Spotlight on Poland Year

WHEREAS, the Birmingham International Center Spotlight on Poland for 2013 will bring cultural understanding for the people of the state of Alabama through educational, cultural, arts and entertainment programs; and

WHEREAS, the Ambassador’s Dinner honors the Ambassador of Poland to the United States, His Excellency Ryszard Schnepf and the Honorable Lee A. Feinstein, Former Ambassador of the United States to Poland and the Honorary Consul of Alabama; and

WHEREAS, educational programs on Poland, for school children and teachers across the state, will enhance and develop global literacy as an integral part of their education; and

WHEREAS, there are some 22,000 people of Polish ancestry living in Alabama who are representative of our strong heritage of a rich tradition of music, art, dancing and literature; and

WHEREAS, the state of Alabama and Poland enjoy a very close bilateral relationship, which has fostered strategic and commercial cooperation with two-way trade for 2012 totaling over $233.3 million;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Robert Bentley, Governor of Alabama, do hereby recognize the year 2013, as

Spotlight on Poland Year

in the state of Alabama and call this observance to the attention of all of our citizens.

Given Under My Hand and the Great Seal of the Office of the Governor at the State Capitol in the City of Montgomery on the 13th day of April 2013.

                        

Robert Bentley, Governor