[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 15 (Tuesday, February 22, 1994)]
[Senate]
[Page S]
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]

 
                     UKRAINIAN NATIONAL ASSOCIATION

 Ms. MIKULSKI. Mr. President, it gives me great pleasure to 
rise today and express my deepest admiration for the Ukrainian National 
Association [UNA]. This exceptional fraternal organization, which is 
celebrating its 100th anniversary, embodies the very best of the 
Ukrainian-American community. Since 1884, it has worked to preserve and 
promote the culture, traditions, heritage, and pride of the Ukrainian-
American community. From its humble beginnings in 1894 with 13 
branches, it has expanded to a total of 370 branches in the United 
States and Canada. It has over $100 million in assets and over 66,000 
members.
  The Ukrainian National Association sponsors a wide range of 
financial, educational, cultural, social, and charitable activities for 
its members. When Ukrainian immigrants had a hard time getting 
financial assistance in the United States, the Ukrainian National 
Association rose to fill the gap and provide low-cost insurance and 
other financial necessities to the growing Ukrainian immigrant 
community.
  Today the UNA sponsors a number of important programs such as a 
retirement home for senior citizens, a children's camp, and a sports 
camp. They provide over $120,000 in scholarships annually to its 
members. They publish the largest Ukrainian-language daily newspaper in 
the world and numerous books on Ukrainian culture.
  While this organization was founded to help Ukrainians living in the 
United Stats and Canada, it has never forgotten the needs of Ukrainians 
living in Ukraine. They have assisted Ukrainian refugees during World 
War II and provided assistance to the victims of natural disasters in 
Yugoslavia and Armenia.
  In 1992 the UNA founded the Ukrainian National Foundation to 
facilitate humanitarian and development programs aimed at promoting 
democracy and free market institutions in Ukraine. Additionally, they 
supply text books and have sent teachers into Ukraine to teach English.
  I am proud of what the UNA has accomplished for Ukrainian-Americans 
during the last 100 years. The UNA extends itself into all parts of the 
Ukrainian community and reaches out to all age levels. It stands by its 
families with great compassion in times of need, and shares their joys 
in times of triumph. It instills pride in the generations of today and 
preserves the Ukrainian-American heritage for the generations to come.
  Mr. President, on this occasion I offer my heart-felt congratulations 
and best wishes to the membership of the Ukrainian National 
Association. I have no doubt that their exemplary work will continue to 
help Ukrainian-Americans and our Nation long into the future.

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