Chicagoans roll out the red carpet for UNA delegates (06/09/02)

THE 35TH REGULAR CONVENTION
OF THE UKRAINIAN NATIONAL ASSOCIATION

Chicagoans roll out the red carpet for UNA delegates

by Roma Hadzewycz

CHICAGO - Chicagoans rolled out the red carpet on May 24-28 for delegates traveling from all around North America to the 35th Regular Convention of the Ukrainian National Association.

It was only the second time that a UNA convention was held in the Windy City. The first - the UNA's 26th Convention - was held here in 1966. That Chicago is a dynamic community was evident from the convention's start to its finish.

Welcoming delegates, UNA President Ulana Diachuk noted that Chicago is home to a growing and vibrant Ukrainian community, and can boast of a UNA district committee that unites the state's 17 branches.

The Chicago Convention Committee's chairman, Dr. Myron B. Kuropas, an honorary member of the UNA General Assembly and a former UNA vice-president, promised delegates a program that would be "informative, educational and entertaining."

It was all of the above.

UNA conventioneers' first opportunity to learn about Chicago's Ukrainian community was the extensive English-language entry in the convention journal prepared by Dr. Kuropas, an immigration historian, and a Ukrainian-language version of that article prepared by Bohdan Kukuruza.

Then, on the evening of the convention's second day, Saturday, May 25, they had a chance to see first hand the talents of this community at a concert at Ridgewood High School that showcased all segments of Ukrainian Chicago: from the uninhibited and charming pupils of the local School of Ukrainian Studies to the noted Surma Choir, from the ODUM Bandura Ensemble to a Chamber Ensemble of professional musicians, all of them recent arrivals from Ukraine, directed by Zeonid Modrytzkyj, plus other vocalists and musicians. The introduction at the concert was offered by UNA Advisor Andrij Skyba, while the program's mistress of ceremonies was Advisor Halyna Kolessa.

Sunday, May 26, was Chicago's day indeed, as UNA'ers traveled in buses to the Ukrainian section of Chicago for church services, a luncheon and sightseeing.

A video prepared by Michael Kuropas shown during the bus ride gave conventioneers information about the Ukrainian Village neighborhood before they arrived there for a liturgy at St. Nicholas Ukrainian Catholic Cathedral celebrated by Bishop Innocent Lotocky, assisted by other clergy, and a moleben concelebrated with Archbishop Vsevolod of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the U.S.A.

Afterwards, there was a bountiful luncheon reception to welcome delegates at the newly constructed headquarters of the Selfreliance Ukrainian American Federal Credit Union, where UNA'ers were greeted by CEO Bohdan Watral and other officials and employees of the largest Ukrainian American credit union, which has nine branches in three states, Illinois, Indiana and New Jersey.

Then delegates had a choice of further exploring the Ukrainian Village and/or heading downtown to the Chicago waterfront for a tour of the second city's main attractions. Even the weather cooperated, giving the UNA'ers a glorious day.

That evening the Chicago Convention Committee organized the traditional convention banquet, featuring two keynote speakers, Askold Lozynskyj, president of the Ukrainian World Congress, and Dr. Kuropas, longtime UNA leader and historian, as well as greetings from political, religious and community leaders.

In his presentation titled "The Phenomenon of the World's Ukrainians," Mr. Lozynskyj spoke of the 20-million-strong Ukrainian diaspora and exhorted his listeners to recall the words of the UNA's patron, Taras Shevchenko, and to "embrace the youngest brother" - the millions of Ukrainians living outside of Ukraine on former Soviet territory who are fervent and proud Ukrainians.

Dr. Kuropas' topic was a fitting one: "The UNA: Reviving the Dream." He spoke of the UNA's great achievements of the past and asked his listeners: "Are we worthy of these great deeds, or will we squander our heritage?" He concluded by observing: "Some say decline is inevitable, but this is not the time to quit. ... The UNA is worth fighting for. Do not miss this grand opportunity."

Ohio Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur, a member of the Congressional Ukrainian Caucus, shared her thoughts on Ukrainian issues and her visits with her family in Ukraine. She underscored that Ukraine is "the most important country in Central Europe" and told the audience that "our heritage tells us there's work to be done" to help Ukraine. Afterwards UNA President Diachuk presented the UNA Recognition of Excellence Award to Rep. Kaptur.

The UNA's 35th Convention was noted by state and local politicians who issued proclamations and statements to honor the UNA, and May 26 was declared by Gov. George H. Ryan as UNA Day in Illinois.

* * *

The Chicago Convention Committee, chaired by Dr. Kuropas, was composed of: Andrij Skyba, vice-chairman; Osyp Panczyszyn, Ukrainian-language secretary; Lesia W. Kuropas, English-language secretary; Nick Chemers, treasurer; Mr. Skyba and Roksoliana Dachniwsky, Concert Committee; Stefko Kuropas and Bohdan Kukuruza, Banquet Committee; Dr. Kuropas and Roman Golash, Journal Committee; Mrs. Kuropas and Anna Golash, Cultural Committee; Michael Kuropas and Olga Berejan, Sightseeing Committee; and Joseph Stawnyczy, Auditing Committee.

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