[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 72 (Wednesday, June 5, 2002)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E962-E963]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 HONORING THE TENTH ANNIVERSARY OF THE AMERICAN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE IN 
                                UKRAINE

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. BOB SCHAFFER

                              of colorado

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, June 4, 2002

  Mr. SCHAFFER. Mr. Speaker, on June 6, 2002, the American Chamber of 
Commerce in

[[Page E963]]

Ukraine will celebrate the tenth anniversary of its founding. It is 
with a tremendous amount of respect and admiration that I rise today, 
both to congratulate it on the longevity and success of the 
organization, and recognize the true spirit of American enterprise and 
capitalism this institution provides in Ukraine.
  The founding of ``AmCham Ukraine'' was inspired by a June 1992 
meeting of U.S. Ambassador to Ukraine, Roman Papadiuk and the American 
business community having operations or financial interests in Ukraine. 
During the meeting, all participants agreed upon the overwhelming need 
to create a private, non-governmental organization, under which 
companies could strengthen themselves through one common voice, and 
achieve designated goals to further advance American business interests 
in Ukraine. As a result, the decision was made to formally establish 
the American Chamber of Commerce in Ukraine. Its two principle 
objectives are to provide cohesive support for member companies, and 
promote the entrance of new foreign investors.
  The success of AmCham Ukraine has been monumental. Member companies 
currently represent a majority of the foreign direct investment in 
Ukraine and provide Ukrainian citizens with more than 300,000 jobs. In 
addition, AmCham Ukraine members contribute a large share of tax 
revenues to Ukraine's budget each year. The group also promotes new 
foreign investors in the Ukrainian market by assisting them in 
gathering information and making the appropriate contacts, thereby 
enabling the advancement of strategic business plans.
  As a founding member of our Congressional Ukrainian Caucus, and Co-
Chairman, I have found AmCham Ukraine to be an indispensable partner in 
our efforts to strengthen the relationship between the United States, 
this House, and the Ukrainian people. AmCham's leadership in 
identifying key issues and providing timely research has been 
invaluable in promoting prosperity among Ukraine's citizens and 
cooperation between the two countries.
  Mr. Speaker, the American Chamber of Commerce in Ukraine is an 
institution founded on the basic American principles of free-markets, 
competition, and democracy through capitalism. I am proud to speak 
before the entire House of Representatives today to mark such a worthy 
occasion, and extend my sincere congratulations to all AmCham Ukraine 
administrators and the member companies. While I cannot be in Ukraine 
to personally attend the scheduled celebration there, I extend my 
personal thanks to my good friend, Prime Minister Antoliy Kinakh, 
Deputy Head of the Presidential Administration, Palov Haydutsky, and 
all my friends in the Verkhouna Rada for their attendance and support.
  Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

                          ____________________