On the initiative of the Ukrainian community and with the support of local lawmakers, Ohio will now celebrate August 24 as Ukraine's Independence Day every year. The corresponding bill, House Bill 360, which officially establishes this memorable date in the state, has already been signed into law.
This was reported by United Ukrainian Organizations of Ohio.
State Representative Sean Patrick Brennan (D-Parma), along with former Representative Bill Seitz (R-Cincinnati), sponsored the bill, which received significant bipartisan support.
The legislators expressed their gratitude to Senator Niki Antonio (D-Lakewood) and Representative Bride Rose Sweeney (D-Westlake), who also played a key role in advancing the bill.
"I am honored to be a voice for Ohio's Ukrainian community and to help strengthen cultural and economic ties with Ukraine. This initiative is especially important to the thousands of Ukrainians living in our state, including in my district. I am grateful to all of my colleagues in the House and Senate for their support and to Governor Devine for signing the bill into law," said Sean Patrick Brennan.
It should be noted that the date of August 24, 1991 is a symbol of Ukraine's declaration of independence, when the Verkhovna Rada passed the Independence Act, formally declaring the creation of a sovereign Ukrainian state.
Ohio is home to more than 45,000 people of Ukrainian descent, including about 5% of the population of Parma, the largest Ukrainian community in the state. Since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, more than 5,000 refugees have settled here. In addition to Parma, there are significant Ukrainian communities in Cleveland, Columbus, North Royalton, Parma Heights, and Strongsville.
The proclamation of Ukrainian Independence Day in Ohio is an important step in supporting the Ukrainian people and reaffirming the state's commitment to the principles of international law and freedom.
Author: Danylo Pievchev