Recognizing the 25th anniversary of the workers' strikes in Poland in 1980 that led to the establishment of the Solidarity Trade Union.

Mr. Speaker, I am proud to be an original cosponsor of H. Res. 328, and I rise on behalf of the more than 111,000 of my constituents who are of Polish descent to recognize the 25th anniversary of the workers' strikes in Poland in 1980. These strikes pressured the government to recognize the Solidarity Trade Union and, eventually, to enact fundamental changes in the government in Poland. It is my privilege to join with Poland, friends of Poland and people of Polish descent around the world in honoring this historic date.

The summer of 1980 was a turbulent time in Poland. Soviet domination resulted not only in political oppression but in deep economic crisis. In response to these conditions, workers were striking in several cities across the country. In 1979, the visit by Pope John II added to the hope and desire of all Polish people for change and demonstrated the possibility of mass independent movements.

The Independent and Self-Governing Solidarity Trade Union was established as a result of the Gdansk Accords signed on August 31, 1980 between striking workers and the communist government. In this agreement the government conceded to striking workers' requests and allowed them to form free trade unions, independent from the government and communist party, an unprecedented situation under the Iron Curtain.

By signing the accords the communist government hoped to appease workers while entrenching their power. To the government's great disappointment, the Solidarity Trade Union grew rapidly. By 1981, Solidarity boasted an unparalleled membership of nearly 10 million workers or more than a half of the Polish labor force and almost one third of the entire population. Employees from all sectors of economy and positions joined en masse, including workers, professionals, intellectuals, students and members of political opposition. The Solidarity Trade Union became a huge social and political movement, representing the Polish nation's aspirations for freedom, democracy and better living conditions after more than thirty-five years of communism and Soviet control.

However, the road to freedom was not easy. Seeing how popular and powerful the union was becoming, the communist government of Poland imposed Martial Law in 1981, followed by persecution, imprisonment and forced emigration of many Solidarity members, including Lech Walesa. Nonetheless, the banned Solidarity Trade Union kept aggravating both within Poland and abroad with the instrumental support of Pope John Paul II.

In 1989, the will of millions prevailed: the communist government gave in and held talks with the Solidarity Trade Union. These ``round table negotiations'' resulted in free elections to the National Assembly, won almost completely by candidates supported by the Solidarity Trade Union. Subsequently, the noncommunist prime minister was elected later that year, and in 1990, Lech Walesa, a former worker- electrician and the leader of the Solidarity Trade Union who had been instrumental in workers' strikes of 1980 and in the Gdansk Accords, became the first elected president of the newly non-communist Poland. Communism was peacefully overthrown.

Within a year, following the Polish example, the regimes in the Czech Republic, Hungary and East Germany had fallen. By 1991, communism was overthrown throughout Europe thanks to the inspiration of the Solidarity Trade Union.

With its long and rich history and traditions, Poland regained its rightful place among free and independent nations, first as a contributing partner in the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, NATO, and last year, as a full member of the European Union. Today, Poland

continues to be our staunch ally and steadfast friend in Europe in our fight against terrorism.

Mr. Speaker, on behalf of my 111,000 Polish American constituents, I am honored to recognize this important anniversary and honor the events in Poland 25 years ago that helped restore freedom and democracy in Poland and throughout Europe.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H. Res. 328, a resolution recognizing the 25th anniversary of the workers' strikes in Poland in 1980 that led to the establishment of the Solidarity Trade Union.

This legislation praises Polish workers in the shipyards of Gdansk and Szczecin for rising up against the repressive Soviet controlled communist regime in demand of greater political freedom. The actions of these courageous and peaceful individuals were directly responsible for the establishment of the Solidarity Trade Union, a profound social movement that ultimately ended communism in Poland without bloodshed.

This resolution rightly expresses the sense of Congress that our government should recognize and honor the struggle and sacrifice of the citizens of Poland, whose tireless efforts succeeded in restoring democracy to their country while simultaneously highlighting the correlation between organized labor and strong democratic institutions.

Now, more than ever, it is important that Congress pay tribute to, and support, those nations that willingly and actively allow the unimpeded formation of labor unions. For it is those countries that exhibit the most free and fair democratic policies. No such phenomenon is better exemplified than in the case of the Solidarity Trade Union. The formation of this important group ultimately led to the election of Poland's first post World War II non-communist Prime Minister, Mr. Tadeusz Mazawiecki.

Mr. Speaker, let me conclude by again expressing my support for this legislation and encourage my colleagues' support. It should be a priority of this Congress to pay homage to members of the Solidarity Trade Union on the 25th anniversary of its inception and acknowledge the ensuing bond of friendship that has flourished between our two nations on account of workers' rights.

Mr. Speaker, had I been present on Monday, July 18 and Tuesday, July 19, I would have voted ``aye'' on: Monday's Rollcall vote #380--Motion to Suspend the Rules and pass House Resolution 328; Monday's Rollcall vote #381--Motion to Suspend the Rules and pass H. Con. Res. 175; Monday's Rollcall vote #382--Motion to Suspend the Rules and pass H. Res. 364; Tuesday's Rollcall vote #383--Ordering the previous question on House Resolution 365; Tuesday's Rollcall vote #384--Passage of House Resolution 365; Tuesday's Rollcall vote #385-- The Hyde amendment to H.R. 2601, the Foreign Relations Authorization Act for Fiscal 2006 and 2007.

Mr. Speaker, on Monday, July 18, 2005, I was unable to be present for the following rollcall votes: H. Res. 328, H. Con. Res. 175, H. Res. 364.

Had I been present, I would have voted ``yea'' on H. Res. 328.

Had I been present, I would have voted ``yea'' on H. Con. Res. 175.

Had I been present, I would have voted ``yea'' on H. Res. 364.

Mr. Speaker, because my airline flight was delayed, on July 18th I was unable to be present for the vote on H. Res. 328, Recognizing the 25th anniversary of the workers' strikes in Poland in 1980 that led to the establishment of the Solidarity Trade Union. (rollcall number 380). Had I been present, I would have voted ``yes.''