Polish American Congress represents Polonia at the taste America event on Capitol Hill

WASHINGTON, DC, July 28, 2006 – The Polish American Congress (PAC) yesterday proudly represented the Polish American community at Taste America, an invitation-only event at the Capitol building in Washington, DC attended by more than 650 guests primarily including U.S. Congress Senators and Representatives with their families. The event was held under the theme of E Pluribus Unum From Many, One and was tailored to present contributions of various ethnic groups to American history and culture.

The Polonia display presented during the event, and preceded by months of preparation in the Washington D.C. office of the Polish American Congress, was designed to better acquaint the event’s influential attendees with the Polish American community and its history, accomplishments, and contributions. In achieving this goal, the PAC designed an exhibit that highlighted the history, culture, and sheer size of the Polish American community.

Particularly successful elements of the exhibit included: A) a colorful, wall-size hanging map of the United States showing the Polish American population in each state, B) two engaging, picture-filled posters highlighting the accomplishments of the most prominent Polish Americans, C) elegant displays of Polish art, including hand-painted silks, traditional Christmas tree ornaments, artistic glass, and contemporary art, and D) popular gift bags that included both a taste of Polish chocolates and liquors as well as an informative newsletter summarizing the information presented in the exhibit to educate attendees about Polonia and the PAC.

The exhibit also included on-table displays presenting the history of Polonia in the United States; information about the Polish American Congress, including its mission and major accomplishments; details about other prominent, Polish American organizations; a listing of American universities offering programs or courses in Polish studies; and a multitude of other information about American Polonia in the form of a large diversity of brochures, publications and handouts.

All visiting guests were invited to sample Polish sweets as well as to take home CDs with music by Chopin and Liszt performed by Polish American pianist Jerzy Stryjniak.

The Polish American Congress is grateful for the generosity of the sponsors that made the exhibit possible. In particular, we would like to acknowledge Doma Export, Adamba Imports, Appetita, Bison Grass Vodka, Hortex, Knorr, Luksusova Potato Vodka, Prince Polo Chocolates, Ultimat Vodka, Vavel, Wawel, as well as sponsors of the Arts section: Komozja, Polish Silk, Mr. Rafal Olbinski, Mr. Mariusz Rynkiewicz, Mr. Jerzy Stryjniak, and the American Institute of Polish Culture in Miami, Florida.

The Polish American Congress is a national umbrella organization representing more than 10 million Americans of Polish descent and origin. Its membership is comprised of fraternal, educational, veteran, religious, cultural, social, business, and political organizations and of individual membership. The PAC promotes civic, educational and cultural programs designed to further not only the knowledge of Polish history, language and culture, but also to stimulate Polish American involvement and accomplishments. With 29 State Divisions and Chapters, the Polish American Congress is represented in 23 states. The Polish American Congress has offices in Washington, D.C. and Chicago with Mr. Frank Spula as president.