[Congressional Record Volume 160, Number 133 (Wednesday, September 17, 2014)]
[House]
[Pages H7630-H7635]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               STRONGLY SUPPORTING THE PEOPLE OF UKRAINE

  Mr. ROYCE. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to 
the resolution (H. Res. 726) strongly supporting the right of the 
people of Ukraine to freely determine their future, including their 
country's relationship with other nations and international 
organizations, without interference, intimidation, or coercion by other 
countries.
  The Clerk read the title of the resolution.
  The text of the resolution is as follows:

                              H. Res. 726

       Whereas the United States is strongly committed to the 
     sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity of 
     Ukraine;
       Whereas the United States strongly supports the right of 
     the people of Ukraine to freely determine their future, 
     including their country's relationship with other nations and 
     international organizations, without interference, 
     intimidation, or coercion by other countries;
       Whereas the Russian Federation has undertaken a campaign of 
     political, economic, and military aggression against Ukraine;
       Whereas the Russian Federation's forcible occupation and 
     illegal annexation of Crimea, its continuing support for 
     separatist and paramilitary forces in eastern Ukraine, and 
     its invasion of and military operations on Ukrainian 
     territory represent gross violations of Ukraine's 
     sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity and a 
     violation of international law, including the Russian 
     Federation's obligations under the United Nations Charter and 
     its commitments as a participating State of the Organization 
     for Security and Co-operation in Europe;
       Whereas the Government of Ukraine continues to exercise 
     extraordinary restraint in response to the invasion of its 
     territory by several thousand military personnel of the 
     Russian Federation, who are engaged in offensive military 
     operations in support of separatist forces, the illegal 
     occupation and annexation of Crimea, and the tens of 
     thousands of Russian Federation military personnel positioned 
     offensively on the Ukrainian-Russian border since March 2014;
       Whereas the forcible occupation and illegal annexation of 
     Crimea by the Russian Federation and its continuing support 
     for separatist and paramilitary forces in eastern Ukraine are 
     violations of its obligations under the 1994 Budapest 
     Memorandum on Security Assurances, in which it pledged to 
     respect the independence and sovereignty and the existing 
     borders of Ukraine and to refrain from the threat or use of 
     force against the territorial integrity or political 
     independence of Ukraine;
       Whereas the Russian Federation has provided military 
     equipment, training, and other assistance to separatist and 
     paramilitary forces in eastern Ukraine that has resulted in 
     ongoing conflict that is responsible for over 3,000 deaths, 
     hundreds of thousands of civilian refugees, and widespread 
     destruction;
       Whereas the Ukrainian military remains at a significant 
     disadvantage compared to the armed forces of the Russian 
     Federation in terms of size and technological sophistication;
       Whereas the United States strongly supports efforts to 
     assist Ukraine to defend its territory against military 
     aggression by the Russian Federation and by separatist and 
     paramilitary forces;
       Whereas Malaysia Airlines Flight 17, a civilian airliner, 
     was destroyed by a Russian-made missile provided to the 
     separatist forces by the Russian Federation, taking all 298 
     innocent lives on board;
       Whereas the Russian Federation has used and is continuing 
     to use coercive economic measures, including the manipulation 
     of energy prices and supplies as well as trade restrictions, 
     to place political and economic pressure on Ukraine;
       Whereas visa, financial, and other sanctions imposed by the 
     United States, the European Union, and other allies and 
     partners have placed significant pressure on the Russian 
     Federation and its leadership but have not been sufficient to 
     end its political, military, and economic aggression against 
     Ukraine;
       Whereas the President of the United States has authority to 
     impose stronger sanctions against the Russian Federation and 
     its leadership;
       Whereas an aggressive Russian propaganda effort through the 
     dissemination of false information is intended to stoke 
     ethnic divisions and incite violence, thereby posing a direct 
     threat to the peace and stability of Ukraine;
       Whereas on April 3, 2014, the President signed Public Law 
     113-96 for the purpose of bolstering the resources of the 
     Broadcasting Board of Governors to counter Russian propaganda 
     and provide the people of Ukraine and the surrounding regions 
     with access to credible and uncensored sources of 
     information;
       Whereas the United States remains committed to Ukraine's 
     democratic development and to the establishment of a 
     government that includes and respects representatives from 
     all regions of Ukraine;
       Whereas the United States is committed to assisting the 
     Government of Ukraine ensure that the parliamentary elections 
     scheduled for October 26, 2014, are free, fair, and held in 
     all regions of Ukraine in full accordance with international 
     standards;
       Whereas the United States strongly supports the development 
     of a prosperous market economy in Ukraine;
       Whereas the United States strongly supports the 
     implementation of economic reforms in Ukraine, including in 
     the fiscal, energy, pension, and banking sectors, among 
     others;
       Whereas the United States supports the development of 
     Ukraine's trade and economic ties with other countries and 
     especially the European Union following the signing of an 
     Association Agreement on June 27, 2014;
       Whereas the United States strongly supports energy 
     diversification initiatives to reduce Russian control of 
     energy supplies to Ukraine and other European countries, 
     including the development of domestic sources of energy, 
     increased efficiency, and substituting energy obtained from 
     Russia with imports from other countries;
       Whereas the terms of the cease-fire announced on September 
     5, 2014, are being violated by the Russian Federation and the 
     separatist and paramilitary forces it supports;
       Whereas this cease-fire, if its terms are fully met by all 
     parties, may be a first step toward the reestablishment of 
     stability that must include the full withdrawal of Russian

