Congressman Clement Zablocki” Civic Achievement Award”

Awarded annually by the Polish American Congress – Wisconsin Division

Mrs. Teresa Jankowski is a dedicated fraternalist who has been active for many years in the Polish National Alliance. In 2011 Teresa was elected District Commissioner of the Polish National Alliance fraternal for Wisconsin and Minnesota. In the greater Milwaukee area, she is a longtime leader in her home PNA lodge and Council and is a supportive member of the Board of Directors of the Wisconsin State Division of the Polish American Congress. Teresa is a strong and always cheerful promoter of cooperative activity within our Polish American community and is a visible force in the Polonia Sports Club and in the annual Polish Fest.

 

Mr. José G. Pérez was elected Alderman for District 12 of Milwaukee in 2012. A native of Milwaukee’s near South Side, Jose Perez is a grandson of immigrants from Puerto Rico who came to our city to work here in the 1950s. As Alderman, Jose Perez has distinguished himself as a friend of Polonia, in particular by his leadership role in supporting the restoration of the Kościuszko Monument, which is in his district’s Kosciuszko Park. Alderman Perez’s interest in political service dates back to his college years at Cardinal Stritch University, his duties as an intern in the Washington, DC office of Congressman Gerald Kleczka, his  work under Mayor John Norquist, and in his many-sided involvements in Hispanic American organizations. As Alderman, Jose Perez has been dedicated to his District’s economic and community development.

 

Mrs. Gloria and Mr. Jim Shire have both been devoted volunteers with the Polish Heritage Alliance since the Polish Center was dedicated in 2000. Both have worked at every Polish Fest since then and have been fixtures in the annual Lenten Season Fish Fry fund raisers. Their volunteer spirit has been expressed in other ways as well. As Jim puts it, “When we get a call; we go.” Gloria’s volunteerism led to her appointment to the Management Committee of Polish Fest. The Shirer’s giving ways go beyond PHA service too. Jim, a veteran of the Korean War, is Commander of the Alonzo Cudworth Post of the American Legion. Gloria is active in the Girl Scouts of America. Both are involved in Holy Family parish of Whitefish Bay, where Jim has been an usher for forty years.

 

Dr. Wacław Szybalski is Professor Emeritus of Oncology and an eminent scholar in the fields of molecular genetics at the McArdle Laboratory for Cancer Research of the University of Wisconsin in Madison, WI. Dr. Szybalski’s contributions to medical science over the past sixty years have been extraordinary and his scientific achievements have merited at least one Nobel Prize in the view of his colleagues, some of whom have been Nobel Prize winners themselves. Among his many honors over the years, Dr. Szybalski has received Honorary Doctoral Degrees from five Polish universities, including Maria Curie-Sklodowska University in Lublin and the Universities of Gdansk and Kraków, the UW Hilldale Award and the Grand Cross of the Order of Polonia Restituta from President Komorowski of the Republic of Poland in 2011 for his “extraordinary and distinguished service.”   Dr. Szybalski was born in 1921 and educated as Ch.E. in Lwów, Poland.  He lived through six years of the inhumane Soviet-Russian and Nazi-German WW II occupations of his homeland and found his way to the United States in 1950.  His research in molecular biology commenced soon after at the Genetics Laboratory at Cold Spring Harbor, New York.  One of his primary research collaborators was his late wife, Elizabeth Hunter Szybalska. Dr. Szybalski is a member of the Polish Heritage Club of Madison.

