Raymond Babiec >
Polonia activistRaymond Babiec promotes Polish-American Heritage
By Amby SmithRhode Island - There isn't anyone in the state of Rhode Island who does more to promote the Polish-American heritage than Raymond J. Babiec of West Warwick, R. I.
He is involved and very active in just about every Polish-American organization in Little Rhody that helps in keeping Polish-American Heritage in the forefront.
For his efforts over many years, Babiec recently received the Polish American Heritage Award in the Rotunda in the Rhode Island State House.
It was Verne Strom who introduced Ray Babiec as the recipient of the award and making the presentation on behalf of Gov. Bruce Sundlun was Kathy 0'Hare of West Warwick, director of Constituent Affairs for Rhode Island.
Babiec has been a member of the Polish-American Congress since back in 1947 and at the present time he is vice president of the Rhode Island Division as well as the organization's director.
As a member of the P.A.C. he takes an active part in the laying of the wreath ceremony at the monument of Brigadier General Casmir Pulaski that was dedicated in Roger Williams Park back on May 31, 1953. Ray has also been involved in the gala Polish Constitution celebration that is observed annually on May 3.
As director of the P.A.C., he attended the Polish-American Congress Reception in Washington, D.C. in September of 1990. The reception was held in honor His Excellency and Mrs. Kazimierz Dziewanowski, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Poland.
The reception marked the first time in 39 years that a Polish ambassador visited the United States.
Another mighty important position that Ray Babiec has held over the years is to head many of the clothing drives that made possible box after box of clothes for the needy in Poland.
Mr. Babiec has also been a member of the Polish National Alliance since back in 1936. He served as vice president of Lodge 1001 from 1948 to 1979 and became the Lodge's president for nine years beginning in 1980.
In 1966, he organized a slow pitch team sponsored by Lodge 1001 and he successfully managed the team to its first championship.
He has been elected annually as a P.N.A. delegate to R.I. Council 26, and he did serve as the council's president. Ray has attended the P.N.A. Quadrennial Convention twice and served as both a delegate and past treasurer of P.N.A. District l.
In 1989, he received the P.N.A. "Man of the Year Award."
Mr. Babiec served as Past Commander of the local S.P.R.M. Post 81, American Legion, in Coventry.
He organized and chaired the post's Blood Drive and for his all-out efforts with the post, has been honored with a life membership. The post was organized in honor of Mettie Szelag, Francis Pietras, Joseph Rekas and Joseph Magiera, four Polish-Americans who were killed in action in World War II.
Even though Ray and his family moved to West Warwick in 1946, he maintains his membership in the Polish White Eagle Mutual Aid Society in his hometown of Cumberland.
He is also associated with other Polish-American associations including the Polish American-Citizen's Club, the Polish-American Cultural Foundation and the Polish-American Exchange Commission.
Raymond is also the only surviving member of the Pulaski Street Improvement Association which dedicated the Pulaski Street Bridge.
Mr. Babiec's interest in promoting and preserving Polish-American Heritage goes beyond the formal organizations in which he actively participates. He has visited Poland three times since 1978 and has sponsored his niece, Teresa Balkum, from Poland in 1983.
Ray and his wife, Tillie, are communicants of Our Lady of Czestochowa Church in Quidnick. His sons attended the OLC School on MacArthur Blvd. for which Mr. Babiec served on the building committee as vice chairman. He also served as committee chairman for the parish's 75th anniversary celebration.
For Raymond Babiec, his Polish heritage has always been a source of pride. On June 14, 1991, he attended the flag-raising ceremony at Ellis Island and registered the Babiec family name in the membership files.
Source: The Post Eagle, Feb. 5, 1992