[Congressional Record Volume 160, Number 50 (Friday, March 28, 2014)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E468]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                          UKRAINE SUPPORT ACT

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                        HON. BILL PASCRELL, JR.

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, March 27, 2014

  Mr. PASCRELL. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 4278, the 
Ukraine Support Act.
  This bill will send an important signal to the Ukrainian people that 
the United States of America will stand by them as they resist Russia's 
aggression. This is not just a symbolic gesture on our part. In 
addition to the condemnation of Russia's actions through targeted 
sanctions, this vital legislation provides assistance to stabilize 
Ukraine's economy and to support important anti-corruption initiatives.
  As a great nation of over 45 million people and a breadbasket for 
Europe and the world, Ukraine has the potential to be a true economic 
powerhouse. But decades of mismanagement and corruption at the highest 
levels have stifled Ukraine's economic growth and military readiness.
  This weakness has allowed Russia to bully its way into Ukraine's 
internal affairs--culminating in the recent invasion and annexation of 
Crimea. Although the world has condemning this illegal land grab, 
Russian actions continue to threaten Ukraine's prosperity and 
territorial integrity.
  Our support is vital to ensuring that Ukraine has the ability to 
defend its sovereignty and strengthen its democracy in order to resist 
external coercion. By extending a hand to-Ukraine, we give them the 
opportunity to shake off Russia's influence once and for all. The 
people of Ukraine, as well as Ukrainian Americans in New Jersey and 
around the nation, want the United States to hold true to our values by 
standing shoulder-to-shoulder with Ukraine in her time of great need.
  I am grateful that we can come together on a bipartisan basis to 
quickly bring forward this much-needed legislation. It is high time 
that we solidified our commitment to Ukraine. Much more remains to be 
done, but this bill is a step in the right direction. I urge my 
colleagues to support it.

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