Highlights from the UNA's 110-year history (06/27/04)

Highlights from the UNA's 110-year history

A special yearlong feature focusing on the history of the Ukrainian National Association.

The Ukrainian National Association's 21st Convention was the first held after World War II. Held on March 25-30, 1946, it was attended by 385 delegates and 20 Supreme Assembly officers - representing a total of 755 votes.

Reports delivered at the convention emphasized the role the UNA and its members had played in the U.S. war effort. UNA'ers purchased over $20 million of U.S. bonds and 150 members died while serving in

the U.S. Army or Navy.

It was also noted that the UNA's membership continued to grow, increasing during the period between the 20th and 21st conventions by 7,553 to reach 45,720. Assets totaled $7,789,243.33.

The plight of Ukraine was uppermost in the minds of convention delegates who sent a memorandum to President Harry S. Truman, calling his attention to the fate of Ukrainian people in their native land.

The convention approved a new class of juvenile insurance, an endowment plan payable upon the insured's 18th birthday. The delegates also approved $12,300 in grants and donations to various cultural and educational institutions and endeavors, $5,000 in relief aid to members and $1,600 in scholarships to Ukrainian students.

Nicholas Murashko was re-elected to his fifth term as UNA president. He died on August 3, 1949, and the position of acting president was assumed by the UNA vice-president, Gregory Herman.

Source: "Ukrainian National Association: Its Past and Present, (1894-1964)," by Anthony Dragan (translated from the original Ukrainian by Zenon Snylyk). Jersey City, N.J.: Svoboda Press, 1964. The border featured in this special feature is reproduced from a UNA membership certificate dating to 1919.

| Home Page |