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(l. to r.) Debbie Majka, Honorary Consul of Poland; Matt Franchak, Chief of Staff to Lieutenant Governor Mike Stack; and Mateusz Gmura, Vice-Consul at the Consulate General of Poland in New York Our transportation - a Ford Transit 350 van

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Poland's Independence Day 2018 Celebrating the 100th Anniversary of Poland's Rebirth on Nov. 14, 2018 at the Pennsylvania Capitol in Harrisburg On Nov. 14 a group of Polish-Americans from Philadelphia headed by Poland's Hon. Consul Deborah M. Majka headed for Harrisburg Pennsylvania to take part in the commemoration of Polish Independence Day in the Eastern Rotunda of the state capitol. Among them were Andrzej Wisniewski, president of the Associated Polish Home; Tadeusz Antoniak, Gazeta Polska; Helen Riker, Dorothy Szychulska and Krystyna Cimoch, Patricia Wisniewska from the Marcella Kochanska-Sembrich Chorus; Teresa Kozlowska, of the Adam Mularczyk Theater; Barbara Nowicka from Polish Heritage Society of Philadelphia; Peter obst from the Poles in America Foundaion. The group was invited by Pennsylvania Lt. Governor Mike Stack to witness the reading of an official proclamation to mark the 100th Anniversary of Polish rebirth.. Representing the NY RP Consulate was Mateusz Gmura. Also present were Marcia Geary Wolnicki, president, and Margaret Zaleski, Board member, of the Philadelphia Chapter of the Kosciuszko Foundation and members of Harrisburg area Polonia led by Tom Duszak. The Proclamation was read by the PA Secretary of State Robert Torres. The Lt. Governor's proclamation praised not only the natural beauty of Poland but also mentioned our shared devotion to democracy. Poland is a valuable partner of the United States, and currently ranks 50th among the countries which trade with the US. Vice-consul Mateusz Gmura received the proclamation. Also speaking were Daivd Briel, Executive Director, Center of Direct Investment, Department of Community and Economiv Development and Thomas Mainzer, Agricultural Trade Specialist, PA Department of Agriculture. At present the state imports four times as much agricultural product from Poland as is exported to Poland from Pennsylvania. Wilfred Muskes, Honorary Consul for the Netherlands, represented the Consular Corps Association of Philadelphia at this event. RP Hon. Consul Deborah Majka summed up the proceedings by mentioning the shared history between Poland and Pennsylvania. After Secretary Torres' closing statement guests went to taste Polish cakes and received colorful brochures courtesy of the Polish Tourist Office.

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(l. to r.) Thomas Mainzer, specialist for trade, PA Department of Agriculture; David Briel, Executive Director, Centre of Direct Investment, Department of Community and Economic Development; Mateusz Gmura, Vice-Consul at the Consulate General of Poland in New York; Debbie Majka, Honorary Consul of Poland; Robert Torres, Secretary of State for the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania; Matt Franchak, Chief of Staff to Lieutenant Governor Mike Stack

Poland's Honorary Consul Deborah M. Majka at the podium

The Lieutenant Governor's Proclamation

Poland's Honorary Consul Deborah M. Majka reads the proclamation

(l. to r.) Thomas Mainzer, specialist for trade, PA Department of Agriculture; David Briel, Executive Director, Centre of Direct Investment, Department of Community and Economic Development; Mateusz Gmura, Vice-Consul at the Consulate General of Poland in New York; Debbie Majka, Honorary Consul of Poland; Robert Torres, Secretary of State for the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania; Matt Franchak, Chief of Staff to Lieutenant Governor Mike Stack; Wilfred Muskes, Honorary Consul for the Neatherlands; Tadeusz Antoniak from the Gazeta Polska organization

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