CONGRESSIONAL RECORD -- SENATE
May 3, 1966
Page 9537
CELEBRATION OF THE POLISH MILLENNIUM, MAY 3, 1966
Mr. MUSKIE. Mr. President, the observation of Poland’s millennium is a celebration of faith in God and of freedom of the human spirit.
One thousand years ago, Duke Mieszko accepted for his people the Roman Catholic faith. In so doing, he faced his nation toward the West and its values and culture.
In turn, Poland has enriched the fabric of Western civilization.
Especially impressive has been Poland’s contributions to the ideals and concepts of democracy.
In the 15th, 16th, and 17th centuries, Poland was the largest and most civilized and powerful state in Central and Eastern Europe.
Significantly, this achievement was built on a series of fundamental concepts of liberty.
They included the "Neminen Captivabus" in 1425, which guaranteed personal liberty of the citizens; the "Statutes of Nieszawa" in 1454, which established a bicameral parliamentary system known as the "sejm" consisting of the Senate and the lower House; and the "Nihil Novi" in 1505, which made the crown powerless to legislate without consent of the two chambers.
Beginning in 1573, Kings of Poland were elected, and a new set of laws, known as pacts convents, evolved. With them, citizens gained the right to withdraw allegiance to the King if he transgressed any law or broke any stipulation under which he was elected.
These and other concepts, such as liberum veto, which enabled any member of the sejm to dissolve Parliament and annul its acts, are striking examples of a nation’s will to be free of tyranny.
Significantly, the concepts preceded the framing of our own Constitution by 200 years, and many of Poland’s ideals were reflected in our Bill of Rights.
In the 18th century, Poland’s empire was diminished through several partitions. She responded to her internal turmoil by writing the constitution of May 3, 1791. It was a remarkable document
for the times, balancing individual freedoms against the needs of the nation. The liberum veto and other independent but divisive practices were abolished. Class distinction was ended. Towns obtained administrative and judicial autonomy and parliamentary representation. Peasants were placed under the protection of law. Measures aimed at the abolition of serfdom were sanctioned.
Poland’s premium on freedom has been demonstrated throughout its history. For centuries, Poland was a bulwark in the defense of Europe against the Tartars, Turks, and Mongols. In our own century, in 1920, she defended the Continent against the Russian Bolsheviks, and was credited with saving Europe from communism.
Starting in the 14th century, she was the first European nation to grant sanctuary to the Jews.
In the 16th century, she guaranteed free worship of any religion, and remains deeply religious today.
Regrettably, the last two centuries have dealt unjustly with Poland. In our own lifetimes, the injustices have been savage cruelties.
It is wise to remember that it was Christianity, a thousand years ago, which led Poland away from pagan darkness. And it was Christianity which guided her to her most noble achievements.
Christ taught us that righteousness will prevail. At this time, as Poland embarks on a second millennium, let His teaching give us faith that Poland again will resume her rightful place in the community of free and independent nations.
Mr. President, this morning, in a beautiful ceremony in the rose garden, the President addressed a large group of Polish Americans on the anniversary of Poland’s millennium. I ask unanimous consent that at this point in the RECORD I may include the text of the President’s remarks and also the text of my remarks on that occasion.
There being no objection, the remarks were ordered to be printed in the RECORD, as follows
REMARKS OF THE PRESIDENT AT POLISH CHRISTIAN MILLENNIUM ANNIVERSARY AND SIGNING OF PROCLAMATION
Ladies and gentlemen, today is the 1,000th anniversary of Polish Christianity and nationhood. It is also the 175th anniversary of a document that holds a place of honor among the noble statements of human rights -- the Polish constitution of 1791.
All men who revere liberty acknowledge their indebtedness to these landmarks in the struggle for individual freedom. That is why we have gathered today.
Life has never been easy for the people of Poland. Time and again she has endured the unwelcome intrusion of her larger and more powerful neighbors. Time and again she has endured suffering and sacrifice, only to recover and rebuild. In all of this, her proud and resourceful people left an indelible mark on western civilization.
Americans owe a special debt to Poland, for almost two centuries ago, her sons joined our own revolution and Polish patriots fought under the American flag. Nor can we forget the millions of Polish immigrants whose personal faith and tenacious labor helped to tame a continent. Our national heritage is rich with their gifts. This debt, and our long ties with the people of Poland, give us a special interest in her future.
Twice in this century she has been devastated by war. Yet her people have remained loyal to their ancient faith and to the human values it represents. Even as we meet here today, they are meeting by the hundreds of thousand sat the historic monastery of Jasna Gora. Led by a great Polish Cardinal, they are offering prayers of hope and thanksgiving which reflect their enduring, belief in God and in their national destiny.
