[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 149 (Friday, September 22, 1995)]
[Senate]
[Page S14136]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




              THE 21ST ANNUAL UKRAINIAN HERITAGE FESTIVAL

 Mr. BRADLEY. Mr. President, our country is a remarkable 
mosaic--a mixture of races, languages, ethnicities, and religions--that 
grows increasingly diverse with each passing year. Nowhere is this 
incredible diversity more evident than in the State of New Jersey. In 
New Jersey, schoolchildren come from families that speak 120 different 
languages at home. These different languages are used in over 1.4 
million homes in my State. I have always believed that one of the 
United States greatest strengths is the diversity of the people that 
make up its citizenry and I am proud to call the attention of my 
colleagues to an event in New Jersey that celebrates the importance of 
the diversity that is a part of America's collective heritage.
  On Saturday, September 23, 1995, the Garden State Arts Center in 
Holmdel, NJ, will celebrate the next in its series of 1995 Fall 
Heritage Festivals. The Heritage Festival Program salutes some of the 
different ethnic communities that contribute so greatly to New Jersey's 
diverse makeup. Highlighting old country customs and culture, the 
festival programs are an opportunity to express pride in the ethnic 
backgrounds that are a part of our collective heritage. Additionally, 
the Fall Heritage Festivals contribute proceeds from their programs to 
the Garden State Arts Center's Cultural Center Fund which presents 
theater productions free-of-charge to New Jersey's schoolchildren, 
seniors, and other deserving residents. The Heritage Festival thus not 
only pays tribute to the cultural influences from our past, it also 
makes a significant contribution to our present day cultural 
activities.
  On Saturday, September 23, 1995, the Heritage Festival Series will 
celebrate the 21st Annual Ukrainian Heritage Festival. Chaired by 
Oksana Korduba, this year's event focuses on the road to democracy and 
economic reform for the Ukraine. It is fitting that the Ukrainian 
Heritage Festival follows so closely on the heels of the fourth 
anniversary of Ukrainian independence. Upon gaining independence, 
Ukraine has worked diligently for both economic reform and democracy. 
In particular, Ukraine has taken significant steps to reform its 
economy by working to stabilize inflation, liberalize prices, and 
privatize industries. Further, through the creation and continued 
improvement of a constitutional framework, Ukraine is developing its 
own strong democratic tradition.
  I am delighted to have this opportunity to pay tribute to the 
Ukrainian-American community. During the long years when Ukraine 
suffered under foreign control, Ukrainian-Americans helped keep alive 
Ukraine's culture and traditions. The Garden State Arts Center's 
Ukrainian Heritage Festival, with its celebration of food, crafts, 
music, sports, and traditional folk dancing, preserves Ukrainian 
culture for all generations.
  On behalf of all New Jerseyans of Ukrainian descent I offer my 
congratulations on the occasion of the 21st Ukrainian Heritage 
Festival.

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