Political Quotes

“Mr. President, on Monday morning, Eddie Blazonczyk, Sr., passed away in Palos Heights, IL. He was known in the greater Chicago area as the Polka King. Eddie was born in Chicago in 1941 to Polish immigrant parents--both musicians. It is no surprise, then, that Eddie started playing the accordion at the age of 12. Eddie's first love was rock and roll, but, influenced by his mother's fondness for the music of her homeland, he was soon playing polka music. In 1962, Eddie Blazonczyk joined a local polka band called the Versatones, a union that would last for the rest of his life. His son, Eddie Blazonczyk, Jr, still plays with the band. Today, the Versatones are the most sought after polka band in the music industry. While they are popular in communities all over the country, Chicago has always been home to the band, and Chicago knows polka. The Chicago metropolitan area is steeped with Polish customs and heritage. It has the largest Polish population outside of Poland, and the Polish language is the third most commonly spoken language in the greater Chicago area. In Illinois, the first Monday of March is Casimir Pulaski Day, a day when all State government buildings are closed in remembrance of ``the father of the American cavalry.'' The International Polka Association moved to Chicago in 1968. We even have a Chicago style of polka music, distinguished by heavier clarinet and trumpet and, of course, the button-box accordion.…”