Chicago City Council November 17, 2021
RESOLUTION RECOGNIZING OCTOBER AS POLISH HERITAGE MONTH
WHEREAS, Each year in October, the United States observes Polish American Heritage Month, a time at which the people of the United States recognize, celebrate and acknowledge the historical and continuing contributions of Polish people and Polish Americans; and
WHEREAS, In the the mid 1800s, Polish businessman Antoni Schermann came to the City of Chicago ("City") and opened a Polish immigration agency on the northwest side, setting the stage for the establishment of the City's "Polish Downtown", and welcoming the first significant wave of Polish immigrants who traveled to the United States and settled in the City; and
WHEREAS, In 1960, persistent Polish migration to the City led Mayor Richard J. Daley to declare Warsaw as Chicago's first sister city, and through today, Chicago remains one of the largest Polish population centers outside of Poland; and
WHEREAS, The 2020 U.S. Census revealed that Chicago and Cook County remain a magnet for Polish migration and pride, with approximately 900,000 residents of Polish heritage, or about one in seven, choosing to live, work, and contribute to local communities; and
WHEREAS, Since their arrival, the Chicago Polish community has produced iconic figures across diverse areas including, Jim Grabowski, a successful NFL football player and member of the College Football Hall of Fame; Carlos Bernard Papierski, a notable actor and director; Stanistaw Szukalski, an imaginative sculptor and painter; John S. Flizikowski, a prominent architect with several important cultural projects, including the historic Polish Museum of America in Chicago's West Town neighborhood and countless others; and
WHEREAS, To this day Polish Americans and immigrants continue to shape Chicago's legacy, culture, and way of life, as demonstrated by numerous Polish oriented businesses, restaurants neighborhoods and celebrations, such as the Taste of Polonia Festival, the Nation's largest Polish festival; and
WHEREAS, Within these neighborhoods, artistic and religious centers such as the Copernicus Center in Jefferson Park, and St. Stanislaus Kostka Church in Pulaski Park, have proved vital in community vibrancy, aiding in public safety, education, and outreach, making these neighborhoods and the City a great place in which to live, visit, work, and grow; now, therefore,
BE IT RESOLVED, that we, the Members ofthe City Council ofthe City of Chicago, assembled this seventeenth day of November, 2021 do hereby celebrate October as Polish American Heritage Month, and acknowledge the plentiful and significant contributions Polish Americans have made and continue to make for our country and the City of Chicago.
Gilbert Villegas Alderman, 36th Ward