AN APPEAL FOR SUPPORT

Ukrainian American Veterans seek federal charter

Following is the text of an appeal by the Ukrainian American Veterans who are seeking Ukrainian American community support of their effort to secure a federal charter for their national organization.

Dear Friends:

For 52 years, the Ukrainian American Veterans have played an active part in the Ukrainian American community. Our members have served honorably in World War I, World War II, Korea, Vietnam and more recently in the Persian Gulf Conflict. Our affiliate organization, the Ukrainian American Military Association (UAMA), consists of active and reserve U.S. military personnel currently on peacekeeping missions worldwide. They also serve as interpreters and medical advisors to the armed forces of Ukraine.

While our organization has been included in many important functions sponsored by different White House administrations, we have not been recognized, or granted, an official congressional charter from the federal government. The acquisition of such a charter would enable us to assume equal status among other veterans' organizations, and allow us to broaden our charitable and support activities, both here and abroad.

On November 18, 1999, Rep. David E. Bonior (D-Mich.) introduced a bill, which was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary. This bill, HR 3463, would amend Title 36, United States Code, granting a federal charter to the Ukrainian American Veterans Inc. The main co-sponsors of the bill include Reps. Sander M. Levin (D-Mich.), Debbie Stabenow (D-Mich.), Marcy Kaptur (D-Ohio), Curt Weldon (R-Pa.), Maurice D. Hinchey (D-N.Y.) and Stephen Horn (R-Calif.). All of the original co-sponsors and the main sponsor are members (some are co-chairs) of the Congressional Ukrainian Caucus (CUC).

We feel that this is our best opportunity in this election year to obtain a charter. We are requesting that the Ukrainian American community - both individuals and organizations - write or e-mail their members of Congress to ask for their support as additional co-sponsors of this bill.

Working closely and advising us in this matter is Michael Sawkiw, director of the Ukrainian National Information Service (UNIS), based in Washington.

The Ukrainian American Veterans would be the first Ukrainian organization that is entitled to have a federal charter. It is extremely important to our community to have an organization that is officially recognized and sanctioned by the United States government.

We need your support to make this a reality.

Thank you.

Respectfully,

Steven Szewczuk
National Commander
Ukrainian American Veterans

Copyright © The Ukrainian Weekly, February 6, 2000, No. 6, Vol. LXVIII

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