NEW YORK – Several honorees from the United States received the Ukrainian World Congress’s highest accolade, the St. Volodymyr the Great Medal, during the UWC congress held in Kyiv in late November.
Recognized for their long-time contributions to the Ukrainian American community and Ukraine were Rep. Sander Levin (D-Mich.), co-chair of the Congressional Ukraine Caucus, and Dr. Larissa Kyj, president of the United Ukrainian American Relief Committee.
Rep. Levin and Dr. Kyj were honored during the November 25 opening ceremony of the XI Congress of the UWC in the presence of the primates of Ukrainian Churches; the president, first vice prime minister, deputy prime ministers, foreign affairs minister and numerous members of the Parliament of Ukraine; and over 300 UWC delegates and guests representing 26 countries.
“The UCCA is proud that Dr. Kyj was recognized by this international body for her many years of tireless work and leadership of the United Ukrainian American Relief Committee – and their millions of dollars of humanitarian aid to help our brethren in Ukraine and throughout the world,” stated UCCA President Andriy Futey.
“We are also delighted that Congressman Levin was acknowledged for his long-time work on Holodomor and his keen understanding and close working relationship with the Ukrainian American community,” Mr. Futey said.
The St. Volodymyr the Great Medal was introduced in 1988 to acknowledge individuals for their special contributions to the development of Ukrainian life in the diaspora and/or in Ukraine.
Other U.S. recipients of UWC’s highest honor this year included Ambassador Paula Dobriansky, Ambassador Roman Popadiuk and Sen. John McCain (posthumously).