Reps. Sak, Plakas, Palsrok, Dennis, Richardville, Farhat, O'Neil, Anderson, Bieda, Brandenburg, Brown, Caswell, Condino, Ehardt, Garfield, Gieleghem, Hood, Hopgood, Kooiman, Milosch, Pappageorge, Rivet, Sheltrown, Shulman, Spade, Stallworth, Tabor, Taub, Vagnozzi, Waters, Wojno, Accavitti, Adamini, Byrum, Caul, Clack, DeRossett, Elkins, Farrah, Gleason, Huizenga, Jamnick, Koetje, Kolb, LaSata, Lipsey, Murphy, Nofs, Rocca, Stakoe, Tobocman and Phillips offered the following resolution:

            House Resolution No. 316.

            A resolution recognizing October 2004 as Polish Heritage Month in the state of Michigan.

Whereas, The first Polish immigrants to North America were among the settlers of Jamestown, Virginia, in the 17^th century; and

Whereas, Kazimierz Pulaski, Tadeusz Kosciuszko, and other Polish people came to the British Colonies in America to fight in the Revolutionary War and risk their lives and fortunes for the creation of the United States; and

Whereas, For over three hundred years, the Polish people, and their American descendants, have shared their traditional customs, thousand-year-old culture, and strong devotion to democracy with us; and

Whereas, Polish people, and the American descendants, have distinguished themselves by contributing to the development of arts, sciences, government, military service, athletics, and education in the United States; and

Whereas, The Polish Constitution of May 3, 1791, was directly modeled on the Constitution of the United States and recognized as the second written constitution in history.  It is revered by Polish people and Americans of Polish descent; and

Whereas, We know and respect the indomitable spirit and loyal civic involvement of the Polish American people and Pole immigrants. They are Revolutionary War heroes and Nobel Peace Prize winners; and

            Whereas, Polish people and their American descendants take great pride in, and honor the achievements of, the greatest son of Poland, his Holiness Pope John Paul, II; now, therefore, be it

            Resolved by the House of Representatives, That the members of this legislative body recognize October 2004 as Polish Heritage Month in the state of Michigan.