; Whereas the brave Polish resistance fighters and soldiers valiantly fought against tyranny on all fronts during World War II, only to find their liberation from Nazi oppression followed by domination by the Soviet Union; Whereas, on September 18, 1944, as part of the allied FRANTIC–7 mission, though the Royal Air Force, 12 United States citizens, including 2d Lt. Clyda Arrants, 1st Lt. Joseph Vigna, 1st Lt. Robert Peters, 1st Lt. Francis Akins, 2d Lt. Forrest Shaw, Flight Officer Ely Berenson, 2d Lt. Myron Merrill, Technical Sgt. Frank De Cillis, Staff Sgt. Paul Haney, Staff Sgt. George MacPhee, Staff Sgt. Walter Shimshock, and 1st Lt. Paul Hibbard, were killed in the skies over Poland during operations to supply Polish resistance units during the Warsaw Ghetto Uprising; Whereas Poland’s indomitable spirit was exemplified by the Solidarity movement, led by Lech Wałesa, which played a pivotal role in defeating Communism and ultimately led to the fall of the Soviet Empire, ushering in a new era of liberty for millions across Europe; Whereas Poland joined the community of democracies by acceding to the NATO alliance in 1999 and the European Union in 2004, further cementing its commitment to democratic principles; Whereas Poland’s ongoing steadfast relationship with the United States is demonstrated by the Illinois-Poland National Guard Partnership, a program of the United States European Command State Partnership Program, through which nations share in military excellence and in friendship; Whereas, in March of 2023, the United States Army established the United States Army Garrison in Poland, representing an undying commitment to the NATO alliance and to the defense of global democracy; Whereas the contributions of up to 10,000,000 Polish Americans to the United States have been invaluable, with many serving in political leadership, defending liberty in the Armed Forces, driving innovation in factories, and leading in creative and economic spheres