October 14, 1968
Page 31443
REMARKS OF SENATOR EDMUND S. MUSKIE BEFORE THE NATIONAL CONVENTION OF THE POLISH AMERICAN CONGRESS
HON. ROMAN C. PUCINSKI OF ILLINOIS IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Friday, October 11, 1968
Mr. PUCINSKI. Mr. Speaker, Democratic vice-presidential candidate, Senator EDMUND S. MUSKIE, appeared recently before the national convention of the Polish American Congress, which was held in Cleveland, Ohio.
Senator MUSKIE's appearance was warmly received by delegates to the convention, and I want to take this opportunity to insert in the RECORD excerpts from Senator MUSKIE's remarks, for the benefit of my colleagues.
Senator MUSKIE's remarks follow:
EXCERPTS FROM REMARKS BY SENATOR EDMUND S. MUSKIE BEFORE THE NATIONAL CONVENTION OF THE POLISH AMERICAN CONGRESS, CLEVELAND, OHIO, SEPTEMBER 27, 1968
Politicians are frequently accused of wearing two hats. But this afternoon I come before you with two hats I am proud to wear. First, I am proud to be with so many men and women with whom I share a common heritage and common ideals.
Secondly, I am here today as a politician who is seeking your support for national office.
These two roles are complementary. Those of us whose roots are in Poland know the fruits and the burdens of living in a Democratic society.
We understand the struggle for freedom which is still being waged around the world today.
We are saddened that our relatives and friends in Poland cannot enjoy the blessings of liberty.
Yet while we all pray for a better day for Poland, we recall with pride her contributions to the cause of liberty and freedom.
We remember Pulaski's brave assistance to the cause of American independence.
We remember the impact of Paderewski on Woodrow Wilson during World War I..
We remember the valiant resistance of Poland against Hitler and his Nazi invaders during World War II.
We remember those thousands of Poles who fought outside their country when it had been overrun, and those other thousands who remained in Poland to resist the Nazi occupation.
We remember Poland's resistance to Russian Communism after the war.
We have watched with sadness while yet another yoke of oppression has been forced on the Polish people. But, though we weep for our Polish brethren today, we recall the words of Paderewski: "Poland shall not die, our martyred brethren, she shall not die. She shall live for all eternity, mighty and glorious -- for you, for us, for all mankind."
And we remember the words of Poland's National Anthem, "As long as you live, Poland shall live."
My father came to this country as a young man like so many of your parents and grandparents to escape the oppressive tyranny of the Czar. He also came here to seek freedom. He believed that this country provided man's best answer to the age-old problem of making freedom work. He believed in an America in which all men are truly equal and in which every man has the right to progress as far as his innate abilities and inclinations lead him.
My father did find that freedom for himself and opportunity for his children. He lived to see his son become Governor of Maine and be died with an unshaken belief in the validity of our system of government.
My father's story is the story of millions of Polish-Americans, who brought to this country a deep and abiding faith in the spirit of freedom.
You have kept the free spirit of Poland alive for all Americans, by calling attention to Poland's history of freedom and Poland's struggle with tyranny.
You have kept that spirit alive for our young people by your emphasis on Polish cultural traditions.
The pride you have fostered in our Old World traditions has strengthened our pride in the new.
Your work has strengthened America in her diverse traditions.
But I am troubled, as I am sure you are, by the attacks on our family traditions, by the social unrest which threatens community stability, and by crime and violence which threatens our security.
You have struggled to overcome the disruptive effects of poverty, ridicule, discrimination and poor housing.
Today, quite naturally, you do not want to see the fruits of your labors swept away. You do not want to lose the material benefits of our society -- your homes, cars, television sets, your jobs and your schools -- and you do not want to lose the security against fear a free society should bring.
In this election year of 1968 our society and our system of government is being tested as never before. For the seeds of a new oppression are all around us.
They are fear, hate and intolerance. They are the ugly faces of disunity and lack of trust -- in each other and in our basic institutions.
Thomas Jefferson once said that the ultimate objective of government in our society is the happiness of its people.
When we say the "happiness of its people," we mean the happiness of all of them -- without exception, without distinction.
That is the lesson I think we must learn in this campaign all over again.
It isn't an easy idea to pursue, because Americans are many different kinds of people, of different races, colors, cultures, national origins, and economic groups. We have different educational backgrounds and different tastes.
But the lesson of our country is that people, no matter how different, can live together and advance each other's interests.
This is what my father believed about America. This is what I believe.
Others do not share that belief. Where there is poverty, they sow hate. Where there is love, they sow distrust. Where there is comfort, they sow fear. Where there is common interest, they sow division.
You and I know that hate, distrust, fear and division can only lead to anarchy and tyranny, the twin offspring of the enemies of freedom.
You and I know that no one can be free unless all are free.
You and I, having gained so much in this great land, should be in the forefront of those who want to help Americans who still suffer from discrimination
Those who have not enjoyed the fruits of equal opportunity and equal participation in our society.
The great freedom fighter, Kosciusko, left all his money in America for the emancipation of the slaves.
Those of us who are his spiritual descendants should be the first to work for an equal chance for their descendants.
You and I should be the first to reject those who parade under the banner of suppression -- disguised as law and order.
For we know that suppression breeds discontent -- discontent breeds rebellion -- and rebellion breeds violence and oppression.
Public safety we must have. Crime we must combat.
But we can carry out these objectives only within the guarantees of our constitution, and in a society where there is mutual trust, where poverty is no more, where youth has hope and age has dignity, and where men and women -- of whatever color or social status -- control their own destiny.
Two months before he died, Paderewski said: "I am grateful to the supreme deity that he permitted me to come here, to this free soil of the United States, that he granted me the strength still to serve Poland .
The cause of Poland is the cause of freedom for all mankind.
That is the cause of Vice President Humphrey's campaign -- and
That is why I joined him.
Now I ask you to join me for the preservation of those traditions we all hold dear.