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 Hubert J. Cioromski.
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
PAC President Frank J. Spula interviewed on ABC7 Chicago News about the airstrikes crossing into Poland
On November 15, 2022, the day of the alleged Russian airstrikes on Poland which left two people dead, ABC7 Chicago News interviewed President Frank Spula of the Polish National Alliance and Polish American Congress at the Polish National Alliance Home Office in...
Polish National Independence Day
Today Poles celebrate National Independence Day (Narodowe Święto Niepodległości). This day commemorates the anniversary of Poland regaining its sovereignty from the German, Austro-Hungarian, and Russian Empires in 1918. Poland was absent from world maps for 123 years...
CEEC Webinar: Transatlantic Security in Peril? Ukraine at War
To watch the recent webinar "Transatlantic Security in Peril? Ukraine at War" go to https://ceecadvocacy.org.
The 2022 Polish American Congress Council of National Directors’ meeting
Annual Polish American Congress (PAC) Council of National Directors’ Meeting was held Oct. 19-20, 2022 at the Polish National Alliance (PNA) in Chicago. The PAC meeting was a very successful discussion of current issues affecting Polish- Americans, and Poland....
Featured Stories
Statement of the Polish American Congress, on the occasion of the beatification of the Ulma family, September 10, 2023
The Polish American Congress, on the day of the beatification of the Ulma family, wants to emphasize, that despite the fact that only in Poland during the German occupation in 1939-1945 was a punishment by death for saving Jews, as many as over seven thousand Poles,...
Oświadczenie Kongresu Polonii Amerykańskiej, z okazji beatyfikacji rodziny Ulmów.
Kongres Polonii Amerykańskiej, w dniu beatyfikacji rodziny Ulmów chce podkreślić, że pomimo tego, że tylko w Polsce w czasie niemieckiej okupacji w 1939 – 1945 groziła śmierć za ratowanie Żydów, najwięcej Polaków, bo aż ponad siedem tysięcy uhonorowano tytułem...
History of Labor Day in America.
Today we celebrate Labor Day, it is a good time to remember the history of this national holiday. The struggle in a fight for workers rights is also well known to Poles. History of this National Holiday:Observed the first Monday in September, Labor Day is an annual...
The Polish American Congress Statement — Commemoration of the 84th anniversary of German invasion of Poland and the start of WWII.
The Polish American Congress Statement — Commemoration of the 84th anniversary of German invasion of Poland and the start of WWII. Poland was invaded by Nazi Germany on September 1st 1939. The Polish military fought valiantly against the German...
Latest Press
Pogrzeb weterana na Zachodnim Wybrzeżu USA.
W Los Angeles, w polskiej parafii Matki Boskiej Jasnogórskiej, w Sanktuarium Świętego Jana Pawła II się pogrzeb weterana, żołnierza II Wojny Światowej Andrzeja Stefańskiego . Andrzej Stefański urodzony 10 października 1925 roku, zmarł 19 czerwca 2023 roku.Jego...
Polish American Congress at VI Worldwide Polonia Council Conference in Warsaw and Pułtusk, Poland.
Polish American Congress at VI Worldwide Polonia Council Conference in Warsaw, Poland July 28th- June 2nd. (VI Zjazd Poloni i Polaków z Zagranicy) By Małgorzata Margo Schulz, Polish American Congress National Vice President for Media and Publicity. At the Presidential...
The Importance of Poland Regaining Its Independence in 1918
The below document is a monograph produced in 2018 to mark the 100th year anniversary of Poland regaining its independence. It was prepared by current PAC First Vice-President Mark Pienkos.Social Media
In Memoriam – Remembering PAC Activists
IN MEMORIAM The Polish American Congress has learned of the passing of the following PAC leaders during the past few years. Please remember these individuals who gave their time and talents to the Polish communities they served. These individuals were honored with a...
PAC GALLERIES
