[Congressional Record Volume 160, Number 24 (Monday, February 10, 2014)]
[House]
[Pages H1693-H1697]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  SUPPORTING THE DEMOCRATIC AND EUROPEAN ASPIRATIONS OF THE PEOPLE OF 
                                UKRAINE

  Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules 
and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 447) supporting the democratic and 
European aspirations of the people of Ukraine, and their right to 
choose their own future free of intimidation and fear, as amended.
  The Clerk read the title of the resolution.
  The text of the resolution is as follows:

                              H. Res. 447

       Whereas a democratic, prosperous, and independent Ukraine 
     is in the national interest of the United States;
       Whereas the Government of Ukraine has declared integration 
     with Europe a national priority and has made significant 
     progress toward meeting the requirements for an Association 
     Agreement;
       Whereas on November 21, 2013, following several months of 
     intense outside pressure, Ukrainian President Viktor 
     Yanukovych abruptly suspended negotiations on the Association 
     Agreement one week before it was due to be signed at the 
     European Union's Eastern Partnership Summit in Vilnius, 
     Lithuania;
       Whereas this reversal of stated government policy 
     precipitated demonstrations by hundreds of thousands of 
     Ukrainian citizens in Kyiv as well as in cities throughout 
     the country;
       Whereas the demonstrators have been overwhelmingly peaceful 
     and have sought to exercise their constitutional rights to 
     freely assemble and express their opposition to President 
     Yanukovych's decision;
       Whereas the demonstrators have consistently expressed their 
     support for democracy, human rights, greater government 
     accountability, and the rule of law, as well as for closer 
     relations with Europe;
       Whereas on November 30, 2013, police violently dispersed 
     peaceful demonstrators in Kyiv's Independence Square, 
     resulting in many injuries and the arrest of several dozen 
     individuals;
       Whereas on December 11, 2013, police raided 3 opposition 
     media outlets and the headquarters of an opposition party;
       Whereas on December 11, 2013, despite President 
     Yanukovych's statement the previous day that he would engage 
     in talks with the opposition, police attempted to forcibly 
     evict peaceful protesters from central locations in Kyiv;
       Whereas several journalists, including from Radio Free 
     Europe/Radio Liberty, and civic activists supporting the 
     demonstrators have been brutally attacked;
       Whereas on January 16, 2014, the Ukrainian parliament 
     passed, and President Yanukovych signed, legislation which 
     severely limits the right of peaceful protest, constrains 
     freedom of speech and the independent media, and unduly 
     restricts civil society organizations;
       Whereas the passage of these undemocratic measures and 
     President Yanukovych's refusal to engage in substantive 
     dialogue with opposition leaders precipitated several days of 
     violence and resulted in several deaths and hundreds of 
     injuries, as well as numerous allegations of police 
     brutality; and
       Whereas in the face of spreading demonstrations, Ukrainian 
     Government representatives and opposition leaders have 
     entered into negotiations which on January 28, 2014, resulted 
     in the resignation of the Prime Minister and his cabinet and 
     the repeal of most of the anti-democratic laws from January 
     16, 2014: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
       (1) greatly values the warm and close relationship the 
     United States has established with Ukraine since that country 
     regained its independence in 1991;
       (2) supports the democratic and European aspirations of the 
     people of Ukraine, and their right to choose their own future 
     free of intimidation and fear;
       (3) calls on the United States and the European Union to 
     continue to work together to support a peaceful resolution to 
     the crisis, and to continue to support the desire of millions 
     of Ukrainian citizens for democracy, human rights, government 
     accountability, and the rule of law, and closer relations 
     with Europe;
       (4) urges the Government of Ukraine, Ukrainian opposition 
     parties, and all protesters to exercise the utmost restraint 
     and avoid confrontation, and calls on the Government of 
     Ukraine to live up to its international obligations and 
     respect and uphold the democratic rights of its citizens, 
     including the freedom of assembly and expression, as well as 
     the freedom of the press;
       (5) condemns all acts of violence and calls on the 
     Government of Ukraine to bring to justice those responsible 
     for violence and brutality against peaceful protesters, and 
     to release and drop any criminal charges against those 
     detained for peacefully exercising their democratic rights;
       (6) welcomes the repeal by the Ukrainian parliament of most 
     of the anti-democratic measures adopted on January 16, 2014, 
     and urges President Yanukovych to continue to engage in 
     substantive talks with opposition leaders to address the 
     legitimate grievances of the opposition, and to take 
     additional steps to de-escalate tensions;
       (7) urges the United States and the European Union to 
     continue to make clear to Ukraine's leaders that those who 
     authorize or engage in violence against peaceful protesters 
     will be held personally accountable;
       (8) supports the measures taken by the Department of State 
     to revoke the visas of several Ukrainians linked to the 
     violence, and encourages the Administration to consider 
     additional targeted sanctions against those who authorize or 
     engage in the use of force; and
       (9) urges all parties to engage in constructive, sustained 
     dialogue in order to find a peaceful solution to Ukraine's 
     current political and economic crisis.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from New 
Jersey (Mr. Smith) and the gentleman from New York (Mr. Engel) each 
will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from New Jersey.


