[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 143 (Friday, September 23, 2011)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1700]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 IN RECOGNITION OF THE OPENING AND DEDICATION OF THE UKRAINIAN VILLAGE 
                PARK AND ANNUAL UKRAINIAN VILLAGE PARADE

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. DENNIS J. KUCINICH

                                of ohio

                    in the house of representatives

                       Friday, September 23, 2011

  Mr. KUCINICH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in recognition of the opening 
and dedication of the Ukrainian Village Park and Annual Ukrainian 
Village Parade taking place on September 24, 2011.
  With a growing population of more than 50,000, the Ukrainian 
community has been a staple in the Greater Cleveland area for decades. 
In October, 2008, the City of Parma City Council became the first local 
government in Northeast Ohio to sponsor an ethnic neighborhood; 
Ukrainian Village. Ukrainian Village covers two miles along State Road 
and is home to Ukrainian butcher shops, credit unions, two Ukrainian 
Orthodox churches and now Ukrainian Village Park. The mission of 
Ukrainian Village is, ``To preserve, empower, and advance Ukrainian 
Village as a thriving neighborhood by celebrating the culture and 
heritage of Ukrainian Americans and to collaborate with the City of 
Parma in creating business and economic development within its 
boundaries.''
  The Ukrainian Village Parade and Ukrainian Village Park dedication 
will be hosted by the City of Parma, Ukrainian Village Committee and 
the United Ukrainian Organizations of Ohio. The United Ukrainian 
Organizations of Ohio has represented more than 50 Ohio organizations 
since 1928. This year's Ukrainian Village celebration will commemorate 
the 20th anniversary of Ukraine's independence, include an annual 
parade and festival and feature the opening and dedication of the 
Ukrainian Village Park.
  This year's parade will include, for the first time, all five of 
Parma's high school's bands; Parma Senior High School, Normandy High 
School, Valley Forge High School, Padua Franciscan High School and Holy 
Name High School. Additionally, the parade will feature church groups, 
civic organizations, representatives from the Polish, Hungarian, 
German, Irish and Slovak communities, Ukrainian Village businesses, 
numerous Ukrainian-American organizations, singers, dancers, school 
children, and His Eminence Archbishop Antony.
  Mr. Speaker and colleagues, please join me as Greater Cleveland 
celebrates the opening and dedication of the Ukrainian Village Park and 
Annual Ukrainian Village Parade.

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