The Annual National Directors Council Meeting of the Polish American Congress Took Place in Chicago

The Polish American Congress was established in response to the threat to the independence of Poland caused by German and Soviet aggression in September 1939. To express with one voice support for the restoration of a free and sovereign Polish, the leaders of several Polish-American community organizations met in Buffalo, New York, in the spring of 1944. The deliberations lasted from May 28 to June 1, 1944, and as a result, 2600 delegates representing Polonia organizations formed the Polish American Congress. The newly established organization aimed to support the reconstruction of Poland, destroyed by the German and Soviet occupiers, and to support Poland in regaining full sovereignty.

There were 40 national directors present from 13 states, including the PAC division presidents and Executive Committee officers. The members of the Executive Committee of the PAC are:
Frank J. Spula (President), Dr. Mark Pienkos (First Vice President), Bożena Kamiński (Vice President of Polish Affairs), Timothy Kuzma (Vice President of American Affairs), Małgorzata Margo Schulz (Vice President of Communications and Media), Deborah Majka (Vice President of Culture), Mary Anselmo (Vice President of Education), Michael Niedzinski (Vice President of Membership) was excused, Andrzej Niemyjski (Vice President of Financial Development), Stephen Flor (Secretary), Micheline Jaminski (Treasurer).

On the second day of the annual National Directors Council meeting, the 80th anniversary of the Polish American Congress (Sunday, October 13th) was celebrated.

Special guests from Poland included Professor Anthony Bajdek, Former Vice President of American Agenda, and Dr. Karol Nawrocki, President of the Institute of the National Remembrance.

The Polish American Congress adopted the “Wolyn Resolution” at the Annual Meeting of the Council of National Directors on October 12, 2024.

• Since the beginning of the Russian" invasion in February 2022, the Polish American Congress has offered steadfast assistance to Ukrainian needs for support through donations and lobbying the United States government for supplemental funding and military assistance needed to halt the Russian invaders.
• “Whereas, the tragic and intention "a" mass killing of approximately 100,000 Poles by the Ukrainian Insurgent Army that took place between 1943-1945 in the Volhynia region of Germany Nazi-occupied Poland was discussed at the meeting of the Council of Directors Chicago, Illinois on October 12, 2024.
• Whereas the Polish American Congress expects the Ukrainian government to condemn and express remorse for this heinous action of the Ukrainian Insurgent Army.”
• Whereas the Polish American Congress supports the Polish government in its effort toward reconciliation, particularly considering Poland's open door policy to UkrainPoland'slight of the war with Russia.

By Malgorzata Margo Schulz
The Polish American Congress National Vice-President for Media and Publicity.