                             General Leave

  Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that 
all Members may have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their 
remarks and introduce extraneous materials on this measure.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from New Jersey?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I 
may consume.
  I would like to thank my good friend and distinguished colleague, the 
ranking member of the Foreign Affairs Committee, Eliot Engel, for 
introducing this bipartisan resolution supporting the democratic 
aspirations of the Ukrainian people.
  It is a timely appeal to the Government of Ukraine to stand down and 
to avoid all further violence, to exercise the utmost restraint and 
avoid confrontation. It calls on the government to bring to justice 
those responsible for violence against peaceful protesters and to 
release and drop any criminal charges against those detained for 
peacefully exercising their democratic rights.
  At this point, the government's crackdown has led to the deaths of at 
least four protesters--perhaps more--and throughout Ukraine to numerous 
beatings, arrests, detentions, abductions--including some from 
hospitals--

[[Page H1694]]

the harassment of activists, journalists, medics, lawyers, and pro-
democracy NGOs.
  On the Kyiv Maidan alone, or Independence Square, more than 1,800 
individuals, mostly protesters but also some riot police, have been 
injured. Thirty-six persons are confirmed missing, 49 people remain in 
detention, and 26 are under house arrest. At least 30 medics working to 
aid the injured on the Maidan have been attacked.
  Also, 136 journalists have been attacked on the Maidan, including 
investigative journalist Tetyana Chornovol, brutally beaten on 
Christmas Day, and who investigators, rather incredibly, claimed was a 
victim of road rage.
  One of the most outrageous examples has been the case of activist 
Dmitry Bulatov, who was abducted for 8 days before being left in a 
forest outside of Kyiv, during which time he was tortured by his 
captors who tried to force him to say he was an American spy.
  The heroism, Madam Speaker, of the Ukrainian people persistently 
demonstrating, struggling, and risking themselves for justice and 
dignity is deeply inspiring. The witness of so many clergy on the 
Maidan is a powerful reminder of the spiritual values that are at 
stake.
  Just last Thursday, I had the high honor and privilege of meeting in 
my office with Patriarch Filaret of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church and 
Patriarch Sviatoslav of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church. These 
brave and holy religious leaders are deeply concerned for the 
faithful--and for the whole Ukrainian nation--and alarmed about the 
potential for even worse violence, perhaps even civil conflict.
  Patriarch Filaret said recently:

       I appeal to both the power and opposition to stop violence 
     and to come to the negotiating table. All of you are 
     responsible before God for your earthly doings.

  At the Vatican, Pope Francis called for an end to the violence, and 
said:

       I am close to Ukraine in prayer and, in particular, to 
     those who have lost their lives in recent days and to their 
     families. I hope that a constructive dialogue between the 
     institutions and civil society can take place, that any 
     resort to violence is avoided, and that the spirit of peace 
     and a search for common ground is in the hearts of all.

