1Honoring the life, bravery and contributions of Casimir Pulaski,
2Polish nobleman, soldier and military commander, commonly
3known as the "Father of the American Cavalry."

4WHEREAS, Casimir Pulaski was born in Warsaw, Poland, on March
56, 1745; and

6WHEREAS, At 15 years of age, Pulaski joined members of the
7Polish nobility in opposing the Russian and Prussian
8interference in Polish affairs; and

9WHEREAS, In 1771, Pulaski and his army defeated Russian
10forces in Poland, while gaining fame as a cavalry commander in
11the patriotic anti-Russian Confederation of Bar, becoming its
12commander in chief; and

13WHEREAS, Pulaski was outlawed by Russia for his actions
14toward Polish liberty and later traveled to Paris where he met
15Benjamin Franklin who encouraged him to support the colonies

1against England in the American Revolution; and

2WHEREAS, Pulaski was impressed with the ideals of a new
3nation struggling to be free, volunteered his services and moved
4to America; and

5WHEREAS, In 1777, Pulaski arrived in Philadelphia where he
6met General Washington, Commander-in-Chief of the Continental
7Army; and

8WHEREAS, Prior to meeting Pulaski, Washington was informed of
9him through Benjamin Franklin who described the young Pole as
10"an officer renowned throughout Europe for the courage and
11bravery he displayed in defense of his country's freedom"; and

12WHEREAS, On September 11, 1777, Pulaski fought for the first
13time in America at Brandywine Creek and distinguished himself as
14a brilliant military tactician; and

15WHEREAS, In 1778, Pulaski received the consent of Congress
16for the establishment of a special infantry and a cavalry; and

17WHEREAS, Pulaski, who became known as the "Father of the
18American Cavalry," demanded much of his men and trained them in
19the tactics he used in his fight for freedom in Poland; and

20WHEREAS, Then again, in the Battle of Germantown, Pulaski's
21skill in warfare aided General Washington and his men in
22securing victory for American forces; and

23WHEREAS, On May 8, 1779, Pulaski and his Legion successfully
24defended Charleston, South Carolina, which was under British
25attack; and

26WHEREAS, Later, in October 1779, the unit engaged the British
27again in the Siege of Savannah where General Pulaski, charging
28into battle on horseback, fell to the ground by the blast of a
29cannon; and

30WHEREAS, Pulaski's enemies were so impressed with his courage

1that they spared him the musket and permitted him to be carried
2from the battlefield; and

3WHEREAS, Pulaski died several days later on October 15, 1779,
4at 34 years of age; therefore be it

5RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives recognize Casimir
6Pulaski for his heroism and his fight for American freedom.