Page:United States Statutes at Large Volume 105 Part 3.djvu/664

 105 STAT. 2548 PROCLAMATION 6286—MAY 1, 1991 the most difficult periods in Poland's history, it has remained a great and cherished symbol of the Polish people's devotion to democratic ideals. We Americans gladly join in celebrating the 200th anniversary of this historic document because we are united with the Polish people by strong ties of kinship and culture and by a mutual love of liberty. These special bonds were affirmed in the "Declaration on Relations between the United States of America and the Republic of Poland," which President Lech Walesa and I signed on March 20, 1991. Poles were among the first immigrants to come to these shores in search of freedom and opportunity, and they and their descendants have served and enriched our Nation in countless ways. Since the great Polish heroes Tadeusz Kosciuszko and Kazimierz Pulaski helped to secure the Independence of our fledgling Republic, millions of other men and women of Polish extraction have likewise labored and sacrificed to help ensure the success of America's bold experiment in self- government, always inspiring others by their unshakable faith in God and in the promise of liberty under law. In Poland, that faith has been tested by decades of often brutal repression. During the late 18th century Poland again fell prey to the expansionist aims of neighboring empires. Early in this century Poland enjoyed only a brief period of independence before being invaded by Nazi Germany and the Soviet Union in 1939. Nevertheless, despite decades of foreign domination and the declaration of martial law as recently as 1981, the people of Poland have held fast to their dream of freedom and self-determination. Today the faith, courage, and tenacity of the Polish people are finally being rewarded. During the past 2 years the Poles have thrown off the heavy yoke of communism and under a new, democratically elected government have begun working to break the cycle of impoverishment and decline imposed by nearly half a century of totalitarian rule. The United States wholeheartedly supports the Poles' courageous ef- forts to establish a free market economy and stable democratic rule in their country. Those efforts have required difficult decisions by the Polish leadership and great sacrifices by all Poles, and the United States has acted to assist Poland's historic transition in many ways. The United States is proud to stand by our Polish friends as they work to transform their triimiph over tyranny into lasting freedom and prosperity. Today we know that the promise of the Polish Constitution of May 3, 1791, is being fulfilled. On the occasion of its 200th anniversary, we salute and congratulate the courageous people of Poland, who have proved, once again, that "Poland is not lost while Poles still live." The Congress, by House Joint Resolution 669 (Public Law 101-532), has designated May 3, 1991, as a day of commemoration of the 200th anniversary of the Polish Constitution of May 3, 1791, and has authorized and requested the President to issue a proclamation in observance of this day. NOW, THEREFORE, I, GEORGE BUSH, President of the United States of America, do hereby proclaim May 3, 1991, as a day of commemoration of the 200th anniversary of the adoption of the Polish Constitution

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