GUCWA STANISŁAW (1919 - 1994)
Marshal of: the PRL Sejm of VI term (28 March 1972 - 19 March 1976)
- the PRL Sejm of VII term (25 March 1976-21 March 1980)
- the PRL Sejm of VIII term (2 April 1980 - 31 August 1985)
Born on 18 April 1919 in Przybysławice near Brzesko in a peasant's family. Died on 14 April
1994 in Warsaw. Graduated from the Agricultural School in Wojnicz (1936), the Staszic
Correspondence Course in Warsaw (1938), economic and political studies at the Academy of
Political Science in Warsaw (1948) and a course of foreign trade in the Main School of
Commerce (1949).
He started his political activity in the RP Rural Youth Union 'Wici' in Przybysławice in 1936.
Participated in the peasants' strikes 1937. In 1937-39, he worked in the Agricultural-
Commercial Co-operative in Brzesko. During World War II, he took active part in the
resistance movement in the Peasants' Battalions (BCh) and formed local sections of the
Peasants' Party 'Roch'. Sent by the BCh , he ran courses for the country people in the
Kozienice region (1944). A member of the Peasants' Party (SL) from 1945, after the
Unification Congress - a member of the United Peasants' Party (ZSL) 1949. A member of the
Chief Executive Committee from 1957, then in the Presidium of the party from 1959. He
worked for the Ministry of Purchase and Compulsory Supply as a vice-director, director of the
department, general director 1953 - 1957. Under-secretary of State in the Ministry of
Agriculture (1957 - 1968). Minister of food industry and purchase 1968 - 1971. Vice-
chairman of the Council of State (Rada Państwa) 1971 - 72. President of the ZSL Chief
Committee 1971 - 1981. A deputy to the Sejm of Polish People's Republic, always
representing ZSL, for 28 years, including 13 years of being sejm marshal (1972 - 1985). He
got a seat in the Sejm of III term (1961 - 65) as a representative of No 44 constituency in
Radzyn Podlaski , in the Sejm of IV term (1965 - 69) from the same constituency and the
Sejm of V term (1969 - 1972) from No 13 constituency in Grudziadz. A memeber of the
presidium of All-Poland Committee of the National Unity Front (FJN) 1971 - 1983. He
represented No 39 constituency in Tarnów in the PRL Sejm of VI term (1973 - 1976). On 28
March 1972, he was elected Sejm Marshal.
A member of the Deputy Club for the Cracow Voivodship (Province).
In the VII term (1976 - 1980), he got a seat from No 64 constituency in Tarnów and became
marshal again on 25 March 1976. He was a member of the Tarnów Province Deputy Club.
He got the staff of office for the third time on 2 April 1980. A member of the Chief Council of
the Patriotic Movement for National Revival (PRON) from 1983. He was last a Sejm deputy
in IX term (1985 - 1989), elected from the national list. The author of many articles and
treaties published in the peasants' press. Awarded the Order of the Builders of Polish People's
Republic 1974, the Order of the Work Flag First Class, the Commandor Cross of the Order of
the Rebirth of Poland and others.
Portrait of Stanisław Gucwa, 1989
Painted by Stanisław Mazu¶
Oil, canvas, 92 x 73 cm
Sejm Library, Museum Department cat.no. MSP.1226.