Representative Marcy Kaptur, an Ohio Democrat and co-chair of the Congressional Poland Caucus, introduced a resolution in the House of Representatives commemorating two hundred and fifty years of Polish-American friendship. For the American Polonia, this is a document of symbolic significance – a position expressed in Congress emphasizing what Polish families in the USA have repeated for generations: that Poles were present at the birth of America and remained its faithful ally.
H.Res. 1082 Resolution
The resolution, designated H.Res. 1082, was introduced on February 25, 2026. Its full title speaks of recognizing two hundred and fifty years of Polish-American friendship and affirming the vital interest of the United States in Poland’s democracy, sovereignty, prosperity, and security. It should be noted that at this stage, it is a resolution introduced – meaning submitted for consideration – and not yet voted on by the entire House. However, this is a typical path for such documents, and among the sponsors were representatives of both major parties.
The initiative was led by six congressmen from both parties: alongside Marcy Kaptur (Ohio) were Chris Smith (New Jersey), Bill Keating (Massachusetts), Mike Turner (Ohio), Nikki Budzinski (Illinois), and Joe Wilson (South Carolina). Sanford Bishop (Georgia) and Debbie Dingell (Michigan) also joined the group of co-sponsors. Kaptur, who has served in the House continuously since 1983, represents the district around Toledo, Ohio, which includes one of the largest concentrations of Polonia in the United States.
“Forged in the Cause of Freedom”
In a statement accompanying the resolution, Kaptur encapsulated the essence of the entire initiative in one sentence. “For over two and a half centuries, the bonds between the Polish and American people have been forged in the cause of freedom,” she wrote. “Our two nations are united not only by strategy but also by sacrifice, memory, and hope. May the next two hundred and fifty years of Polish-American friendship shine even brighter.” The co-chairs of the Congressional Poland Caucus also recalled that Poland has remained one of America’s most reliable allies – from the first ties during the War of Independence, through NATO membership, to the shared service and sacrifice of soldiers in Afghanistan.
Pulaski, Kościuszko, and the Birth of America
The symbolic weight of the resolution stems from the fact that the Polish contribution to the founding of the United States predates the state itself. Two Polish officers – Casimir Pulaski and Tadeusz Kościuszko – fought in the American War of Independence. Pulaski, known as the father of American cavalry, died in 1779 at Savannah. Kościuszko designed the fortifications of West Point and earlier fortifications used during campaigns that played an important role in the War of Independence. Both are today common heroes of both nations – as President Karol Nawrocki recalled during his visit to the Oval Office on September 3, 2025, stating that Polish-American relations are based on shared values of independence, sovereignty, and democracy.
This reference is not accidental. The year 2026 is a jubilee year for the United States – the two hundred and fiftieth anniversary of the declaration of independence in 1776, the celebrations of which culminate on July 4. In this context, recalling the Polish contribution to the birth of America has a special dimension for Polonia: it is a moment when the Polish presence in American history is inscribed not on the margins, but at the very center of the story of the country’s founding.
What This Means for Polonia
For Polish families in the USA, H.Res. 1082 is more than a diplomatic gesture. It is a reminder, expressed in Congress, of the Polish presence in American history – in a year when all of America looks back on its two and a half centuries. For Polonia, which for generations has cherished the memory of Pulaski during the October parade in Manhattan or Kościuszko in the names of bridges, schools, and foundations, this is a signal that the legacy of Polish-American relations remains present in the activities of the American Congress. Regardless of the further fate of the resolution itself, its introduction in the 250th anniversary year shows that the Polish-American bond is still present in the language of American politics.
Key Facts
- What: H.Res. 1082 recognizing 250 years of Polish-American friendship, introduced in the House of Representatives on February 25, 2026 (at the introduction stage, not at the voting stage).
- Who: Bipartisan initiative led by Marcy Kaptur (D-Ohio), co-chair of the Congressional Poland Caucus; co-sponsors from both parties.
- Sources: Congress.gov, Marcy Kaptur’s press office (kaptur.house.gov), GovTrack.
We continue to follow the topic on poland.us. For a detailed catalog of Polish-American businesses, institutions, and organizations in the USA, please refer to PolishPages.com.
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