ACTION ITEM (06/28/98)

ACTION ITEM

In commemoration of the 65th anniversary of the Ukrainian Famine of 1932-1933, and to honor its victims, Rep. Sander Levin (D-Mich.), co-chair of the Congressional Ukrainian Caucus, is sponsoring a concurrent resolution that recognizes the draconian treatment of the Ukrainian population during the 1932-1933 Famine and expresses a sense of Congress that condemns this act perpetrated by the government of the former Soviet Union.

Following the Independence Day Congressional recess, the resolution will be introduced in both the House of Representatives and the Senate, where Sen. Carl Levin (D-Mich.) is the main sponsor.

The Ukrainian National Information Service (UNIS) urges the Ukrainian American community to contact U.S. senators and representatives and encourage them to become co-sponsors of the concurrent resolution. A sample letter to members of Congress is provided below.

SAMPLE LETTER

Date
The Honorable (name)
U.S. Senate
or U.S. House of Representatives
Washington D.C. 20510 or 20515

Dear Senator or Representative (name):

As a Ukrainian American residing in (your state or district), it has come to my attention that Rep. Sander Levin (D-Mich.) and Sen. Carl Levin (D-Mich.) will be introducing a Concurrent Resolution in commemoration of the 65th anniversary of the Great Famine of 1932-1933 in Ukraine and to honor the victims of the famine. Designed and instigated by the former Soviet government to destroy Ukraine's economic independence by eliminating private farming, the Ukrainian famine claimed the lives of 7 million innocent Ukrainian victims. Entire families starved to death as all food was confiscated and farmers were forbidden to travel outside their villages.

I urge you to support the Concurrent Resolution dedicated to the memory of the victims of this heinous crime. Please add your name as a co-sponsor of this resolution commemorating the 65th anniversary of the Ukrainian Famine.

Sincerely,