  Cardinal Timothy Dolan of New York expressed strong support for 
antigovernment protesters in Ukraine. Writing on his blog, he 
summarized the conflict as ``government thugs relishing the chance to 
bludgeon and harass the hundreds of thousands of patriotic 
Ukrainians,'' and described the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church as ``a 
church that has been starved, jackbooted, imprisoned, tortured, 
persecuted, and martyred by Hitler, Stalin, and company.''
  That said, Madam Speaker, I do want to note that there is a paradox 
here. I know there are many outstanding people working in and for the 
Ukrainian Government who love their country and have its best interest 
at heart. Last year, for example, I met many times with Ukrainian 
ministers, high-level officials, and the ambassador, including meetings 
in Kyiv. This was because, in 2013, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Kozhara 
chaired the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe and 
made the fight against human trafficking a top priority for the 
organization.
  In June, it held a high-level conference in Kyiv to investigate and 
promulgate best practices and ways that the 57 OSCE countries can 
better coordinate antitrafficking efforts, including through training 
transportation and hospitality industry employees in victim 
identification. The Kyiv call to action was serious and successful. I 
know because I was there. And what came out of that was a new OSCE plan 
of action to combat human trafficking.

  Madam Speaker, I want to point out that this resolution does not take 
any position on whether Ukraine should sign an Association Agreement 
with the European Union. That is a decision for the Ukrainians to make 
themselves.
  At the committee markup, we decided to make that point clear, and the 
message should be clear. This is not about politics; this is about 
human rights. Congress is supporting the Ukrainian people in their 
defense of universal human values and not inserting itself into the 
question of what Ukraine does vis-a-vis the European Union.
  Madam Speaker, the Ukrainian people have endured horrific suffering 
over the course of the last century, and this is what gives their 
peaceful resistance on the Maidan such power.
  Two world wars were fought on their soil. In the 1930s, as we all 
know, Stalin inflicted a genocidal famine on them, which resulted in 
the death of millions of men, women, and children, to say nothing of 70 
years as a captive nation in the Soviet Union.
  In the 1980s, many of us in this Chamber, and on the Helsinki 
Commission especially, spoke out on behalf of Ukrainian human rights 
activists imprisoned in the gulag, called for the legalization of the 
then-banned and repressed Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church, and held 
several hearings on the Chernobyl disaster.
  With Ukraine's long-awaited independence in 1991, newfound freedoms 
also became a reality--or, we thought. But since 2010, with the 
election of Viktor Yanukovych, human rights, rule of law, and democracy 
have been under relentless attack--symbolized by the continued unjust 
imprisonment of former Prime Minster and opposition leader Yulia 
Tymoshenko, whose daughter, Yevhenia, testified at a Helsinki 
Commission hearing I held in May of 2012 and on whose behalf I, along 
with my colleagues, introduced a resolution in the previous Congress.

                              {time}  1800

  It is the Ukrainian people's dissatisfaction with Yanukovych, his 
rollback of democracy, that drives the protest movement. The long-
suffering Ukrainian people deserve a government that treats them with 
dignity and treats them with respect. I am confident they will prevail 
in their heroic struggle.
  I strongly support this resolution and, again, thank my friend from 
New York for authoring it.
  Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. ENGEL. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Madam Speaker, I rise in strong support of H. Res. 447, a resolution 
I authored supporting the democratic and European aspirations of the 
people of Ukraine.
  I would first like to thank my original cosponsors, Chairman Ed Royce 
and Representatives William Keating, ranking member of the Europe 
Subcommittee; and Marcy Kaptur, Sandy Levin, and Jim Gerlach, of the 
Ukraine Caucus, for their invaluable help in crafting this bipartisan 
resolution.
  I also thank my friend, the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Smith), 
for his remarks and agree with everything he said.
  The United States has been a staunch supporter of a democratic, 
prosperous, and sovereign Ukraine. At this moment we must stand with 
the people of Ukraine more than ever before.
  As the world has watched, over the past several months, hundreds of 
thousands of ordinary Ukrainian citizens have turned out in Kyiv and 
cities throughout the country to exercise their democratic rights and 
express their views.
  The initial impetus for the demonstration was the Ukrainian 
Government's unexpected rejection of an offer from the European Union 
for closer political and economic ties. This rejection represented a 
reversal of government policy and, in the view of a great many 
Ukrainians, a lost opportunity for Ukraine to strengthen democratic 
institutions and values and increase economic opportunities.
  In addition, the demonstrators have turned out not only in support of 
closer relations with Europe, but also more fundamentally in support of 
democracy, good governance, human rights, and basic human dignity. The 
fact that they have done so in an overwhelmingly peaceful manner is 
very, very impressive. It is also inspiring.
  Sadly, there have been exceptions to the peaceful nature of the 
protests. These include police violence on several occasions late last 
year, the disturbing pattern of beatings and abductions of journalists 
and civil society activists, and the most recent and tragic violence in 
January.
  Following this dramatic increase in tensions last month, the most 
recent developments in Ukraine give some cause for hope. I welcome the 
fact that meaningful talks appear to have begun between the government 
and opposition leaders.

