90th Anniversary of Polish-American Diplomatic Relations
When the First World War ended, the United States of America was the first country to recognize the newly independent Poland on January 29, 1919. This year, our two countries celebrate 90 years of Polish-American diplomatic relations. The U.S. Embassy in Warsaw and the U.S. Consulate General in Krakow will be joining with the Polish Ministry of Foreign Affairs and institutions throughout Poland to commemorate this long-standing relationship. Events throughout 2009 are to celebrate important periods in the friendship such as the founding of the Kosciuszko Squadron by American pilots in the 1920s, Paderewski’s aid to the American poor and artists, or the American support for free Poland and Solidarność during the Cold War. Celebrations will include many cultural events highlighting shared contributions to jazz and classical music, visual arts, and the continued role Polish immigrants play in defining American society. [more]
Ambassador Victor Ashe visited Krakow on January 5 where he made farewell calls on several regional leaders, including Krakow Archbishop Stanislaw Dziwisz, Malopolska Governor Jerzy Miller, and Malopolska Deputy Marshal Leszek Zegzda. He also met with Krakow entrepreneur Wieslaw Likus. The Ambassador praised the region, saying that during his time in Poland he had visited Malopolska at least every six weeks, and that despite his many visits, he had always found something new and interesting to see. He also said that in the future he hopes to return often to Malopolska as a tourist. [
During the week of January 12-16, 2009 Dr. Andrew A. Michta, Professor of National Security Studies and Deputy Director of the Senior Executive Seminar at the George C. Marshall European Center for Security Studies in Germany will visit six Polish cities: Krakow, Sosnowiec, Wroclaw, Warsaw, Deblin, and Lublin. Dr. Michta is an expert in the areas of international relations, U.S. foreign and national security policy, NATO enlargement, civil-military relations, and Central European politics and security. In Warsaw, Dr. Michta will lecture at the National Defense Academy and College of Europe and on January 15 at 5 p.m., he will talk about the future of US-NATO relations with Russia at the headquarters of the 
It was hard to find an empty seat at the Hard Rock Café on Saturday night, January 3, when Thom Shepherd and the Nashville Songwriters Band performed for military and embassy personnel in Warsaw and many other Polish and American country music fans. Whole families enjoyed the lively concert, an event sponsored by 
Ambassador Victor Ashe paid farewell calls to city and regional leaders in Wrocław on Monday December 29. Ambassador Ashe met with Wrocław Mayor Rafał Dutkiewicz, Lower Silesian Marshal Marek Łapiński and Archbishop Marian Gołębiewski, Head of the Wrocław Diocese. In his meetings, Ambassador Ashe praised the city and regional government for making Wrocław and Lower Silesia attractive sites for foreign investment. "Wrocław is one of my favorite cities in Poland, and I've visited it often during my tenure as U.S. Ambassador," commented Ambassador Ashe. "Wrocław is not only beautiful but dynamic and very cosmopolitan as well. I hope to return and visit this region again." [
Charles Tomaszewski, who served as the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Country Attaché at the U.S. Embassy in Warsaw until the end of 2008, was honored with a bronze medal for his contributions to the Polish Police. The award ceremony took place on December 29 at the Polish Police Headquarters (KGP) in Warsaw with Police Sub Inspector Rafal Lysakowski, director of KGP's International Cooperation Office, among the attendees. [
U.S. Ambassador to Poland Victor Ashe and Mrs. Joan Ashe hosted a dinner at their residence on December 22 to celebrate close US-Polish ties with key Polish dignitaries who helped to strengthen bilateral relations, announced Cultural Attaché Chuck Ashley. Guests of honor included two former Polish ambassadors to the United States, Janusz Reiter and Jerzy Kozminski, and their spouses; former Polish Foreign Minister Adam Daniel Rotfeld; and Polish Commissioner for Civil Rights Protection Janusz Kochanowski and Mrs. Kochanowski. [
U.S. Ambassador Victor Ashe welcomed the appointment of former soccer midfielder Robert Warzycha as the Columbus Crew’s new head coach, announced Cultural Attaché Chuck Ashley. Warzycha, a native of Siemkowice, has risen to a head coaching job in America’s top-flight MLS soccer league after a storied career in Europe and the U.S. His success in America exemplifies the strong cultural and sporting ties between the U.S. and Poland. Ambassador Ashe said he was “very pleased” by this development, which highlights the values of sportsmanship and athletic excellence that Poles and Americans share. [
In the early afternoon on December 11th, three Polish 
Narodowy Bank Polski (the 
Hundreds of Poles mingled with American and foreign diplomats at a Holiday Reception hosted by US Ambassador to Poland Victor Ashe and his wife Joan on December 16, announced Press Attaché James Wolfe. The guests included political leaders, cultural figures, representatives from the business world, key members of Non-Governmental Organizations, and journalists – among many others. Ambassador Ashe and the Embassy officials used the occasion to show our appreciation of our Polish hosts for their hospitality and friendship, as well as to wish all the best for the holidays and the New Year. [
U.S. Ambassador Victor Ashe paid a farewell call to Krakow Mayor Jacek Majchrowski on December 19. Ambassador Ashe will complete his term as U.S. Ambassador to Poland in early 2009. As a former mayor of Knoxville, Tennessee, Ambassador Ashe especially praised the Krakow municipal government for improving the city’s image as a top tourist destination in Central Europe. “As a foreign diplomat I should not reveal my preferences, but I must say that Krakow places itself at the head of Polish cities I like most”, said Ambassador Ashe. “I can walk through Krakow’s city center for three or four hours and never get bored. I will definitely return here as a tourist”, he added. Ambassador Ashe invited Mayor Majchrowski to visit him in the U.S. [
On December 15, 2008, 
On December 10, 2009, the U.S. Embassy in Warsaw opened a photo competition Democracy is… The competition is organized by the U.S. Embassy in Warsaw, in cooperation with the 
The U.S. Embassy Warsaw Speakers Bureau is excited to announce three major topics for 2009. Diplomats from the U.S. Embassy are available to visit your school or institution throughout Poland to speak on the following subjects: 
Tell us what democracy is to you and win an all-expenses-paid trip to Washington DC, New York, and Los Angeles! The U.S. Department of State and YouTube invite you to submit your short video that completes the phrase "Democracy is…" between now and 31 January 2009. The winners of the global video challenge -- one from each continent -- will travel to the United States. If your video is chosen, you will see your creation on the big screen at gala events in all three cities. You will also have the chance to meet with filmmakers, democracy activists, and other people who want to hear your story. [
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