RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, On April 10, 2010 a Tupolev Tu-154M aircraft of the Polish Air Force crashed near the city of Smolensk, Russia, killing all 96 people on board, which included the Polish President Lech Kaczynski, his wife, Maria, the Chief of the Polish General Staff and other senior Polish military officers, the President of the National Bank of Poland, Poland's deputy foreign minister, Polish government officials, 12 members ofthe Polish parliament, senior members of the Polish clergy, and relatives of victims ofthe Katyn massacre, one of them, Wojciech Seweryn, an artist and influential member of Chicago's Polish community, who were en route from Warsaw to attend an event marking the 70th anniversary of the Katyn massacre; and,
WHEREAS, The magnitude of this tragedy to the Polish people is significant as it adds to Poland's history of tragedy and sorrow; and,
WHEREAS, In honor of the first anniversary of this tragic airplane crash, the Chicago's Polish community have arranged a series of events called "Smolensk 2010," Week of Remembrance, from April 2nd through April 10th to honor those who had lost their lives; and,
WHEREAS, The commemorations began on the evening of Saturday, April 2nd with a concert of Mozart's Requiem performed by International Chamber artists, orchestra, soloists and choir at St. Mary of the Angel's Church; and,
WHEREAS, Other commemorations included a memorial mass at Holy Trinity Polish Mission, a series of meetings with the victims' families that were held throughout the week, film screenings, as well as a performance of the "Song of the Hidden Lord," a musical composition . that featured the early poetry of Pope John Paul II; and,
WHEREAS, The events continued through Sunday, April 10th with a mass at St. Hyacinth Basilica. A commemorative plaque was unveiled at the Katyn monument located at St. Adalbert's Cemetery. Smolensk 2010, Week of Remembrance ended that evening with a mass in the intention of Poland at St. Ferdinan...
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