[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 163 (Wednesday, November 17, 1999)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E2408-E2409]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




COMMEMORATING THE 66TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE UKRAINIAN FAMINE OF 1932-1933

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                           HON. BOB SCHAFFER

                              of colorado

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, November 16, 1999

  Mr. SCHAFFER. Mr. Speaker, this year, the Ukrainian nation and the 
entire Ukrainian-American community will solemnly commemorate the 66th 
anniversary of the Ukrainian famine of 1932-1933. The poignancy that 
envelopes this sorrowful episode in Ukrainian history stems from the 
fact the famine was an artificial famine. The Soviet government decided 
to break the resistance of all Ukraine through sheer naked force. 
Indeed, Josef Stalin was determined to crush all vestiges of Ukrainian 
nationalism.
  Stalin quickly transformed the U.S.S.R. into an industrialized state 
at enormous cost to human and material resources. Between 7 to 10 
million Ukrainians perished as a direct result of his forced 
agriculture collectivization.
  In 1932, the Soviets increased the grain procurement quota for 
Ukraine by 44%. They were aware this extraordinarily high quota would 
result in a grain shortage, therefore resulting in the inability of the 
Ukrainian peasants to feed themselves. Soviet law was quite clear. No 
grain could be given to feed the peasants until the quota was met. The 
famine broke the peasants will to resist collectivization and left 
Ukraine politically, socially, and psychologically traumatized.
  Although the world press reported the truth about the famine in 
Ukraine, regrettably, Western industrialists and businessmen proceeded 
to do business with the U.S.S.R.--especially by buying Ukrainian wheat 
at cheap prices, heedless of the fact that millions of Ukrainians had 
perished from hunger because Moscow had confiscated this wheat in order 
to sell it for profit abroad.

[[Page E2409]]

  This Saturday, Ukrainian-Americans will be afforded an opportunity to 
observe this tragic chapter in Ukraine's history on November 21, 1999 
with a special requiem service in New York's St. Patrick's Cathedral. 
This day has been designated as ``Ukrainian Famine Day of 
Rememberance'' in hopes that, in remembering this tragic event, the 
world community recognizes that the only safeguard to prevent future 
atrocities of this nature is to maintain and ensure support for an 
independent Ukrainian state.

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