By Emma Greenberg and Catherine Hart

He initiated the first rip in the Iron Curtain. He liberated a country from communism. He is the father of Modern Poland. His name is Lech Walesa, and he is coming to Deerfield.

Former President of Poland Lech Walesa was born the son of a carpenter in 1943 in Poland. He began his political life as a demonstrator at the shipyards in Gdansk where he worked. Soon enough, he assumed a leadership position among the shipyard workers. President Walesa was fired from this job after leading a general strike at the Gdansk shipyards.

In 1980, he was elected chair of Solidarity, a group composed of representatives from Polish workers' unions. President Walesa became so involved in organizing and leading union strikes that he was followed by the Polish secret police.

President Walesa's efforts to create workers' unions and legalize the right to strike were recognized in 1983, the same year he was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize. At this time, the popularity of the Polish communist regime was dwindling, and as a last resort, the government shut down Solidarity. President Walesa was sent to prison. Upon release in 1983, he helped institute a parliamentary election. Mr. Walesa was elected President of Poland in 1990 and served until 1995.

He will be coming to Deerfield to promote the foundation of a Round Square school in Poland. President Walesa will address the delegates at tomorrow's opening ceremony.