H  O  U  S  E     R  E  S  O  L  U  T  I  O  N

PROCLAIMING MAY 3, 2000 "POLISH CONSTITUTION DAY IN THE STATE OF RHODE ISLAND"

WHEREAS, Poland promulgated the first Democratic Constitution to be adopted by any European nation on May 3, 1791. This historic Constitution proclaimed the rights of man, declared that the purpose of the state was to serve the people, enabled all citizens to hold office, abolished serfdom, and granted other essential civil and religious liberties; and

WHEREAS, The Anniversary of the Constitution was celebrated annually in independent Poland until September of 1939. Since that time, Polish people throughout the world have continued to observe Constitution Day as a symbol of national regeneration and an expression of gratitude to the ancestors who have contributed so much to the history of their proud nation; and

WHEREAS, Polish Constitution Day is closely allied to the American tradition by virtue of the ties between Poland and the United States dating from the era of Independence, most notable through the participation of eminent Polish patriots such as Thaddeus Kosciuszko and Casimir Pulaski in the founding of the American Republic; now, therefore be it

RESOLVED, That this House of Representatives of the State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations hereby proclaims May 3, 2000 as "Polish Constitution Day in the State of Rhode Island" and urge all Rhode Islanders to commemorate this day and to keep in mind the history and the honor that is Poland; and be it further

RESOLVED, That the Secretary of State be and he hereby is authorized and directed to

transmit a duly certified copy of this resolution to the American Polish Culture Exchange Commission Chair, Francis Stetkiewicz.