[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 98 (Thursday, July 18, 2002)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1296]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      UKRAINIAN LEADERSHIP PROGRAM

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. MAURICE D. HINCHEY

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, July 18, 2002

  Mr. HINCHEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to thank Chairman Taylor and 
Ranking Member Moran for their diligent work in putting together the 
FY03 Legislative Appropriations bill. I am particularly pleased that 
the Committee Report for this bill calls for a study by the Librarian 
of Congress to determine the feasibility of establishing a Ukrainian 
Leadership Program (ULP).
  The ULP would target young Ukrainian leaders from local and regional 
governments and give them the opportunity to travel to the United 
States and meet with federal officials in Washington. The Ukrainian 
officials would also travel to various congressional districts and meet 
with local officials. While in local communities, these young leaders 
would meet with farmers, bankers, educators, and business people. In 
these meetings, the Ukrainians will be able to observe the critical 
functions that these groups serve in a democracy. The Ukrainian 
American community will be actively involved in its implementation and 
providing logistical support thus reducing the cost to the U.S. 
government.
  The ULP will provide the next generation of local leaders with a 
better understanding of the relationships between the federal and local 
governments and the constituencies they represent. These young 
officials would be able to return to Ukraine with greater knowledge of 
the inner workings of democracy. This knowledge is critical to 
implementing further democratic reforms in Ukraine.
  Ukraine is at a crossroads. While it has taken great strides towards 
democracy since its independence in 1991, reforms have slowed over the 
last few years. As the sixth most populous nation in Europe, the 
Ukrainian people are people eager for reform. The U.S. can help ensure 
that democratic reforms are successful by supporting Ukraine's young 
leaders.
  This bill takes a significant step towards the realization of the 
ULP. We all recognize the large task of establishing such a program. 
With this study in hand, Congress will have road map with which to move 
forward on this issue.
  The ULP has the support the Ukrainian American community and the 
young leaders in Ukraine. This step that the Committee has taken is 
appreciated around the world. Again, I'd like to thank Chairman Taylor 
and Ranking Member Moran for their hard work on this issue. I look 
forward to the report and working with my colleagues on this issue.

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