Record #: O2020-4286   
Type: Ordinance Status: Passed
Intro date: 9/9/2020 Current Controlling Legislative Body: Committee on Transportation and Public Way
Final action: 10/7/2020
Title: Honorary street designation as "Alliance of Polish Clubs Way"
Sponsors: Reboyras, Ariel
Topic: STREETS - Honorary Designations
Attachments: 1. O2020-4286.pdf

ORDINANCE

 

WHEREAS, In the late 1800, many immigrants from Poland arrived to the Chicagoland area. They tried to establish their new life in a foreign country even though they didn't know the language or the culture of this country. Their emotional bond to the catholic religion, Polish culture, and traditions led them to uniting into clubs from the regions or villages they came from to support themselves as well as to support their "Little Homelands," and,

 

WHEREAS, The oldest of those clubs, "Szczurowa," is now 118 years old. In 1928, those little clubs called an inaugural meeting to establish "Zwiazek Klubow Malopolskich - Alliance of Clubs of Lesser Poland," and,

 

WHEREAS, In 1936, the first convention was called and at that time, the Constitution and By-laws were written. They describe the charitable and educational purpose of the newly established organization: to initiate and coordinate the activities of individual clubs and organizations affiliated within the infrastructure by encouraging their interest in assisting the people of Poland and surrounding Polish-American community in the Chicagoland area; and,

 

WHEREAS, Meanwhile, more clubs from other Polish regions joined the organization. In 1978, at the 16th Convention, the organization changed its name to the current name: Alliance of Polish Clubs in the USA - Zwiazek Klubow Polskich w USA. The name was changed due to the fact that participating clubs represented the many different areas of Poland. In 1982, APC purchased a new building at 5835 W. Diversey Ave. in Chicago. After a complete remodeling moved into their new location; and,

 

WHEREAS, In 1991, APC voluntarily took over the organization of the largest Polish parade outside of Poland, the May 3rd Constitution Parade. The parade celebrates the anniversary ofthe ratification of the Polish Constitution of May 3, 1791. This Chicago parade is in tribute of this historic document, the first democratic constitution in Europe and second in the world only to the United States Constitution and draws thousands of eager participants. Chicago's Polonia organizes the Polish Constitution Day Parade since 1891; and,

 

WHEREAS, In the early 2000, APC has overseen the construction ofthe Katyn Monument which was completed in 2006. Four years later, after the crash ofthe Polish airplane with 96 people, including the President Lech Kaczynski and the First Lady Maria Kaczynska, members of supreme state authorities, representatives of social circles and Churches, high-ranking military commanders and the plane's crew APC funded a Memorial Stone to commemorate this tragedy. All the flight passengers died in the air disaster which took place during landing at the airport near Smolensk. The Katyn and Smolensk Committee is a standing of the APC. This committee organizes historical events at the site of both monuments. They also brought to US the Honorary Company of Polish National Army and their Orchestra. Their performance at the Daley Plaza and by Tribune Tower in Chicago Downtown attracted many Chicagoans who enjoyed the program; and,

 

 

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WHEREAS, APC is a charitable, not-for-profit organization. Currently, there are 38 clubs within the APC, including May 3rd Parade Committee, Katyn and Smolensk Committee, Fr. Chopin Choir, Wawel Children Dance Ensemble, Rzepicha Folk Theater, and Jan Kochanowski Polish Language School; and,

 

WHEREAS, Alliance of Polish Clubs in the USA upholds and cherishes all the fundamental values of Polish heritage by consistently arranging and celebrating the national holidays and traditions, such as Harvest Festival, the May 3rd Parade, Christmas Eve, Easter Celebration, and folk festivals and many other throughout the year to help future generations appreciate and understand all that their Polish heritage has to offer. This also enables them to build a sense of community. APC cooperates with all Polonia organizations as well as many American organizations and institutions; and,

 

WHEREAS, In the period of 92 years, thousands of dollars have been sent through individual clubs to their hometowns in Poland for public purposes such as building of schools, town halls, fire stations, churches, and general improvements. Financial support has also been given for laying of streets, building bridges, installing electricity in rural areas, telephones, gas and water lines. Most importantly the organization provides opportunity for the charitable support for and the constant contact of Polish immigrants living in Chicagoland area; and, now therefore,

 

BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CHICAGO

 

SECTION 1. Pursuant to Section 2-8-040 ofthe Municipal Code of Chicago, which allows erection of honorary street name designations, the Commissioner of Transportation shall take the necessary action for standardization of 5800 West Diversey Avenue, from North Monitor Avenue to North Mason Avenue, as "Alliance of Polish Clubs Way."

Ariel E. Reboyras Alderman, 30th Ward

 

SECTION 2. This ordinance shall take effect upon its passage and publication.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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