PASSAIC, N.J. – U.S. Congressman Bill Pascrell (D-N.J.) received the Shevchenko Freedom Award, the highest accolade awarded by the Ukrainian Congress Committee of America (UCCA), the nation’s largest representation of Ukrainians in America, on November 2.
Established in 1962, the award named in honor of Ukraine’s poet-laureate and national hero Taras Shevchenko is bestowed upon individuals, Ukrainians and non-Ukrainians alike, who have dedicated their time and effort to realize Shevchenko’s prophetic aspirations and the goal of freedom for Ukraine.
Rep. Pascrell was chosen as a recipient due to his deep understanding and ongoing support for the Ukrainian American community and the Ukrainian nation.
The UCCA’s immediate past president, Tamara Olexy, UCCA Executive Secretary Marie Duplak, and the director of the Ukrainian National Information Service, Michael Sawkiw Jr., along with members of the UCCA Passaic branch, presented the award to the legislator in his district office in Passaic, N.J.
A member of the Congressional Ukrainian Caucus, Rep. Pascrell has been an outspoken supporter of Ukraine’s independence and territorial integrity, initiating legislation supporting Ukraine on numerous occasions.
The Shevchenko Freedom Award bestowed on Congressman Pascrell recognizes “his keen understanding and close working relationship with the Ukrainian American community and his commitment to Ukraine’s territorial integrity and strengthening U.S.-Ukraine relations.”