The Wisconsin State Division's origins date back to the Polish American Congress founding conclave in Buffalo, New York, in 1944. Attending that historic meeting were 42 delegates; 6 of them were women, 19 clergymen, the others leaders in business, the professions, government and Polonia's fraternal from around the "Badger State" . Form Milwaukee, Wisconsin's largest city, came 26 persons. The others came from smaller communities with a sizeable Polish Populations Like Stevens Point, Green Bay, Kenosha, Hartland, Manitowoc, Burlington, Sturtevant, Thorpe, South Milwaukee, Lublin, Krakow and Pulaski.

One delegate, Atty. Frank Gregorski, President of the Pulaski Council of Milwaukee County, was soon elected the first President of the Wisconsin Division. He held the post until 1956 and during this time the PAC operated as a committee of the Council. In May, 1956 and a special session of the State Division saw the PAC reorganized as an independent political action organization. Mr. Anthony Szymczak, a well known radio personality, was elected President. He was succeeded in 1958 by the Rev. Joseph Betlinski, who after one year was followed by the physician, Dr. John Kazmierowski. Each man, together with his colleagues, worked to represent the cause of a free and independent Poland during the momentous period that accompanied the collapse of Stalinism and the early years of Wladyslaw Gomulka's regime.

In 1960, Mr. Edmund Banasikowski, a Polish born World War II veteran, was elected Division President. He went on to hold this post until 1977. During his long and fruitful tenure, the Wisconsin PAC remained a dedicated opponent of communist rule over Poland and kept close ties with U.S. Congressman Clement Zablocki of Milwaukee, chair of the House Foreign Relations committee. Under Banasikowski, the Division also promoted public recognition of Poland's contributions to western civilization by celebrating Poland's Millennium in 1966, by its 1970 dedication of an imposing bust of Chopin in Milwaukee's Performing Arts Center, and by its 1973 cosponsor ship of a host of events honoring the 500th anniversary of the birth of Nicolaus Copernicus.

Though the Division's orientation in this period was predominantly Polish émigré directed, contacts were maintained with members of the "Captive Nations" organizations in this area. A highly befitting American Bicentenary observance was held, and a booklet, " The Polish/American Tie" was issued.

In 1977 Mr. Thomas Czerwinski, a Milwaukee assistant city comptroller, was elected Division president, ushering in an era when series of presidents and Boards have served Wisconsin Polonia for shorter periods, with each successive administration making its own distinctive contribution to our evolving Polish American Community.

Under Czerwinski, the Division began to look beyond its own traditional areas of activity to direct some attention to matters and persons of wider community. In this period the use of English became predominate in the Division, though the use of Polish Continued. The Division spearhead a successful drive to win State government funding of professorships in Polish History, Language and Literature at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, positions that continue to the present time. This achievement made possible the creation of Polish Studies Program at UWM, today one of the finest in the country. Czerwinski also took concerted action to establish a local Polish/Jewish dialog that would be very productive over the next decade.

In 1979 Atty. Eugene Kaluzny was elected President. It was he who inaugurated a PAC newsletter, one which his successors have worked to maintain. Kaluzny and his fellow officers were very active on behalf of the national PAC and its Charitable Foundation with aid in Poland, in the years after Solidarity's rise and in the difficult time of the Martial Law.

Over $600,000 worth of medical supplies were procured from benevolent agencies and commercial firms. A successful "Shoes for Poland" campaign was conducted with the cooperation of the Milwaukee Fire Dept. And a project to help new Polish immigrants with housing and employment was initiated. An annual lectureship was established jointly with the Milwaukee Jewish Council in memory of the Polish/Jewish physician-humanitarian, Janusz Korczak, who was killed with his orphans in Treblinka. Political contracts were maintained regarding local matters and concerning American/European affairs, and the welfare of the Polish nation.

In 1983, optometrist Edward Tomasik, a veteran Polonia activist, was elected President. During his one year term, Dr. Tomasik invigorated membership development and fundraising in a variety of imaginative ways, making possible numerous initiatives by the Division in the years that followed.