[[Page H7631]]

     forces from Ukrainian territory, the establishment of 
     Ukraine's control over all of its international borders, the 
     disarming of the separatist and paramilitary forces in the 
     east, an end to Russia's use of its energy exports and trade 
     barriers to apply economic and political pressure on Ukraine, 
     and an end to Russian interference in Ukraine's internal 
     affairs;
       Whereas the political, military, and economic aggression 
     against Ukraine by the Russian Federation underscores the 
     enduring importance of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization 
     as the cornerstone of collective Euro-Atlantic defense; and
       Whereas the United States reaffirms its obligations under 
     the North Atlantic Treaty, especially Article 5, which states 
     that ``an armed attack against one or more'' of the treaty 
     signatories ``shall be considered an attack against them 
     all'': Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
       (1) strongly supports the right of the people of Ukraine to 
     freely determine their future, including their country's 
     relationship with other nations and international 
     organizations, without interference, intimidation, or 
     coercion by other countries;
       (2) calls on the President to continue to work with our 
     allies and partners in Europe and other nations around the 
     world to reaffirm the sovereignty, independence, and 
     territorial integrity of Ukraine and to refuse to recognize 
     the illegal annexation of Crimea by the Russian Federation;
       (3) strongly condemns the continuing political, economic, 
     and military aggression by the Russian Federation against 
     Ukraine and the violation of its sovereignty, independence, 
     and territorial integrity;
       (4) states that the military intervention by the Russian 
     Federation is a breach of its obligations under the United 
     Nations Charter and its commitments as a participating State 
     of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe, 
     and is a violation of the 1994 Budapest Memorandum on 
     Security Assurances, in which it pledged to respect the 
     independence and sovereignty and the existing borders of 
     Ukraine and to refrain from the threat of use of force 
     against the territorial integrity or political independence 
     of Ukraine; and poses a threat to international peace and 
     security;
       (5) demands that the Russian Federation remove its military 
     forces and military equipment from the territory of Ukraine, 
     including equipment provided to the separatist and 
     paramilitary forces;
       (6) demands that the Russian Federation end its political, 
     military, and economic support of separatist and paramilitary 
     forces in Ukraine;
       (7) demands that the Russian Federation and the separatist 
     and paramilitary forces it supports end their violations of 
     the cease-fire announced on September 5, 2014;
       (8) calls on the President to cooperate with allies and 
     partners in Europe and other nations around the world to 
     impose visa bans, targeted asset freezes, sectoral sanctions, 
     and other measures on the Russian Federation and its 
     leadership sufficient to compel it to end its violation of 
     Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity, to remove 
     its military forces and equipment from Ukrainian territory, 
     and to end its support of separatist and paramilitary forces;
       (9) calls on the President to provide the Government of 
     Ukraine with defense articles, services, and training 
     required to effectively defend its territory and sovereignty;
       (10) calls on the President to ensure the delivery of 
     urgently needed assistance to Ukraine and to ensure that all 
     future assistance will be rapidly delivered;
       (11) calls on the President to provide the Government of 
     Ukraine with appropriate intelligence and other relevant 
     information to assist the Government of Ukraine to defend its 
     territory and sovereignty;
       (12) calls on the President to work with the Government of 
     Ukraine, our allies and other nations, and international 
     organizations to ensure that the multinational team 
     investigating the destruction of Malaysia Airlines Flight 17 
     is able to conduct an unrestricted investigation, guarantee 
     the repatriation of remains and personal effects from the 
     crash site, report its findings free of outside political 
     influence or intimidation and to ensure that those directly 
     and indirectly responsible for this tragedy are brought to 
     justice;
       (13) calls on our European allies, and other countries and 
     international organizations, to join the United States in 
     providing assistance to the Government of Ukraine to ensure 
     that the parliamentary elections scheduled for October 26, 
     2014, are free, fair, and held in all regions of Ukraine in 
     full accordance with international standards;
       (14) calls on the President to expand United States 
     international broadcasting efforts to Russian-speaking 
     audiences in Ukraine and both inside and outside of Russia 
     and include a broad spectrum of communications mediums to 
     provide high-quality programming content, independent 
     journalism, and credible information to counter Russia's 
     propaganda;
       (15) calls on Ukraine and other countries to support energy 
     diversification initiatives to reduce the ability of the 
     Russian Federation to use its energy exports as a means of 
     applying political or economic pressure, including by 
     promoting increased natural gas exports from the United 
     States and other countries;
       (16) strongly supports the efforts by President Poroshenko 
     and the people of Ukraine to establish a lasting peace in 
     Ukraine that includes the full withdrawal of Russian forces 
     from Ukraine's territory, the establishment of Ukraine's 
     control over all of its international borders, the disarming 
     of the separatist and paramilitary forces in the east, 
     policies to reduce Russia's ability to use energy exports and 
     trade barriers as weapons to apply economic and political 
     pressure on Ukraine, and an end to Russia's interference in 
     Ukraine's internal affairs; and
       (17) reaffirms the commitment of the United States to its 
     obligations under the North Atlantic Treaty, especially 
     Article 5, and calls on all Alliance member states to provide 
     their full share of the resources needed to ensure their 
     collective defense.

