[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 92 (Thursday, May 26, 2022)]
[Senate]
[Page S2746]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                                UKRAINE

  Mr. KING. Mr. President, today, I ask unanimous consent to have 
printed in the Record the Joint Resolution Expressing Support For The 
People Of Ukraine which was passed overwhelmingly by the Maine State 
Legislature. Together, we recognize the importance of democratic 
institutions and values around the world, and we are resolute in 
fighting against the forces of authoritarianism. This joint resolution 
reiterates Maine people's support for peace, diplomacy, and the 
immediate end to the invasion.
  There being no objection, the material was ordered to be printed in 
the Record, as follows:

                             State of Maine


            in the year of our lord two thousand twenty-two

     joint resolution expressing support for the people of ukraine

       Whereas, Ukraine is the second largest country in Europe; 
     and
       Whereas, on January 21, 1990, more than 300,000 Ukrainians 
     called for unity and independence from the Soviet Union by 
     forming a human chain between the cities of Kyiv and Ivano-
     Frankivsk; and
       Whereas, after years of oppression, in 1991 Ukraine won 
     freedom from the Soviet Union's totalitarian dictatorship 
     because of the Ukrainians' love of liberty; and
       Whereas, Ukraine is a sovereign nation, and the United 
     States and Ukraine have been partners since Ukraine declared 
     its independence from the Soviet Union more than 30 years 
     ago; and
       Whereas, the people of Maine and the people of Ukraine 
     share a commitment to democracy, human rights and the rule of 
     law; and
       Whereas, Ukrainians and Ukrainian Americans have enriched 
     our communities through their leadership and contributions in 
     agriculture, business, academia, government and the arts; and
       Whereas, on December 5, 1994, in an effort to solidify 
     security commitments to Ukraine in return for its nuclear 
     disarmament, the United States, the Russian Federation and 
     the United Kingdom signed the Budapest Memorandum on Security 
     Assurances, whereby each country pledged to respect the 
     independence and sovereignty of Ukraine's borders while 
     refraining from the threat or use of force against Ukraine; 
     and
       Whereas, over the past 3 decades, the Russian Federation 
     has illegally seized Ukrainian land in Crimea; armed Russian-
     backed separatists, leading to thousands of deaths; 
     interfered in elections; used chemical weapons to attempt 
     assassinations; carried out cyberattacks and disinformation 
     campaigns abroad; and violated international arms control 
     agreements; and
       Whereas, on February 24, 2022, Russian President Vladimir 
     Putin abandoned diplomacy and international pleas for peace 
     and launched an unprovoked military invasion of Ukraine; and
       Whereas, this attack on Ukraine has already killed 
     thousands of Ukrainian service members and civilians and 
     caused an urgent international humanitarian crisis; and
       Whereas, President Putin has denied the existence of 
     Ukraine and seeks to overthrow the democratically elected 
     government of Ukraine; and
       Whereas, the Russian Federation has flagrantly violated 
     international law in attempting to unilaterally create 2 new 
     so-called republics on sovereign Ukrainian territory; and
       Whereas, lasting peace and prosperity require respect for 
     the sovereignty and territorial integrity of countries and 
     respect for human rights; and
       Whereas, the people of Ukraine are now engaged in an armed 
     conflict to defend their independence and democratic way of 
     life; now, therefore, be it
       Resolved: That We, the Members of the One Hundred and 
     Thirtieth Legislature now assembled in the Second Regular 
     Session, on behalf of the people we represent, take this 
     opportunity to recognize the democratic values shared by the 
     people of Maine and the people of Ukraine; and be it further
       Resolved: That the State of Maine stands in solidarity with 
     the people of Ukraine as they fight for their freedom; and be 
     it further
       Resolved: That the State of Maine condemns the unprovoked 
     Russian invasion of Ukraine and reiterates its support for 
     peace, diplomacy and an immediate end to the invasion; and be 
     it further
       Resolved: That the State of Maine recognizes the importance 
     of and commends the steps the United States has taken so far 
     to punish the Russian government for its actions and to offer 
     humanitarian relief to the Ukrainian people; and be it 
     further
       Resolved: That the State of Maine encourages our citizens 
     to support Ukrainian Americans and the people of Ukraine in 
     their urgent time of need; and be it further
       Resolved: That suitable copies of this resolution, duly 
     authenticated by the Secretary of State, be transmitted to 
     the Honorable Joseph R. Biden, Jr., President of the United 
     States, and each Member of the Maine Congressional 
     Delegation.

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