[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 122 (Wednesday, October 4, 2000)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1663]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        HONORING KATARYNA CHOMIK

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. DALE E. KILDEE

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, October 3, 2000

  Mr. KILDEE. Mr. Speaker, I am happy today to recognize the 
accomplishments of a woman who has unselfishly worked to improve the 
quality of life for our citizens. On Tuesday, October 10, members of 
Flint, Michigan's International Institute will gather to present to 
Mrs. Kataryna Chomik its prestigious Golden Door Award, given annually 
to an immigrant who has made a positive impact on the greater Flint 
community and the Institute itself.
  Born in February of 1920, in the Western Ukraine, Irena, as she has 
come to be known, grew up with her parents and seven sisters. As a 
child, Irena promised to never leave her home or family. However, 
several family tragedies, including the death of her father, prompted 
Irena's mother to send her away to work as a companion and nursemaid to 
Maria Lewicka, the daughter of a Ukranian priest who was recovering 
from a spinal injury. Although Irena's strong faith had been forged 
early in her life, this experience strengthened her beliefs and her 
commitment to service.
  At the beginning of World War II, Irena was sent to a school for 
kindergarten teachers, and upon graduation, managed a village program. 
The war progressed and headed in the direction of Irena's town. 
Ukranian churches were being destroyed and the clergy exterminated, but 
Irena continued to work to preserve her heritage. As a result, she was 
sentenced to ten years of hard labor by a Soviet war court, but was 
later retried and released. After this, Irena fled on foot, finding 
refuge in a Czechoslovakian convent, where the Sisters bought her a 
plane ticket to Belgium.
  It was in Belgium that Irena met Nicholas Chomik, who would later 
become her husband. On Christmas Eve 1950, the Chomiks, along with 
their daughter, Olga, were welcomed to their new life in the United 
States by a sight that told them that all their struggles had not been 
for naught--the Statue of Liberty. After living on the East Coast for a 
year, the Chomiks moved to Flint, where Nicholas found employment with 
General Motors, and Irena worked as a seamstress. During this time, the 
Chomiks were blessed with two more daughters, Mary and Daria.
  It was during this time that Irena began a long-standing relationship 
with the group that greatly helped her when she first came to America, 
the International Institute. Irena was always on hand volunteering on 
various committees, and participating in activities such as 
international dance exhibitions, parades, and her annual Ukranian 
Easter Egg workshops.
  Mr. Speaker, I am truly fascinated by stories such as Kataryna 
Chomik's. Through tremendous adversity, she has been able to live the 
true American dream. She is truly an inspiration to all who come into 
contact with her. I ask my colleagues in the 106th Congress to please 
join me to congratulate and wish Irena the very best.

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