Order of Merit of the Republic of Poland

Many members of the Polish American Congress have been decorated by Presidents of the Third Polish Republic with the Order of Merit of the Republic of Poland. This information about this honor is from the website of the President of Poland. For original information on this and other Orders and decorations, see http://www.prezydent.pl/x.node?id=330 (in Polish). The following is a translation of the pertinent information.

The Order of Merit of the Republic of Poland is bestowed on foreigners and Polish citizens permanently living abroad, who by their activities have made outstanding contributions to international cooperation and to bonds between the Republic of Poland and other nations and countries.

The Order has five classes:

First Class: Grand Cross of the Order of Merit of R.P.
Second Class: Commander's Cross with Star of the Order of Merit of R.P.
Third Class: Commander's Cross of the Order of Merit of R.P.
Fourth Class: Officer's Cross of the Order of Merit of R.P.
Fifth Class: Cavalier's Cross of the Order of Merit of R.P.

Presidential Orders are bestowed by the President of the Republic on his own initiative or upon the recommendation of:

• The President of the Council of Ministers (i.e. Prime Minister)
• The Minister of Foreign Affairs, in the event the recipient permanently resides abroad or is not a Polish citizen.

A person may receive the Order only once in each class.

First Class of the Order of Merit:
Grand Cross (decoration includes Star)
(at left - lapel miniature)

Classes 2, 3, 4, 5 of the Order of Merit:
3, 4. Commander's Cross with Star
5. Commander's Cross
6. Officer's Cross
7. Cavalier's Cross
(bottom center: lapel miniatures of each class)