Government of Ukraine Secures Funding For Holodomor Memorial in Washington, DC
26 October 2009

New York, NY (UCCA) - On October 14, 2009, a government decree, signed by Ukraine's Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko, was issued allotting five million hryvnias (approximately $625,000) toward expenses for the building, transporting and erecting of a memorial on U.S. federal land in Washington, DC dedicated to the victims of Ukraine's Genocide of 1932-1933.

With the support of the Ukrainian World Congress, in particular its President and General Secretary, Evhen Czolij and Stefan Romaniw, respectively; the Ukrainian Congress Committee of America (UCCA) Executive Board members, Tamara Olexy, President; Andrew Futey, Executive Vice President; Larissa Kyj, UCCA Board Member; and, Michael Sawkiw, Jr., Ukrainian National Information Service (UNIS) Director and Chairman of the U.S. Committee for Ukrainian Holodomor-Genocide Awareness 1932-33, have been conducting ongoing discussions with Ukraine's administration and government to secure funding for a memorial dedicated to Ukraine's Genocide of 1932-1933.

After months of corresponding with President Viktor Yushchenko and Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko, and continuous dialogues with various Ukrainian government officials, on October 14, 2009, the Ukrainian government, as part of its law for "Zakordonnoho Ukrainstva" issued an allocation of funds for the Memorial. In August 2009, during the Ukrainian World Congress annual Board of Directors' meeting in L'viv, Ukraine, Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko stated her support of the the Ukrainian Holodomor Memorial in Washington, DC and resolved to undertake this endeavor. Tamara Gallo-Olexy, UCCA President, spoke of the Prime Minister's commitment to the Holodomor Memorial: "We are pleased to see that the Holodomor memorial is being vigorously pursued by the Ukrainian government. To have received this financial commitment of 5 million hryvnia means the project can move onto its next phase. The Ukrainian community should be proud of its dedication to this worthwhile project." In addition, according to the General Secretary of the UWC, during a meeting with Ukraine's President on October 13th, President Yushchenko stated that he sent the Prime Minister a letter urging her government to support the Holodomor Memorial project in Washington, DC.
The October declaration from the Cabinet of Ministers mentions that the Ministries of Foreign Affairs (MFA) and Culture and Tourism (MCT) will work together in selecting the best model for the Memorial, based upon a competitive design process. The announcement comes almost three years to the day since President Bush signed into law on October 13, 2006 the authorization for a Holodomor memorial in Washington, DC. Ever since then, the U.S. Committee for Ukrainian Holodomor-Genocide Awareness 1932-33, along with numerous Ukrainian national organizations and the Embassy of Ukraine in Washington, DC, has worked diligently to choose a suitable site in the heart of U.S. capital for this solemn memorial.

Following numerous hearings, in October 2008, several federal commissions eventually designated the parcel of land located at intersection of North Capitol Street, Massachusetts Avenue and F Street NW for the Ukrainian Genocide Memorial. An official ground-breaking ceremony was then held in December 2008 with the First Lady of Ukraine in attendance, along with the main congressional sponsor Rep. Sander Levin (D-MI) - co-chair of the Congressional Ukrainian Caucus - and hierarchy and clergy of the Ukrainian Catholic and Orthodox Churches. The site is prominently located not far from Washington's Union Station, and is within walking distance of the U.S. Capitol building, the Supreme Court, and the National Mall. The location is highly visible both to tourists and to everyday Washingtonians and offers ample space for erection of a memorial in a dignified setting.

Commenting on the recent allocations decree, Michael Sawkiw, Jr., Chairman of the U.S. Committee for Ukrainian Holodomor-Genocide Awareness 1932-33 stated: "The passage of this appropriations bill brings us one step closer to realizing our dreams of further informing the American public about the horrors the Ukrainian nation endured during the Genocide of 1932-19933. This memorial will stand throughout the years as a testament to all who perished. We couldn't have done it without our multi-faceted supporters in the U.S. Congress, the Bush Administration, the Ukrainian community, the Embassy of Ukraine, and the Ukrainian government."

The process to bring this project to fruition has taken many years. The Ukrainian American community promoted this issue in the U.S. Congress for several years. A long-time champion of the Ukrainian American community, a strong supporter of Ukraine's democratic development, and a co-chair of the Congressional Ukrainian Caucus (CUC) Sander Levin (D-MI) introduced HR562 in the House of Representatives in 2005. Subsequently, the following year, the United States Senate passed by unanimous consent HR562, a resolution authorizing the Government of Ukraine to construct a monument to the victims of the Ukrainian Genocide of 1932-1933. The longtime effort of the Ukrainian American community led by the Ukrainian Congress Committee of America (UCCA) and its Washington, D.C. office, the Ukrainian National Information Service (UNIS), had come to a successful conclusion.

Though the Ukrainian government has secured funding for the Holodomor memorial in Washington, DC, funds are still needed for the payment of various environmental assessments that have been undertaken by the U.S. Committee for Ukrainian Holodomor-Genocide Awareness 1932-33. The U.S. Committee appeals to the Ukrainian community for donations to help fulfill our dream of erecting a memorial in our nation's capital to the 10 million innocent victims of the Ukrainian Genocide. Tax-deductible donations can be made on-line at the U.S. Committee's website http://www.ukrainegenocide.org. Please visit this website for updated information, and remember to support the activities of the U.S. Committee for Ukrainian Holodomor-Genocide Awareness 1932-33. With your continued help, we can see this important project through to completion.

