Rep. Green Introduces Bill to Boost US-Poland Defense Ties on NATO Anniversary

Rep. Green Introduces Bill to Boost US-Poland Defense Ties on NATO Anniversary
Rep. Mark Green (R-Tenn.), in an interview with the "American Thought Leaders" program at the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) in Orlando, Fla. on Feb. 28, 2021. (The Epoch Times)
Savannah Hulsey Pointer
4/4/2023
Updated:
4/5/2023
0:00

Rep. Mark Green (R-Tenn.) introduced legislation on April 4, the 74th anniversary of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), which aims to enhance ties between the United States and Poland through increased cooperation and training programs.

The General Thaddeus Kosciuszko Memorial Exchange Program For Polish-American Defense Cooperation Act (pdf) was named after a Polish Revolutionary War hero, General Thaddeus Kosciuszko, who played a vital role in assisting the United States during the American Revolution and fiercely defended freedom and equality.

Green believes that with an increasingly aggressive Russia and a malevolent China, it is more important than ever to have strong allies who share the United States’ values.

“NATO has helped contribute to relative global peace for seven decades. And with a malign China and an increasingly aggressive Russia, we need strong allies who share our values now more than ever,” the lawmaker said in a press release sent to The Epoch Times.

“The Chinese Communist Party and the Putin regime would like nothing more than to weaken NATO’s influence–we cannot concede any ground. That’s why I introduced the General Thaddeus Kosciuszko Memorial Exchange Program For Polish-American Defense Cooperation Act, which will strengthen ties between the U.S. and Poland.”

Green hopes that the bill will demonstrate to adversaries that NATO is not a thing of the past and that the strongest countries in the world stand united against tyranny in all its forms.

The bill also encourages increased cooperation between NATO allies to emphasize the ideals of peace and stability and enhances both nations’ national security and defensive capabilities.

According to the bill, Kosciuszko was vital to the American victory at the Battle of Saratoga due to his tactical acumen and engineering skills. He was also involved in establishing and defending West Point and the blockade of Charleston, which helped end the Revolutionary War.

The bill’s namesake is deemed a “fierce defender of freedom and equality” and a tireless “advocate for the end of slavery and serfdom in America, Poland, and across the globe.”

Green said he believes this legislation will further honor and strengthen the long-standing friendship and bond between the United States and Poland:

“The United States and Poland share a history dating back to our founding. My bill honors the memory of our Revolutionary hero and the face of Polish resistance against oppression,” Green said in a statement to The Epoch Times.

“When the United States and our allies stand together, there’s nothing we can’t accomplish. It’s time to show the Chinese Communist Party that NATO will never back down to communist regimes.”

Eva Fu contributed to this report.