[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 15 (Tuesday, February 22, 1994)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: February 22, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
                HONORING UKRAINIAN NATIONAL ASSOCIATION

                                 ______


                      HON. JAMES A. TRAFICANT, JR.

                                of ohio

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, February 22, 1994

  Mr. TRAFICANT. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in recognition of the 
Ukrainian National Association [UNA], the oldest and largest Ukrainian-
American organization in the United States. Today the UNA, a fraternal 
insurance organization, is celebrating its 100th year anniversary.
  The UNA, from its humble beginning, has expanded to 66,000 members 
and over $100 million in assets. The UNA currently has branches in 27 
States in the United States and 7 Provinces of Canada. In addition to 
providing for the life insurance needs of the Ukrainian-American 
community by offering low-cost life insurance protection, the UNA 
provides its members with a wide range of educational, cultural, 
social, and charitable benefits. Through its many, diverse programs, 
the UNA has helped preserve the national traditions and customs of 
Ukrainians in the United States and Canada, thereby contributing to the 
richness of American culture.
  As part of its fraternal benefit work, the UNA provides over $120,000 
in scholarships annually to its members. It operates a retirement home 
for its senior citizens, provides mortgages to its members, and is a 
patron of the Ukrainian community's cultural and religious activities. 
Over the years, the UNA has provided low-interest mortgage loans for 
the construction of many Ukrainian churches and community centers in 
the United States and Canada thereby strengthening the religious and 
cultural bonds of the community.
  Although the UNA mainly assists Ukrainians living in the United 
States, it has never lost sight of the needs of Ukrainians in Ukraine. 
Throughout its history the UNA has assisted the struggle for a free and 
independent Ukraine by keeping American policy makers current on events 
taking place in Ukraine. The UNA assisted the many Ukrainian refugees 
created by World War II and provided assistance to the victims of 
natural disasters such as the earthquakes in Yugoslavia in the 1970's 
and in Armenia in the 1980's.
  The Ukrainian National Association has been assisting the Ukrainian-
American community and the people of Ukraine for a century. I hereby 
recognize the accomplishments of the UNA, not only for the Ukrainian-
American community, but for American community. I wish the UNA 
continued success in all its future endeavors.

                          ____________________