Central/East European Coalition honors supporters (10/06/96)

Central/East European Coalition honors supporters

Ukrainian National Information Service

WASHINGTON - The Central and East European Coalition (CEEC) held a reception on Thursday evening, September 19, in the Dirksen Senate Office Building to present its Distinguished Service Award to four members of Congress who have upheld the principles of freedom, democracy, and the development of free-market principles for the people of Central and Eastern Europe.

The four recipients are Sens. Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) and Barbara Mikulski (D-Md.), as well as Reps. Richard Durbin (D-Ill.) and Benjamin Gilman (R-N.Y.). Each helped to promote the transition of the Central and East European nations towards a brighter and more prosperous future.

The Central and East European Coalition (CEEC) is an 18-member organization representing nearly 22 million Americans who trace their heritage to that region of the world. While the representatives of various ethnic organizations mingled with congressional aides, the awards presentation began as Tim Jemal of the Armenian Assembly of America welcomed the guests to the evening's presentation. Mr. Jemal accentuated the successful work the CEEC has done in the past, and continues to make, as it advocates issues of importance to members of Congress and the administration.

Four member-organizations of the CEEC took turns presenting the Distinguished Service Award to members of Congress.

The first recipient was Sen. Mikulski, who was introduced by Les Kuczynski, the representative from the Polish American Congress. Sen. Mikulski thanked the coalition for remaining united to the cause of ensuring that never again will the countries of Central and Eastern Europe fall under the yoke of another dominant force. As the senator spoke, she reminisced about her grandmother, of Polish heritage, who always kept the hope of freedom alive.

"The Cold War is over, greater challenges lie ahead, and we have to be sure these nations never endure again what they went through," Sen. Mikulski said. The Maryland senator is widely known for her advocacy of NATO expansion to East and Central European countries, and her endorsement of a free-market economy.

Rep. Durbin said he is honored to be a recipient of the CEEC's Distinguished Service Award. Introducing Rep. Durbin was the chairman of the Joint Baltic American National Committee, Mati Koiva, who touched upon the work Rep. Durbin has accomplished in the House of Representatives.

When presented the award, Rep. Durbin also reflected upon the past, noting the pride his immigrant mother from Lithuania felt when she was naturalized as an American citizen. That pride, continued Rep. Durbin, transcends all generations and provides a glimmer of hope for those who strive for freedom and democracy.

"The U.S. is striving now to define ourselves today. During the Cold War, we knew the enemy. Now opportunities for new alliances are with those who share our dreams, and I'm proud I played a small part in the lifting of the Iron Curtain," stated Rep. Durbin. The representative thanked the assembled for their work in promoting the invaluable concepts of freedom and democracy in Central and Eastern Europe to members of Congress.

A known friend to the Central and East European nations, Rep. Gilman, was next to receive the Distinguished Service Award. Rep. Gilman believes in advancing a free-market economy in Central and Eastern Europe and advocates an assistance program targeting aid to those most in need.

Frank Koszorus of the Hungarian American Coalition introduced Rep. Gilman and noted his long-standing and steadfast support for independence, and now the preservation of freedom, in that region's countries. In his comments, Rep. Gilman focused on the assistance provided in the U.S. foreign aid bill, which "... focuses on democracy and stability-building."

Eugene Iwanciw of the Ukrainian National Association presented the final award to Sen. McConnell. Sen. McConnell said the coalition has helped make people face the reality that the states of the former Soviet Union and the Warsaw Bloc are now independent nations. As the ardent sponsor of earmarking assistance to countries in Central and Eastern Europe, Sen. McConnell thanked the coalition for this opportunity and honor bestowed upon him.

Underlining his commitment to the region, Sen. McConnell mentioned the previous day's celebration of the fifth anniversary of Ukrainian independence and his resolve to earmark assistance to Ukraine and Armenia. "I did this," stated Sen. McConnell, "to ensure the aid gets to those two countries and is not diverted by the State Department. The coalition is advocating what is right for America."

Following the senator's comments, Michael Sawkiw Jr., director of the Ukrainian National Information Service (UNIS), and Mr. Iwanciw thanked the senator for his continued support for Ukraine, as evidenced through his earmark for Ukraine of $225 million for fiscal year 1997. In his response, the senator once again acknowledged the work of the Ukrainian American community in promoting issues to members of Congress.

The coalition's first congressional reception was well-attended by congressional staffers and others who trace their heritage to Eastern and Central Europe.