On behalf of Frank Milewski, Honorary President of PAC South Brooklyn, the award for the Polish American Congress was accepted by Bożena Kaminski.
October is Polish American Heritage Month — a month when Polonia takes special pride in its roots, remembers its heritage, and celebrates Polish achievements. On October 23, a Polonia gathering was held at Brooklyn Borough Hall, during which Eric L. Adams – Brooklyn Borough President – honored Poles from Greenpoint. The main organizer of this wonderful celebration was Andrew Kaminski, President of the Polish American Congress for South Brooklyn.
The award for the Polish American Congress was accepted on behalf of Frank Milewski – Honorary President of PAC South Brooklyn – by Bożena Kaminski. In her remarks she stressed that, despite the common opinion that Greenpoint is no longer Polish, it is precisely in Greenpoint that the largest Polish American organizations operate, such as the Polish & Slavic Federal Credit Union and the Polish & Slavic Center — so one cannot agree that Greenpoint is no longer Polish, said Bożena Kaminski.
During the celebration, the Brooklyn Borough President also presented awards for service to Polonia to:
- Piotr Pachacz – Pulaski Association of Business and Professional Men
- Artur Dybanowski – owner of Arthur’s Funeral Home in Greenpoint, who also serves on the boards of directors of the Pulaski Association of Business and Professional Men and the Polish American Congress.
The ceremony was hosted by Anna Podolak, who welcomed all guests with an actor’s flair, recalling how many important Poles from the world of culture and the arts created their work in New York. Among the invited guests were Kamil Henne – Deputy Consul General in New York, Bożena Kaminski – Vice President for Polish Affairs of the Polish American Congress and Executive Director and President of the Polish & Slavic Center, Grażyna Michalski – Treasurer of the Polish American Congress for South Brooklyn, Bogdan Chmielewski – Executive Director of the Polish & Slavic Federal Credit Union, and Iwona Korga – Director of PSFCU.
The invocation was delivered by Witold Mroziewski – Auxiliary Bishop of Brooklyn.
After the official opening of the ceremony, Eric L. Adams – Brooklyn Borough President – presented the awards to members of Polonia. In his speech he repeatedly emphasized what an important part of the Brooklyn community Poles are. Each honoree thanked the Borough President for the recognition and for such a warm and cordial welcome at Brooklyn Borough Hall.
After the official ceremony there was time for photos of the honorees with the Borough President, and at the end everyone was invited to a performance by the Polish American Folk Dance Company of Brooklyn and to a delicious Polish reception prepared by the Polish & Slavic Center and Syrena Bakery.
The event was sponsored by:
- Polish & Slavic Federal Credit Union
- Polish & Slavic Center
- Pulaski Association of Business and Professional Men