[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 5 (Tuesday, January 25, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E66]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 CONGRATULATING THE PEOPLE OF UKRAINE ON RECENT PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS

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                           HON. MARCY KAPTUR

                                of ohio

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, January 25, 2005

  Ms. KAPTUR. Mr. Speaker, I join my colleagues in congratulating the 
people of Ukraine on their free and fair election that elevated Victor 
Yushchenko to the office of President. I have joined my colleagues in 
extending an invitation to President Yushchenko to address the 
Congress.
  Just days before the elections, I traveled to Ukraine for the ninth 
time. On November 21, Ukraine held a run-off election for the office of 
President between Victor Yushchenko and Victor Yanukovych. 
International observers immediately found widespread fraud and declared 
the election invalid. Immediately following these events, supporters of 
the opposition party took to the streets to demand a recount or a new 
vote in what has been dubbed the ``Orange Revolution.'' The Ukrainian 
Supreme Court agreed and called for new elections. Our six member 
Congressional delegation added our voices for a free and fair revote in 
the Presidential elections to be held December 26 in that nation of 
nearly 50 million people.
  My first journey to Ukraine inspired a three-decade long quest that 
now explodes in the hearts of the people of Ukraine. The momentum of 
the opposition party in Ukraine is with the young. They crowded into 
the streets of Kiev. They blazed a trail on email. They are building a 
new future for Ukraine and this election cycle has been a 
transformational moment for them.
  Ukraine was host to thousands of election observers from around the 
world, and from within Ukraine, with the purpose of preventing the 
abuses that characterized the earlier elections, particularly 
manipulation of mobile voting stations and absentee voting. Laws had 
been passed in parliament to avoid these pitfalls. However, election 
observers were critical in assuring a fair vote.
  I continue to ponder how much Ukraine has changed in my lifetime. 
When I first drove into Ukraine in 1973, there were no other cars on 
the road other than military vehicles. Today, though far from an open 
society, Ukraine is making major strides toward developing liberty's 
institutions. The impact of this election in inspiring the next 
generation of Ukraine's youth cannot be underestimated. There is 
enormous fervor among the young people. Their free assembly is allowed 
in many regions of the nation.
  As Co-Chair of the Congressional Caucus, I look forward to building 
strong ties between our nations. Just a few weeks ago, the Congress 
held a videoconference with members of the Ukrainian parliament, the 
Rada. As part of our 1999 agreement, we will continue to hold these 
discussions, both in person and via videoconference. Our relationship 
has just begun to blossom. I am very hopeful for Ukraine and her 
people.

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