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


 =========================== NOTE =========================== 

  
  September 17, 2014, on page H7631, the following appeared: 
Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from California (Mr. ROYCE) 
and the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. PASCRELL) each will control 
20 minutes.
  
  The online version should be corrected to read: Pursuant to the 
rule, the gentleman from California (Mr. ROYCE) and the 
gentlemanfrom New York (Mr. ENGEL) each will control 20 minutes.


 ========================= END NOTE ========================= 

  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from California.


                             General Leave

  Mr. ROYCE. Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members 
may have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and to 
include any extraneous materials in the Record.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from California?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. ROYCE. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Madam Speaker, this is a historic moment for Ukraine. It has 
withstood invasion by Russian forces, their illegal occupation and 
annexation of Crimea, the arming of separatist militias by Moscow, the 
cutoff of natural gas and imposition of trade barriers aimed at 
undermining Ukraine's economy. They have suffered under a Russian 
propaganda offensive designed to sow fear and exploit division, and 
they have had many other assaults along the way.
  I had an opportunity--myself and Eliot Engel of New York--to travel 
to Ukraine, along with Jim Gerlach. We are happy to have Mr. Gerlach 
and Marcy Kaptur with us today. They are the authors of this 
resolution, a resolution in support of Ukraine. I will lay out what we 
saw both in western Ukraine and in the east, because we traveled across 
that country.
  But before I do that, let me point out that thousands and thousands 
of Ukrainians have been killed by the fighting in the east and hundreds 
of thousands have been made refugees.
  But Ukraine still stands. It stands unbowed, more determined than 
ever to secure its independence and its sovereignty and its territorial 
integrity. This resolution that the House clearly has before it states 
unambiguously our support for Ukraine in its effort.
  The United States, our European allies, and many other countries have 
made clear that we will not allow Russia to bludgeon--bludgeon--Ukraine 
into submission, because that is exactly what they attempted to do. We 
have opposed tough sanctions on Russia. We have provided extensive 
assistance to help Ukraine through this very difficult time. Its 
military needs to be bolstered. And we are supporting the establishment 
of a democratic system representing all of the people of Ukraine.
  Importantly, yesterday, the Ukrainian Parliament passed a law 
granting greater autonomy--including Russian language rights--to those 
in the east. A strong democracy respectful of individual rights is the 
best counter to Vladimir Putin's very autocratic ways.
  Ukraine faces many challenges, including growing economic problems, 
the possibility of a gas shortage this winter, and a never-ending 
onslaught of propaganda. We will continue to assist Ukraine, but it is 
vital that in Ukraine--and we carried this message when we were in 
country--they implement the far-reaching economic and structural 
reforms necessary to enable that country to grow.
  Ending Russia's ability to use its oil and natural gas as a weapon 
has got to be a priority. There are many steps that Ukraine itself can 
take, beginning with reforming its energy sector to expand its own 
production of energy and, of course, to increase efficiency. The United 
States and other countries, especially Ukraine's neighbors in Europe, 
can help by making alternative supplies available to that country.
  You notice that the Polish engineers have reverse-engineered those 
pipes so

