764-1919. Special attention is given to key topics such as: the American Revolution, the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution, Polish immigrants after the November uprising, Poles participation in the Civil War, American relief efforts for Poland during World War I and the establishment of diplomatic relations between our two countries. Please click here to view a photo gallery from the event. [more]
 House Resolution Celebrating 90 Years of United States-Polish Diplomatic Relations
8 May 2009
A resolution (HR 266) celebrating 90 years of U.S. Polish diplomatic relations was introduced in the House of Representatives by Rep. Daniel Lipinski of Illinois and has been referred to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs. A similar resolution in the Senate (Senate Resolution 9) sponsored by Senator Richard Lugar of Indiana was passed on April 1. [more]
|
 New Embassy Speakers Bureau Programs Announced for 2009!
2009
The U.S. Embassy Warsaw Speakers Bureau is excited to announce three major topics for 2009. Diplomats from the U.S. Embassy are available to visit your school or institution throughout Poland to speak on the following subjects:
* Celebrating 90 Years of Polish-American Diplomatic Relations
* EducationUSA: Opportunities for study in the United States
* Zapraszamy: Visas, work, and travel in the U.S.
Click here for more information about these new programs and how to request a speaker.
|
|
;){kind=spacer}
