SENATE RESOLUTION
8662
By Senators Pedersen, Bateman, Chapman, Cleveland, Cortes, Frame, Hasegawa, Kauffman, Krishnadasan, Lovelett, Lovick, Nobles, Orwall, Saldaña, Salomon, Shewmake, Short, Slatter, Wagoner, and Stanford
WHEREAS, Roman Rogalski was born in Poland where he witnessed the nazi occupation of Warsaw; and
WHEREAS, As a young boy, Roman became a refugee, living in a myriad of temporary refugee camps in Western Europe, then finding longer-term refugee status in Venezuela, and finally arriving in the United States; and
WHEREAS, Roman made Seattle his home in 1964 where he married his wife, Diana, who was a University of Washington professor of pediatric endocrinology and a highly respected practicing pediatrician for over 40 years; and
WHEREAS, Roman is a United States Army veteran and retired Safeco employee and a dedicated member of the Polish Home Association; and
WHEREAS, The Polish community of greater Seattle and King County acknowledges that Roman has, for decades, contributed his time, energy, and money to many organizations that have made Seattle a special place to live; and
WHEREAS, To further benefit the neighborhood and community, Roman restored and fully refurbished a dilapidated home over the course of four years, which he donated to the Polish Community in by far the single largest donation received in the 107 year history of the Polish Home Association; and
WHEREAS, This donation provides another space to serve as a welcoming gathering place in the heart of Seattle for every community, every group, and every individual; and
WHEREAS, Roman and his wife are just two examples of refugees who came to the United States with nothing but over time gave back so much more to their adopted country;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Washington commend and honor Roman Rogalski for his service and dedication to his community.