A delegation of the Clinic's Polish-born doctors, including world renown face transplant pioneer Maria Siemionow, presented Mr. Komorowski with his own Cleveland Clinic lab coat. As he buttoned it up, the President noted that he and Siemionow came from the same town in Poland, and that she had lobbied him to pay a visit to Cleveland.
After a quick tour of the hospital, he was whisked off to a dinner reception at the Polish American Cultural Center in Slavic Village, where diners were serenaded by some Chopin nocturnes. The Polish diaspora in the United States --- also known as "Polonia" --- can be found in many cities, most notably Chicago. Eugene Bak, who heads the local cultural center said it was nice for Cleveland and it's 200,000 Polish residents to get some recognition.
EUGENE BAK: It was an an honor to have him. It was an opportunity to show that Polonia was not just Chicago and New York.
Before leaving, Bronislaw Komorowski told those gathered that he had just spent two whirlwind days of diplomatic activity in Washington and that it was nice to loosen his tie and spend some time in what he called, "the Polish Home" of Cleveland.
