Chicago, IL – On Monday, March 2, 2015 PRCUA President Joseph A. Drobot, Jr. received the prestigious Casimir Pulaski Award from the Polish American Congress Illinois Division. The award ceremony was held at the Pulaski Day Celebration Banquet at Jolly Inn in Chicago on Monday night.
The program was opened by Irene Moskal Del Giudice, President of the Illinois Division of the PAC, who warmly welcomed all of the guests. The Polish and American National Anthems were sung by PRCUA President Joseph A. Drobot, Jr. – one of the honorees. The invocation was given by Most Reverend Andrew P. Wypych, Auxiliary Bishop of the Chicago Archdiocese.
After dinner, Masters of Ceremonies Malgorzata Ptaszynska and Steven Rakowski introduced the five recipients of the 2015 Pulaski Award:
– Charlie Wojciechowski, a popular news reporter for NBC-5 TV in Chicago;
– Sister Genowefa Potaczala, a member of the Missionaries of Christ the King for Polonia Order and Principal of St. Ferdinand Polish School in Chicago;
– Joseph A. Drobot, Jr., President of the Polish Roman Catholic Union of America and Chairman of the Executive Board of The Polish Museum of America;
– Katarzyna “Kasia” Bober, founder and owner of the Kasia’s Deli, and a well known Chicago philanthropist; and
– Eugeniusz Chmielowski, President of the Siberian Society in Chicago, and a survivor of Polish citizens’ deportations to Siberia.
Each recipient received a crystal award with an inscription, as well as a bouquet of flowers. National Director of the PAC – IL Division Boguslaw Niemczewski read a letter from Adam Kwiatkowski, Member of the Parliament of the Republic of Poland, sent on the occasion of the Pulaski Day Celebration.
The invocation was given by Fr. Thaddeus Dzieszko, Pastor of St. Constance Parish in Chicago, who also invited everyone to sing God Bless America and Boże coś Polskę. His Excellency Bishop Andrew Wypych also bestowed a blessing.
The event was attended by about 250 people, among them the City of Chicago Mayoral Candidate Jesus “Chuy” Garcia, the Chicago 30th Ward Alderman Ariel Reboyras, and representatives of many Polish- American organizations. The PRCUA and PMA were also well represented.
Congratulations to President Joseph A. Drobot, Jr. and best wishes for continuous success.