[[Page H1695]]

  I would also like to applaud the admirable efforts of the Obama 
administration and our European partners to deescalate tensions and 
support this dialogue.
  Nevertheless, the situation in Ukraine remains highly volatile, and 
it is imperative that we actively support a peaceful, negotiated end to 
this crisis.
  This resolution advances to that goal by strongly condemning all acts 
of violence, irrespective of their perpetrators. Let me also take this 
opportunity to condemn all acts of extremism in Ukraine, all acts of 
hatred, and all acts of anti-Semitism.
  Moreover, the resolution calls on all individuals to behave 
responsibly. In particular, it calls on the Ukrainian authorities to 
respect and uphold the democratic rights of the citizens of Ukraine.
  It also states that those who authorize or engage in violence should 
be held personally accountable for their actions, including by targeted 
sanctions, if appropriate. This is why I welcome the recent actions by 
the Department of State to revoke the visas of several individuals 
linked to the violence.
  The resolution further urges the Ukrainian Government to bring to 
justice those responsible for violence against peaceful protesters, 
journalists, and civic activists, and to take additional steps to 
deescalate tensions.
  Finally, the resolution urges all parties to continue the substantive 
and sustained dialogue to peacefully resolve the crisis and address the 
legitimate desire of millions of Ukrainian citizens for a democratic, 
European future looking West, not East.
  In sum, the passage of this resolution would send a strong message of 
support to the people of Ukraine. At this critical moment, they should 
know that the United States and the United States Congress stand with 
them as they seek to build a democratic, prosperous, and secure 
Ukraine, respecting human rights and dignity and anchored firmly in 
Europe.
  I urge my colleagues to support H. Res. 447.
  Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Madam Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the 
distinguished gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Gerlach), the cochair of 
the Ukrainian Caucus.
  Mr. GERLACH. I thank the gentleman from New Jersey.
  Madam Speaker, I rise today because, every now and then, we are 
reminded that there are still people around the world fighting fiercely 
to secure the same individual liberties and foster the very same 
democratic traditions that Americans have been blessed with for nearly 
238 years.

