Thank you all. Mr. President and Madam First Lady, it's a
great privilege for Laura and I to host you here in the White House. Tonight's dinner is a
small way of saying dziękuję for the warm hospitality you showed us last year in Warsaw.
Today Poland and the United States are meeting the challenges of our times, sustained by
bonds of kinship, culture and commerce that unite our peoples. Two centuries ago, Poles
fought for America's independence. Before and since, thousands of American communities
have been enriched by the energies of millions of Poles who came here to settle.
Mr. President, tomorrow we'll travel to Michigan to visit one of those communities. But
pride requires me to point out that the oldest permanent Polish settlement in America can
be found in my home state. In the fall of 1854, more than 100 Polish families traveled to
the prairies of south Texas, seeking greater freedom and opportunity. They arrived at
their destination on Christmas Eve, and they christened their new settlement, Panna Maria
- or Virgin Mary. The town is still there, a living symbol of our common ties.
Just as Poles keep contributing to America's vitality, Poland keeps contributing to the
vitality of the entire world. Poland's opposition to Soviet tyranny inspired half a
continent, and helped bring down an evil empire. And the passion for human dignity and
iron integrity of a Polish Pope has added to the momentum of freedom around the globe.
Freedom did not have to be imported into Poland. It is found naturally in the rhythm of
every Polish heart -- a commitment of conscience and faith stronger than the brutality of
conquerors or the official lies of oppressors.
In 1989, Poles on all sides of the ideological divide made an historic decision to build a
society based on democracy and human rights and the rule of law. Two years later, more
than 100 political parties participated in Poland's parliamentary elections, including one
party called the Beer Lovers' Party. We're watching to see how much beer you drink
tonight, Mr. President. All but a handful of these parties were committed to a Poland
founded on freedom.
In the decades since, Poland has continued to be an example for other nations seeking to
claim their democratic future. And Poland has found what America has found, that democracy
and free markets are honorable and just and indispensable to international progress.
America and Poland are joined by a commitment to helping each other along freedom's road.
Thomas Jefferson once wrote to Kosciuszko and praised him for being true to a single
object, the freedom and happiness of man. Today this single object defines Poland, itself.
And it defines the partnership between Poland and America. Together, we can and we will
complete the unification of Europe. We will reach out to Russia and Ukraine, and we will
win the war against terror.
Poland and America share a vision that is stronger than intolerance and hatred and
bigotry. It is a vision of a world that is free and just, a world that respects people's
dignity and rewards their enterprise and creativity.
Mr. President, let us toast to friendship between our countries. Tonight, the old Polish
saying has new meaning in a new century: For your freedom, and ours.
Mr President, Mrs Laura Bush, Ladies and Gentlemen!
It is a great pleasure to be in Washington. I feel here almost as at home. On my own
behalf and on behalf of my wife, I thank you for a splendid welcome and warm words.I do
not know if there is another such a unique thing in the world as Polish-American
friendship: reaching through the ocean, tested throughout centuries, revitalized by new
acts of solidarity and reconfirmed by unfailing partnership. Poles have especially warm
feelings about America - according to polls Americans are in top three most liked nations
in Poland.
Perhaps our sense of community is so strong because we are children of freedom? Because
freedom plays the leading role in the history of our nations? Because we have never failed
each other, and have always supported each other in the fight and building a better world?
There is no doubt that the might and dynamism of the United States originate in the free
thought, entrepreneurship of a free man, energy of democracy that continues to search for
new solutions. And it is worth emphasizing that the sovereignty of Polish people regained
13 years ago takes our country down the same routes as the ones that have been followed by
America - towards the fast development of democracy, economy and civic society. And
although geographic distance and potential divide us - we are brought together by love of
freedom and justice, we share faith in better future.
We are proud in Poland with what we have achieved. With how we have been transforming our
country, and with how we have been able to bring other countries of our region of Europe
closer to one another and encourage the cooperation. I know that also here, in America,
Poland is perceived as a success story. We are aware how much in our efforts we owe to the
support of the USA. Mr President, on behalf of Polish people, from the bottom of my heart
I am saying: Thank you! Good job - Mr. President!
I wish to say that in Europe we also work hard. We live in the land severely experienced
by history. The land of many wars, national, religious and social conflicts And from that
region of the world that has been in flames so very often, we have been bringing good news
to America unceasingly for over a dozen of years. Central and Eastern Europe has been
transforming into the area of cooperation, stability and security. Not without
difficulties, not without problems. Nobody, however, should have any doubt that the
direction towards European integration, in the frames of the European Union, and
Euroatlantic integration - in the frames of NATO - are irreversible. The nations of our
region that have regained freedom, sovereignty and democracy have decided to choose this
way. However, we feel that this process has not been completed. Among the countries
located between the Baltic, Adriatic and the Black Sea there are NATO members, those who
are strong candidates to the European Union, as well as the countries that so far are only
aspiring to these organizations. One hundred and twenty million people live there. We want
to help each other. And we count on the US support in this process.
It is worth stressing that Poland and America are more than fair weather friends. And we
should nurture it. These relations let us find our place in the global political system;
become one of the pillars of transatlantic bridge and an important link in international
cooperation. Poland and America can rely upon each other. We shall be together - in the
uncompromising fight against terror, in strengthening the unity of western civilization,
in building the world of prosperity, peace and security. In the war on terror, even if it
lasts many decades, we shall go to every battle, take up every risk, till the victory.
I want to wish you, Mr President, Mrs Laura Bush, and everybody here, every success. And I
raise this toast to Poland and America and to our friendship, creative strength of
freedom!