About Us · Downstate New York Division
We are part of Polish New York.
New York is home to the largest Polish-American community on the East Coast. This is where our parishes, schools, organizations, and everyday lives come together.
Greenpoint, Ridgewood, Maspeth, and the Polish communities of Long Island have their own credit union, funeral homes, bakeries, and professional associations. They also face issues that people in Chicago or Washington cannot fully understand from afar. That is why the Polish American Congress needs a local division here — with people who know the community and can be reached the same day.
Photo from the PACDNY archives
Our Work in the Community
Representation begins with the issues that matter here at home.
May 3, 2021 · GreenpointSpeaking Up to Protect Our History
Our work is rarely dramatic. Often, it begins with something as simple as a letter sent to the right people.
On May 3, 2021, the anniversary of Poland’s Constitution of May 3, vandals desecrated the monument to Father Jerzy Popiełuszko in McCarren Park in Greenpoint. Our division issued an official statement and sent it to federal, state, and city officials, the commanding officer of the 94th Precinct, and the Parks Commissioner. We called for the incident to be investigated as a possible anti-Polish hate crime.
A History of Commitment: 1986–1992
The plaza bears Father Popiełuszko’s name as the result of a 1986 agreement between the Polish American Congress and the City of New York. Our statement also recalled an earlier attack on the monument in 1990 and the 1992 ceremony marking the restoration of the statue’s head. More than 10,000 people attended that ceremony.
October 23, 2019 · BrooklynPolish Heritage in the Life of Our City
We work with city leaders — not only by writing to them, but by building relationships within the community. During the Polish Heritage Celebration at Brooklyn Borough Hall, Borough President Eric L. Adams honored the Polish American Congress New York Downstate Division, along with two representatives of the Greenpoint community: Artur Dybanowski and Piotr Pachacz.
The celebration was organized by our Division President, Andrew Kaminski.
March 2022 · A Community EffortSolidarity Across Borders
Our members took part in the nationwide Polonia for Ukraine radiothon, broadcast on WPNA 103.1 FM. The campaign raised funds for medical needs in Ukraine and for refugees who found shelter in Poland.
Portrait source: Grieco Funeral Home
Frank N. Milewski
Longtime Division President and Honorary President
He believed public service was a personal responsibility, not something to leave to others.
For many years, he led our division and later served as its Honorary President. He passed away on September 2, 2022, at the age of 90. Born in Brooklyn, he graduated from the City College of New York.
He was an active member and former President of the Polish American Congress Downstate New York Division. He was also a member of the Pulaski Association of Business & Professional Men, the Polish Roman Catholic Union of America, and the Polish National Alliance.
He was awarded the Silver Badge of the Order of Merit of the Republic of Poland by President Lech Wałęsa.
He ran for the New York State Senate in 1965 and for delegate to the New York State Constitutional Convention in 1967.
Let’s Talk About the Issues That Matter to Polonia.
We invite you to read our statements and letters and to contact our division directly.