Recognizing The Polish American Congress, Eastern Pennsylvania District for the tribute of the 269th Anniversary of the birth of General Thaddeus Kosciuszko.

WHEREAS, Thaddeus Kosciuszko was born in Poland on February 4th, 1746. Kosciuszko arrived in America from Poland in 1776 to offer his services as a skilled engineer to the American colonies in their struggle for independence; and

WHEREAS, Kosciuszko came to Philadelphia to join George Washington in the struggle for freedom of the United States and was appointed an engineer with the rank of colonel in the American Army; and

WHEREAS, Kosciuszko helped to fortify the Philadelphia waterfront at Fort Mercer then was transferred to New York, where he helped with fortifications along the Hudson and the defense of Saratoga. In the struggles for independence, the Battle of Saratoga proved to be a turning point in the American Revolutionary War; and

WHEREAS, Kosciuszko was admired both for his technical knowledge and for his sympathetic understanding and generosity. Thomas Jefferson wrote of Kosciuszko, "He is as pure a son of liberty as I have ever known"; and

WHEREAS, Kosciuszko, a champion of the poor and oppressed and a firm believer in equality, requested that the money from his estate be used to buy freedom for slaves, providing them education and enough land to support themselves; and

WHEREAS, Kosciuszko died in Switzerland on October 15, 1817 at the age of 72. Tragically, Kosciuszko never witnessed freedom in his homeland, Poland. He is buried in Wawel Castle in Krakow amongst the Polish kings; and

WHEREAS, A monument was erected at West Point in 1828 by the Corps of Cadets in recognition of General Thaddeus Kosciuszko's contribution to the defense of West Point during the American Revolutionary War; and

WHEREAS, The Polish American Congress is a National Organization representing at least 10 million Americans of Polish origin and descent. In Philadelphia, the Eastern Pennsylvania District Office and Meeting Place is located at the Polish American Cultural Center, 308 Walnut Street; and

WHEREAS, The Kosciuszko Day Observance takes place the first weekend of February at the General Thaddeus Kosciuszko House, 3rd & Pine Streets. The Kosciuszko House attracts tourists from all over the world and is widely visited by Polish visitors to Philadelphia; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, That council does hereby recognize The Polish American Congress, Eastern Pennsylvania District for the tribute of the 269th anniversary of the birth of General Thaddeus Kosciuszko.

FURTHER RESOLVED, That an Engrossed copy of this resolution be presented to The Polish American Congress, Eastern Pennsylvania District for the tribute of the 269th anniversary of the birth of General Thaddeus Kosciuszko as evidence of the sincere sentiments of this legislative body.

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