Minister Czaputowicz started his visit by laying flowers at the Katyn Memorial and the Smolensk plaque at the St Adalbert Cemetery in Niles, the largest Polish cemetery abroad. He took the opportunity to express his deep gratitude to the Alliance of Polish Clubs and the whole Polish community in the US for the care and the memory of the hard moments in our history.

The key item on the Chicago agenda was meeting the leaders of Polish diaspora organisations, including the President of the Polish American Congress Frank Spula. They presented the details of their activities and thanked for good cooperation with Polish diplomatic missions in the US. The participants also discussed further cooperation opportunities in business, science, culture and the celebrations of anniversaries and historical events organised by local Polish community. During the meeting, Minister Jacek Czaputowicz underlined Polish community’s achievements as an ambassador of Polish interests in the US. He also called for committed cooperation to shape positive image of today’s Poland and defend its reputation. The minister also encouraged the Polish diaspora to be more active in the local political and social life, and to take part in Polish national elections, which is “the most complementary expression of a relation with Poland”.

Minister Jacek Czaputowicz also visited the Polish Museum of America, the oldest and largest ethnic museum in the US. He also met with the parish priest of the Holy Trinity Polish Mission in Chicago Fr. Andrzej Totzke and took the opportunity to thank Polish clergy for their service and efforts to the benefit of Poland and Poles. The meeting was also attended by the representatives of Polish community involved in educational activities and running the Anavim shelter for homeless Poles.

 

MFA Press Office

Photo Tymon Markowski / MSZ