[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 159 (2013), Part 4]
[House]
[Page 5793]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                                UKRAINE

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from 
Illinois (Mr. Shimkus) for 5 minutes.
  Mr. SHIMKUS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commend the recent actions 
taken by the President of the Ukraine, Mr. Yanukovych.
  On April 7, President Yanukovych pardoned former Interior Minister 
Lutsenko, former Environmental Minister Filipchuk, and four others. 
These pardons demonstrate Ukraine's desire to integrate democratic 
policies and reform their justice system as the expanding Eastern 
European nation continues its transition towards democracy.
  This action is a concrete step in the right direction for President 
Yanukovych's administration, but there remains much to be done in order 
for Ukraine's judicial system to be considered in line with Western 
standards. This would include an end to all political persecutions; 
and, today, I reiterate my call for the release of Ms. Yulia 
Tymoshenko, the former Prime Minister.
  I have long been a supporter of our Nation's ability to assist new, 
emerging democracies as they develop the pillars for building 
successful and lasting governments. I am encouraged by these recent 
steps and hope that Ukraine continues on its path towards full European 
integration. The United States Government welcomes President 
Yanukovych's decision to pardon Mr. Lutsenko and Mr. Filipchuk and 
hopes that such actions signal an end to the political persecution of 
other opposition figures.

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