[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 160 (2014), Part 10]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 14182]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




   COMMEMORATING THE TWENTY-THIRD ANNIVERSARY OF THE INDEPENDENCE OF 
 UKRAINE AND RECOGNIZING THE VIBRANT AND ACTIVE UKRAINIAN COMMUNITY OF 
                          ROCHESTER, NEW YORK

                                 ______
                                 

                     HON. LOUISE McINTOSH SLAUGHTER

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                       Monday, September 8, 2014

  Ms. SLAUGHTER. Mr. Speaker, it is my esteemed honor to commemorate 
the twenty-third anniversary of the independence of Ukraine and 
recognize the Ukrainian community of Rochester, NY for their valuable 
contributions to the development of the Rochester region and their 
unshakable support for a stable, democratic, prosperous and sovereign 
Ukraine in the face of tremendous adversity.
  Since the Ukrainian parliament officially proclaimed Ukraine as an 
independent state on August 24, 1991, the people of Ukraine have worked 
tirelessly to establish a stable democracy and a prosperous economy 
open to western trade and investment. Though there have been many 
setbacks along the way, the will and determination of the Ukrainian 
people has never wavered and they have repeatedly shown their 
unwillingness to accept injustice or autocratic rule, most recently 
during the EuroMaidan movement.
  Since the ouster of President Viktor Yanukovych in February 2014, 
Ukraine has encountered tremendous opposition and aggression from the 
Russian Federation and President Vladimir Putin. President Putin has 
used the full resources at his disposal to sow instability and unrest 
as Ukraine worked to elect a new President and integrate with Europe 
and the west. These tactics began with the Russian invasion and 
annexation of the Crimean Peninsula and continue to this day, as Russia 
arms and supports separatist rebels in eastern Ukraine so craven they 
shot down a commercial airliner carrying civilian passengers and 
blocked the international community's access to the crash site.
  In response to Russia's actions, the United States Congress quickly 
passed legislation authorizing $1 billion in loan guarantees to the 
Ukraine government, $60 million in assistance for training and non-
lethal equipment and material to the Ukrainian Armed Forces, National 
Guard, and State Border Guard Service, and over $70 million to help 
Ukraine hold free and fair presidential elections, root out corruption, 
enhance their energy security, and stabilize their economy.
  I also worked with my colleagues on the Congressional Ukrainian 
Caucus to introduce legislation to provide Ukraine with more robust 
military assistance as they battle well-funded separatist rebels 
supported by Russia in Eastern Ukraine. As the leading world power, the 
U.S. should give Ukraine the tools and resources it needs to stand up 
to this threat and maintain its independence, sovereignty, and 
democracy.
  The city of Rochester, NY in my district has been blessed with a 
vibrant and active Ukrainian population that began settling the region 
as early as the 1880s. These hardworking and civic-minded citizens have 
left their mark in business, banking, medicine, public affairs, and 
other industries vital to the success of our community. They have also 
been active and engaged in Ukraine's struggle for political, economic 
and social stability. They have brought attention to injustice and 
lobbied public officials to take action. I am incredibly proud of this 
community and to have been made an honorary Ukrainian by my 
constituents. I have been pleased to work on their behalf during my 
years in Congress.
  While Ukraine still has many miles left on its journey for peace, 
prosperity, and democracy, I am encouraged by the progress the 
Ukrainian people have made and their courage to continue fighting. I'm 
also reminded of their quest this year as we mark the bicentennial of 
the birth of the great Ukrainian poet Taras Shevchenko, whose strong 
advocacy for Ukraine as an independent state left a lasting impression 
on the people of Ukraine for generations.
  As Mr. Shevchenko wrote in the 1858 poem Fate, ``So let's march on, 
dear fate of mine! My humble, truthful, faithful friend! Keep marching 
on: there glory lies; March forward--that's my testament.''
  I ask my colleagues to join me in congratulating Ukraine on its 23rd 
Independence Day, and honoring and thanking the Ukrainian community of 
Rochester, NY, for their tireless work to promote a stable, democratic, 
prosperous and sovereign Ukraine at a time of tremendous adversity. I 
am honored to represent such a passionate and dedicated community.

                          ____________________