Various exhibits of books, documents and Polish memorabilia were organized, and a commemorative program was held on the anniversary (1983) of King John III Sobieski's momentous victory over Turks at Vienna. A concerted effort was made to organize Polish American professional groups, and a "Polish American Business & Professional Directory" was published.

From 1984 through 1990, Mr. Edward Wojkowski, a professional musician and educator, led the Division. In this period the PAC gave special attention to organizing educational programs dealing with the history, culture and political experience of Poland and Polonia in cooperation with the UWM Polish Studies Committee, the Milwaukee Public Library and other organizations. Some 70 community programs, lectures and conferences were held in Milwaukee, plus annual presentations by eminent guests in the Janusz Korczak memorial lecture series.

Commemorative and other topical exhibits were organized at public libraries, schools and the annual Polish Fest, Significant retrospective programs were held on the anniversary of the Yalta Conference (1985), in 1987 to celebrate the life of Milwaukee pastor and Polonia historian, the Rev. Waclaw Kruszka, and in 1989 on the fifteenth anniversary of the invasion of Poland and outbreak of World War II.

Continued attention was given to the difficult conditions in Poland during the Martial Law period. Various relief actions were organized: a "Radiothon" campaign conducted cooperatively by two Polonia radio groups yielded over $15,000. Large amounts of food products, baby supplies, 15,000 pairs of shoes, 30,000 pairs of rubber soles, and much medical equipment and supplies were obtained for the "Relief for Poland" effort administered by the PAC Charitable Foundation.

A steady growth in membership was realized by reaching out to our younger, unaffiliated Polish Americans, attracted primarily by the Divisions public programs and increased visibility in the community at large. An expanded Bulletin was issued six times yearly, covering local and national PAC matters. Existing contacts with other ethnic groups were strengthened and new ones initiated. Thus, the Divisions became a member of the International Institute, and helped established the Milwaukee Ethnic Council.

Labor Union leader Henry Dubinski's presidency (1990-1992) centered on a fundraising appeal on behalf of the DAR NARODU charitable committee headed by Poland's primate, Cardinal Glemp. This effort generated thousands of dollars on behalf of people in need in Poland. This campaign was capped by a memorable evening reception that was heavily attended and marked by the publication of a handsome commemorative book.

The presidency of the young, Polish born Mark Lazar between 1992 and 1994 focused new attention on membership recruitment, which in fact rose substantially, and in reestablishing the Division's Newsletter. Many needed contacts were made, with the steadily arriving Polish professionals to our state and with business persons, which will further future development of the Division. Frequent visits were made to Polish groups throughout the the state, benefiting reenrollment of onetime members and new members.

In April 1994, Dr. Donald Pienkos of the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, succeeded Mr. Lazar in office. He pledged to continue "all that is good and growing in our Division" and promised to cooperate closely with his predecessors in strengthening the Division's relations with the fine elected political officials of Polish heritage who hold office in Wisconsin.

On November 5, 1994 Pienkos chaired the Wisconsin PAC's 50th anniversary banquet, which was successful on all counts. Principle speakers included U.S. Congressman Gerald Kleczka and the PAC National President Edward J. Moskal.

In April 1998 Pienkos again was elected President and with the support of the officers and Board initiated the first "Polish Independence Day-Veterans Day Dinner" sponsored by the State Division. This event has met with great success. It celebrates Poland's rebirth as an independent country in 1918 after 123 years of foreign domination. It recognizes Poland's entrance into NATO as an ally of the United States. It honors the veterans of both America and Poland. And it congratulates a number of members of our community who have contributed significantly to advancing the Polish heritage in Wisconsin. The 6th annual Independence Day-Veterans Day Dinner is set for November 8, 2003 at the Polish Center of Wisconsin.

This very brief summary of the work the Wisconsin Division of the PAC can only scratch the surface of its extensive work over the past fifty years in every major area of concern to Polonia. Unfortunately, it is impossible here to even mention the names of the many dedicated men and women who have contributed to their time, talents and energy as officers, delegates and supporters of the Congress and its mission. Their efforts have helped preserve and strengthen an awareness of the meaning and relevance of the Polish heritage among our Polonia organizations, our political representatives in every level of government, and among our next generation of Wisconsinites. Their wonderful story only awaits the author!

-Donald Pienkos
President