[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 48 (Thursday, April 11, 2013)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E430-E431]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 IN RECOGNITION OF UKRAINIAN PRESIDENT YANUKOVYCH'S DECISION TO PARDON 
   FORMER INTERIOR MINISTER LUTSENKO AND FORMER ENVIRONMENT MINISTER 
                               FILIPCHUK.

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. WILLIAM R. KEATING

                            of massachusetts

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, April 11, 2013

  Mr. KEATING. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in my capacity as the Ranking 
Member of the Europe, Eurasia and Emerging Threats subcommittee to 
recognize the decision of Ukrainian President Yanukovych to pardon 
former Interior Minister Lutsenko and former Environment Minister 
Filipchuk. This is a notable step

[[Page E431]]

toward bringing Ukraine closer to a path that espouses the democratic 
values that the Ukrainian people have fought so long and hard to 
receive and maintain. The path toward democracy is not an easy one, and 
my hope is that we will be hearing more bright news from Ukraine in the 
near future. Of particular concern is the continued imprisonment of 
former Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko. I hope that Ukraine will 
fulfill its commitment to a democratic future for its people and secure 
her release, as well.

                          ____________________