[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 150 (2004), Part 11]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 14244]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                    SUPPORT FOR A DEMOCRATIC UKRAINE

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. MAURICE D. HINCHEY

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, June 24, 2004

  Mr. HINCHEY. Mr. Speaker, I congratulate all Ukrainians in the United 
States and throughout the world on the 40th anniversary of the 
unveiling of the Taras Shevchenko monument. Taras Shevchenko was the 
hero of the national liberation struggle and an inspiration to many 
generations. He freed himself from serfdom and opened his mind to the 
vision of an independent Ukraine, free from Russian imperialism.
  A democratic Ukraine in the midst of other European monarchies was 
Shevchenko's goal. He inspired the Ukrainian nation to take pride in 
its heritage and continued struggle for sovereignty and independence. 
His poetry and political activities were almost exclusively devoted to 
this goal and his work has ignited the hearts of Ukrainians for almost 
two centuries. His words inspired the people of Ukraine to persevere, 
attain independence and rebuild a prosperous and democratic Ukraine.
  Four decades ago, the Ukrainian American community gathered before 
his monument to celebrate its unveiling, but more importantly, to 
inform the world of the horrific crimes that were being committed 
against Ukrainians. For the first time, the world heard the truth about 
the genocide inflicted on the Ukrainian nation by the totalitarian 
Moscow regime in 1932-1933, which claimed the lives of 7-10 millions of 
innocent people. Ukrainian Americans stood united in their cause to 
expose the truth and help their brethren in Ukraine lift the yoke of 
Soviet oppression.
  Today, I welcome the initiative to unite the Ukrainian American 
community in order to help Ukraine make a final step toward true 
democracy. In light of the upcoming presidential elections, which will 
determine the future course of development in Ukraine, the Ukrainian 
Americans once again join together to send a clear message to the 
Government of Ukraine: the world is watching the pre-election campaign 
in Ukraine and expecting the government to ensure free and fair 
elections. Ukraine needs this final impetus to break with its 
totalitarian past and ensure a path toward democracy and a realization 
of Shevchenko's dream.

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