Transcript: Mayor Adams Hosts Breakfast Reception Celebrating Polish Heritage

November 26, 2024

Watch the video here at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H7H6TJ13DhM

Mayor Eric Adams: Good morning to all of you. Our amazing Polish Americans who are here celebrating the rich heritage of the Polish community. And I was able to witness firsthand of how much you contribute to this great city. Not only here as a former lieutenant in the Police Department in Greenpoint, Brooklyn, where I saw how you believed in the foundation of the area of Brooklyn, but throughout the city. But also in Kraków when I was able to visit Poland and watching the hospitality and the warmth interactions of how you welcome different groups from all over the globe. 

So I'm excited to celebrate your culture here in Gracie Mansion. And this is the first time Polish Americans have been celebrated here at Gracie Mansion. And I promise you, it would not be the last time. We marched together during the parade each year. I'm out there with you and joining, enjoying and celebrating your community. But there's no greater signal on how you believe the importance of our city than when you see the men and women of the New York City Police Department who are here today. Polish American officers who are protecting us, making sure our city is safe and our streets are safe. I thank you and we lift you up. 

And I want to do a special welcome to my friend, the consul general and other international dignitaries that are here. Your numbers are strong. You decide in many ways with other ethnic groups how successful our country will be. There are 10 million Polish Americans in the United States. But we believe the heart and soul of those 10 million are right here in New York City. This is the Polish capitol of America, New York. We know how important it is as we move forward. 

And, you know, a Radio RAMPA and the ethnic media joins me every Tuesday for the most part at Gracie Mansion to answer questions. But it does more than that. Being the mayor, I share all the time. Is not only substantive. I must bring down crime. I must make sure you say we must make sure business operate. We must make sure we educate your children. We must make sure we're there for those who are in need. But it's also symbolism. What is this? What are the symbols we're showing that say all groups are welcome in general, but specifically for today, that those of the Polish American community, that you are welcome here and part of this city. 

Your contributions are so rich and so vast and so important. And so when I host you here at Gracie Mansion, when I allow your ethnic media to come into City Hall to answer questions and raise issues, I am saying to you that you are part of the fabric that makes this city and make this country great. You cannot sit in the shadows of the American dream. You must be in the sunlight and the radius of the beauty of being part of this great country and this great community and this great city. 

That is why we open the door and allow you in. And look at every community that you are a part of. Look at Greenpoint. Look at Maspeth. Look at Ridgewood. Look at Glendale. You believe in family. You believe in faith. You believe in public safety. You believe in small businesses. You believe in the foundational things that make our city great. And every community you go to, you bring your prosperity and your hope in those communities and you make sure they stand tall and they stand firm. 

And your future is as bright as your past. Your great generals fought with us in the wars of yesteryears. And many people don't know our one hundred and fifth mayor, Mayor Koch, was his parents was of Polish descent. So you are rooted very much in our society and rooted very much in our city. And you cannot get on the subway system without having the head of the MTA, Janno Lieber, is from Polish ancestry. And so you look over and over again. And even Rebecca Weiner, who's in charge of our counterintelligence, her family is from Polish descent. You are everywhere. You are everywhere. And it's so important for us to acknowledge that. 

And that is why I look for that beautiful red as I move around the city that's representative of the color that's reflective of your of your country. We're excited for what we do in this city. And here is the marching order. We must now reach out to other emerging immigrant groups in our city. If I were to say to you to describe who am I talking about? Come to America, start a small business, may leave a loved one home until they're able to anchor and take root here. Join our law enforcement and other public service entities. Want their children to do better for the next generation to come. You will have a challenge telling me what group I'm talking about, because every ethnic group that came to America or that comes to America come from the same desire to live and move towards the American dream. 

Your allies are not only among the Polish community, but your allies are among the Chinese community. Your allies are among the Latin American community. It's among the African-American community. All the communities that have come to this country, they do it for one thing. They believe in the American dream and they want to participate in an American dream. Join your allies across the cultures. And with that, we can produce the city that we want to produce. That's why I move in all of your communities, because your pursuit of the American dream is as vivid and is as energetic that I've ever seen in my life. 

You believe in this country and the beauty of this country. It tells you don't abandon your motherland as you embrace your adopted land. They go together. You will always be Polish American. Don't ever get rid of the Polish part of it just because you're in America. Hold on to your roots, your culture and all that it brings. That's what makes us great. And that is how we're going to be continue to be great. That's our secret weapon. The diversity of all of our groups coming together. The best among us are those who are participating in that pursuit of the American dream. 

