Mr. Speaker, I rise today to draw the attention of the House to Polish Constitution Day, adopted on May 3, 1791, confirming the broadest range of rights and freedoms anywhere in Europe at the time. Generations of Poles have given all in defence of the freedoms it guaranteed.
This year I want to recognize the incredible life of Colonel Witold Pilecki, who went from nobleman to czarist-imposed Siberian exile to decorated infantryman in the Polish volunteer army in 1919, and later in World War II went on to be the co-founder of the Secret Polish Army after being wounded in combat against Soviet troops.
In 1940, he sacrificially volunteered to enter Auschwitz and escaped in 1943 to rejoin the Polish resistance. He took part in the Warsaw uprisings and would later join Polish troops in Italy. His Auschwitz reports would convince the Allies of terrible Nazi crimes.
In 1948, he was arrested and murdered by the Communists after a show trial.
The Chief Rabbi of Poland called him an example of inexplicable goodness at a time of inexplicable evil.
This Constitution Day, I join Canadians of Polish heritage in remembering him.