  During the past 3 months, hundreds of thousands of Ukrainian citizens 
have taken to the streets of Kyiv and other cities in peaceful protest 
of a government that has ignored the will of the people and steered the 
country away from closer ties to democratic allies and supporters.
  The initial response from Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych was 
brutal. Government forces attacked protesters, resulting in at least 
five reported deaths.
  Furthermore, President Yanukovych enacted harsh new laws aimed at 
snuffing out dissent by making it a crime to peacefully protest against 
the government.
  Thanks to the vigilance of my colleagues in the Congressional 
Ukrainian Caucus and the leadership of Congressman Engel, Chairman 
Royce, and Subcommittee Ranking Member Keating, the actions of 
President Yanukovych have not gone unnoticed here in the United States 
Congress.
  Many of us have individually condemned the use of violent, repressive 
tactics against the protesters. Those of us in the Congressional 
Ukrainian Caucus have tried to convey to those fighting for democracy 
in Ukraine that their efforts are not in vain, and that totalitarianism 
must not be allowed to rise again in any fashion.
  Today, all of us in the House have a chance to stand united with our 
friends in Ukraine who desire greater economic opportunity and 
individual liberty. So I urge my colleagues to pass this resolution to 
let the world know the United States will not stand by and allow 
repression, violence, and political intimidation to prevail in Ukraine.
  Let's adopt this resolution for all those in Ukraine who wish for a 
government that is transparent, honors the fundamental human rights of 
its citizens, and respects the dignity of all Ukrainians, regardless of 
political affiliation.
  I thank the gentleman from California for introducing this 
resolution. I thank the gentleman from New Jersey for recognizing me.
  Mr. ENGEL. Madam Speaker, I yield 4 minutes to the gentleman from 
Michigan (Mr. Levin), the ranking member of the Ways and Means 
Committee.
  (Mr. LEVIN asked and was given permission to revise and extend his 
remarks.)
  Mr. LEVIN. Thank you, Mr. Engel, for yielding, and to Mr. Smith also, 
congratulations on your work.
  Madam Speaker, I rise today in strong support of House Resolution 
447, supporting the democratic aspirations of the Ukrainian people and 
their right to choose their country's future and to choose its 
direction, free from fear or intimidation, whether internal or 
external.
  For 3 months now, countless scores of Ukrainians across the country 
have braved not only the bitter cold, but also the constant threat of 
government-authorized violence, to peacefully stand up for the 
universal principles of democracy and respect for human rights.
  With this resolution, we, in the U.S. House, stand with them now.
  A few weeks ago, I joined a large number of members of the Ukrainian 
American community that I proudly represent in the Ninth Congressional 
District to express support for those demonstrating in the still-colder 
winter in Ukraine.
  As a founding cochair of the Congressional Ukrainian Caucus and 
original cosponsor of this resolution, I believe it is important that 
the House pass this expression of support for the Ukrainian people.
  Those on Kyiv's Maidan and throughout the country need to know that 
the world is watching, that the U.S. is watching, that we here are 
watching, and we support them. I say to them, we are, and we do.
  With colleagues, I recently had the privilege of meeting with 
opposition members of the Ukrainian Parliament. I was struck by what 
they indicated is their biggest fear and that of the demonstrators. 
There is the fear of riot police and government-backed thugs beating 
peaceful protesters, abhorrent behavior that has happened, resulting in 
numerous deaths.
  There is a fear of being among the disappeared. According to reports, 
20 opposition activists are still missing. What those brave democratic 
activists told us they are most afraid of is being forgotten, of the 
international community turning its attention elsewhere, of our global 
commitment to human rights and the rule of law being mere words, 
idealism overtaken by other foreign policy priorities.
  The House today will take an important step to ensure that does not 
happen; that that fear is not realized.
  Together with the Obama administration's continued forceful efforts, 
and the earlier passage of a similar resolution in the Senate, we 
present a unified American front. We show the people of Ukraine that we 
will steadfastly support their democratic and European aspirations.
  We show Ukrainian President Yanukovych that America will not sit on 
the sidelines in the face of their government repression and gross 
human rights violation, and, as the Obama administration has shown, 
America will not only condemn, we will take action.
  Like others, I welcomed the State Department's revocation of visas 
held by Ukrainian Government officials found to be responsible for 
violence against peaceful protesters.
  I encourage the administration to take additional action, including 
targeted financial sanctions, should violence and human rights 
violations continue, which is what this resolution calls for.
  It is time for the Government of Ukraine to immediately cease the use 
of violence, recognize the human rights of peaceful protesters and 
independent media, and participate in a true national dialogue with the 
opposition.
  I urge all of my colleagues to stand and stand up with the courage, 
resilience, and indomitable spirit of the

[[Page H1696]]

