House of Representatives forms Congressional Ukrainian Caucus

by Michael Sawkiw
Ukrainian National Information Service

WASHINGTON - After several months of planning and organizing, a new congressional caucus has been formed by members of the U.S. House of Representatives. Initiated by Rep. Sander Levin (D-Mich.), the Congressional Ukrainian Caucus was announced to the public at a reception commemorating the first anniversary of the adoption of the Ukrainian Constitution held at the Embassy of Ukraine to the United States. Besides Rep. Levin, the other co-sponsors of the caucus include Jon Fox (R-Pa.), Louise Slaughter (D-N.Y.), and Bob Schaffer (R-Colo.).

The individual sponsors of the Congressional Ukrainian Caucus bring a wide array of expertise to the caucus. Each Representative is well known to their local Ukrainian American community and has demonstrated their concern for Ukrainian issues. For example, Rep. Slaughter initiated a "Dear Colleague" letter to Rep. Sonny Callahan (R-Ala.), chairman of the Foreign Operations Subcommittee of the House Appropriations Committee, to continue funding for Ukraine for Fiscal Year 1998 in the amount of $225 million.

Similarly, Rep. Fox issued an amendment to the State Department Authorization Bill that calls for sustained assistance to Ukraine for FY 1998 and 1999 at the levels appropriated for FY 1997 ($225 million).

In past years, Rep. Levin has been influential in sponsoring legislation regarding the Great Famine of 1932-1933 in Ukraine, as well as initiating several "Dear Colleague" letters in support of earmarks for Armenia and Ukraine.

Having been elected to Congress in November 1996, Rep. Schaffer has already issued remarks for the Congressional Record regarding the first anniversary of the ratification of the Ukrainian Constitution.

The primary purpose of the caucus is to organize an association of Members of Congress who share a common concern for building stronger bilateral relations between Ukraine and the United States. In its continued cooperation with the Ukrainian American community, the caucus will serve as a conduit to lend support for Ukraine in its process of democratization and market-oriented reforms.

The Congressional Ukrainian Caucus will expand cooperation and relations between Ukraine and the U.S. on the governmental level. The dissemination of information to other members of Congress about current political, economic, social, and cultural events occurring in Ukraine will be its main focus. Informal meetings of the caucus will be held regularly to discuss issues of concern among its members and to provide recommendations for action by Congress.

A "Dear Colleague" letter has been issued by the Congressional Ukrainian Caucus to the remaining members of the House of Representatives to seek membership in the caucus. UNIS urges members of the Ukrainian American community to contact their representative and request them to become a formal member of the Congressional Ukrainian Caucus.

Copyright © The Ukrainian Weekly, July 6, 1997, No. 27, Vol. LXV

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