VICE PRESIDENT ODROBINA RECEIVES THE SKALNY
ACHIEVEMENT AWARD FOR COMMUNITY SERVICE

Chicago, Illinois - Polish National Alliance Vice President Paul C. Odrobina recently attended a conference on January 6, 2012 sponsored by the Polish American Historical Association. They are headquartered at Central Connecticut State University in New Britain, Connecticut.

Discussions were held over the weekend on a variety of topics. One of particular interest to PNA was a discussion given by Professor Donald Pienkos detailing our last three PNA Presidents and their relationship to the Polish agenda of the Polish American Congress. Another speaker from Poland researched how Edward Moskal was portrayed in Poland by the Polish press. Without hesitancy, this was a very interesting and enlightening discussion. At the end, Paul was able to address the attendees on his view about fraternalism as an integral part of our organization and our respective communities.

At the other workshops, discussions revolved around Polish American History, literature, religion, and the activities of our Polish American leadership.

The event brought together 80 Polish American historians, not only from the United States, but also from Poland, Germany, Denmark, Canada, and other countries.

On Friday, the Polish Consul General hosted a very lovely reception to honor PAHA for its work on behalf of Polonia and the honorees that were awarded special recognition for their contributions to Polonia. Vice President Paul C. Odrobina received the Skalny Award for Community Service. Paul's wife Janice and children Katrina and Paul witnessed the ceremony as well as PNA President Frank Spula. Professor Neal Pease in presenting Paul his award referred to his 23 years as President of the PAC Michigan Division, 18 years as a City Councilman for the City of Hamtramck, and his involvement with the Polish National Alliance. Professor Pease acknowledged, among his other accomplishments that Paul was in charge of the efforts to gather and coordinate over $100 million worth of aid to Poland during Poland's Solidarity era. This sum represented one half of what the rest of the country (PAC Divisions) collected.

Along with our Vice President, other notables receiving the Skalny Award were: Vice President of the Polish Women's Alliance Sharon Zago, Maria Ciesla of the Polish Museum of America, Bozena Nowicka-McLees of Loyola University (Polish Studies), and Judge Aurelia Pucinski of the Court of Cook County.

The Polish Consul General also gave to each attendee a book about the History of the Polish Consulate in Chicago.

We, at the Polish National Alliance, are proud of our Vice President's achievement and recognition.

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