[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 42 (Tuesday, April 12, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E618]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  HONORING PRESIDENT VIKTOR YUSHCHENKO

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. RAHM EMANUEL

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, April 12, 2005

  Mr. EMANUEL. Mr. Speaker, I am proud to rise today on behalf of the 
more than 4,000 of my constituents of Ukrainian descent in the Fifth 
Congressional District of Illinois on Chicago's northwest side. I am 
also pleased to join with my colleagues in the House to receive the 
recently inaugurated President of the Republic of Ukraine, His 
Excellency Viktor Yushchenko during his first official visit to the 
United States, in a joint session of Congress.
  I applaud President Yushchenko for his courage and vision and for his 
leadership in the ``Orange Revolution'' that peacefully brought freedom 
and democratic reforms to Ukraine late last year. The people of the 
Ukraine, and indeed all across the globe, were relieved when the 
President survived an assassination attempt that nearly claimed his 
life and subsequently persevered among tremendous resistance to the 
dramatic reforms he championed.
  My hometown of Chicago is home to more than 100,000 Ukrainian 
Americans who have been instrumental in helping advance the 
increasingly important alliance between our nations. The Ukraine's 
prosperity, independence and openness to the West are of vital 
economic, cultural and strategic importance to the global community.
  Mr. Speaker, I join with my colleagues and all Americans in 
congratulating President Yushchenko for his triumph. I wish him and the 
Ukraine continued prosperity and success in advancing the ideals of 
democracy and freedom in that nation.

                          ____________________