August 26, 2020 To: Mr. Charles Laudner Executive Director of the Task Force For Building and Rebuilding Monuments to American Heroes U.S. Department of the Interior 1849 C Street, N.W. Washington, D.C. 20240

Dear Mr. Laudner,

In response to President Trump’s action to establish a new statue garden honoring American heroes, we join other Polish-American community leaders and kindly present for your consideration the inclusion in this noble initiative the statues of Tadeusz Kosciuszko (Thaddeus Kosciusko) and Kazimierz Pulaski (Casimir Pulaski) – both consummate advocates for freedom and liberty, both heroes of the American Revolutionary War.

Tadeusz Kosciuszko’s engineering and military expertise proved invaluable to the Continental Army as his fortifications contributed greatly to the American victory at Saratoga, and the Fortress West Point he designed, which now serves as the home to US Military Academy, was considered by George Washington one of the most important military posts at the time. Kosciuszko’s final act on American soil was to leave a will in which he dedicated his salary from the American Revolution to be used to buy the freedom and pay for the education of American slaves.

Encouraged by Benjamin Franklin, Kazimierz Pulaski offered his support to the fight for American independence, and as he stated in a letter to George Washington, he “…came here, where freedom is being defended, to serve it, and to live or die for it.” He quickly proved his leadership and military acumen, gained the esteemed rank of brigadier general in the cavalry which he transformed into and efficient force. Following a number of successful campaigns, Pulaski was mortally wounded while leading American forces during the siege of Savannah, GA.

Both Kosciuszko and Pulaski are honored across the United States and their commitment to principles by which they governed their lives continues to inspire. They both have done something of unique importance in American history and its fight for independence. That is why, their legacy should be preserved in the National Garden of American Heroes when it opens marking the 250th anniversary of Independence of the United States.

Respectfully,

Alex Storozynski Marek Skulimowski Chairman of the Board of Trustees President & Executive Director The Kosciuszko Foundation – The American Center of Polish Culture New York City Office: 15 E 65th Street, New York, NY 10065-6501, tel: (212) 734-2130 Washington, D.C. Center: 2025 O Street, N.W., Washington D.C., 20036-5913, tel: (202) 785-2320