[[Page H7632]]

that gas can come into Ukraine. Western Ukraine has tremendous 
possibilities for oil shale. We met when we were in Azerbaijan with the 
government there that is building a pipeline into Central Europe, and 
we know that a lot more can be done in order to get gas into Ukraine.
  The U.S. can take a major step forward by removing the restrictions 
we have imposed on ourselves that severely limit the export of our 
abundant supplies. We have got a glut on our market. Frankly, this is a 
way to create jobs here, this is a way to help our balance of payments. 
Let's sell this to Ukraine because they deeply need it. And, frankly, 
the prices in the east are very, very, high and this will give us a new 
market.
  And the other body could act on legislation this House has passed to 
revamp U.S. international broadcasting so there is an effective counter 
to Moscow's never-ending propaganda. This is legislation that I and my 
colleague Eliot Engel have authored in order to make certain that the 
people in Ukraine and, frankly, that Russian-speaking populations 
everywhere, can hear the truth about what is happening inside their own 
countries, as well as an appeal to political pluralism and tolerance 
and all of the values that the international community should share.
  In April, Ranking Member Engel and I led a delegation, as I 
mentioned, to the Ukraine to see for ourselves the situation on the 
ground, including in the east in Dnipropetrovsk, in eastern Ukraine, 
which borders the region controlled by the separatists. There and in 
Kiev, we had extensive discussions with a range of senior officials, 
including Prime Minister Yatsenyuk, about the situation in their 
country. We also spoke with leaders of the civil society community: 
women's groups, lawyers' groups, Jewish groups, Tatar groups, Russian-
speaking communities. All strongly supported a united Ukraine; all 
opposed Russian intervention. All shared with us that at the end of the 
day they wanted Ukraine whole, they wanted Russia out.
  We met with Mr. Poroshenko prior to his election and assured him of 
strong U.S. support. Now the entire Congress will demonstrate that 
continuing commitment when the President of Ukraine addresses the joint 
session tomorrow. The message will be heard loud and clear, not just in 
Ukraine, not just in Kiev, but also in Moscow and around the world, 
that the United States stands with the people of Ukraine now and 
always.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  I rise in strong support of this resolution.
  Tomorrow, we will welcome the President of Ukraine, Petro Poroshenko, 
to address a joint session of Congress. It is fitting that the leader 
of the Ukrainian people will speak in this Chamber where over the 
centuries our own democracy has grown and thrived.
  Today, we know that freedom and democracy in Ukraine are under 
threat. So with this resolution we will send a clear signal to 
President Poroshenko and to the people of Ukraine that we stand by 
them. America stands with them.
  I visited Ukraine a few months ago with my friend, the chairman of 
the Foreign Affairs Committee, Congressman Royce. Everywhere we went we 
heard the same thing: the people of Ukraine do not want Russian 
interference in their country.
  Ukraine is an independent Nation--it is not part of another country--
and the people of Ukraine have a right to make a determination for 
themselves as to what their policies would be without intimidation from 
Mr. Putin or anybody else.
  This hit home, especially for me, when I visited a synagogue in 
eastern Ukraine. My four grandparents were born in Ukraine.