In Poland, and in other countries in Eastern Europe, new ideas are winning new friends. Windows are opening to the world -- only slightly in many places, but they are opening.
And despite the severe limitations on its national freedom -- limitations that prevent many Polish Americans from celebrating this day on Polish soil -- the ancient spirit of Poland is not dead. Her people still yearn for a lively future in Europe and among the community of nations.
We see this, for one thing, in economic policy. Poland, and some of her neighbors in Eastern Europe, are sensing the vigor of individual enterprise.
Men are coming to understand that decentralized decision making is proving more efficient than highly centralized State control. Profits are coming to be understood as a better measure of productivity and personal incentive as a better spur to effective action on behalf of the national economy.
How hopeful these signs are, we cannot yet say. We can only trust they foreshadow a new reliance upon -- if not a new understanding of -- the individual as the most important element of society.
If they reflect a willingness to respond to reality, if they signal a readiness to sift ideas for their own worth rather than to dismiss them as politically impure, if they reflect a gradual rebirth of reason and open discourse among men, then seeds exist for genuine confidence that things, indeed, may yet change.
For this reason, it is not vain on this day of great memories, to speak also of great hopes. Chief among them is the future of Europe.
So vast are the resources of that continent, so important its policies to the rest of the world, so vital its prosperity to the world economy, that Americans ignore the future of Europe only at the expense of peace and progress on both continents.
Men and nations must labor long to bring to reality
A Europe free of artificial political barriers that block the free movement of people, ideas, and commerce;
A Europe secured by international inspected arms control arrangements that remove the age-old fears of East and West alike;
A Europe of interdependent friends in which the strength of each adds to the strength of all;
A Europe in which the people of every nation know again the responsibilities and rewards of free political choices.
Not because we have treasure to gain or territory to acquire, but because we have common roots and common interests, the United States seeks to help build that kind of Europe.
It was in that spirit that the Marshall plan was offered 19 years ago; it is still the spirit of American policy.
Our guiding principles are these
First, our alliance with Western Europe -- which we believe is in the common interest of all who seek peace -- is a charter for changing needs, not a relic of past requirements.
It was and continues to be a basis for security, solidarity, and advance in Europe. It remains our conviction that an integrated Atlantic defense is the first necessity, not the last result, of the building of unity in Western Europe, for expanding partnership across the Atlantic and for reconciling differences with the East.
As we revise the structure of NATO to meet today’s realities, we must make sure that these forward-looking purposes are served, and served well.
Second, we believe the drive for unity in Western Europe is not only desirable but necessary. Every lesson of the past and every prospect for the future argue that the nations of Western Europe can only fulfill their proper role in the world community if, increasingly, they act together. From this base of collaboration, fruitful ties to the East can best be built.
Third, we will encourage every constructive enrichment of the human, cultural, and commercial ties between Eastern Europe and the West.
Fourth. we will continue to seek ways to improve relations between the people of Germany and their fellow Europeans to the East and to move toward a peaceful settlement of the division of Germany on the principle of self-determination.
Fifth, we welcome growing participation by the nations of Eastern Europe in common efforts to accelerate economic growth in the developing areas of the world and to share in the worldwide war on poverty, hunger, and disease.
Almost 2 years ago at the George Marshall Memorial Library, in Lexington, Va., I said we must continue to build bridges across the gulf which has separated us from Eastern Europe. Since that time, we have taken limited steps forward along what will be a long road.
In Poland alone, for example, we have:
Dedicated an American-financed childrens research hospital in Krakow;
Increased support for CARE, Church World Services, and American Relief for Poland in their food and medical programs for hospitals and needy individuals;
Reached an understanding between our National Academy of Sciences and the Polish Academy of Sciences on an important exchange program similar to the one we have reached with Yugoslavia, Rumania, and the Soviet Union;
Invited Poland to cooperate in our satellite program;
Increased by 44 percent in the second half of 1965 the number of Polish visitors who come to the United States for academic, scientific, and technical purposes;
Increased by more than $200,000 the sale in Poland of American books, newspapers, plays, motion pictures, and television programs. Our international media guarantee program with Poland is the largest in the world.
These are small steps. But, as Cicero once said, "the beginnings of all things are small." From these we will take other steps to help revive the intellectual, commercial, and cultural currents which once criss0crossed Europe from London to Budapest, Warsaw to Paris, Frankfurt to Krakow, Prague to Brussels.
As one additional step, and as I pledged in my state of the Union message, I am today instructing the Secretary of State to send to the Congress legislation making it possible to expand trade between the United States and Eastern Europe.
The intimate engagement of peaceful trade over a period of time can influence Eastern European societies to develop along paths favorable to world peace. After years of careful study, the time has come now to act. With these steps we can help gradually to create a community of interest, a community of trust, and a community of effort. Thus will the tide of human hope rise.