 

The University of Wisconsin – Milwaukee Libraries is honored for its commitment to preserving and digitizing the Roman Kwasniewski Photographic Collection of interwar Milwaukee Polonia. This collection, acquired in the late 1970s, includes more than 25,000 photographs and is the best and most comprehensive visual historic resource for the study of Polish American urban life in the United States. Significantly, the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Libraries’ involvement in preserving and disseminating Poland’s heritage goes beyond its extraordinary actions with the Kwasniewski collection. The Libraries house the American Geographic Society (AGS) collection, which includes a number of invaluable historic maps of Poland and many other materials of benefit to students of Poland’s history, its geography, its place in European art and culture, and to members of the community interested in genealogy. In addition, the UW-M Libraries has hosted a long list of memorable exhibits, films, and lectures over the years that focus on important themes and events in Polish history, working in cooperation with the UW-M Polish Studies Committee and Polonia groups. In 2010 it hosted a grand reception for participants in the national meeting of the Polish Institute of Arts and Sciences of America. In short, the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Libraries represent libraries at their best and is a living, coherent, and readily accessible repository of culture and in particular here, the Polish and Polish American experience.

Please Attend the General Membership Meeting – September 26, 2015

GENERAL MEMBERSHIP MEETING

Saturday, September 26, 2015
10:00 a.m.
(Executive Meeting at 9:00 a.m.)

Polish Center of Wisconsin
6941 S. 68^th Street
Franklin, WI 53132

This is an important meeting as we will be focusing on Membership Recruitment!

September 11, 2015

Dear Polish American Congress – Wisconsin Division Member,

I look forward to seeing all of our members at our next General Membership Meeting to be held on Saturday, September 26^th.  We have much to discuss

Besides a lively discussion, delicious coffee & goodies, and great fellowship, we’ll have some door prizes.  Let’s have a fantastic meeting working and sharing our Polish heritage together!  Please plan to attend. 

PAC-WI is focusing on several important initiatives.  These will be discussed on Saturday, September 26^th.

• Kathy Wieczorek, PAC-WI Division Vice President for Public Relations, and Steve Pienkos, Vice President for Membership, have requested that we initiate a drive to increase our membership.  They need our help.  Please invite a friend, neighbor, or relative who might be a prospective member to the September 26^th meeting.  ANYONE WHO BRINGS A POTENTIAL MEMBER TO OUR SEPTEMBER 26^th MEETING WILL RECEIVE A SPECIAL ITEM IN APPRECIATION FOR HIS/HER EFFORT.  

• Membership is a key to any successful organization.  I will present a 10-15 minute presentation about the importance and history of the Polish American Congress.  I will also explain the efforts of our organization over the past few years, including our extraordinary efforts to promote the Jan Karski Exhibit, as well as highlight the many special anniversaries we celebrated in 2014 related to Poland.

• Kathy and Judith Free, our PAC-WI Division Treasurer, are planning some delicious foods to enjoy during our meeting.  Their hospitality is greatly appreciated!

Other items to be discussed include:

1. Polish Independence Day/Veterans Day luncheon scheduled for Sunday, November 8, 2015 at the Polish Center of Wisconsin.  Invitations will be mailed to you, as well as several other guests.  Your attendance at this annual PAC-WI event is crucial.  Please RSVP early to insure your reservation.
2. The following outstanding individuals will be honored with the Congressman Clement Zablocki “Civic Achievement Award” in November: Mrs. Teresa Jankowski, Mr. Jose Perez, Mr. and Mrs. Jim and Gloria Shire, Dr. Waclaw Szybalski, and the University of Wisconsin – Milwaukee Libraries.
3. I will report on the recent Polish American Congress meeting held in Washington, D.C.
4. General Secretary, Ann Pienkos, will report on our booth at Polish Fest.  Many thanks to all who volunteered to help, as well as attend Polish Fest.
5. Officer Reports.
6. Organization Reports.

I also want to thank Anne Wal for volunteering once again in leading the silent auction effort at our November event.  Anne has done a remarkable job in gathering items for the silent auction.  But, she also needs your help.  Please bring any items you would like to donate for the silent auction to our September 26^th meeting.  If you know someone who would like to donate a restaurant gift card, please ask that individual to do so for a very worthy cause.

Our organization is vibrant!  We have much to celebrate.  Your involvement is crucial to our organization’s success.  Please ask yourself:  “Where would PAC-WI be without my involvement?”  That’s why your attendance at the upcoming Saturday, September 26^th General Membership Meeting is so important.  When we are together, we are strong.  We have much to celebrate: our Polish heritage, our traditions, and our friendships!

