On October 28, 2025, I had the great honor of presenting the Global Humanitarian Ellis Island Medal of Honor to Lech Wałęsa — a remarkable leader who co-founded the Polish Solidarity movement in the 1980s and led the democratic effort that ended Communist rule in Poland, helping bring the Cold War to a close. For his courage and statesmanship, he received the Nobel Peace Prize in 1983 and later served as President of Poland from 1990 to 1995.

The text of my presentation - 

President Wałęsa, on behalf of the Ellis Island Honors Society, it is my great privilege to inform you that with unanimous approval by the Board of Directors, you have been selected to receive the 2026 Global Humanitarian Ellis Island Medal of Honor. This distinction recognizes your extraordinary courage and moral leadership as a founder of the Solidarity movement, which sparked a peaceful revolution that led to the fall of communist rule in Eastern Europe and helped pave the way for democracy worldwide. Through your vision and sacrifice, you showed that the power of conscience and collective action can transform history. Your unwavering commitment to nonviolence, social justice, and social empowerment reflects the ideals of liberty and equality that Ellis Island stands for.

Congratulations Mr. President.