The US Senate hosted a celebration in Washington, D.C., to honor the 85th anniversary of the Ukrainian Congress Committee of America (UCC), one of the oldest and most influential Ukrainian community organizations in the United States. Diplomats, parliamentarians from various countries, public figures, and members of the Ukrainian community from across America attended the event.
The Embassy of Ukraine in the United States reported the news.
The celebration began with a joint prayer for Ukraine, its victory, and a just peace. This prayer was led by Metropolitan Boris Gudziak of the Ukrainian Catholic Archdiocese of Philadelphia and Father Steliak, and was recited by those in attendance.
Several high-ranking guests gave speeches, including Ukrainian Ambassador to the United States Oksana Markarova; Senator Dick Durbin (Illinois); Senator Richard Blumenthal (Connecticut); Congressman Joe Wilson (South Carolina); Ted Deutsch, CEO of the American Jewish Committee; Eric Patterson, President and CEO of the Victims of Communism Memorial Foundation; ; former First Lady of Ukraine Kateryna Yushchenko; Ukrainian World Congress President Paul Grod; Ukrainian American Association President Natalia Pavlenko; and former U.S. Ambassadors to Ukraine Roman Popadiuk, President of the Center for Diplomacy Foundation; and John Herbst, Senior Director of the Atlantic Council's Eurasia Center.
An official greeting from Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiga was read to the participants. Guests of honor included Ukrainian military personnel undergoing rehabilitation in the United States, members of the Ukrainian community from various states, and representatives of diplomatic institutions. Parliamentarians from Lithuania, Italy, Germany, and the Estonian Ambassador Kristian Prik were also present.
Additionally, the event featured a panel discussion titled "Ukraine's Defense of Western Values: Where Are We Today and Where Are We Headed?” featuring leading experts.
The highlight of the evening was the presentation of the UCCA's highest honor, the Shevchenko Freedom Award. Senator Richard Blumenthal and the Congressional Ukrainian Caucus were the winners, with Congressman Joe Wilson accepting the award on behalf of the caucus.
This anniversary event also marked the beginning of Ukrainian Days, a regular UCC advocacy initiative that provides the Ukrainian-American community with an opportunity to communicate directly with members of the U.S. Congress and strengthen support for Ukraine.
For reference: The Ukrainian Congress Committee of America (UCCA) was founded in 1940 as a coordinating center to protect the interests of Ukrainians in the United States and support Ukraine's independence. Leading Ukrainian fraternal associations created the organization after the Soviet invasion of 1939 to speak with one voice in defense of their homeland.
Today, the UCCA is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization with local chapters throughout the United States, a headquarters in New York City, and an information bureau in Washington, D.C. Its activities include advocacy, humanitarian aid, cultural initiatives, and interaction with the U.S. government.
The UCCA unites approximately 30 pan-American organizations, including religious, cultural, youth, educational, and veterans' groups. The UCCA is a co-founder of the Central and Eastern European Coalition and the World Congress of Ukrainians (WCU). It cooperates closely with these organizations at the international level, particularly at the UN.
The UCCA's mission is to represent the Ukrainian-American community, protect human rights, and support Ukraine's sovereignty and freedom.
Photo: Facebook
Author: Inna Mikhno