(September 28, 2016 – ILLINOIS) – Republican Presidential candidate Donald J. Trump met today with leaders of the Polish American community at the office of the Polish National Alliance in Chicago.
The meeting was organized by the Polish American Congress. PAC President Frank Spula welcomed Mr. Trump to the Polish National Alliance headquarters. Former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani accompanied Mr. Trump.
President Spula addressed issues of importance to Poland and Polish Americans; specifically a strong NATO, of which the Republic of Poland has been a member since 1999, as well as Poland’s inclusion into the Visa Waiver Program. Mr. Trump expressed strong support for both issues, including the support of a missile defense system that will protect Poland’s security. Mr. Trump said, “I am all for NATO and in a Trump Administration, we will have a friendly and strong partnership with Poland and Polish Americans.” Although unfamiliar with the Visa Waiver Program issue, Trump expressed concern that Poland is not a Visa Waiver member. Trump said, “I promise that within weeks of my Administration being sworn into office, I will see to the approval of Poland in the Visa Waiver Program.”
Mr. Trump thanked those in attendance for the hospitality afforded him and Mr. Giuliani. These included:
Frank J Spula – President of the Polish American Congress & Polish National Alliance
Rick E. Pierchalski, First Vice President of the Polish American Congress
Mark Pienkos, Vice President for Public Relations of the Polish American Congress
Hubert Cioromski, Vice President for Financial Development of the Polish American Congress
Tim Kuzma, President of the Polish Falcons of America and Secretary of the Polish American Congress
Micheline Jaminski, Vice President of the Polish Roman Catholic Union of America and Treasurer of the Polish American Congress
Romuald Poplawski, President of the IL Division of the Polish American Congress
Mark Grzymala, PAC – IL Division Director
Kornelia Krol, President of the Polish American Medical Association
Maciej Pisarski, Deputy Chief of Mission of the Embassy of the Republic of Poland, Washington
Piotr Janicki, Consul General of the Republic of Poland, Chicago
Anna Morzy, President of the Polish American Chamber of Commerce
Marian Grabowski, Treasurer of the Polish National Alliance
Joseph Drobot, President of the Polish Roman Catholic Union of America
Charles Komosa, Secretary of the Polish National Alliance
Mary Anselmo, National Director of the Polish American Congress
Ewa Koch, President of the Polish Teachers Association in America
Margaret Blaszczuk, Editor of the Polish Daily News & National Director of the PAC
Jacek Niemczyk, General Manager of the WPNA Radio Station & National Director of the PAC
Jan Cikowski, President of the Polish Highlanders in America
Iwona Wegrzyn Bochenski, President of the Warsaw Committee of Chicago Sister Cities
Magdalena Pantelis, General Manager of the Alliance Publishers and Printers
Bozena Nowicka McLees, National Director of the PAC, Chair of the Educational Committee.
Following the meeting with leaders of the Polish American community, Mr. Trump spoke to nearly two hundred people. Mr. Trump reinforced his fondness and commitment to Poland and Polish Americans.
The meeting was organized by William Ciosek of the Donald Trump Campaign with the assistance of Anthony Bajdek, Polish American Congress Vice President for American Affairs and Alicja Kuklinska, “Zgoda” Editor, National Director (PNA).
The Polish American Congress has reached out to the Hilary Clinton Campaign for a similar opportunity to meet with Mrs. Clinton. As of today, the campaign has not responded to our invitation.
The Polish American Congress does not endorse candidates, but hopes to inform candidates as to the issues facing Poland and Polish Americans.
“In answer to recent questions, this is to clarify that the Polish American Congress DOES NOT endorse and/or oppose candidates for elected offices.
During national and local elections we invite candidates for elected offices to meet with the representatives and members of the Polish American Congress in order to not only educate the candidates about the issues of key importance to the Polish American community, but also in order to hear first-hand their answers and/or positions regarding these important matters.
These meetings do not imply any kind of endorsement and/or opposition to any political candidate.”
Polish American Congress Dr. Mark Pienkos, PAC Vice President for Public Relations Dr. Barbara Andersen, PAC Executive Director