[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 39 (Thursday, April 7, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E581]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




         THE UNITED STATES MUST CONTINUE TO STAND WITH UKRAINE

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. SANDER M. LEVIN

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, April 6, 2005

  Mr. LEVIN. Mr. Speaker, today in this chamber we heard a compelling 
voice for the power of freedom and democracy in President Viktor 
Yushchenko of Ukraine. Just a few months ago, the Ukrainian people 
stood up for genuine liberty in their country by peacefully demanding 
free and fair elections in what has become known as the Orange 
Revolution.
  I am proud that the United States stood with the hundreds of 
thousands of Ukrainians that demonstrated for democracy in the streets 
of Kiev. I will never forget last November 24th, when I joined nearly 
1,500 Ukrainian-Americans from around the country at a demonstration in 
support of fair elections outside Ukraine's Embassy in Washington.
  The Orange Revolution marked an important milestone in the history of 
Ukraine. President Yushchenko today addressed forcefully both the 
lessons of the past and fervent hopes for the future. Now that this 
peaceful revolution has been dramatically launched, we must stand with 
the people of Ukraine as they work to strengthen their democratic 
institutions and to make their country more prosperous. The U.S. should 
do more, not less, to help build a democratic and prosperous society in 
Ukraine.
  In particular, we must end trade restrictions that were enacted for a 
different Ukraine at a different time. To achieve this result, I 
introduced H.R. 1170, a bill to extend permanent normal trade relations 
to Ukraine. The U.S. must work promptly for the admission of Ukraine to 
the WTO.
  Mr. Speaker, I congratulate President Yushchenko on his election and 
the Ukrainian people for their determination to decide the future of 
their country. I urge the House of Representatives to make sure that 
the United States continues to stand with Ukraine as a friend and ally.

                          ____________________