Assembly Resolution No. 1368

BY: M. of A. Wallace

COMMEMORATING the 40th Annual Polish-American Arts
Festival in Cheektowaga, New York

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body, in keeping with
its time-honored traditions, to recognize and pay tribute to those
events which foster ethnic pride and enhance the profile of cultural
diversity which strengthens the fabric of the communities of New York
State; and

WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is justly proud to commemorate the
40th Annual Polish-American Arts Festival in Cheektowaga, New York; and

WHEREAS, In 1978, with nearly half of the Town of Cheektowaga's
100,000 residents claiming some degree of Polish decent, then New York
Governor Hugh Carey suggested that the new outdoor amphitheater would be
a great place for a Polish-American Festival; and

WHEREAS, Subsequently, the Chairman of the Town's Park and
Recreation Committee, Frank Swiatek, transformed Cheektowaga's annual
concert of Polish-American music into a three-day festival featuring
traditional folk art, crafts, foods, dance, and music; and

WHEREAS, In 1986, the Cheektowaga Polish-American Arts Festival and
the Town of Cheektowaga were the recipients of the Dorothy Mullen
National Arts and Humanities Award, which is given annually in
recognition of the most innovative and effective arts and humanities
programs across the Nation; and

WHEREAS, Furthermore, in 2007, the Cheektowaga Polish-American
Festival Committee was honored by the Am-Pol Eagle newspaper in the
category of Community Organizations for its dedicated efforts in
planning and organizing New York State's premier ethnic festival; and

WHEREAS, Throughout the years, the Cheektowaga Polish-American
Festival has become more diversified, adding premiere musical and dance
entertainment; in addition, the Pulaski Day parade was transferred from
Buffalo, New York, to Cheektowaga, and became a Sunday feature of the
Festival; and

WHEREAS, Under the luminous leadership of Cheektowaga Town
Supervisor, Diane Benczkowski, thousands of enthusiastic guests arrive
from not only Western New York, but the entire State, as well as Canada,
to enjoy the Annual Polish-American Arts Festival and the Pulaski Day
Parade; and

WHEREAS, This Legislative Body salutes all of the individuals, past
and present, who have given their time to this worthy event, noting
their commitment to enhance and improve the quality of life in their
community; and

WHEREAS, The treasured values of family unity and wholesome
entertainment for all ages are reflected in the Annual Polish-American
Arts Festival, an event which helps to foster community spirit and

cooperation and preserves the beliefs, ideals and values upon which this
great State and Nation were founded; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commemorate the 40th Annual Polish-American Arts Festival in
Cheektowaga, New York; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to Diane Benczkowski, Cheektowaga Town Supervisor.