New Britain legislators and residents joined many others at the State Capitol to celebrate the 227th Anniversary of the 1791 Polish Constitution, widely regarded, along with the United States Constitution, as an historic advance in world history toward democracy.
Lt. Governor Nancy Wyman (D-CT), State Senator Theresa Bielinski Gerratana (D-6), State Rep. Peter Tercyak (D-26), State, Rep. Bobby Sanchez (D-25), State Rep. Rick Lopes (D-24), State. Rep. William Petit (R-22) and others celebrated Polish heritage in Connecticut and the historic Polish Constitution of 1791.
The 1791 Constitution of Poland gave more rights to everyday people and limited the powers of the nobility under a constitutional monarchy. It is considered a major achievement at a time in which Europe was dominated by autocratic royalty.
The Polish Day at the Capitol was begun by the late State Rep. Stanley Krawiec (D-26), whose daughter, Deborah Krawiec, spoke at the ceremony about the history of the Polish Day celebration. She also spoke in remembrance Krystyna Kondracki of New Britain, who was a popular caterer in New Britain and was the longtime caterer for the Capitol Polish Day event. Kondracki passed away on April 2nd.
Rep. Krawiec’s successor, the late State Rep. Anthony Tercyak (R-26) continued to lead the Polish Day at the Capitol celebration throughout his service in the state legislator. Rep. Peter Tercyak, who succeeded his father as the Representative from the Twenty-Sixth Assembly District, carried the tradition on.
The family choir from the Holy Cross Church in New Britain participated in the singing of the national anthems at the celebration. Honorees at the event included Jan Niebrzydowski, Robert Iwanicki and Asha Lassen.
