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Tadeusz [Ta-de-us] Bonawentura Kosciuszko [Kos-she-as-ko], more commonly known as Thaddeus, was born in Poland in 1746 and was educated by the Piast Fathers. In 1765, he entered the Warsaw Corps of Cadets and advanced to Captain in 1768. The following year he received a royal scholarship to study military science in Paris.
In 1774, he returned to Poland where he was inspired by a Prussian military officer to serve in the American cause. During the Revolutionary War the Continental Congress bestowed upon him the rank of Brigadier General for his long, faithful and meritorious services.
After his return to Poland, Thaddeus was made Commander-in-Chief of the Polish forces. In October 1794, during the Polish insurrection, his command was overwhelmed, and he was severely wounded. He was taken to St. Petersburg where he remained a bedridden captive for two and one-half years until his release by the new Czar of Russia, Paul I. On September 6, 1797, he arrived in New York City and was honored by both public and private celebrations and receptions.
Thaddeus then resided in France for about ten years until relocating to Switzerland, where he died in 1817. He was a modest and giving man whose will directed his executor, to use the entire proceeds of his American estate to free slaves and provide them with education and sufficient maintenance for living.
In preparation for the two hundredth anniversary of the return of Thaddeus, patriot and Polish general, to New York City. It is fitting to correct a misspelling, which occurred some time ago on the official city map, of the street name "Kosciuszko" which lies between Bushwick Avenue and Bedford Avenue, Brooklyn.
I will now turn to the bill's sponsors; next to any other elected official wish to speak.
There being no one else to be heard, and for the reasons previously stated, I will now sign the bill.