                              {time}  1245

  Two older men at this synagogue approached me to talk about the 
Russian threat. Over the last century, their eyes have seen the tide of 
history roll in and out of Ukraine.
  They had fought against Hitler's army, they had lived under the yoke 
of Soviet tyranny, they had witnessed democracy spread across Eastern 
Europe, and, now, they were looking East at a new threat on the 
horizon. ``Don't abandon us,'' one of them said. ``America is very, 
very important.''
  If anything, that threat has only grown worse in recent months. 
Separatist forces, bolstered by President Putin, continue to wreak 
havoc across eastern Ukraine. Russian weapons have brought down a plane 
full of innocent civilians. Thousands of Russian troops have spilled 
over the border, trampling on Ukrainian sovereignty.
  Mr. Poroshenko comes to us with his country on the brink. With this 
measure, we say to him, ``We support Ukraine. We support the right of 
Ukraine to determine its own future.'' We are also saying to our 
friends and allies around the world that this Russian aggression must 
not stand and that democracies must unite to meet this challenge.
  Finally, we are saying to Mr. Putin, ``If you continue to threaten 
your neighbors, if you continue to sow unrest, if you continue to defy 
the will of the global community, you will isolate your country, and 
your actions will have consequences.''
  I should also add that I think the credibility of the NATO alliance 
is really hanging in the balance. For the past 20 or 25 years, we have 
proceeded on the fact that Russia was not a threat and that Russia, 
indeed, in many ways, was a partner.
  That is no longer, unfortunately, the situation. Russia is an 
adversary, and the NATO alliance has to adjust to that. The equation 
that NATO has to adjust to has changed because of the actions of Mr. 
Putin in Ukraine.
  We have to make sure that our NATO allies feel strengthened. We have 
to make sure that the countries bordering Russia and the rest of Europe 
feel that they are not being intimidated, and countries like Ukraine, 
Georgia, and Moldova ought to be free to exert their independent 
thinking and what they feel is best for their country and not be 
intimidated by Mr. Putin.
  I urge my colleagues to support this resolution, and I reserve the 
balance of my time.
  Mr. ROYCE. Mr. Speaker, I yield 5 minutes to the gentleman from 
Pennsylvania (Mr. Gerlach), cochairman of the House Ukraine Caucus and 
the author of the resolution we have before us.
  Mr. GERLACH. I thank the chairman.
  Mr. Speaker, I give particular thanks to Chairman Royce and Ranking 
Member Engel for their great support and cooperation for this 
resolution and for Ukrainian people themselves; also, a special thanks 
to my colleagues in the House, Congresswoman Kaptur, Congressman Levin, 
and Congressman Pascrell, for your terrific support on these important 
issues involving our two countries.
  This resolution sends an unmistakable message to the Russian 
Federation and to the entire world that this House stands united with 
the people of Ukraine. During the last 10 months, no other ally has 
experienced more internal upheaval or a more imminent threat to its 
sovereignty than our friends in Ukraine.
  Last November, the people of Ukraine flooded the Maidan in Kiev to 
peacefully protest a corrupt and arrogant regime.
  For nearly 3 months, Ukrainians risked their lives--and more than 100 
civilians died--while ushering in a new era and a new system of 
governance, an era in which elected leaders will be accountable and 
transparent; honor the fundamental human rights all Ukrainians have, 
regardless of their political affiliation; and bolster alliances with 
the United States and European Union to foster greater economic 
opportunity and prosperity.
  The smoldering fires of the Maidan had barely been extinguished, 
however, when a new threat emerged on Ukraine's eastern border with 
Russia. Russian President Vladimir Putin illegally occupied and then 
annexed Crimea. He emboldened and equipped separatists who have been 
fomenting discord through eastern Ukraine.
  Clearly, what Putin has in mind for Ukraine is not a new era of 
openness, liberty, and opportunity, but, rather, a return to a bygone 
era of political intimidation and coercion, and Putin's gambit to 
reassert Russian influence has exacted a lethal toll.
  The United States estimates 3,000 Ukrainian civilians have been 
killed

[[Page H7633]]

since April as a result of the clashes in eastern Ukraine, but, through 
all of these challenges, Ukrainian people have not wavered in their 
desire to remain independent and restore stability to their system of 
governance and an economy ravaged by the excesses of the previous 
regime.
  I believe the people of Ukraine deserve our moral and material 
support as their country continues to confront challenges from within 
its borders and from its belligerent neighbor, and that support must 
include defense articles, services and training, and intelligence 
information that will allow Ukraine to effectively defend its territory 
and maintain its sovereignty.
  I truly believe that an independent and democratic Ukraine enhances 
the security of the United States and offers greater economic 
opportunity for citizens in both countries; therefore, I ask my 
colleagues to pass this resolution and reaffirm the United States' 
commitment to supporting the right of the people of Ukraine to 
independently determine their future free from intimidation and free 
from outside influence.
  Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from New 
Jersey (Mr. Pascrell).
  Mr. PASCRELL. Mr. Speaker, not too long ago--several years ago--
several of us walked into this very, very historic room. The President 
of Ukraine at that time was President Yushchenko. A lot has happened 
since that ``Orange Revolution.'' A lot has happened to Ukraine.
  We see in Ukraine a democratically elected Mr. Poroshenko, who will 
be here tomorrow, walking down the same aisle in a very, very different 
political environment.
  I rise in support of House Resolution 726, supporting the right of 
the people of Ukraine to freely determine their future. That is what 
this resolution is all about. We must make clear our position that 
Russia's actions over the past year to intimidate and bring violence 
and death to the people of Ukraine, as well as the victims of Malaysia 
Flight 17--lest we forget--is behavior that is unacceptable to the 
entire international community.
  Ukraine is a sovereign nation. That either means something or it 
doesn't. It has borders. It has a democratically-elected government. It 
has the right to govern itself as it sees fit.
  Mr. Putin doesn't understand the concept of a sovereign nation. It is 
like he is living in a time before Westphalia. When the people of 
Ukraine decided they wanted to further integrate with Europe, he sent 
an army to invade. That was his answer.
  My congressional district in northern New Jersey is home to many 
Ukrainian Americans. They are proud American citizens. They are proud 
of where they came from. They are proud of the culture and proud of 
this culture in this great Nation. They refuse to let Russia bully 
their homeland. They know how to assimilate Ukrainian Americans in the 
United States. They are proud Americans.

