Address by UNA president (10/03/04)

Address by UNA president

Following is the text of the address delivered by Stefan Kaczaraj, president of the Ukrainian National Association, during the opening session of the 19th Congress of the UCCA on September 24.

I am honored and pleased to greet you in the name of the Executive Committee and General Assembly of the Ukrainian National Association. Twenty-four years ago, in the "City of Brotherly Love," here in Philadelphia, 647 delegates participated in the 13th Congress of the UCCA. Today there are only 125 delegates present - almost 80 percent less.

While the number of people of Ukrainian descent in the United States is growing, our organizations, churches and schools are in decline.

Twenty-four years ago more than 20 organizations left the UCCA for various reasons - mainly lack of cooperation and lack of tolerance for dissenting views.

The 13th Congress opened up a serious wound in our community body - one that has not yet healed. This wound has divided us and pushed a large number of our children and grandchildren away from our Ukrainian community.

In order to solve this burning problem, at the annual meeting of the UNA General Assembly, which took place at Soyuzivka on November 21-22, 2003, the General Assembly decided to renew the long-standing relationship of the UNA with the UCCA - on the same basis and status as had been established during its original membership. It is our sincere hope that this step will serve as an incentive for others to find common ground for the good of our community, because only from a position of strength and cooperation can we, as a community, speak with a united and strong voice on the national and international arenas.

Batko Soyuz [the UNA], as the oldest community organization, unites 45,000 members of diverse opinions and backgrounds; it believes in the necessity of nurturing a spirit of unity and cooperation in our community.

In unity there is strength.

In order to achieve this unity we must: 1) update the UCCA By-Laws in order to foster democracy; 2) choose persons who are open to compromise as delegates and as officers; 3) not permit anyone to have a monopoly on decision-making.

It is time for us to set aside our quarrels and to work together for the good of our entire community and Ukraine.

We call on this congress to extend its hand and begin negotiations with all Ukrainian organizations that are not members of the UCCA, and to be willing to compromise.

It is important for our community to safeguard our cultural heritage and our rich traditions, and to help Ukraine become a democratic Ukrainian state.

It would be sad if in 24 years we came to a congress and again saw 80 percent fewer participants.

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