THE 70th ANNIVERSARY OF THE FAMINE-GENOCIDE IN UKRAINE

New York governor's proclamation of Famine Day of Remembrance

Below is the text of the proclamation issued by the governor of New York to mark the 70th anniversary of the Famine-Genocide of Ukraine.

Whereas, the Empire State is home to many nationalities of people who are an integral part of our cultural landscape and who contribute to our overall strength as a global leader, and as such, New York acknowledges historic events, the outcome of which had a profound impact on many of our citizens and resulted in circumstances that shaped the course of humankind and brought masses of people to our shores of precious freedom; and

Whereas, as a defender of human rights, New York has a prominent role in teaching valuable lessons derived from these events in history, many of them tragic and distressing - such as the Ukrainian Famine of 1932-1933 - one of the most painful chapters in the history of Ukraine; and

Whereas, the magnitude of this event is amplified by the fact that the Famine was an inhumane act of man, created by the Stalin regime as a brutal Soviet policy directed against the Ukrainian people in an attempt to collectivize agriculture and crush the nationally conscious Ukrainian population, and in perpetuating this unconscionable crime against humanity, the Stalin-led government had complete control of the borders and food supplies, deliberately refusing to accept relief efforts and ignoring appeals from foreign governments and organizations to alleviate the catastrophic conditions resulting from the Famine; and

Whereas, the poignancy that envelopes this somber episode further stems from the fact that this artificially engineered famine was callously intended to oppress the political, cultural and human rights of the Ukrainian people and the immediate result was the death of more than 7 million Ukrainians, including the elimination of Ukraine's middle class, as well as many intellectuals, artists, political leaders and patriots from all walks of life; and

Whereas, since it took place, the Famine has had a lasting impact and has left a permanent mark upon the Ukrainian people - in addition, the policies implemented during this period impeded Ukraine's economy and political development as the forces of communism reigned for decades until Ukraine achieved independence in the early 1990s; and

Whereas, in 1996, the first democratically elected Parliament of Ukraine adopted a new Constitution and the government has worked to institute progressive measures including a free market economy and policies that ensure full respect for human rights, and it is important to support Ukraine as it assiduously proceeds down the path of becoming a strong and self-governed nation; and

Whereas, in commemorating the 70th anniversary of the Ukrainian Famine of 1932-1933, we are grateful for the Ukrainian community of freedom-loving citizens here in this State and Nation, and we recognize the memory of those who did not live to see the return of freedom to their cherished country, honoring those ancestors who kept the faith alive in the homeland despite persecution, famine and death - a faith that sustained many of their sons and daughters in the perilous voyages across the Atlantic and thankfully enabled them to thrive here in America;

Now, therefore, I, George E. Pataki, Governor of the State of New York, do hereby proclaim November 15, 2003, as Ukrainian Famine Day of Remembrance in the Empire State.

Given under my hand and the Privy Seal of the State at the Capitol in the City of Albany on this 12th day of November in the year 2003.

George E. Pataki
Governor

Copyright © The Ukrainian Weekly, November 23, 2003, No. 47, Vol. LXXI

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