14. Polish American Heritage Month-Proclamation

Public Law 99-76 [H.J. Res. 106], 99 Stat. 177, approved July 31, 1985

JOINT RESOLUTION designating August 1985 as "Polish American Heritage

Month".

Whereas since the first immigration of Polish settlers to Jamestown in the 17th Century, Poles and Americans of Polish descent have distinguished themselves by contributing to the development of the United States of America in the arts, sciences, government, military service, athletics, and education;

Whereas Karimierz Pulaski, Tadeusz Kosciuszko, and other sons of Poland came to our shores to fight in the American War of Independence and to give their lives and fortunes for the creation of the United States;

Whereas the Polish Constitution of May 3, 1791, was directly modeled after the Constitution of the United States, is recognized as the second written constitution in history, and is revered by Poles and Americans of Polish descent; Whereas Americans of Polish descent and Americans sympathetic to the struggle of the Polish nation to regain its freedom remain committed to a free and independent Polish nation;

Whereas Poles and Americans of Polish descent take great pride in and honor Poland's greatest son, His Holiness Pope John Paul II; Whereas Poles and Americans of Polish descent take great pride in and honor Nobel Peace laureate Lech Walesa, the founder of the Solidarity Labor Federation;

Whereas the Solidarity Labor Federation was founded in August 1980 and is continuing its struggle against oppression by the Polish Government; and

Whereas the Polish American Congress is observing its forty-first anniversary this year and is celebrating August 1985 as Polish American Heritage Month: Now, therefore, be it

Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That August 1985 is designated as "Polish American Heritage Month". The President is requested to issue a proclamation calling upon the people of the United States to observe such month with appropriate ceremonies and activities.

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15. Appeal for the Release of Soviet Jewry

Public Law 99-81 [S.J. Res. 161], 99 Stat. 188, approved August 6, 1985

JOINT RESOLUTION to appeal for the release of Soviet Jewry. Whereas President Reagan recently stated that "Soviet Jewry suffers from persecution, intimidation, and imprisonment within Soviet borders";

Whereas President Reagan stated further that "We will never relinquish our hope for their freedom and we will never cease to work for it," and that "If the Soviet Union truly wants peace, truly wants friendship, then let them release Anatoly Scharansky and free Soviet Jewry.": Now, therefore, be it

Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That, in support of the President's position, the Congress calls on the Soviet Union, as an initial gesture

(1) to release immediately Anatoly Scharansky, Yosef Begun, and all other Prisoners of Conscience, and allow them to leave the Soviet Union;

(2) to issue immediately exit permits to the many known long term "Refuseniks" such as Ida Nudel and Vladimir Slepak; and

(3) to allow those thousands of Jews who wish to emigrate to join their relatives abroad, or to be repatriated to their historic homeland, to leave this year and pledge that such cases shall be dealt with expeditiously and in a humanitarian way during the next three years, thus enabling those who have requested exit permits to leave.

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16. National P.O.W./M.I.A. Recognition Day-Proclamation

Public Law 99-157 [S.J. Res. 87], 99 Stat. 101, approved June 27, 1985 JOINT RESOLUTION To provide for the designation of July 19, 1985, as "National P.O.W./M.I.A. Recognition Day".

Whereas the United States has fought in many wars; Whereas thousands of American prisoners of war were subjected to brutal and inhuman treatment by their enemy captors in violation of international codes and customs for the treatment of prisoners of war and many such prisoners of war died from such treatment;

Whereas many Americans missing in action remain unaccounted for and the uncertainty surrounding their fate has caused their families to suffer acute hardship; and

Whereas the sacrifices of American prisoners of war and Americans missing in action and their families are deserving of national recognition: Now, therefore, be it

Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That the nineteenth day of July 1985 shall be designated as "National P.O.W./ M.I.A. Recognition Day" and the President of the United States is authorized and requested to issue a proclamation calling upon the people of the United States to commemorate such day with appropriate activities.

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17. Commemoration, Bay of Pigs Invasion

Public Law 99-125 [H.J. Res. 236], 99 Stat. 51, approved April 19, 1985 JOINT RESERVATION Commemorating the Twenty-Fourth Anniversary of the Bay of Pigs Invasion to Liberate Cuba from Communist Tyranny

Whereas April 17, 1985, marks the twenty-fourth anniversary of the first day of the Bay of Pigs attempted liberation of Cuba by the heroic 2506 Brigade, a battle which entailed three days of fighting at a narrow strand of mangrove, bunch grass, coral head, and sand lying thirty miles from the towns of Giron and Playa Larga and bounded by the Bay of Pigs and the Cienaga de Zapata swamp; Whereas on such day in 1961, the fourteen hundred gallant and intrepid men who made up the brave 2506 Brigade were illequipped but possessing immeasurable spirit, courage, and determination, sought in the tradition of the great liberators Jose Marti and Simon Bolivar to liberate from Communist tyranny the beautiful isle of Cuba and reestablish freedom and democracy for the people of Cuba, that great island lying so close to the United States;

Whereas the patriotic, noble, and sacrificial effort of the 2506 Brigade to liberate Cuba as in the same patriotic spirit that prompted other courageous and intrepid men to liberate the American colonies from a foreign monarch and establish freedom and democracy in America; and

Whereas the people of the United States proudly commend those courageous warriors who fight for the cause of freedom and justice anywhere in the world and the Congress wishes to express the commendation of the American people to the gallant warriors of the 2506 Brigade who made such an historic effort to establish freedom and democracy in Cuba; Now, therefore, be it Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That April 17, 1985, be commemorated as the twenty-fourth anniversary of the Bay of Pigs invasion to liberate Cuba from Communist tyranny.

18. Historic Solidarity with Mexico

Public Law 99-116 [H.J. Res. 394], 99 Stat. 516, approved October 4, 1985 JOINT RESOLUTION Reaffirming our historic solidarity with the people of Mexico following the devastating earthquake of September 19, 1985.

Whereas on September 19, 1985, Mexico suffered a devastating earthquake resulting in heavy loss of life and injuries to many of its citizens;

Whereas the United States is both Mexico's neighbor and friend; and

Whereas bonds of family, friendship, and mutual esteem link the peoples of our two nations: Now, therefore, be it

Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That the Government of the United States, on behalf of the citizens of the United States, extends to the people and Government of Mexico our most profound sympathies in this time of tragedy.

SEC. 2. The President should provide all appropriate relief and rehabiliation assistance to help prevent further loss of life, alleviate suffering, and safeguard the public health of Mexico.

SEC. 3. The United States, in consultation with the Government of Mexico, is prepared with Mexico in long term efforts to recover from the effects of the earthquake.

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