Sunday, October 3, 1999
63. Annual Pulaski Day Parade

Celebrating the 10th Anniversary of Poland's Resurrection to Freedom

Chester Lobrow
1999 Grand Marshal Pulaski Day Parade

Distinguished Guests, Clergy, and all Friends of Polonia!

1999 marks the 10th anniversary of Poland's second independence in the 20th century. The first was gained in 1918 after World War I following 123 years of foreign occupation. The second, in 1989, following a half century of totalitarian and communist rule - six years as a Nazi slave state and 44 years as a Soviet satellite. Thankfully, 1989 marked the end of the oppressive rule when the Polish people voted against communism in their country's first post-war semi-democratic election.

The re-emergence of Free Poland a decade ago was greatly aided by a series of consequential events. One year after Pope John Paul's triumphal 1979 homecoming which injected his countrymen and women with incredible national pride, Solidarity union movement emerged to challenge the regime's political monopoly. Though, the union was crushed only 16 month later by communist influenced military force led by strongman Wojciech Jaruzelski. We may not have realized it then, but these events marked the economic collapse and political turmoil of the hated communist regime. In September 1989, the first non-communist-led government in post-war Poland took office. A major contribution to Poland's independence was made by both Presidents Ronald Reagan and George Bush.

Removed by the communists in post war politics, the Polish eagle regained its crown, streets were renamed to reflect the new non-communist reality, religious instruction in schools was restored, the hated "milicja" (militia) was renamed "policja" (police) and many other pre-World War II institutions, norms, customs and terminology were brought back.

The wide availability of goods and services were like a night and day contrast to the lean years of communist rule with its shortages, lines and ration cards. Poland became the leader in economic reforms. It managed to avoid the financial crisis suffered by the Czech Republic and to remain largely unaffected by the economic turmoil in neighboring Russia.

In 1998, inflation dropped below 10 percent, a 25-percent fold decrease for the first time since the collapse of communism. Although the country's economic growth rate is expected to drop to five percent in 1999, that is still an impressive figure compared to Western Europe. Huge multinational corporations - including America's GM, Ford, International Paper, Procter&Gamble, IBM and General Foods - are investing billions of dollars in Poland, creating new jobs and raising the country's technological skills. Although this may not seem like much by American standards, the average Pole's monthly wage has risen from about $25 a decade ago to nearly $500 at present. Despite all the different political opinions, Poles have also created a viable, stable and pluralistic democracy.

Poland still has problems but after everything is weighed and balanced, I personally believe that Poland has done well since it dumped communism back in 1989. I think our homeland deserves applause for its performance in making the transition from Marxist-style central planning to a market economy, from a totalitarian state to a pluralistic democracy. I salute Poland and its people, on this 10th anniversary of resurrecting freedom and joining the western democratic family.

I challenge all of Polonia, if we are really proud of our heritage, to unite and vigorously promote Poland and its achievements.

Before we had to fight on two fronts: the communist government of Poland and second our own recognition here in the United States. We now have a strong Poland, a member of the western alliance, and we Polonia are not orphans any more! Polonia utilize your opportunity.

We can proudly say - Eastern Polish border is the border of Europe.

We can proudly say - Poland is the most reliable American ally in East-Central Europe.

I believe that a strongly recognized Poland equals a strongly recognized Polonia.

Long live Poland with prosperity and freedom.

Niech zyje i rozkwita w czolowce narodow swiata nasza ukochana Rzeczpospolita Polska!

I will see you on Sunday, October 3rd, 1999, on Fifth Avenue in New York City, the Capital of the World.

Zapraszamy wszystkich Panstwa za 2 tygodnie w niedziele, 3. pazdziernika do udzialu w Paradzie Pulaskiego na Piatej Alei w Nowym Jorku.

Chester Lobrow