  While we have already put tough multilateral sanctions on Russia, we 
need to do more. We wish Russia no harm, but we are not going to be 
dictated by Mr. Putin's dream whims.
  I am pleased that we have a cease-fire that appears to be holding, 
but we don't know for how long. Russia needs to immediately withdraw 
any military assets it has in Ukraine, and the militias in the east 
should be disarmed.
  We should provide Ukrainians with defensive arms so that they can 
defend their country in sovereignty. This is how you treat an ally, not 
with words. I am pleased this resolution calls for the President to do 
just this.
  We cannot let up on this pressure, Mr. Speaker, on Mr. Putin. After 
Ukraine, he has his eyes set on allies in the Baltic States.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Fleischmann). The time of the gentleman 
has expired.
  Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, I yield the gentleman an additional 30 
seconds.
  Mr. PASCRELL. We know Ukraine is not a part of NATO, at least not 
yet. Do we have a specific treaty with Ukraine? No, we don't, but they 
are our allies. That much means something.
  The United States of America stands with the people of Ukraine today, 
and we will continue to stand with them in the future. I thank Mr. 
Gerlach from Pennsylvania for putting this resolution forward, as well 
as Marcy Kaptur from Ohio; Mr. Levin from Michigan; and, of course, Mr. 
Engel is always there to do the right thing in international discourse.
  I am honored to be here today to present this, Mr. Speaker.
  Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, let me first of all echo what Mr. Pascrell 
just said. I want to commend Mr. Gerlach, Ms. Kaptur, and Mr. Levin for 
this.
  I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Levin), the 
coauthor of this legislation.
  Mr. LEVIN. I thank the ranking member for yielding and also Mr. 
Gerlach. Many of us have enjoyed working with him. We are going to miss 
you. We don't do enough work together in this institution.
  Mr. Speaker, I strongly--kind of emotionally, in a way--support this 
resolution because of what has been going on in Ukraine. This 
resolution shows our support for Ukrainian people's right to determine 
their own future and to build a country that is free and democratic.
  We stand firmly with Ukrainian people and condemn Russia's 
aggression. We should always remember that the impetus for Ukraine's 
freedom comes from within, from within Ukrainian people. It is their 
desire to be free that is the ultimate force behind all international 
efforts.
  Time and events have shown, time and again, that Ukrainian people are 
standing up for their freedom. From the Orange Revolution in 2004 to 
the protests in Maidan Square earlier this year, it is clear to the 
world that Ukraine is determined to build her own future.
  The past year has been very difficult. Ukrainian people have paid a 
very high price to govern according to their own wishes. The images and 
reports from Ukraine have been hard to accept, and we are deeply 
saddened by the lives lost and by the overwhelming uncertainties that 
still loom ahead; yet Ukrainian people have spoken through their 
actions.
  Just yesterday, here at the Capitol, the Congressional Ukrainian 
Caucus held a celebration to commemorate the 400th anniversary of its 
oldest school, the Kyiv-Mohyla Academy.
  At the event, I was delighted to see the strong support stemming from 
the American Ukrainian community. The community's work in my home State 
of Michigan and all across this Nation has led to close collaboration 
between our two nations and has reaffirmed our common values.
  The community's work is especially important now, when others try to 
speak for the values and aspirations held true by Ukrainian people.
  Tomorrow, we will welcome President Poroshenko to a joint meeting 
with Members of the House and Senate. We eagerly look forward to his 
remarks.
  The passage of this resolution will be emblematic of the support from 
the American people, but we should always remember that the impetus for 
a free and democratic Ukraine comes from Ukrainian people themselves, 
but we can, should, and will help their efforts to continue to build a 
free Ukraine.
  Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, I now yield 3 minutes to the gentlewoman from 
Ohio (Ms. Kaptur). She and I traveled to Ukraine together many years 
ago on my first trip there.
  She is also the cochair of the Ukrainian Caucus and has long been an 
advocate for a free and independent Ukraine.
  Ms. KAPTUR. I would like to thank Ranking Member Engel so very much 
for yielding me the time, as well as Chairman Royce for his leadership 
and willingness to do all that was necessary to bring this bill to the 
floor today and to join Jim Gerlach, Sander Levin, Bill Pascrell, all 
very, very valued members of the Ukrainian Caucus.

