[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 150 (2004), Part 9]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 12611]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                            TARAS SHEVCHENKO

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. MARCY KAPTUR

                                of ohio

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, June 16, 2004

  Ms. KAPTUR. Mr. Speaker, Taras Shevchenko has become one of the most 
influential figures in Ukrainian culture. His most famous compilation 
of poetic works, the Kobzar, became and continues to be the voice of 
liberty and national pride for generations of Ukrainians. Throughout 
his life, in his poetry and art, Shevchenko celebrated the unique 
beauty of his land and called for its liberation from the Russian 
Empire. He fought for the restoration of the democratic Kozak state and 
denounced the russification of the Ukrainian people. Because of his 
strong and vocal anti-Russian sentiment, Shevchenko was imprisoned 
numerous times and denied the right to create his genius. His spirit, 
however, remained unbroken; the hardships he endured only served to 
fuel his devotion and determination. He exhibited his passion for 
freedom in his poetry and fueled the hearts of Ukrainians toward the 
goal of independence. During today's commemoration let us honor the 
memory of Taras Shevchenko, and his unparalleled contribution to a 
strong, stable, democratic Ukraine.
  The June 1964 unveiling of the Shevchenko monument in Washington DC 
was a major victory for Ukrainians residing in the United States. 
Despite incredible resistance from the Soviet Union, a united Ukrainian 
community in America was able to enlist the help of prominent American 
politicians, academicians and artists to build this monument and 
establish it as a forum for truth, unveiling the injustices of the 
Soviet regime.
  Forty years later, Ukraine faces very different, albeit equally 
difficult times. Since the fall of the Soviet Union and the 
reestablishment of Ukrainian independence, Ukraine has stabilized its 
economy and taken great strides toward democracy, however, there is 
still much to be accomplished. The people of Ukraine need support and 
encouragement. The Ukrainian community in the U.S. has been a very 
vocal advocate of Ukraine and continues to promote its democratic 
development. As a longtime supporter of the Ukrainian American 
community I am pleased to see a renewed effort to unite the Ukrainians 
in the United States and amplify the power of their voice in Washington 
as well as in Kyiv. I commend the initiative of the Ukrainian community 
in the United States in an effort to help Ukraine reclaim its proper 
place among the developed democratic European states.
  I congratulate the Ukrainian American community on this remarkable 
anniversary and wish them success in their future endeavors.

                          ____________________