New York City Comptroller William C. Thompson, Jr. with his honoree and co-sponsor at his Polish American Heritage reception at the Municipal Building in Manhattan on Monday, May 23, 2005. Pictured (left to right) are: Frank Milewski, President, Polish American Congress; honoree Jan Moor-Jankowski, M.D., Co-Founder and Editor of the Journal of Medical Primatology, Retired Professor of Forensic Medicine at New York University School of Medicine; Deborah Moor-Jankowski; Thompson; and, Chet Szardjko, Chairman of Political Activities, Polish American Congress.

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New York City Comptroller William C. Thompson, Jr. last night honored Jan Moor-Jankowski at his Polish Heritage celebration on Monday, May 23, 2005. The event was co-sponsored by the Polish American Congress.

“Mr. Moor- Jankowski, survivor, champion of life and liberty, deserves the highest praise and gratitude for his courageous acts,” Thompson said at the ceremony at the Municipal Building in Manhattan.

The Comptroller noted that Mr. Moor- Jankowski, 81, survived one of the darkest chapters in human history, and overcame tremendous obstacles, saving the lives of countless others. He lost his family in the early years of German occupation, and was himself interned in several concentration camps. He escaped from Auschwitz, only to be imprisoned by the Russians.

Escaping again, he returned to Warsaw and joined the Resistance. As a member of the Polish Home Army, he posed as a German soldier during the Holocaust to transport fellow Poles, Jews and Christians alike, to safe havens. Once in the United States, he served as a medical researcher for 30 years at the New York University School of Medicine.

Comptroller Thompson further recognized the contributions of the Polish-American community to the life of New York City.

“Starting in the 19 th century, Polish immigrants came to New York seeking opportunity and a better life for themselves and their children,” Thompson said. “Through hard work and determination, they helped realize the promise of the American Dream. In the process, they helped make our city a better place.”

“Today, Polish Americans play prominent roles in the life of our city, serving as community leaders, playing key roles in New York’s economic life. Teachers, entrepreneurs, artists, doctors – Polish Americans are leaders in a wide range of professions.”

To receive photographs, contact Marla Maritzer at (212) 669-2597 or mmaritz@comptroller.nyc.gov.

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