past that has survived despite political upheavals , World War I and World War II . “ In 1850 , there wasn ' t a Poland , but then it got put back on the map with [ U . S . President ] Woodrow Wilson in 1918 after World War I . Then 20 years later , they lost everything again to the Nazis and then to the Communists ,” he says . What followed was the fall of the Berlin Wall , and the Third Polish Republic was formed in 1989 . “ My ancestors aren ' t given credit for being ethnic Poles because they were considered German citizens ,” he says .
Dr . Jim Mazurkiewicz poses with wife Kathy E . Mazurkiewicz ( left ) and daughter Kathy Ann Mazurkiewicz ( right )
Dr . Jim has received an honorary doctorate from the Warsaw University of Life Sciences and a medal from the Polish president , which is the highest honor medal one can receive as a non-Polish citizen . Dr . Jim serves as president of the Polish American Council of Texas and founded the Texas A & M Polish Association ( TAMPA ) in 2015 . For his work in agriculture and connecting Texas to Poland , he also serves as the leadership program director for Texas A & M AgriLife extension . “ I ’ m a Polish cowboy ,” he says with a laugh .
TAMPA meets once a month and is the only Polish heritage organization on campus . Dr . Jim recently started a chapter at University of Texas at Austin . “ If Polonia in Texas is to survive , we must work together as one Polonia — including old and new
Polonia — in all activities , events and projects ,” he says . In the past , the association has hosted socials for their members at which they cook traditional Polish food , such as pierogi ( Polish dumpling ) and gołąbki ( cabbage roll ). “ In this way we celebrate Polish culture by informing others about Poland and passing down traditions and the culture ,” says this year ’ s president , Josephine Jaraczewski ( Yara-chevski ). “ Our general meetings all have a presentation covering current events in Poland , Polish history , and culture .” Their meetings are open to the public , but the majority of members are students . “ Without investing in our youth there is no future of Polonia ,” Dr . Jim says .
“ I think everyone should be proud of their heritage because if it wasn ’ t for your ancestors , you and I wouldn ’ t be having this conversation . And we live in the greatest country in the world and we need to celebrate that ,” Dr . Jim says . “ People need to discuss their differences and try to understand where they ’ re coming from ,” he says . “ You don ’ t know the other person ’ s pain and how they got where they are .”
“ I ’ m very proud to be an American . I ’ m damn proud to be a Texan , and I can assure you that I ’ m proud of my heritage ,” he says . “ That ’ s who I am .” IN
For more information about TAMPA , contact Jaraczewski at josephine . 2018 @ tamu . edu . Membership fees are $ 20 dollars for students and $ 30 for non-students . To request the Polish Christmas carolers to come sing to your home or farm , contact Dr . Jim at jim . mazurkiewicz @ gmail . com or ( 979 ) 229-8855 . There is no charge to have the carolers come sing , but donations are welcome .
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