Turning the pages back... November 2, 1980 (10/29/00)

Turning the pages back...

November 2, 1980

Twenty years ago, on the eve of the presidential elections, a U.S. first lady paid the first visit ever to a Ukrainian institution.

The Weekly reported: "Recognizing that New Jersey may well be one of the key states in the upcoming election, Rosalynn Carter visited St. John the Baptist Ukrainian Catholic Parish here on Monday, October 27, and met with schoolchildren and senior citizens."

As her motorcade arrived in St. John's schoolyard, Mrs. Carter was welcomed by over 100 enthusiastic pupils who bore flowers and placards; a chorus of "Mnohaya Lita" followed. Senior citizens gathered in the school auditorium greeted Mrs. Carter with a standing ovation. Also on hand were Ukrainian Democrats, as well as Newark Mayor Ken Gibson, and Jean Byrne, wife of the New Jersey Gov. Brendan Byrne.

In her remarks the first lady asked voters to re-elect her husband, describing him as a good, honest man who is determined to strengthen the United States by emphasizing moral and spiritual needs.

Republican Ronald Reagan went on to win the election, receiving 51 percent to Mr. Carter's 42 percent of the popular vote.

Source: "Rosalynn Carter visits Newark Ukrainian parish," The Ukrainian Weekly, November 2, 1980.

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