                              {time}  1300

  We rise as colleagues in support of H. Res. 726 as we continue to 
strongly support the right of the people of Ukraine to freely determine 
their own futures, their sovereignty, without outside interference and, 
God forbid, further bloodshed or loss of life.
  The brave people of Ukraine continue to face incredible challenges, 
not only an assault on their borders by Russia, but reforming their own 
government and their judiciary to develop a rich civil society with the 
rule of law.

[[Page H7634]]

  The task that lies ahead for Ukraine is daunting but beckons liberty 
forward. This is Ukraine's moment in modern history. I expect her to 
become one of the greatest nations in Europe.
  While the situation remains unstable, there are clear signs of hope, 
the ultimate reflection of the intrepid soul of the Ukrainian people 
who have endured history's raw edge. Just yesterday, Ukraine's 
President, Petro Poroshenko, signed the landmark and long-awaited 
European Union Association Agreement, a brave step forward. We recall 
it was this desire for a closer association with Europe and the West on 
the part of the Ukrainian people that was ultimately responsible for 
the start of the crisis which persists today.
  As a great nation--the name Ukraine means ``borderland''--Ukraine 
should reach west and east and north and south. It is just that vast a 
land and its potential unlimited.
  But in trying to accomplish that effort with Europe, what began as a 
peaceful protest in Kyiv, the capital, ended in bloodshed, first at the 
hands of the former corrupt Yanukovych regime, and now at the hands of 
Russian agitators under the directives and support of Russia's 
President, Vladimir Putin.
  Still, we look forward to tomorrow's historic joint meeting of our 
Congress here in this House in honor of President Petro Poroshenko's 
first official visit to the United States. We must heed President 
Poroshenko's words and take into great consideration any request he 
makes of us, a vital friend and ally.
  We continue to stand in solidarity with Ukraine and her people, and 
the passage of this bill, H. Res. 726, on the eve of President 
Poroshenko's visit aims to further illustrate the special friendship 
and bond our two countries share.
  Were it not for Ukrainian Americans in our country and other 
Americans who had endured under the Soviet mantle for some generations, 
the visit here would not have as deep a meaning. We share Ukraine's 
struggle.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge this bill's passage. I thank all of those--
Ranking Member Engel; Chairman Royce; my colleague as cochair of the 
Ukrainian Caucus, Jim Gerlach; Sander Levin and Bill Pascrell--for 
making this moment possible.
  Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from 
Virginia (Mr. Connolly), a very important and valued member of the 
Foreign Affairs Committee.
  Mr. CONNOLLY. Mr. Speaker, I thank my dear friend Mr. Engel from New 
York, and I congratulate the authors of H. Res. 726. They have done a 
great job in building bipartisan support for this resolution.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of this resolution. The United States 
must stand with the people of Ukraine in the face of Russia's naked 
aggression and reverse violations to Ukrainian sovereignty and prevent 
further Russian meddling and attacks on what they consider former 
Soviet republics.
  We must remember that this assault began in Crimea, part of Ukraine. 
It was in Crimea that Russian military forces violated, initially, 
Ukrainian sovereignty, and it was Russia then that ultimately illegally 
arranged for the annexation of this territory, territory of a sovereign 
country.
  Subsequently, we have witnessed further incursions by the Russian 
military into eastern Ukraine. Now Europe is attuned to the threat, 
but, Mr. Speaker, I am stuck on Crimea. Ignoring Russian aggression in 
Crimea only emboldened Putin to do it again in eastern Ukraine.
  I am very pleased that the authors of this resolution adopted the 
principles of our bipartisan legislation introduced earlier this year 
with Mr. Steve Chabot, and like the Crimea Annexation Non-recognition 
Act, which is H. Res. 726, formerly and utterly rejects Russian 
sovereignty over Crimea and calls on our allies to do the same. Without 
a clear stance on the issue of Crimea, the West ultimately becomes 
unwittingly complicit in Putin's further aggression and interference 
throughout Ukraine.
  What is next? Moldova? Georgia? The Baltic Republic?
  Congress must address the Crimea underlying issue if we are going to 
have credibility on the whole issue of Putin's aggression in the 
region.
  Mr. Speaker, I thank the authors of this resolution for doing just 
