NEWS AND VIEWS: New Jerseyans demonstrate unity of purpose (10/21/01)

NEWS AND VIEWS

New Jerseyans demonstrate unity of purpose

by Michael Koziupa

Earlier this year, a number of people got together to discuss how the New Jersey "hromada" should celebrate Ukraine's 10th anniversary of Independence. Through the initiative of the Ukrainian Congress Committee of America - New Jersey Coordinator Council and the Ukrainian National Association, realtor Michael Halibej, attorney Jerry Kuzemczak, UCCA NJ Chairman John Burtyk, UNA President Ulana Diachuk and this writer, branch manager of Selfreliance Ukrainian American Federal Credit Union, met to toss around ideas and gather mailing lists. A letter was formulated and sent out to all Ukrainian organizations in New Jersey to announce an initial meeting to be held on May 17 at the UNA building in Parsippany, N.J.

Representatives from a number of organizations gathered together to formulate a plan for the celebration. The executive was elected: chair - Michael Koziupa, Selfreliance UAFCU Parsippany and Ukrainian American Youth Association (SUM), Whippany Branch; vice-chairwoman - Martha Lysko, Ukrainian National Association; treasurer - Jaroslava Mulyk, Ukrainian National Women's League of America, New Jersey Regional Council; secretary - Bozhena Olshaniwsky, Americans for Human Rights in Ukraine; English-language press - Walter Bodnar, UNCHAIN; Ukrainian-language Press - Mr. Burtyk.

The name "New Jersey Committee - 10th Anniversary of Ukraine's Independence" was chosen, and it was decided that the committee would consist of representatives of New Jersey Ukrainian community organizations. The following people became members of the committee: Dr. Julian Bemko, Ukrainian American Veterans; Gregory Dobush, Organization for the Defense of the Four Freedoms of Ukraine; Maria Duplak, Organization for the Defense of Lemkivschyna; Stanley Kmet, Society of Soldiers of the UPA; Jerry Kuzemczak, UCCA Morris County; Leonard Mazur, Ukrainian Professionals and Businesspersons Association of New York and New Jersey; Eugene Oscislawski, UNA Northern Jersey District Committee; Roman Pyndus, Chornomorska Sitch and Plast Newark/Morris County; Kvitka Semanyshyn, UCCA Essex County Branch; Michael Szpyhulsky, SUM Newark/Irvington; Vladimir Waskiw, UCCA NJ; Olena Welhasch, Children of Chornobyl Relief Fund. It was also decided that the committee would hold a banquet in September.

A total of 11 meetings was held. The cooperation and hard work of committee members was a demonstration of the ability of different groups and generations (members ranged in age from 27 to 77) to work together in an apolitical and united fashion.

The banquet was held at the Ramada Hotel and Conference Center in East Hanover, on Saturday, September 22, as reported in this paper. Orest Fedash, the general Manger, donated the cocktail hour. Mr. Halibej, Realtor, donated money for the committee's production of a video covering the 10 years of Ukraine's independence. Selfreliance Ukrainian American Federal Credit Union, New Jersey Advisory Board, covered the costs of all the printing. The Ukrainian National Association donated advertisements in its official publications Svoboda and The Ukrainian Weekly.

Over $13,220 was collected, and about $13,080 was paid out to cover costs and expenses. The leftover profit was donated to the UCCA New Jersey Council, which fronted the initial funds for the committee.

As chairman of the committee, I wish to thank the executive and all the committee members for their hard work and dedication. Thanks also to the master of ceremonies, attorney Nestor Olesnycky, representatives of the U.S. government, the New Jersey state government and Ukraine's government, as well as the candidates for New Jersey governor who greeted the banquet guests.

Special thanks are due also to the main speakers - National Deputy Hryhoriy Omelchenko and Ukrainian World Congress President Askold Lozynskyj, all the participating New Jersey Ukrainian community organizations, as well as all who took part in this wonderful celebration.

God Bless America! Slava Ukraini!

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