It is a good occasion that brings us here today. In issuing this proclamation, I am asking all Americans to join in the observance of historic events which have inspired man’s long walk on earth.
May we draw new resolve, even now, from the Polish millennium and constitution day.
A PROCLAMATION IN COMMEMORATION OF POLANDS NATIONAL AND CHRISTIAN MILLENNIUM BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
May 3 marks an important anniversary for freedom-loving people the world over. It was on this date, 175 years ago, that the patriots of Poland adopted a constitution that stirred the hopes of the Polish people.
But this year, May 3 takes on a significance that is truly unique. It marks the 1,000th anniversary of` Polish Christianity and Polish nationhood.
Ten centuries ago today, Poland became a part of the community of Western nations. Ten centuries ago today, Poland entered the mainstream of Western thought and Western culture.
It was this tradition that gave birth to the Polish Constitution of 1791. The Christian expression of the dignity of man found its ultimate expression in the cause of freedom and national independence.
It was no accident that this great political document came into being just 4 years after the American Constitution or that the two were so similar in content and spirit. The same spark of freedom that flared into the American Revolution also burned in the hearts of the Polish people.
Our Revolution was theirs, and to these shores, to help in our struggle, came two great champions of liberty, Tadeusz Kosciuszko and Kazimierz Pulaski.
The rest is history: a triumph for America, for the most part, tragedy for Poland. Today, after nearly two centuries of struggle, of invasion, of foreign domination, of partition and always of bravery, love for national independence and for the basic rights of man still lies deep in the hearts of the Polish people. The spark of freedom has never been extinguished.
And through it all, the historic ties between our two great nations have remained as a symbol of friendship and hope. Today, on this anniversary, we reaffirm that friendship and pledge ourselves to that hope.
Now, therefore, I, London B. Johnson, President of the United States of America, do hereby proclaim, this day, May 3, 1966, as Poland’s National and Christian Millennium Day on which we spiritually unite ourselves with the people of Poland and those gathered today at Jasna Gora and wherever they might be observing this historical event.
I invite the American people to observe this day with appropriate ceremonies and activities and particularly to join.with Americans of Polish heritage in their continued celebrations throughout this memorable year, both in America and in Poland
In witness whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and caused the Seal of the United States of America to be affixed.
Done at the city of Washington this 3d day of May in the year of our Lord 1966, and of the independence of the United States of America the 190th.
LYNDON B, JOHNSON.
By the President
DEAN RUSK, Secretary of State.
REMARKS BY SENATOR EDMUND S. MUSKIE AT THE WHITE HOUSE
MAY 3, 1966
Mr. President; a thousand years ago Poland entered both history and Christianity. That thousand years, to all Americans of Polish descent, is a heritage of tears and pride. It is the story of a fiercely independent people. It is the story of a people devoted to the cause of freedom.
We are grateful to you, Mr. President, for this recognition of that history. It is a heritage which binds us to the ideals and purposes of our beloved country.
Mr. President, Americans of Polish descent speak to you today through a committee consisting of Karl Rozmarek, president, Polish-American Congress; Most Rev. John J. Krol, S.C.D., Archbishop of Philadelphia; Dr. Leopold Oblerek, president, Polish Daily; Rt. Rev. Msgr. Francis Palecki of Philadelphia, chairman, Millennium Committee for Eastern States.
In the name of all Polish Americans, the committee presents to you as a small token of their high esteem and admiration for your courageous leadership and significant contribution to the cause of freedom and equality, a replica mosaic of the Polish Black Madonna.
The original of Our Lady of Czestochowa, called also The Miraculous or Black Madonna, has been in the monastery of Jasna Gora in the city of Czestochowa, since the 14th century. In 1655 the monastery withstood a 40-day siege by the Swedish Army which occupied all of Poland, and the victory by Poles was attributed to the Madonna. Since then, it has been a national symbol of Poland’s independence and patriotism. On May 3, today, millions of Polish pilgrims in connection with Poland’s millennium celebrations will pay their respects to her at the monastery of Jasna Gora.
This beautiful mosaic, Mr. President, was executed by the well-recognized artist, Jan Kranz, an American of Polish origin, whose works have been exhibited in many museums and cathedrals of Poland and Venezuela.
The inscription on the mosaic, Mr. President, is worded as follows:
"To the President of the United States, Lyndon B. Johnson, champion of freedom and equality on the occasion of Poland’s Christian millennium from Americans of Polish descent, White House, May 3, 1966."
Mr. MUSKIE. The President used the occasion to deliver a major foreign policy address concerning our relations with the Eastern European countries. It is appropriate that he should have done so in connection with the anniversary of Poland’s millennium. All Polish Americans are grateful to the President for having given this recognition to the long history of Poland.