Reps. Sak, Accavitti, Acciavatti, Anderson, Bieda, Brandenburg, Brown, Byrum, Caswell, Caul, Clack, Condino, Dennis, DeRossett, Ehardt, Elkins, Farhat, Farrah, Gieleghem, Gillard, Hager, Hardman, Hoogendyk, Hopgood, Hummel, Jamnick, Koetje, Kolb, Kooiman, Law, Lipsey, Middaugh, Minore, Mortimer, Murphy, O'Neil, Paletko, Palmer, Pappageorge, Pastor, Plakas, Richardville, Rivet, Rocca, Sheltrown, Shulman, Spade, Stakoe, Stallworth, Stewart, Tabor, Tobocman, Vander Veen, Voorhees, Waters, Wojno, Woronchak and Zelenko offered the following resolution:

            House Resolution No. 131.

            A resolution recognizing October 2003 as Polish Heritage Month.

Whereas, The first Polish immigrants to North America were among the settlers of Jamestown, Virginia, in the 17^th century; and

            Whereas, Kazimierz Pulaski, Tadeusz Kosciuszko and other Polish people came to the British Colonies in America to fight in the Revolutionary War and risk their lives and fortunes for the creation of the United States; and

            Whereas, For over 300 years Polish people and their American descendants have shared with us their traditional customs, thousand-year-old culture and strong devotion to democracy; and

            Whereas, Polish people and their American descendants have distinguished themselves by contributing to the development of arts, sciences, government, military service, athletics and education in the United States; and

            Whereas, The Polish Constitution of May 3, 1791, was directly modeled on the Constitution of the United States and is recognized as the second written constitution in history.  It is revered by Polish people and Americans of Polish descent; and

            Whereas, Through Revolutionary War heroes and Nobel Peace Prize recipients, we have come to know and respect the indomitable spirit and loyal civic involvement of Polish American people and Pole refugees and immigrants that have come to our shores; and

            Whereas, Polish people and their American descendants take great pride in, and honor the achievements of, the greatest son of Poland, his Holiness Pope John Paul, II; now, therefore, be it

            Resolved by the House of Representatives, That the members of this legislative body recognize October 2003 as Polish Heritage Month.