So I thank you for not only what you have done to this great city and country, but what you are doing and what you will continue to do. Congratulations. And thank you to the great people of the Polish community. Thank you very much. We want to now honor. I want to bring up Anastasia. We want to honor some of the men and women of your community and give notice to the great work that they've done. 

Anastasia Yaskova: Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Good morning, everyone. My name is Anastasia Yaskova, and I have the privilege of serving as the Brooklyn board director for community affairs unit at the mayor's office. It is truly an honor to join you today. Gracie mentioned to celebrate Polish heritage and to recognize the remarkable contributions of the Polish community to our great city. This morning, we come together to honor outstanding individuals whose dedication and achievements reflect the values that make New York City so extraordinary. 

But before we begin, I'd like to take a moment to extend our heartfelt gratitude to Richard Zawisny for his invaluable efforts in organizing today's event. His dedication and passion have been instrumental in bringing us together to celebrate Polish heritage and community. Thank you, Richard, for all that you do. Now, with further ado, let's introduce our esteemed honorees. 

Our first honoree is Mr. Andrzej Buczek, a proud immigrant who has made Greenpoint Brooklyn his home since 1982. As a small business owner and leader in the Polish American folk dance company, Andrzej has dedicated decades to promoting Polish heritage through dance, music and culture. Under his leadership, the organization has flourished and reached New York City culture tapestry. His contributions to the community have been recognized by leaders locally and abroad. Please join me in honoring Mr. Andrzej Buczek.

Andrzej Buczek: Good morning, everyone. I want to thank the New York City mayor for this recognition. I am so proud to have dedicated the last 30 years of my life to Polish American folk dance company and the promotion of the Polish culture in New York City. This welcoming city has given me the opportunity to share my heritage with the young generation of Polish Americans and other New Yorkers of all backgrounds. Thank you again for the recognition.

Yaskova: Our second honoree is [Ms.] Mary Bielski, a retired music teacher and a lifelong educator who has inspired generations through her work in the Polish Scouting Organization and the Polish Children's Camp in Dalystown. She is a co-author, cultural facilitator and a leader in preserving Polish children's games, dances and traditions. Mrs. Bielski has been celebrated internationally for dedication to education and cultural preservation. Please help me welcome Miss Mary Bielski.

Marysia Bielski: Thank you so much, Mayor Adams. We met many years ago at Prospect Hall at the honoring at the Veterans Day. So we've been around together. This honor is a great surprise to me and a great honor. I was not expecting it. Thank you so much for… to Richard for nominating me. We've been involved. My family and I, especially my husband, [Zygmunt] Bielski, was the vice president of the of the committee, been involved in the committee for many years. 

So thank you to my family and my son, Stefan, who is here, hopefully taking pictures. Are you taking pictures? Okay, do it! We've been involved in the Polish-American community for many years, for myself, about 50 years, although I'm not 50 yet, God forbid. At any rate, thank you so much for all your support. All of you support the organizations that I belong to, Polish Scouting and the Pulaski Parade. [Krakowianki and Góral] are my favorite dance group. Polish-American Folk Dance Company that I dance with for many, many years. And our parish lady of [Częstochowa.] All these organizations are very, very, very dear to me. And especially [Marie Skłodowska Curie,] which gives scholarships to young women who will make this city even better. Mr. Mayor, thank you very much.

Yaskova: And our final honoree is Mr. Krzysztof Matyszczyk, a distinguished entrepreneur and community leader. As the founder and president of Fidelity Tax and Insurance Brokerage Corporation, he has been a pillar of support for his clients for over 28 years. His work with PSFCU Board has driven incredible growth, and he has been honored with the Knight's Cross of the Order of Merit for his contributions to the Polish community and culture. Please give a warm welcome to Mr. Krzysztof Matyszczyk.

Krzysztof Matyszczyk: Thank you, Mayor Adams, distinguished guests, friends, Polish-Americans, and New Yorkers. What a combination. It cannot be better. And I really appreciate Mayor Adams saying that we should keep our heritage. My kids don't listen to me all the time. So now everybody will remember, and we'll bring this message to our homes. Again, thank you so much. It's a wonderful event. It's already secured, so business before pleasure. And I'm very happy and proud of what Polish and Slavic Federal Credit Union accomplished and gave to the communities and the members. Thank you so much. Thank you.

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