that; and again, I thank Mr. Engel and Mr. Royce for the way they 
comport the House Foreign Affairs Committee in true bipartisan fashion.
  Mr. ROYCE. Mr. Speaker, I have the right to close, so I reserve the 
balance of my time.
  Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  I will close and say that this is a very important and timely 
resolution.
  When Chairman Royce and I visited Ukraine a few months ago, we had 
the good fortune to meet with many Ukrainian officials and people 
running for President. Mr. Poroshenko, who will address us tomorrow in 
joint session, was one of them.
  I can tell you that Chairman Royce and I both were very impressed 
with Mr. Poroshenko. We really felt that there was great hope for 
Ukraine and thought that he was the likely winner. Everything that he 
has done, in my opinion, since he has won just reaffirms our initial 
feeling about him.
  I was very happy that Ukraine signed the European Union Association 
Agreement yesterday. It strikes a very good balance but moves Ukraine 
closer to the West where the people want it.
  I can tell you that when we went to Ukraine and we stood in Maidan 
Square where the protests happened, you really felt--it was a palpable 
feeling--that you were part of history, people, average Ukrainians, 
coming up to us in the street thanking the United States of America for 
its strong support of Ukraine and for the independence of Ukraine.
  Now, the resolution--and I think it is important to highlight certain 
things--says that the United States is strongly committed to the 
sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity of Ukraine, and 
the United States strongly supports the right of the people of Ukraine 
to freely determine their future, including their country's 
relationship with other nations, without interference, intimidation, or 
coercion by other countries.
  It also talks about Crimea, and I think that that should not be 
forgotten. Mr. Connolly is quite right. The taking of part of another 
country through military force cannot be fathomed and we cannot look 
the other way. We need to very strongly condemn it. Crimea is part of 
Ukraine, not part of Russia.
  So what we have here in this resolution--and I again want to commend 
Mr. Gerlach and Ms. Kaptur and Mr. Levin and all the people who put it 
together--is a commonsense resolution that says that the United States 
stands with the people of Ukraine and stands with the right of the 
people of Ukraine to determine its own future.
  This is a very important resolution. It is a very timely resolution, 
and I would urge all of my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to 
support it.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. ROYCE. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  The Ukrainian people have had a long, turbulent history of struggle. 
It is important to remember that when that vote for independence came, 
it passed overwhelmingly across Ukraine.
  For me, I think the most memorable point of that trip was standing 
with Mr. Engel in the synagogue--it was Passover--adjacent to the 
largest community center, Jewish community center in all of Europe.
  Eliot Engel, whose four grandparents all came from Ukraine, spoke to 
the hopes that the American people have for a Ukraine which is a 
Ukraine that embraces tolerance, political pluralism, freedom, a 
Ukraine in which the persecution of people is a thing of the past but 
in which the future lies with the democratic ideals that we share, a 
Ukraine independent, a Ukraine free of threat, free of outside 
influence.
  These are the hopes embodied in this resolution because the Ukrainian 
people have withstood these enormous pressures. They have endured this 
great suffering. They know there are many challenges still to overcome 
before they can rest secure. But the Ukrainians that we spoke with told 
us that among the most important things sustaining them throughout this 
difficult time is the knowledge that we in the United States stand with 
them.
  Tomorrow, President Poroshenko will address this joint session of 
Congress here; and by granting him, his

[[Page H7635]]

country, this honor and by adopting this resolution today, we will 
demonstrate our continuing commitment to Ukraine and to helping its 
people achieve the freedom, achieve the security and prosperity that 
they so rightfully deserve.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentleman from California (Mr. Royce) that the House suspend the rules 
and agree to the resolution, H. Res. 726.
  The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the 
rules were suspended and the resolution was agreed to.
  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

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