![[Dutkowski Picture]](DutkowskiMM_01.JPG)
Michael Mieczyslaw Dutkowski
Businessman, entrepreneur, Polonian activist and leader
by Gene Harubin Zygmont
Mieczyslaw Michael Dutkowski could be called a Polish counterpart of Horatio Alger, He came West and, in less than a decade, rose from a penniless immigrant to a successful businessman, entrepreneur and Polonian activist and leader.
"Mietek" as he is known to the Polish American community, was born far east of California, in Slubice, Poland, on Friday, September 13, 1946, to Kazimiera (Piasecka) and Piotr Dutkowski. When he was seven, he and his younger sister Krystyna lost their beloved mother. A year later, his father married Bronislawa Makarewicz whom Mietek fondly remembers as a great stepmother. In 1959, the family moved to Wolomin, near Warsaw, and for the next several years Mietek attended local secondary schools, then enrolled in the Methodist School of English and, concurrently, at the University of Warsaw. In March, 1968, perhaps as a precursor of his later activities, he participated in the student protests against the Communist-controlled government. He graduated with the degree of Master of Science in Economics in 1974 and joined the Polish workforce. However, his dissatisfaction with the hated regime found him becoming ever more involved with workers' movements and with the underground press, which were then springing up throughout Poland. In September, 1980, in support of the Solidarity movement headed by Lech Walesa in Gdansk, he organized a Solidarity Committee at the KDO ZMD Lift Mounting Company in Warsaw.
When Martial Law was imposed in Poland (December 13, 1981), Mietek was traveling in Germany on a long planned vacation. Overnight he became a refugee, as his political activities in Poland would surely have resulted in prison. After repeated attempts to obtain asylum in Sweden, Germany and the United States, he was granted political asylum and allowed to emigrate to the United States.
He arrived in Los Angeles on March 21,1983 and with the aid of Catholic Charities moved to an apartment in Santa Ana on the following day. For the next six weeks, he bicycled to job interviews. On the thirteenth interview, fittingly enough on Friday, May 13, he was offered a position as bookkeeper at J. Miller Industries, at the not so princely salary of $5.00 per hour. Barely nine years later, on January 22, 1992 he was named Vice President of Finance at that same firm.
During this period, he wholeheartedly embraced the American Way and free enterprise system. He became an American Citizen (8-11-88); invested in two business ventures, joined the ranks of homeowners. He also became totally involved with a multitude of worthwhile Polonian activities and organizations: Charter Member and Secretary of Solidarnosc, Los Angeles; Charter Grand Knight of the Father Jerzy Popieluszko CounciI 9599, Knights of Columbus; Charter President Solidarnosc, California; Charter Chairman, Polish American Congress, Orange County Chapter; Cantor and Lector, John Paul II Polish Center, Yorba Linda; board member of the Polish American Cultural Network and the Polish American Business and Professional Club. Currently, he also serves on the Board of the Polish American Economic Forum, Chicago and the Polish Studies Center at the University of Indiana. In June, 1993, he was named President of the Polish American Congress, Southern California Division and National Director of the Polish American Congress. In this office, he continues to oversee the political, charitable and community agenda of the Congress. Elected Treasurer, National PAC, 1995 1996. Sworn in by Lech Walesa, President of Poland.
Nothwistanding that "Mietek" is involved in almost every facet of Polonia activities, he still manages a trip or two to Europe annually, and to his condo in Mexico. He also likes to sing, dance and listen to Mariachi type music.
From: Polish Americans in California, vol. II. National Center for Urban Ethnic Affairs & Polish American Historical Association. California 1995.
Michael Mieczyslaw Dutkowski
Economist, accountant, Polish community leader
Born Sept. 13, 1946, Slubice, Poland; came to U.S., 1982; son of Piotr and Kazimiera (Piasecka).
Education: Master of Science (M.S.) (in economy), Central School of Planning and Statistics, Warsaw (Poland), 1974.
Career: store clerk, WSS "Spolem", 1963-70, department head, Provincial Cooperative Creamery, 1974-80, head, Economic Department, KDO ZREMB, 1980-82, Warsaw; controller, 1983-91, v.p., 1992 -, J. Miller Industries, Inc., Santa Ana and Corona (CA).
Author: publications, Solidarnosc California Bulletin, 1984-91.
Member of, i.a.: vice president, Polish Workers Independent Trade Union - "Solidarnosc" in KDO ZREMB, 1980-81; secretary, treasurer, "Solidarnosc", Los Angeles, 1984; president, "Solidarnosc" California, 1987-92; national treasurer, national director, president, South California division, Polish American Congress (P.A.C.) (vice president, 1988-92, chairman, Orange chapter, 1987); board directors member, Polish - American Federal Credit Union, Los Angeles, and California Economic Forum for Poland; organizer, charter grand knight, Father Jerzy Popieluszko Knights of Columbus, cantor, parish council member, John Paul II Polish Center, Yorba Linda (CA); Polish - American Economic Forum for Poland, Chicago; Friends of Pope John Paul II Foundation; Polish American Historical Association (P.A.H.A.); Polish - American Cultural Network; Modjeska Club.
Affiliation: Republican. Roman Catholic
Languages: Polish, English, Russian, Spanish
Hobbies: travel, singing, history
Home: 904 E. Palmyra Ave., Orange, CA 92666
From: "Who's Who in Polish America" 1st Edition 1996-1997, Boleslaw Wierzbianski editor; Bicentennial Publishing Corporation, New York, NY, 1996