Bill Text: VA HJR42 | 2018 | Regular Session | Enrolled
Bill Title: General Casimir Pulaski Day; designating as October 11, 2018, and each succeeding year thereafter.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 2-0)
Status: (Passed) 2018-03-05 - Bill text as passed House and Senate (HJ42ER) [HJR42 Detail]
Download: Virginia-2018-HJR42-Enrolled.html
WHEREAS, Kazimierz Michal Wladyslaw Wiktor Pulaski, or Casimir Pulaski, voluntarily sailed for America in June 1777 to risk his life for the freedom of the people of the United States and is renowned as a hero of the Revolutionary War and as the Father of the American Cavalry; and
WHEREAS, Benjamin Franklin wrote that Casimir Pulaski was "An officer famous throughout Europe for his bravery and conduct in defense of the liberties of his country," having recommended his services to General George Washington as a member of the Continental Army cavalry; and
WHEREAS, upon his arrival in the United States, Casimir Pulaski wrote to George Washington, "I came here, where freedom is being defended, to serve it, and to live or die for it"; and
WHEREAS, at the Battle of Brandywine on September 11, 1777, Casimir Pulaski led a cavalry charge against enemy lines, avoiding a disastrous defeat for the Continental Army as well as saving the life of George Washington; and
WHEREAS, Casimir Pulaski, by an act of the Continental Congress in recognition of his services to the cause of American Independence, was promoted to the rank of brigadier general in the Continental Army cavalry on September 15, 1777; and
WHEREAS, Casimir Pulaski was conferred the title of Commander of the Horse by the Continental Congress and authorized to form a corps of 68 lancers and 200 light infantry, which became known as the Pulaski Cavalry Legion; and
WHEREAS, Casimir Pulaski valiantly made the ultimate sacrifice for the freedom and liberty of the people of the United States on the morning of October 9, 1779, when he was mortally wounded in combat at the Second Battle of Savannah; he was taken aboard the American ship USS Wasp, where he died at sea on October 11, 1779; and
WHEREAS, the General Assembly formed Pulaski County on March 30, 1839, in honor of Casimir Pulaski's services on behalf of the Commonwealth; and
WHEREAS, Casimir Pulaski gave aid to the United States and its people in their time of need and is now and forever a symbol of freedom in both the United States and the Republic of Poland; and
WHEREAS, Casimir Pulaski's enduring legacy highlights the strong bond and rich history shared between the Commonwealth and the people of Poland; and
WHEREAS, October 11, 2019, marks the 240th anniversary of Casimir Pulaski's death; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, That the General Assembly designate October 11, in 2018 and in each succeeding year, as General Casimir Pulaski Day in Virginia; and, be it
RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates transmit a copy of this resolution to Piotr Wilczek, Ambassador of the Republic of Poland to the United States, so that the people of the Republic of Poland may be apprised of the sense of the General Assembly of Virginia in this matter; and, be it
RESOLVED FINALLY, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates post the designation of this day on the General Assembly's website.