Ukrainian people and pass this resolution.
  Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my 
time.
  Mr. ENGEL. Madam Speaker, I yield 4 minutes to the gentleman from 
Rhode Island (Mr. Cicilline), a very distinguished member of the 
Foreign Affairs Committee.
  Mr. CICILLINE. I thank the gentleman for yielding.
  Madam Speaker, I rise in strong support of H. Res. 447. As the 
tensions continue to rise in Ukraine about the future direction of this 
country, we understand that the people of Ukraine are hoping to secure 
basic democratic freedoms of association and speech for all citizens.
  I join my colleagues in stressing the importance of the adoption of 
democratic social norms in Ukraine and in the region.
  Over the past several years, we have seen some impressive 
improvements in the area of human rights. However, the situation for 
lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender individuals continues to cause 
serious concern. The rampant and unacceptable state-sponsored 
homophobia that we are witnessing in neighboring Russia is slowly 
invading Ukraine as well.
  Some individuals have sought to introduce legislation in the 
Ukrainian Rada, similar to Russia's, to ban so-called ``homosexual 
propaganda,'' which does nothing more than limit the fundamental 
freedoms of association, speech, and assembly for all Ukrainians, 
regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity.
  The citizens of Ukraine, including her LGBT citizens, deserve much, 
much better, and they should know we stand with them as they pursue a 
free, inclusive, and democratic society.
  Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Madam Speaker, I continue to reserve the 
balance of my time.
  Mr. ENGEL. Madam Speaker, how much time do I have?
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The gentleman from New York has 10\1/2\ 
minutes remaining.
  Mr. ENGEL. Madam Speaker, I yield 4 minutes to the gentlewoman from 
Ohio (Ms. Kaptur), the cochair of the Ukrainian Caucus, an original 
cosponsor of this resolution, and she and I had the opportunity many 
years ago to travel together to Ukraine.

                              {time}  1815

  Ms. KAPTUR. I want to thank Ranking Member Eliot Engel of New York 
for his great leadership and Chairman Chris Smith of New Jersey for 
bringing this vitally important resolution up tonight.
  Madam Speaker, I rise to express my support for House Resolution 447, 
supporting the courageous democratic aspirations of the people of 
Ukraine. I want to thank, on a bipartisan basis, Congressman Jim 
Gerlach of Pennsylvania for his cochairmanship of our Ukrainian Caucus. 
We all stand in solidarity with the people of Ukraine.
  The people of Ukraine have the human right to choose their own 
future, free of intimidation and fear. What courage it took for these 
interfaith religious leaders at Maidan to stand with their religious 
symbols, icons, and crosses and other religious garb, along with their 
leaders, with their backs to the barricades, protecting the students as 
they faced the police.
  Over the past few months, the world has stood witness as Ukrainians 
have risen up, united in their desire for a more free, transparent, and 
democratic Ukraine. If one knows anything about the history of Ukraine, 
one knows what it took to do that in that place.
  The passage of House Resolution 447 here this evening means that our 
Congress stands in solidarity with those in Maidan and that we lend our 
support to the hundreds of thousands of Ukrainians peacefully 
demonstrating in the freezing, bitter subzero temperatures for over 2 
months for a more democratic and better future for all their people.
  If there is a God--and I believe there is--surely he or she will look 
down on this place and bless these people.
  The Ukrainian national anthem opens with the words:

       Ukraine's glory has not yet died, nor her freedom; upon us, 
     fellow compatriots, fate shall smile once more.

