President Boleslaw Bierut today decorated Edward M.M. Warburg, U.S. Jewish philanthropist and chairman of the Joint Distribution Committee, with the order of Polonia Restituta, Second Class, one of the highest awards given by the Polish Government.
Dr. Joseph Schwartz, European director of the JDC, received the same award, Third Class and William Bein, JDC director in Poland, the same decoration, Fourth Class.
In a brief speech, President Bierut stressed the importance of the JDC’s work in Poland after World Wars I and II, and said that the Polish Government is fully aware of the aid given the suffering Jewish population by the organization.
The President said that the government welcomes the fact that Jews are reestablishing themselves in Poland, and pledged that the authorities will do everything possible to guarantee their security and facilitate their rehabilitation. He expressed regret that anti-Semitism still existed in the country, but said his government was attempting to stamp it out.
Replying, Mr. Warburg voiced thanks for the honor conferred on himself and his associates and said that the Jews of the United States were appreciative of the Polish Government’s friendly attitude toward its Jewish citizens.
Immediately after the ceremony, which was followed by an informal reception, Mr. Warburg, Dr. Schwartz and other JDC aides left for Lodz to visit the Central Jewish Historical Commission and the Jewish Writers Association.
(See earlier story on page 6.)
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