Richard Sousa, director of the Hoover Institution Library and Archives, gives welcoming remarks at today’s ceremony in which John Raisian, the Tad and Dianne Taube Director of the Hoover Institution, and Robert Conquest, Hoover research fellow, were honored by Poland with that country’s Order of Merit to recognize their contributions. (Photo courtesy of Stanford Visual Arts)

Raisian receives the Poland’s Officer’s Cross of the Order of Merit. (Photo courtesy of Stanford Visual Arts)

Conquest gets a standing ovation after receiving the Commander’s Cross of the Order of Merit. (Photo courtesy of Stanford Visual Arts)

In comments following the ceremony, Raisian expresses his appreciation for the long-standing relationship between Poland and the Hoover Institution. (Photo courtesy of Stanford Visual Arts)

After presenting medals to Raisian and Conquest, Radosław Sikorski, minister of foreign affairs of Poland, speaks on Poland’s position in international politics. (Photo courtesy of Stanford Visual Arts)

Following the ceremony in which he and Raisian were honored by the Poland with that country’s Order of Merit, Conquest and Minister Sikorski meet briefly. (Photo courtesy of Stanford Visual Arts)

The Republic of Poland honored Richard Sousa (left), director of the Hoover Institution Library and Archives, by presenting him with the plaque of Amicus Poloniae (Friend of Poland) in recognition of his commitment to Polish concerns in the United States. (Photo courtesy of Edmund Lewandwoski)

The Order of Merit of the Republic of Poland is bestowed on foreigners and Polish citizens permanently living abroad who have made outstanding contributions to international cooperation and to bonds between the Republic of Poland and other countries. On the left is the Officer’s Cross of the Order of Merit; the Commander’s Cross of the Order of Merit is on the right. (Photo courtesy of Stanford Visual Arts)