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Bob Dole, Lech Wałęsa and Elizabeth Dole are standing next to each other, holding hands up in the air and smiling.

Solidarity in Poland

Summary

Solidarity was the first non-communist party controlled by the Polish trade union federation in a Warsaw Pact country.  In 1989, President George H. W. Bush sent Senator Bob Dole to Poland as a diplomatic representative of the United States to meet with Lech Wałęsa, the founder of Solidarity, and to solidify relations between Poland and the United States.

Archival Materials

Bob and Elizabeth Dole with Lech Wałęsa in Poland

Bob Dole, Lech Wałęsa and Elizabeth Dole are standing next to each other, holding hands up in the air and smiling

File Name: ph_037_005_002

Material Type: Photograph

Date: 1989

Citation: Dole Photograph Collection 1900-2011, Box 37, Folder 5, Robert and Elizabeth Dole Archive and Special Collections, Robert J. Dole Institute of Politics, University of Kansas

Date Range

  • 1981-1989

Online Materials

  • Newspaper Articles, Press Releases, Chronologies, Speeches, and Congressional Resolutions all referencing Solidarity and US – Polish relations.

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Bob Dole meets Polish President Lech Wałęsa

man stands behind Polish President Lech Wałęsa. Wałęsa is shaking Bob Dole's left hand.

File Name: ph_037_005_001

Material Type: Photograph

Date: 1991

Citation: Dole Photograph Collection 1900-2011, Box 37, Folder 5, Robert and Elizabeth Dole Archive and Special Collections, Robert J. Dole Institute of Politics, University of Kansas

Gary Cooper "High Noon" Solidarity Poster

White poster with Gary Cooper in the foreground with the word "Solidarność" in the background. Underneath Cooper are the words "W Samo Południe 4 Czerwca 1989." The words behind and below Cooper translate to "Solidarity at high noon, 4 June 1989"
translation: "Solidarity at high noon, 4 June 1989"

File Name: ph_037_005_003

Material Type: Photograph

Date: 1991

Citation: Dole Photograph Collection 1900-2011, Box 37, Folder 5, Robert and Elizabeth Dole Archive and Special Collections, Robert J. Dole Institute of Politics, University of Kansas

Medal Given to Bob Dole as an Honorary Member of the Polish Resistance

pewter Greek cross shaped medal hanging on a short length of ribbon. Ribbon has red and white stripes like the Polish flag. In the center of the medal is an outline of a shield, in the center is a "P" that becomes a "W," overall the shape looks like an anchor. Around the "P" is a laurel wreath, called a Kotwica, on the back of the medal is the same shield in the center and reads "1939 Arma Krajowa 1945."
The back of the medal reads "1939 Armia Krajowa 1945."

File Name: ME09.10481

Material Type: Object

Date: 1996

Citation: Memorabilia Collection, Robert and Elizabeth Dole Archive and Special Collections, Robert J. Dole Institute of Politics, University of Kansas

'Hebrew Congregations - Committee Softens Armenian Genocide Resolution' and 'Dole Criticizes Israeli Lobbying' Articles

Typed letter from Hebrew Congregations on Committee Softens Armenian Genocide Resolution
View Israeli Lobbying Articles (PDF)

File Name: lead_587_016_001

Material Type: Text

Date: 1989

Citation: Republican Leadership Collection, 1985-1996, Box 587, Folder 16, Robert and Elizabeth Dole Archive and Special Collections, Robert J. Dole Institute of Politics, University of Kansas

'Bush Approves Sales of Wheat to the Soviet Union' Article

text, newspaper clipping. Headline reads "Bush approves sale of wheat to soviet union."
View Wheat to Soviet Union Article (PDF)

File Name: lead_587_016_002

Material Type: Text

Date: 1989-5-3

Citation: Republican Leadership Collection, 1985-1996, Box 587, Folder 16, Robert and Elizabeth Dole Archive and Special Collections, Robert J. Dole Institute of Politics, University of Kansas

Statement by Senator Bob Dole: 'Hearing on the Crisis in Poland and its Affects on the Helsinki Process'

typed statement by Senator Bob Dole: 'Hearing on the Crisis in Poland and its Affects on the Helsinki Process'
View Poland and Helsinki Process Statement (PDF)

File Name: lead_593_002_001

Material Type: Text

Date: 1981-12-28

Citation: Republican Leadership Collection, 1985-1996, Box 593, Folder 2, Robert and Elizabeth Dole Archive and Special Collections, Robert J. Dole Institute of Politics, University of Kansas

Chronology of the Polish Crisis, January 1980 - December 1981

typed chronological description of events, 'Chronology of the Polish Crisis'
View Chronology of the Polish Crisis (PDF)

File Name: s-leg_186_009_001

Material Type: Text

Date: 1982-1984

Citation: Senate Papers-Legislative Relations, 1969-1996, Box 186, Folder 9, Robert and Elizabeth Dole Archive and Special Collections, Robert J. Dole Institute of Politics, University of Kansas

‘The Crisis in Poland’ Statement by Senator Bob Dole

typed statement by Senator Bob Dole titled, 'The Crisis in Poland' discussing the Solidarity movement against communist soviet union dominated Poland, over one year into the crisis.
View 'Crisis in Poland' Statement (PDF)

File Name: s-leg_186_009_002

Material Type: Text

Date: 1981-12-28

Citation: Senate Papers-Legislative Relations, 1969-1996, Box 186, Folder 9, Robert and Elizabeth Dole Archive and Special Collections, Robert J. Dole Institute of Politics, University of Kansas

‘Declaration on East- West Relations’ from the 'Summit of the Arch' or 15th G7 Summit 

First page of 'Declaration on East-West Relations' from the Summit of the Arch
View 1989 G7 Summit Declaration (PDF)

File Name: s-leg_351_003_001

Material Type: Text

Date: 1989-8-15

Citation: Senate Papers-Legislative Relations, 1969-1996, Box 351, Folder 3, Robert and Elizabeth Dole Archive and Special Collections, Robert J. Dole Institute of Politics, University of Kansas

House Amendment to the Senate Amendment to H.R. 3402, 'Support for East European Democracy (SEED) Act of 1989'

House Amendment to the Senate Amendment to H.R. 3402, 'Support for East European Democracy (SEED) Act of 1989'
View House Amendment to Senate Amendment to H.R. 3402 (PDF)

File Name: s-con_068_014_001

Material Type: Text

Date: 1989-11-16

Citation: Senate Papers-Constituent Relations, 1969-1996, Box 68, Folder 14, Robert and Elizabeth Dole Archive and Special Collections, Robert J. Dole Institute of Politics, University of Kansas

Bibliography

Cieślak, Edmund, and Czesław Biernat. History of Gdańsk. Translated by Bożenna Blaim and George M. Hyde. Gdańsk: Morskie, 1988.

Wałęsa, Lech, and Arkadiusz Rybicki. The struggle and the triumph: an autobiography. New York: Arcade Pub., 1992.