On May 2, 2026, ceremonies of special significance for the Polish diaspora and Polandâs relations with its compatriots living abroad were held at the Presidential Palace. One of the most important moments of the day was the official establishment of the Council for the Polish Diaspora and Poles Abroad â a body designed to support cooperation between the Polish state and its global diaspora.
The ceremonies began in the morning with the presentation of appointments to the members of the newly established Council. Among them was Fred Czochralski-Schmidt â a descendant of the distinguished Polish scientist Jan Czochralski. His presence in the Council carries both symbolic and practical significance, as he has been actively engaged for many years in strengthening relations between Poland and the United States. The day therefore marked a special milestone â the culmination of years of efforts dedicated to building bridges between nations and preserving Polish heritage abroad.
“Not only am I honored to receive this appointment from President of the Republic of Poland Karol Nawrocki ” says Czochralski-Schmidt, “but this role will also enable me to align closely with the Presidential Chancellery on our shared priorities of substantively advancing opportunties for Polish and Polish-American talent in both directions across the Atlantic. Specifically, in my areas of experience and expertise, this will focus on the technology and creative industries.”
Czochralski-Schmidt was born in Jan Czochralski’s villa in Kcynia (Margowo), with the originally given name: Klemens Jan Borys Czochralski. He emigrated to the USA as a child at a young age with his mother, Cecylia, Prof. Czochralski’s youngest daughter, following the passing of the scientist and his wife during the post-war Communist era.
Czochralski-Schmidt and Dr. Mazurkiewicz are both based in Texas – 2 of the 12 seats (out of 64 total) allocated to U.S. based delegates to represent the 10 million Poles in the USA, 50% of the global Polish diaspora. Texas on its own is the world’s 8th largest economy and is home to the three oldest settlements of Poles in the entire U.S. in Panna Maria, Bandera and the Brazos Valley. As Czochralski-Schmidt likes to frame it:
“Poland is the Texas of Europe.”
Following the official appointment ceremony, the Council held its first meeting, during which members had the opportunity to discuss their priorities and directions of cooperation with the Polish diaspora. This meeting marked the beginning of a new stage in a systematic approach to matters concerning Poles living outside the country.
The next part of the celebrations took place in the courtyard of the Presidential Palace, where a state ceremony was held. During the event, general appointments were presented, and flags were handed over to sixteen military schools from across Poland. The ceremony highlighted the importance of public service, patriotism, and the education of young people in the spirit of responsibility for the state.
The celebrations of May 2 were not only an expression of care for relations with the Polish diaspora but also an opportunity to emphasize the shared values that unite Poles regardless of where they live. For Fred Czochralski-Schmidt, it was a day filled with emotion and symbolism â a moment in which his personal history and long-standing commitment to Poland found reflection in an official state mission.
The establishment of the Council for the Polish Diaspora and Poles Abroad may play an important role in strengthening ties between Poland and its citizens and descendants around the world, as well as in more effectively representing their interests at both national and international levels.
A video of the Fred Czochralski-Schmidt appointment ceremony is available below, followed by several photos from the event.
Photos from the ceremony (courtesy of PrzemysĆaw Keler / Chancellery of the President of the Republic of Poland and Sylwester Czochralski):
In the last photo, from left:
- Waldemar Biniecki â Editor-in-Chief of Kuryer Polski (Wisconsin, USA)
- Sylwester Czochralski â great-grandnephew of Prof. Jan Czochralski
- Fred Czochralski-Schmidt â grandson of Prof. Jan Czochralski, entrepreneur (Texas, USA)
- Dr Jim Mazurkiewicz â Honorary Consul of the Republic of Poland in Texas, professor at Texas A&M University, entrepreneur (Texas, USA)
- Anna Maria Anders â Ambassador of the Republic of Poland to Italy, First Deputy Chair of the Council (USA)
- Artur Owczarski â film producer (including âThe Cowboy Capitalâ) and author of books about the USA
- Tadeusz Antoniak â Second Deputy Chair of the Council (Pennsylvania, USA)
Speech by the President of the Republic of Poland Karol Nawrocki following the presentation of appointment acts to the members of the Council for the Polish Diaspora and Poles Abroad (in Polish, with possible English audio in the YouTube settings):
More information on the official website of the President of the Republic of Poland: https://www.prezydent.pl/aktualnosci/wizyty-zagraniczne/spotkanie-prezydenta-z-polonia-w-dallas,117844
