[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 148 (2002), Part 15]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 20731]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




HONORING THE COUNCIL OF WOMEN FARMERS OF UKRAINE ON WORLD RURAL WOMEN'S 
                                  DAY

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. BOB SCHAFFER

                              of colorado

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, October 15, 2002

  Mr. SCHAFFER. Mr. Speaker, today, October 15th, is World Rural 
Women's Day. I rise before the House on this occasion to honor the 
Council of Women Farmers of Ukraine and its contribution to Ukraine's 
agricultural and democratic development. During one of my visits to 
Ukraine, I was fortunate to visit leaders of this extraordinary 
organization to learn firsthand their remarkable unity and drive for 
success within Ukraine's expanding free market.
  This organization began as a small group of women farmers in Ukraine 
who were willing to take on a male-dominated culture and industry. The 
challenges of an unstable economy, and, an agricultural sector in 
complete disarray only inspired and energized these enterprising 
farmers. Although this council developed with international aid, its 
origin represents a spontaneous indigenous grassroots quest for 
democracy.
  As the council provided every level of assistance necessary for women 
farmers to succeed, it grew into a nationwide assistance network 
improving the status of rural Ukrainian women, raising their quality of 
life, and cultivating their managerial and entrepreneurial skills. 
Responding to the rapid growth of women in the industry, the council 
has opened several branch offices throughout the country, serving as 
information centers in 14 of the 24 oblasts throughout Ukraine and the 
autonomous Republic of Crimea in Ukraine.
  The Council of Women Farmers of Ukraine provides assistance on a 
variety of issues, including legislation, financial management of 
farms, accounting, marketing, human resources management, business 
planning and business ethics, as well as scientific and specialized 
training. The council has also built an information and 
telecommunications network between its branch office information 
centers, training its members in the use of computers, email and the 
Internet. This assistance and training has enabled Ukraine's women 
farmers to build private enterprises, thereby empowering rural women to 
effectively influence the governmental processes.
  In recognition of the Council's tremendous success thus far, I urge 
my colleagues to support similar programs with the intention of 
empowering rural women throughout the world, and in doing so, promote 
education, democratic development and financial and social stability.
  Mr. Speaker, I congratulate the Council of Women Farmers of Ukraine 
on its success, I commend it for its courage and perseverance on this 
important commemorative day. Furthermore, I urge our friends in the 
Ukrainian Verkhovna Rada to recognize October 15th as Women Farmers of 
Ukraine on World Rural Women's Day.

                          ____________________