[Congressional Record Volume 161, Number 178 (Wednesday, December 9, 2015)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1753]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               HUMANITARIAN AID TO THE PEOPLE OF UKRAINE

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. ANDY HARRIS

                              of maryland

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, December 9, 2015

  Mr. HARRIS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to remind my colleagues of the 
humanitarian crisis that continues to unfold in Eastern Ukraine. While 
the media, and the world, focuses on the Syrian migrant crisis, winter 
is fast approaching for the millions affected by the conflict in 
Ukraine. As we speak, there are over 1.5 million people internally 
displaced, 1.1 million externally displaced, and more than 5 million 
people in need of humanitarian aid. Thousands have died in the 
fighting, and thousands more lie injured. Homes and schools are being 
destroyed, and the movement of goods and people is severely restricted. 
As temperatures edge toward zero, we must remember why Ukrainians find 
themselves in need. They are in need because of their rejection of 
Russian authoritarianism and of Vladimir Putin's aggressive 
expansionism. They are in need because they are fighting to defend 
their freedom and their democracy. We, the United States, as a beacon 
of liberty and democratic government, must demonstrate our solidarity 
with our Ukrainian brethren and our unwavering belief in the ideals for 
which they fight. We must provide food, we must provide shelter, we 
must provide blankets. We, as Americans, must provide support to those 
willing to stand up to Russia in defense of freedom and democracy. I 
call on my colleagues to join me in urging President Obama to increase 
humanitarian aid to the people of Ukraine.

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