Four members of Congress honored during Capitol Hill reception (07/04/99)

Joint Conferences of Ukrainian American Organizations

Four members of Congress honored during Capitol Hill reception

by Michael Sawkiw Jr.
Special to The Ukrainian Weekly

WASHINGTON - A reception held on Capitol Hill on Thursday evening, June 24, to honor four members of Congress for their dedication and long-standing support of Ukrainian American issues was an integral part of the Joint Conferences of Ukrainian American Organizations.

The honorees were Sen. Carl Levin (D-Mich.), ranking minority member of the Armed Services Committee; Sen. Frank Lautenberg (D-N.J.), member of the Foreign Operations Subcommittee of the Appropriations Committee; Rep. Benjamin Gilman (R-N.Y.), chairman of the International Relations Committee; and Rep. Christopher Smith (R-N.J.), chairman of the Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe (Helsinki Commission).

Sponsored by the 1st Security Federal Savings Bank of Chicago/Philadelphia, the reception gave participants of the Joint Conferences an opportunity to acquaint themselves with issues pertaining to U.S.-Ukraine relations. This writer, director of the Ukrainian National Information Service (UNIS), which hosted the event, acted as master of ceremonies.

Introduced as "a true friend of Ukraine" and the first to speak was Rep. David Bonior (D-Mich.), the minority whip in the House of Representatives, who spoke of his Ukrainian heritage and "pride to be together with you tonight." The congressman referred to the formation of the U.S.-Ukraine strategic partnership and how much has been accomplished in Ukraine, adding, however, that more needs to be done. His address was enthusiastically received by the over 400 participants at the congressional reception.

Julian Kulas, president of 1st Security Federal Savings Bank, delivered greetings from the sponsoring organization, accentuating the "importance of recognizing members of Congress for their support of the Ukrainian community's concerns."

Another Chicagoan, Rep. Danny Davis (D-Ill.), a member of the Congressional Ukrainian Caucus, congratulated the community on its many successes and invited all Ukrainians to visit his city, which is a sister city to Kyiv. He noted that he represents "the most ethnically diverse district in the U.S." and spoke of his good relationship with the Ukrainian community.

The first recipient of the Congressional Friend of Ukraine Award was introduced by Mr. Kulas. Known throughout the Ukrainian American community for his commitment to Ukrainian independence and preserving its sovereignty, Rep. Gilman was introduced as a "long-time friend of Ukraine ... who was always steadfast in his resolve." Rep. Gilman was welcomed with sustained applause from the audience.

In his remarks Rep. Gilman underlined that, "by its very existence as an independent state, Ukraine denies the opportunity for the rise of an entity - such as the former Soviet Union - that might once again threaten the peace and security of countries stretching across Eurasia."

He stated that "the challenge of today is to safeguard Ukraine's independence," pointing to the fact that "there are those who call for a return to the old days" [of the USSR].

Other members of Congress present included Rep. Maurice Hinchey (D-N.Y.), who also is of Ukrainian heritage. Rep. Hinchey spoke of the need to sustain U.S. foreign assistance to Ukraine to enable Ukraine to reform its economy, as well the need to grant Ukraine permanent most-favored-nation (MFN) status.

Accepting the Congressional Friend of Ukraine Award on behalf of Sen. Levin was his brother, Rep. Sander Levin (D-Mich.), co-chair of the Congressional Ukrainian Caucus. In introducing the congressman, UNIS's director noted that both Sen. Levin and Rep. Levin have been staunch supporters of Ukraine's independence.

Rep. Levin thanked the Joint Conferences for the honor bestowed upon his brother and proceeded to list the accomplishments of the Congressional Ukrainian Caucus in its support of continued U.S. aid to Ukraine and sponsorship of the Ukrainian Famine resolution passed last year.

Rep. Marcy Kaptur (D-Ohio), also a co-chair of the Congressional Ukrainian Caucus, thanked the Ukrainian American community for the information it has always provided to members of Congress regarding Ukraine. "Such information," she stated, "provides us with a better focus on Ukraine."

Frederick Baron, legislative assistant for foreign policy in Sen. Lautenberg's office, accepted the Joint Conferences Congressional Friend of Ukraine Award on the senator's behalf.

Two other congressional offices were also represented at the reception: Rep. Louise Slaughter (D-N.Y.), co-chair of the Congressional Ukrainian Caucus; and Rep. Michael McNulty (D-N.Y.), member of that caucus.

Several other guests in the audience were acknowledged, including three Roman Catholic hierarchs from Ukraine: Bishops Stanislav Shyrokoradiuk, Stanislav Padevsky and Leonid Dobrovsky; a group of members of the Verkhovna Rada, led by National Deputy Valerii Alioshin; Anton Buteiko, ambassador of Ukraine to the United States; as well as Askold S. Lozynskyj, president of both the Ukrainian World Congress and the Ukrainian Congress Committee of America; Ihor Gawdiak, president of the Ukrainian American Coordinating Council; and Dr. Roman Goy, Joint Conferences coordinator.

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