  Indeed, fate shall smile once more upon Ukraine. Long live Ukraina. 
Long live her young people who hold in their hearts the democratic 
future of that nation.
  Madam Speaker, I urge the passage of H. Res. 447. I say to my 
colleagues here, this is a most important crossroads in history. Truly, 
this country can be the borderland nation that links West and East and 
South and North in that important part of the world.
  The world needs Ukraine. She is already the third-largest grain 
exporter to the world's people. Her talent, her artistry, her vision 
has been quashed for so many, many, many decades and generations. Now 
is her moment, and we stand with her people, aspiring to that better 
day for all.
  Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Madam Speaker, I just want to take 30 
seconds to respond and thank the gentlelady from Ohio for her very 
eloquent defense of the Ukrainian people and for, again, reminding 
Americans and the world of the pivotal role that the patriarch and the 
highest, as well as people who are just among the faithful, are 
playing.
  The religious community is standing in solidarity with those who are 
aspiring for freedom, democracy, and respect for human rights. And they 
have literally put themselves between the police and the barricades in 
a way that puts their very lives at risk, holding up crosses, holding 
up other, as the gentlelady said, icons of faith to say that we serve a 
God of peace and reconciliation.
  Ms. KAPTUR. Will the gentleman yield?
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The time of the gentleman has expired.
  Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. I yield myself an additional 30 seconds, and 
I yield to the gentlewoman.
  Ms. KAPTUR. I would just say to the gentleman, looking back at the 
history of Ukraine and that region, the fact that you would have 
leaders of the Jewish faith, leaders of the Islam faith, leaders of 
Christian faiths, be they Orthodox or Uniate or Roman Rite, all--all--
risking their substance, it is just incredible.
  This should be on the front page of every newspaper in the world, and 
world opinion should move progress forward and help those people who 
have stood in that bitter cold weather for over 2 months. Unless you 
have traveled to Ukraine and experienced those temperatures yourself, 
you would not fully appreciate what they are enduring.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The time of the gentleman has again expired.
  Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. I yield myself an additional 30 seconds.
  I am glad you brought up the interfaith aspect of this as well. I 
actually chaired another hearing on anti-Semitism just several months 
ago, and the chief rabbi from the Ukraine came and testified and gave 
very powerful testimony as to how the faith community is working side 
by side to mitigate and, hopefully, end the cruelty of anti-Semitism 
while simultaneously working with Christians and others on behalf of 
human rights.
  Again, this demonstration of the faith community should go noted by 
everybody in this Chamber and, I hope, by everyone in the world.
  I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. ENGEL. Madam Speaker, I now yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from 
New Jersey (Mr. Pascrell), a very distinguished member of both the 
Budget and Ways and Means Committees and a member of the Ukrainian 
Caucus as well.
  Mr. PASCRELL. Madam Speaker, I thank both Mr. Eliot Engel of New York 
and Mr. Chris Smith of New Jersey for leading us through what are 
important things for us to contemplate, because what is applicable to 
Ukraine is applicable to a lot of places in this world. So I am a proud 
cosponsor and a strong supporter of H. Res. 447. It expresses our 
solidarity with the Ukrainian people and affirms their right to choose 
their own future.
  In this room, not that many years ago, we brought in the Prime 
Minister. Many of us had these flags, the colors of the Ukraine 
country.
  Mass protests have broken out in Ukraine following President 
Yanukovych's decision in November to back away from negotiations for 
closer integration with Europe. So Russia has their fingers in all of 
this. Beware.
  There was an agreement which had been supported by millions of 
Ukrainians in Ukraine and around the world.

[[Page H1697]]

