Lawrence W. Reed: Statement to the President of Poland as Recipient of the Grand Cross of the Order of Merit Of the Republic of Poland

Congratulations to Lawrence Reed!

Surprisingly, he did not mention the Solidarność labor union and Lech Walesa and others.

"... In a sense, I must share this honor with the millions of brave Polish men and women I admire, whose courage inspired me during my first visit to this great country 37 years ago this month. The history of the late 1980s shows conclusively that Polish courage played a major, indispensable role in the liberation of Eastern Europe. I saw it firsthand during my time here in November 1986. The vast underground resistance to communist rule led directly to the historic free elections of June 1989, the first big crack in the edifice of what President Reagan aptly dubbed “the Evil Empire.” ...

When Pope John Paul II returned to his beloved country and urged, “Be not afraid,” you knew exactly what he meant. ...
I love the examples left us by courageous Poles of history, including many about whom I have written: Witold Pilecki, Fr. Jerzy Popieluszko, Stanislaw Lem, Maria Sklodowska, Jan Karski, Jan Nowak-Jezioranski, and others. I love the historic outpouring of assistance your nation has given its Ukrainian neighbors as they fight to repel a brutal invasion from an evil regime. ..."

Lawrence W. Reed: Statement to the President of Poland - Foundation for Economic Education