Polish-American Congress Calls for Passage of House Resolution 664, introduced by Congressman Thomas R. Suozzi of NY

“The Polish American community wants Congress to formally acknowledge the historical truth concerning the outbreak of World War II, not the lies being told by Vladimir Putin,” said PAC National President Frank Spula. “We expect that Congress will do the right thing and unanimously adopt this Resolution," he explained.

House Resolution 664 has two elements.

First, Russian President Vladimir Putin has recently made numerous false comments, which have received wide publicity, that Poland started World War II. This is false. Prior to the start of the War, Germany and the Soviet Union signed the Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact, which called for the partition of Poland between them. This Resolution makes it clear that on September 1, 1939, German armed forces led by Adolf Hitler attacked the Polish Republic.

Without a declaration of war, Adolf Hitler issued the command to invade Poland with orders “to send to their deaths mercilessly and without compassion, men, women, and children of Polish origin and language.” In Poland, a traditionally tolerant country that was home to Europe’s largest Jewish population, German occupying forces established death camps, where millions were murdered.

On September 17, 1939, Soviet forces led by Joseph Stalin attacked Poland. After the surrender of the Modlin Fortress on October 5, Poland was partitioned according to the protocols of the Molotov–Ribbentrop Pact. Therefore, House Resolution 664 will correct the falsehood propagated by Mr. Putin that Poland started World War II.

The second component of House Resolution 664 is to inform the American public that Poland is a stalwart NATO ally at this moment when NATO front line countries, especially Poland, are threatened by Kremlin aggression. Poland has been a leader in Europe since the unprovoked invasion of Ukraine by Russia. The Polish people have welcomed more than four million Ukrainian refugees into Poland since the start of the invasion.

It is estimated that one million Ukrainian children will enroll in Polish schools this fall. This Resolution will further emphasize Poland's role as an ally of the United States and NATO at this perilous moment in history.

“Poland has always been a strong and reliable ally of the United States. And with the unprecedented invasion of Ukraine by Russia, Poland has demonstrated its commitment to European security by accepting six million Ukrainian refugees across its border,: explained Spula. “Poland’s support for Ukraine speaks volumes about its value as a trusted ally,” he added.

The Polish American Congress, established in 1944, represents the interests of over ten million Polish Americans. The PAC has divisions in nineteen states. The mission of the PAC is to advocate and campaign for legislation that strengthens the relationship between Poland and the United States and protects the interests of Polish Americans.

The PAC maintains close relationships with members of Congress, as well as legislators in State and Municipal governments. The United States and Poland have been close partners in freedom since the American and Polish revolutions of the late eighteenth century. Our shared commitment to the defense of freedom drives the PAC's policies.