GAŁAJ DYZMA KAZIMIERZ (1915-2000)
Marshal of the PRL Sejm of V term (13 February 1971 - 15 February 1972)
Born on 15 January 1915 in Mystkowice near Łowicz in a peasant's family. Died on 6 December 2000 in Warsaw. During his
studies in the Teachers' College in Łowicz, he joined the Communist Union of Peasant Youth,
which caused his being removed from the school (1932). He passed his school-leaving exams
in the Teachers' College in Wymyślin near Lipno in 1936. A teacher in village schools 1937 -
1939. During World War II, he co-operated with the Working Party of Polish Socialists 1942,
Peasants' Party 'Wola Ludu' (People's Will) 1943 and the Central Committee of Polish
Workers' Party (PPR). A prisoner of Pawiak 1944, bailed out by party activists.
Deputy chairman of the Fighting Youth Union of the Republic of Poland (ZWM RP) 'Wici'
in Łódź province (December 1946 - February 1947). A member of the Peasants' Party (SL)
and the SL Provincial Board in Łódź from 1947. Appointed to the Constitutional Committee
of the Legislative Sejm. A member of the Chief Committee of the United Peasants' Party
(ZSL) 1949 - 1956. In the ZSL Presidium 1969 - 1976, and as vice-president of the ZSL
1971 - 1972. Worked for the Main School of Farming in Łódź 1946 - 1950, from 1948 as the
head of the Chair of Agrarian Policy. Graduated from the Sociology Faculty of Łódź
University in 1950. Pro-rector and head of the Chair of Agrarian Policy at the Agricultural
College (WSR) in Olsztyn 1950 - 1956. A lecturer in WSR in Wrocław 1951 - 1952, the
Main School of Farming (SGGW) and the Main School of Planning and Statistics (SGPiS)
1958 - 1964.
A doctor's degree in the economics of agriculture at SGGW in Warsaw 1959. Five years later,
he got a degree of doktor habilitowany there. Head of the Rural Sociology Department at
SGGW and the Industrial Regions Research Department at the Polish Academy of Sciences
(PAN). Associate professor 1970, full professor 1977. Director of the Institute for the
Development of Rural Regions and Agriculture at PAN 1971 - 1985. Deputy to the PRL
Sejm of IV term 1965 - 1969 from No 68 constituency in Ciechanów. Member of the Labour
and Social Policy Committee and the ZSL Deputy Club. Elected for V term (1969 - 1972)
from the same constituency. When Czesław Wycech was recalled from the office, he was
elected sejm marshal (13 February 1971 - 15 February 1972). Simultaneously, chairman of
the ZSL Deputy Club, a member of the Agriculture and Food Industry Committee. He aimed
at strengthening the marshal's role and greater independence for Sejm. A member of the
Council of State 1972 - 1976. A PRL Sejm deputy in VI term (1972 -1976) from No 46
constituency in Kutno. In the Agriculture and Food Industry Committee, chairman of the ZSL
Deputy Club and a member of the Łódź Province Deputy Club. In the PRL Sejm of VII term
1976 - 1980 from No 13 constituency in Częstochowa. Member of the Science and
Technological Progress Committee, the Agriculture and Food Industry Committee and the
Częstochowa Province Deputy Club, worked in the ZSL Deputy Club, but not as chairman.
He sat in numerous councils and scientific societies, in the Academic Board of the Institute of
Peasants' Movement History. The author of many scientific publications and articles on the
rural problems and the ZSL's policy. Awarded, among others, the Commandor and Knight
Cross of the Order of Poland's Rebirth, the Order of the Work Flag First Class, the Cross of
the Valour and the Partisan Cross.
Portrait of Dyzma Gałaj, 1989.
Painted by Stefan Garwatowski
oil, canvas, 89,5x74,9cm
Sejm Library, Museum Department, cat. No MSP. 1229