[Congressional Record Volume 160, Number 135 (Friday, September 19, 2014)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1455-E1456]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               STRONGLY SUPPORTING THE PEOPLE OF UKRAINE

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                        HON. SHEILA JACKSON LEE

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                     Wednesday, September 17, 2014

  Ms. JACKSON LEE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H. 
Res. 726, a resolution 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.
  I thank my colleague from Pennsylvania, Congressman Gerlach, for 
introducing this bipartisan resolution and urge all Members to support 
it to show the solidarity of the people of the United States with the 
people of Ukraine.
  The United States is strongly committed to the sovereignty, 
independence, and territorial integrity of Ukraine.
  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.
  The Russian Federation has undertaken a campaign of political, 
economic, and military aggression against Ukraine.
  For example, Malaysia Airlines Flight 17, a civilian airliner, was 
destroyed by Russian-backed Ukrainian separatists using a Russian-made 
missile, taking the lives of all 298 innocent persons on board.

[[Page E1456]]

  That is why I strongly support H. Res. 726, which condemns the 
continuing political, economic, and military aggression by the Russian 
Federation against Ukraine and the violation of its sovereignty, 
independence, and territorial integrity.
  I strongly support the resolution's demand 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.
  I applaud the resolution's call for the President to cooperate with 
allies and partners in Europe and other nations around the world to 
impose visa bans, targeted asset freezes, sector 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.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask all members to join me in voting for H. Res 726.

                          ____________________