Once again, please place Sunday, November 8, 2015 on your calendar – the date for our annual “Polish Independence Day/Veterans Day” luncheon.  Let’s make this another big success!

As always, I am proud to serve you!  Bardzo Dziekuje!

Mark Pienkos, President
Polish American Congress – Wisconsin Division
markpienkos2012@gmail.com   or   262-325-8039

 

 

Activity Report – August 2015

Polish American Congress – Wisconsin Division

Activity Report

The Polish American Congress – Wisconsin Division supports and helps promote the activities and mission of the Polish Heritage Alliance of Wisconsin.  The PAC-WI Division continues to support organizations and their activities throughout Milwaukee, as well as the state of Wisconsin.  Also, besides attending the Pulaski Council of Milwaukee’s annual luncheon and the Milwaukee Society’s annual dinner, our organization has been active in the following:

Jan Karski Exhibit – PAC-WI Division continued its assistance of the Polish Consulate in Chicago by planning showings.  Sites were: Wisconsin State Capitol Rotunda, U.W. – Milwaukee Library, U.W.-Marinette Library, U.W.-Parkside Library, Racine Public Library, Lake Geneva Public Library, and the Polish Center of Wisconsin.

Canonization of Pope John Paul II – The PAC-WI Division partnered with several area churches to provide hospitality at St. Mary’s Church in Burlington, WI on Divine Mercy Sunday on April 27^th the day Pope John Paul II was canonized.

70^th Anniversary of the Battle of Monte Cassino – PAC-WI Division arranged a special Polish Mass on May 17^th at St. Maximillian Kolbe Catholic Church in Milwaukee remembering this special battle of World War II.

Polish Fest – PAC-WI Division actively participates in this important festival with an informational table.  In 2014, our booth featured photographs of Polish cities.

Commemorated the Many Anniversaries in 2014 – PAC-WI Division planned with several Polish organizations throughout Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Illinois, and Michigan, a fantastic event commemorating the many anniversaries Poland celebrated in 2015.  On July 13^th, Professor Neal Pease gave a very informative presentation and pianist Igor Lipinski performed Chopin.  92 people were in attendance.

Polish American Heritage Baseball Game – On August 22^nd, PAC-WI Division spearheaded this event at Miller Park.  The Brewers hosted the Pittsburgh Pirates.  Paul Schramka, from the Milwaukee area and who played professional baseball (including a brief stint with the Chicago Cubs) was the featured Polish American.

Polish Independence Day/Veterans Day – Over 175 people attended our annual November event held at the Polish Center of Wisconsin.  In 2014, the following individuals and organizations were recognized with the Congressman Clement Zablocki “Civic Achievement Award”:  Judith Free, Alicja Newell, Paul Schramka, Bernadette Swider, and POLANKI – Polish Women’s Cultural Club of Milwaukee.

 

Respectfully Submitted,

Dr. Mark Pienkos, President
markpienkos2012@gmail.com or 262-325-8039

2015 Elected Officers and Directors

Polish American Congress – Wisconsin Division

Elected Officers and Directors

(Elected at the Annual Meeting in April)

 

2015 Officers:

Dr. Mark Pienkos – President

Kathy Wieczorek – Vice President for Public Relations

Stephen Pienkos – Vice President for Membership

Janice Klosowski – Recording Secretary

Ann Pienkos – General Secretary

Judith Free – Treasurer

Dan Klosowski – Sgt. At Arms

 

2015 Directors:

Stan Graiewski

Sharon Haberski

Jeanette Holmquist

Teresa Jankowski

Rob Kaminski

Luanne Landgraf

Ernest Litynski

Nina Nowakowski

Neal Pease

Hedy Rabiega

David Rydzewski

Anne Wal

Ron Witkowiak

Krystyna Zuzanski

 

National Director(s) – two year position (elected April, 2015)

President Mark Pienkos is the primary National Director

2015 EAlternate National Directors:  Professor Donald Pienkos and John Pienkos