We have known about the violence. We have known about the detainment 
because folks just expressed their legitimate dissatisfaction with 
Yanukovych's government.
  However, the current crisis in Ukraine had deeper roots. Almost a 
decade ago, the Orange Revolution led to the annulment of a fraudulent 
election which would have brought Viktor Yanukovych to power. In the 
wake of protests and civil disobedience on a massive scale, the 
Ukrainian people, instead, chose President Viktor Yushchenko and Prime 
Minister Yulia Tymoshenko. She is in jail. She is in jail right now, as 
we speak, still. Now the democratic gains made as a result of that 
Orange Revolution are at risk. Viktor Yanukovych has gained the 
presidency, and former Prime Minister Tymoshenko, as I said, is still 
in jail.
  The use of force to suppress open expression by political opponents 
or popular protests could never be tolerated in a free and democratic 
society, and those within the Ukrainian Government who authorized these 
brutal crackdowns should be held accountable for their egregious abuse 
of power.
  There has been a strong outpouring of support for the protesters from 
the large and active Ukrainian American community, many of whom live in 
my district, the Ninth Congressional District of New Jersey.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The time of the gentleman has expired.
  Mr. ENGEL. I yield the gentleman an additional 1 minute.
  Mr. PASCRELL. Ukrainian Americans deeply desire a solution to this 
crisis which respects the fundamental rights of their sisters and 
brothers in Ukraine to free speech, press, and peaceful assembly. It is 
my sincere hope that the United States can facilitate a peaceful 
resolution to the crisis in Ukraine which respects the will of the 
Ukrainian people and brings justice to those who have been harmed 
through wrongful arrests and violence.
  As we saw in Syria, crackdowns on nonviolent protests can lead to an 
all-out civil war, and we still do not do what we should be doing with 
those refugees from Syria. That is a disgrace.
  We need to act now to help the people of Ukraine before the violence 
escalates further. I urge my colleagues to join this vital show of 
support from the American people to the people of Ukraine.
  I thank the gentleman from New York (Mr. Engel) for yielding.
  Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. I will continue to reserve the balance of my 
time.
  Mr. ENGEL. Madam Speaker, I want to continue to urge my colleagues to 
support the resolution. As anyone can see, this is a very bipartisan 
resolution. It is very important.
  I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Madam Speaker, I have no further requests 
for time. I, again, thank my good friend and colleague from New York, 
Eliot Engel, for his sponsorship of this important resolution.
  I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. KEATING. Madam Speaker, I rise today to voice my strong support 
for H. Res. 447, a resolution supporting the democratic and European 
aspirations of the Ukrainian people and their right to choose their own 
future free of intimidation and fear.
   As an original co-sponsor and as Ranking Member of the Subcommittee 
on Europe, Eurasia, and Emerging Threats, I believe it is essential for 
Congress to continue to show its strong support for the Ukrainian 
people. In the two decades since Ukraine gained its independence from 
the Soviet Union, Congress has been at the forefront of efforts to 
foster democratic and economic reform in Ukraine.
   I have been deeply troubled by developments in Ukraine since 
President Yanukovych's surprising announcement last November that his 
government would not sign an Association Agreement with the European 
Union. I remain concerned that Mr. Yanukovych and his government were 
unduly pressured by outside forces to take a decision at odds with the 
long-term interests of the Ukrainian people and that the government's 
decision was not taken in consultation with other political 
stakeholders.
   Since November, I have watched Ukraine's unfolding political crisis 
with growing concern, especially authorities' use of violence against 
peaceful protestors. I have been deeply dismayed by the deaths and 
injuries sustained on all sides. I applaud the Administration's 
decision to revoke the visas of the Ukrainian government officials who 
were responsible for ordering or committing acts of violence against 
peaceful protestors. I believe additional sanctions should be 
considered in the event of further violence, but hope they will not be 
necessary.
   In the past few weeks, we have started to see signs of progress 
toward a resolution, including the repeal of repressive measures 
adopted by parliament in mid-January and the resignation of the prime 
minister and his cabinet on January 28. Both developments created an 
opening for serious dialogue between the government and the opposition. 
I urge all parties to seize this important opportunity.
   This resolution does not take sides in what is quite rightly a 
matter that Ukrainians must decide for themselves. Instead, it urges 
all parties to refrain from violence and to engage in constructive, 
sustained dialogue in order to find a peaceful solution to the current 
crisis.
   To facilitate that process, this resolution underscores to 
protestors, to the government, and to all Ukrainians that the United 
States will continue to defend Ukraine's sovereign right to chart its 
own course and build its own future.
   It also makes clear, not just to the protestors, but to President 
Yanukovych as well, that the United States will continue to support the 
Ukrainian people's aspirations to build a strong and prosperous 
democracy--one that is firmly rooted in Europe.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Smith) that the House suspend the rules 
and agree to the resolution, H. Res. 447, as amended.
  The question was taken.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the opinion of the Chair, two-thirds 
being in the affirmative, the ayes have it.
  Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Madam Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and 
nays.
  The yeas and nays were ordered.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX, further 
proceedings on this motion will be postponed.

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