HONORING JOHN POLYNIAK

On 2026-06-03, Representative Sarah Elfreth (D-MD-3) delivered a floor speech titled "HONORING JOHN POLYNIAK" in the House.

HONORING JOHN POLYNIAK

Congressional Record, Volume 172 Issue 94 (Wednesday, June 3, 2026) [Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 94 (Wednesday, June 3, 2026)] [House] [Page H3783] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] HONORING JOHN POLYNIAK (Ms. ELFRETH asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 minute and to revise and extend her remarks.) Ms. ELFRETH. Madam Speaker, ahead of the 82nd anniversary of D-day this Saturday, I rise to honor a distinguished Marylander, Sergeant John Polyniak, a Ranger of the 29th Division, 116th Infantry, Company C, one of the first units to land on Omaha Beach. While he didn't know it then, that day would lay the foundation for the Allied victory on the western front. But it didn't come without heavy loss. Mr. Polyniak was severely wounded and left behind as his unit moved forward. It was only hours later when he heard the voice of a medic that he thought he might make it. He would later undergo three operations and endure pain for the rest of his life. When asked if he was scared, he said that everybody was scared, but he figured that he had a job to do. To honor their extraordinary sacrifice and heroism, the Army Rangers veterans of World War II were recently awarded a Congressional Gold Medal. Mr. Polyniak's story reminds us of the unwavering bravery of our men and women in uniform, the importance of learning and preserving our past, and the undeniable strength of our global alliances like NATO. ____________________