[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]

 
     100TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE UKRAINIAN NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, INC.

                                 ______


                         HON. PAUL E. KANJORSKI

                            of pennsylvania

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, February 22, 1994

  Mr. KANJORSKI. Mr. Speaker, today I pay tribute to the Ukrainian 
National Association, Inc. [UNA], as it celebrates on this day an 
impressive 100th anniversary.
  There is no doubt that the UNA deserves great credit for work done to 
better the interests of the Ukrainian-American community since its 
establishment in 1894 in Shamokin, PA, a city in my congressional 
district. Like many struggling immigrant communities at the turn of the 
century, Ukrainian-Americans desperately needed assistance and a sense 
of community in adjusting to life in a new land. The UNA was there to 
provide moderate financial support and help maintain the rich heritage 
and tradition of the Ukrainian culture through its fraternal 
organization.
  After many years of excellence and success in reaching out to 
Ukrainian-Americans, the organization has grown exponentially. From a 
mere 13 branches in 1894, the UNA now has 370 branches in 27 States and 
7 Canadian provinces. UNA's 66,000 members and $100 million in assets 
make it the largest Ukrainian-American fraternal insurance 
organization. Its original newspaper, Svoboda, is the oldest Ukrainian 
newspaper in the world.
  The important work of today's UNA is not unlike that of the Shamokin 
original. The original. The organization provides over $120,000 in 
scholarships annually to its members. It operates a senior citizen 
retirement home for members, provides mortgages, and has helped 
subsidize the construction of Ukrainian churches and community centers 
across North America. UNA is also a patron of Ukrainian cultural and 
religious activities. In New York, the UNA operates a full-service 
resort of Soyuzivka which provides a full range of Ukrainian cultural 
enrichment activities.
  Recent independence of the Ukraine from the former Soviet Union was 
certainly causes for tremendous celebration among Ukrainian-Americans. 
The UNA had exceptional foresight to plan for this inevitable event. As 
early as 1990, the UNA was funding substantial humanitarian, 
educational and technical assistance to Ukraine. In 1992, it 
established a foundation which will help this new country further 
promote democratic and free-market reforms essential to a prosperous 
future.
  With its work both here, in North America, as well as the Ukraine, 
the UNA is providing praiseworthy services to the Ukrainian nation 
across the globe. Impressively, today in Shamokin the UNA continues to 
serve the Transfiguration Catholic Church, once established by 100 
Ukrainian-Americans over 85-years ago.
  May I add my sincerest congratulations on this 100th anniversary 
celebration.

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