THE UKRAINIAN NATIONAL ASSOCIATION FORUM (10/22/00)

THE UKRAINIAN NATIONAL ASSOCIATION FORUM

Stephen Kuropas feted on 100th birthday

CHICAGO - Over 125 guests attended a luncheon held on October 1 at the Ukrainian Cultural Center honoring Stephen Kuropas, former UNA supreme vice-president and current honorary member of the UNA General Assembly, on the occasion of his 100th birthday. Present were Ukrainians from as far away as Massachusetts, Minnesota and Pennsylvania.

The day began with a divine liturgy at St. Nicholas Cathedral celebrated by Bishop Michael Wiwchar, who offered a special blessing to the centenarian. George Matwyshyn, president of the St. Nicholas Cathedral Council, presented Mr. Kuropas with a beautiful cross at the conclusion of the liturgy as the congregation, led by the choir, sang "Mnohaya Lita."

The opening prayer at the luncheon was offered by Bishop Innocent Lotocky. Michael Kos was the master of ceremonies.

Arriving in the United States in 1927, Mr. Kuropas devoted his life to two major organizations, the Organization for the Rebirth of Ukraine (ODVU) and the Ukrainian National Association. In his remarks during the luncheon, Dr. Bohdan Shebunchak, ODVU honorary president, reviewed Mr. Kuropas' contributions to the Ukrainian nationalist movement in the United States, which included organizing ODVU Branch 2 in Chicago and editing the ODVU journal Samostiina Ukraina. Alexander Prociuk, current ODVU president, presented Mr. Kuropas with a certificate.

Walter Sochan, former UNA supreme secretary and current honorary member of the UNA General Assembly, recalled Mr. Kuropas' decades-long work on behalf of the UNA, which included enrolling over 150 new members and establishing several UNA branches in the Midwest region.

Stefko Kuropas presented his grandfather with a distinguished service plaque on behalf of the Chicago UNA District Committee which he chairs. Larissa Dijak awarded Mr. Kuropas a plaque recognizing his service as a founder and first president of the UNA Seniors.

Congratulatory greetings were received from President Bill Clinton, Gov. George W. Bush, Speaker of the House Dennis Hastert and Sen. Peter Fitgerald.

Thanks to the efforts of State Sen. Walter W. Dudycz, Gov. George Ryan of Illinois issued a proclamation declaring October 1 as "Stephen Kuropas Day" in Illinois. The Illinois State Senate also issued a proclamation honoring Mr. Kuropas.

Greetings were read from Illinois Lt. Gov. Corrinne Wood, Illinois Attorney General Jim Ryan, Sen. Dudycz, Selfreliance, and a number of other individuals, many of whom recalled the personal assistance they received from Mr. Kuropas during the 1950s and 1960s when they first arrived from displaced persons camps in Europe. Greetings were sent also by The Ukrainian Weekly.

Present for the joyous occasion was the entire Kuropas clan, which now consists of a son and his wife, a daughter, two grandsons and their wives, three granddaughters and their husbands, and eight great-grandchildren.

Among that family are three UNA vice-presidents: former VPs Stephen Kuropas and Myron B. Kuropas, and the UNA's current first vice-president, Stefko Kuropas.

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