 

 

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Promote Holodomor Curriculum in New York State Education System

As part of the U.S. Committee for Ukrainian Holodomor-Genocide Awareness of 1932-1933 (formerly - National Committee to Commemorate the 75th Anniversary of the Ukrainian Genocide of 1932-1933), the New York State Educators for the Study of the Ukrainian Holodomor have been working to amend the New York State education law to include the study of the Ukrainian Holodomor in the New York State social studies curriculum.  Currently, two bills have been introduced by Senator Andrea Stewart-Cousins (S.2256) and Assemblyman Mike Spano (A.6690), respectively, in the New York legislature.  These bills would require the study of the Ukrainian Holodomor in New York State public schools. 

The Ukrainian National Information Service (UNIS) urges the Ukrainian American community in New York State to contact your elected officials in the NY State Senate and Assembly and encourage them to co-sponsor the abovementioned bills.  For your convenience, below please find a sample letter to your New York State legislator. You may find your legislator by logging onto the following websites:  http://www.assembly.state.ny.us or http://www.senate.state.ny.us.  Should you require additional information, please contact the UNIS office at (202) 547-0018 or via e-mail at unis@ucca.org.  Please monitor this and other projects of the U.S. Committee for Ukrainian Holodomor-Genocide Awareness of 1932-1933 at http://www.ukrainegenocide.org. 

 

SAMPLE LETTER
 
 
The Honorable (Name)
New York State (Senate/Assembly)
Albany, NY
 
Dear Senator/Assemblyman (Name):
 
I am writing to request your co-sponsorship and support of Bill (S.3356/A.6690). This bill would mandate the inclusion of the Holodomor – the Ukrainian Famine Genocide of 1932-1933, into the social studies curriculum of New York State.  In 1932-1933 Stalin attempted to exterminate the independently-minded Ukrainian nation by closing the borders of Ukraine and seizing all food.  As a result, 7-10 million people, including three million children, were deliberately starved to death. 

As a member of the large Ukrainian community within New York State, I am very interested in seeing this bill pass in the New York State legislature.  In fact, many New Yorkers wonder why a genocide of this magnitude is not being taught in our school system. Passing this bill would go a long way in amending the inequity.
 
Once again, I urge you to make every effort to facilitate the passing of Bill (S.3356/A.6690). As a champion of democracy, the United States must bring to light the crimes of totalitarianism as part of its struggle to end oppression in all corners of the world.

 

UKRAINIAN GENOCIDE MEMORIAL GROUNDBREAKING CEREMONY!

Tuesday, December 2, 2008, 11am

 

with the participation of the First Lady of Ukraine, Kateryna Yushchenko; and, Hierarchy of Ukrainian Catholic and Orthodox Churches

Invited guests include Members of Congress; U.S. Administration officials; and, local and federal agencies

COME ONE, COME ALL!
LET'S MAKE OURSELVES SEEN AND HEARD IN WASHINGTON, DC!

Download Flyer

 

New York City Commemoration - November 15, 2008

In Memory of the Millions of Ukrainians Murdered by Starvation during the Holodomor of 1932-1933 the UCCA New York Branch is urging the Ukrainian American community to participate in our FOOD DRIVE to feed the hungry of New York City, which will take place on Saturday, November 15, 2008, from 9AM until 1PM at Dag Hammarskjold Plaza located at 47th Street (between 1st and 2nd Avenues), NYC. A Photo Exhibit Depicting the Holodomor will also be on display at Dag Hammerskjold Plaza during the Food Drive. At 1:00PM participants will embark on a solemn walk from 47th Street to St. Patrick's Cathedral (5th Avenue, between 50th and 51st Streets) to participate in the 2:00PM National Observance to Commemorate Ukraine's Genocide of 1932-1933.

 

 

 

Download Food Drive Flyer

 

Watch the Voice of America's coverage of NYC Walk Against Genocide, just click

http://youtube.com/watch?v=KBqnvVGXp4s

Ukraine's President, Viktor Yushchenko shows support for UCCA's initiative by wearing Genocide Wristband

http://tabloid.pravda.com.ua/focus/482d91ef20fdb/

SUPPORT THE CAUSE!

PURCHASE YOUR REMEMBRANCE WRISTBAND TO HONOR THE 10 MILLION INNOCENT VICTIMS OF THE UKRAINIAN GENOCIDE OF 1932-1933

 

INTERNATIONAL HOLODOMOR TORCH RELAY

The International Holodomor Remembrance Flame (Ukrainian Genocide Torch Relay), lit by Ukraine's President, Viktor Yushchenko, left Ukraine last month on a worldwide tour. It will travel through 33 countries, including the United States, before reaching Ukraine in November 2008 to be part of the official state commemoration of the 75th anniversary of Ukraine's Genocide of 1932-1933. The Torch will arrive in the United States on May 4th and travel to over 20 cities. For more information about the Torch Relay schedule, please view our calendar page.