August 29: Kaptur Accepts White House Invitation to join U.S. Delegation in Gdansk, Poland

Kaptur, the senior woman in the U.S. House, of Polish American heritage, had urged the Administration by official lether, to send a high-ranking delegation to attend the historic ceremonies that will commemorate the start of World War II as well as Poland's 10th anniversary of admission to NATO, and the 20th anniversary of Solidarity's victory. The White House announced late in August that an official delegation led by National Security Advisor Gen. Jim Jones, USMC (Ret) will now attend the commemorations. In addition to Jones and Kaptur, the delegation will include U.S. Ambassador to Poland Victor Ashe and Dr. Elizabeth Sherwood-Randall, Special Assistant to the President and Senior Director for Europe, National Security Council.

Kaptur is in Poland in advance of the delegation arrival with former Toledoan Marian Wojciechowski, who is a veteran of the Polish Cavalry in World War II and now 95 years of age. He fought as a member of the Polish Cavalry and later in the Underground Home Army against the Nazis and Communists 70 years ago. For his valor and that of his colleagues, Wojciechowski was awarded Poland 's highest military medal, the "Virtuti Miliare." Wojciechowski, who was ultimately captured by the Gestapo, brutally tortured in Radom and during imprisonment for three years at Auschwitz , Gros Rosen, and Leitmeritz concentration camps. His life was saved once by a Jewish doctor, and he ultimately escaped with two of his colleagues in a daring night march in a wooded area of Poland as prisoners were being transferred from one location to another. He ultimately moved to Toledo where he lived for 50 years, worked and raised his family. His life story is recounted in the book: "Seven Roads to Freedom."

Prior to leaving for Gdansk, Kaptur is touring the western front sites of the Battle at Mokra, in which Mr. Wojciechowski fought and the site of the start of the war September 1, 1939. On this trip, she has traveled throughout the nation, to all its regions, as a goodwill ambassador.

World leaders from all European nations, and many other nations, will be present at Gdansk .

Kaptur, who introduced legislation to create the WW II Memorial in Washington DC -- a two decade long labor of love and gratitude -- has been a lifelong champion for liberty in the former Nazi and Communist-held lands in Central Europe. She Co-Chairs the Ukrainian Caucus, is a Member of the US House Polish Caucus, and received the World Council of Credit Unions A highest award for legislation she passed to open Poland to the credit union movement.

Kaptur said: "I know on whose sacrificial shoulders I am standing as I build freedom forward as a U.S. Representative. At every site, I pay deep homage to those who fell and fought in freedom's cause, against overwhelming odds. We walk on sacred soil. May the world remember and dedicate itself to liberty's cause, in its full manifestation, in this new millennium."