Our History
The Polish American Congress was established in response to the threat to Poland’s freedom caused by German and Soviet aggression in September 1939 and to express in one voice; support for the restoration of a free and sovereign Poland once the war was won. The Congress of Polonia met in Buffalo, New York, from May 28 to June 1, 1944. Composed of roughly 2,600 delegates representing Polish and Polish-American organizations, the Congress created the PAC, defining its goal of a free Poland and underscoring its support for the US war effort against the Axis powers.
The PAC was the first umbrella organization representing a majority of Polish-Americans, who had been represented by a wide range of smaller, mostly local organizations. Creation of PAC was enthusiastically welcomed by most of the Polish-American community. Shortly after its creation, it boasted 6 million members and followers.
The Congress elected Karol Rozmarek as the first president of the PAC. He was succeeded in 1968 by Aloysius Mazewski, who served until his death in 1988. Under Mazewski, Leonard F. Walentynowicz served as executive director of the PAC for a number of years. Edward Moskal was elected president in 1988, and he, too, served as president for the remainder of his life. Its current president is Frank J. Spula.
About Polish American Congress
The Polish American Congress is a National Umbrella Organization, representing at least 10 million Americans of Polish descent and origin. Its membership is comprised of fraternal, educational, veteran, religious, cultural, social, business, political organizations and individual membership.
Recent News
Podziękowanie od Sekretarza Stanu Adama Kwiatkowskiego
Podziękowanie od Sekretarza Stanu Adama Kwiatkowskiego za list gratulacyjny dla Prezydenta RP Andrzeja Dudy.
List gratulacyjny dla Prezydenta RP Andrzeja Dudy od Prezesa Franka Spuli
List-Gratulacyjny-dla-Prezydenta-Dudy_07132020Download
Ask your Senator to co-sponsor S.Res. 566
The Polish American Congress is focusing its efforts on enacting the 80th Anniversary Katyń Forest Massacre Commemorative Senate Resolution (S. Res. 566). We are asking Polish Americans and friends of Polonia to phone their United States Senators at their Washington...
CONGRESSMAN ELIOT L. ENGEL IS UNFAIR TO POLAND AND THIS HARMS AMERICA
by John Czop, Director of Policy Planning, Polish American Congress, National Office, Washington D.C. ...
Featured Stories
Independence Day of Poland is also celebrated in the USA – Ignacy Jan Paderewski in California
By Małgorzata Margo Schulz In Paso Robles, a small Californian town, there is an exhibition of objects that belonged to Ignace Jan Paderewski. There is his bed, suitcases, and clothes. Residents of Paso Robles know this great Pole not only as a statesman and...
ON POLAND’S INDEPENDENCE DAY POLISH AMERICAN CONGRESS PRESIDENT SPULA CALLS FOR POLAND’S ALLIES TO SUPPORT HER AGAINST RUSSIAN INTIMIDATION
Poland and America are partners in freedom. The democratic revolutions of the late eighteenth century which challenged authoritarian governments in nearly all countries of the Atlantic world only succeeded in America. The democratic revolution prevailed in America...
Maria Skłodowska Curie
by PAC Intern Eliseo Nesci Maria Salomea Skłodowska Curie (1867-1934) was a pioneer in the fields of physics and chemistry. For her discovery of radium and polonium, she was the first woman to be awarded the Nobel Prize. A dedicated scientist endowed with a strong...
Sixty Years of Studying Poland – discussion with Norman Davies
It is often the treasures that have been abandoned to obscurity that are the most valuable. The history of humanity is full of forgotten voices lost to memory through the ravages of conquest, subjugation, and time. For the historian, the human story provides an...
Latest Press
The General Walter Jajko Kościuszko Chair Military Lecture
Please see Professor Marek Jan Chodakiewicz's coming lecture: The Last Stands: Poland In 1920 and 1939. Professor Chodakiewicz is the first incumbent and present holder of the Kościuszko Chair in Polish Studies at The Institute of World Politics in...
Screening of film “Godspeed, Los Polacos” in Wallington, NJ on Aug 15
Special screening of the film, "Godspeed Los Polacos", will take place on August 15 at 5:00 p.m. at Polish House CRACOVIA, 196 Main Ave. Wallington, NJ. Tickets:$12 advance booking$15 on entry 973-473-1249 After the screening of the movie, there will be a meeting with...
Joint Statement by the Presidents of PAC and UCCA on Nord Stream 2
Save the Date: 2021 PAC Council of National Directors Meeting
The next Polish American Congress Council of National Directors Meeting will be held virtually on Saturday, October 16, 2021. This meeting is open to the Executive Committee and National Directors who are in good standing.
PAC GALLERIES
