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WHEREAS, Father Miroslaw Stelmaszczyk received the Outstanding Polonian Award from the Pittsburgh Chapter of the Kosciuszko Foundation; and,
WHEREAS, Father Stelmaszczyk was born in Kraszewice, Poland in 1950, the oldest of five children, he attended Opole High School and worked as a chemist in Poland after graduation and danced for the Opole Dance Group; and,
WHEREAS, after two years as a chemist, Father Miro decided to attend the Seminary in Krakow where Pope John Paul II was a cardinal and he was ordained a priest in 1977 and in 1986 he came to the United States; and,
WHEREAS, he began to learn the English language while living at St. Elizabeth of Seton Church, formerly St. Ignastious Church, from 1993 to 1998 and currently speaks many languages fluently; he was transferred to St. Clair of Assissi in Clairton and in October of 1993, he received his United States citizenship; and,
WHEREAS, Father Miro always tells his parishioners to "Celebrate Life" after mass on Sundays; he is well-known and respected as a priest for not only taking care of his own parish, but others when in need; and,
WHEREAS, some of his other accomplishments include Polonian of the Year in 2004 from the Polish Cultural Council, receiving the key to the City of Clairton as recognition for citizen of the year, and a recent request to attend the Canadian Polish Congressional Meeting in Toronto to represent the priesthood and the Catholic Church; and,
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NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Council of the City of Pittsburgh does hereby commend Father Miroslaw Stelmaszczyk for faithfully promoting the Polish culture, history and traditions to the American people, and strengthening friendships between Americans and Poles; and,
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Council of the City of Pittsburgh does hereby declare Saturday,May 11, 2013, to be "Father Stelmaszczyk Day" in the City of Pittsburgh.