[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 171 (Thursday, September 30, 2021)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1047]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               30TH ANNIVERSARY OF UKRAINIAN INDEPENDENCE

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. MARCY KAPTUR

                                of ohio

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, September 30, 2021

  Ms. KAPTUR. Madam Speaker, as co-chair of the bipartisan 
Congressional Ukraine Caucus, I join Liberty lovers around the globe in 
congratulating Ukraine on its 30 years of restored independence.
  Since my first trip to Ukraine in 1973, it has been an honor to watch 
Ukraine's inspirational path to Liberty. In the dark days of Soviet-
Russian occupied Ukraine, there were very few cars on the street, the 
buildings were gray, and people lived their lives in the shadow of 
secret police oppression. Yet, while Ukraine's progress has at times 
been jagged, even then, I personally witnessed her people's thirst for 
Liberty, and their desire to live in an open society.
  Today's Ukraine is religiously and ethnically diverse, vibrant, and 
yes, a democracy. Her people have decided to cast off the yoke of 
Russian oppression. They wish to join the community of democracies, the 
Euro-Atlantic nations, and importantly NATO.
  The U.S. Congress on a bipartisan basis has been the backbone over 
generations to support these aspirations. Ukraine's success is critical 
for U.S. national security. Indeed, she is on the scrimmage line for 
Liberty on the European continent.
  The Congressional Ukraine Caucus strongly condemns Russia's ongoing 
illegal war and occupation of Ukrainian territories. The U.S. House of 
Representatives voted to increase security assistance by $25 million 
for fiscal year 2021. To counter Russia's weaponization of energy 
against our allies and partners, the House unanimously adopted our 
bipartisan amendment in the FY22 National Defense Authorization Act to 
fully sanction the Nord Stream 2 pipeline. The Congress also strongly 
supports the U.S. pledge for $1 billion in the Three Seas Fund to 
strengthen the region's energy resilience.
  While our Caucus celebrates Ukraine's 30 years of restored 
independence, we also commemorate the 80th anniversary and honor the 
lives lost at the Babyn Yar massacre. We shall never forget the 
precious lives lost in this atrocity and in the Holocaust. We must work 
together to uncover historical truth to allow for historical 
reconciliation and to ensure acts like these never happen again.
  In conclusion, our Caucus looks forward to working with freedom 
defenders around the world to ensure a Ukraine that is democratic, 
secure, prosperous, and at peace.
  Onward Liberty, Onward Ukraine, Slava Ukrayna.

                          ____________________