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
Panel Discussion: Poland, the U.S., & NATO: Confronting the Russian Threat
by Marta Cichocka On Friday, April 5, 2019, the White House Historical Association, in Washington, D.C., hosted a panel discussion: "Poland, the U.S., & NATO: Confronting the Russian Threat." This was one of the events in the Kuklinski Museum's Discussion Series...
Passing of Mr. Wallace Zieliński
We were deeply saddened to hear about the passing of former PAC officer and Polish Falcons of America President Wallace J. Zielinski. Visitation will be held at Anthony Massafra Funeral Home in Donora, PA on Sunday and Monday. The mass for late Mr. Zielinski will be...
POLISH AMERICAN CONGRESS (PAC) STATEMENT IN OPPOSITION TO THE DEMONSTRATIONS OF 31 MARCH 2019 TO PROTEST PUBLIC LAW NO. 115-171
Dear Polish American Activists, Please find below additional information about the POLISH AMERICAN CONGRESS (PAC) STATEMENT IN OPPOSITION TO THE DEMONSTRATIONS OF 31 MARCH 2019 TO PROTEST PUBLIC LAW NO. 115-171, which is posted on on the PAC website in Polish and...
Funding Pathway Identified for Three Seas Initiative
by Paweł Markiewicz, Ph.D. Inicjatywa Trójmorza, która ma na celu poprawić infrastrukturę oraz bezpieczeństwo energetyczne krajów położonych w regionie między morzami Bałtyckim, Adriatyckim i Czarnym, wkrótce będzie sfinansowana. Polski Bank Gospodarstwa...
Featured Stories
David Brydan of the Historical Association Highlights Global Impacts of the Cold War
How did the Cold War effects stretch beyond Europe and how is it still felt today? by PAC Intern Kamila Magiera On April 23, The Historical Association hosted a webinar, titled “The Global Cold War”, to shed light on the years after the partial collapse of the Soviet...
US-Poland Exercise Allied Spirit to Take Place in June
How will modified DEFENDER-Europe 20 exercises proceed amidst the COVID-19 pandemic? by PAC Intern Julia Benbenek DEFENDER-Europe 20 was meant to be a series of US-led multinational exercises with NATO forces. 29,000 US soldiers from the US and European stations were...
WHAT POLAND ALREADY HAS DONE ON RESTITUTION/COMPENSATION OF WORLD WAR II ERA PRIVATE PROPERTY AND COMMUNAL RELIGIOUS PROPERTY
The Polish American Congress does not support the repeal of Senate Resolution 447 which is Public Law 115/171. Instead, please read below the POLISH AMERICAN CONGRESS'S position on compliance with the TEREZIN DECLARATION. WHAT POLAND ALREADY HAS DONE ON...
Summary of CSIS webinar on “Russia’s “Private” Military Companies: The Example of the Wagner Group”
By PAC Intern Kay Minkiewicz The Washington D.C. based Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) presented a webinar on Russia’s private military companies, specifically the Wagner Group on April 28, 2020. In summary, the webinar discussed the nature of...
Latest Press
Polish and Central and East European history book suggestions for quarantine times
Would you like to add some history books about Poland and Central and Eastern Europe to your reading list during stay at home order? Below we provided some book suggestions in the English language: John Connelly, From Peoples into Nations: A History of Eastern Europe...
Passing of Andrzej Gędłek
We are deeply saddened by the news of passing of Mr. Andrzej Gędłek, National Director of PAC IL Division due to the coronavirus. He was a devoted activist for the Polish community and he will be greatly missed. May he rest in peace. Niech światłość wiekuista świeci...
Pokażmy siłę Polonii w USA! Census 2020
Droga Polonio! Kształtujmy naszą przyszłość poprzez wzięcie udziału w Spisie Ludności 2020! Pokażmy siłę Polonii! Spis Ludności polega na policzeniu każdej osoby dorosłej, dziecka i niemowlęcia mieszkających w Stanach Zjednoczonych. Liczenie odbywa...
Passing of Rev. Carl Urban
It is with sadness that we learned about the passing of Father Carl Urban on Saturday morning, March 14, 2020. Father Urban was a PAC Chaplain, and a National Director of PAC Central Division of New York for many years. He was dedicated to his work for Polonia. The...