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July 6, 1997

Members of the U.S. House of Representatives announced the formation of the new Congressional Ukrainian Caucus at the Embassy of Ukraine to the United States, The Ukrainian Weekly reported on July 6, 1997. The announcement came at a reception celebrating the first anniversary of the adoption of the Constitution of Ukraine.

The Congressional Ukrainian Caucus was co-sponsored by Reps. Sander Levin (D-Mich.), Jon Fox (R-Pa.), Louise Slaughter (D-N.Y.) and Bob Schaffer (R-Colo.), all of whom had exhibited an interest in Ukraine and the Ukrainian American community. For example, Rep. Slaughter wrote a "Dear Colleague" letter to Rep. Sonny Callahan (R-Ala.), chairman of the Foreign Operations Subcommittee of the House Appropriations Committee, to supply Ukraine with $225 million of aid in 1998. Rep. Fox proposed an amendment to the State Department Authorization Bill to keep aid for Ukraine at $225 million for 1998 and 1999, the same level as in 1997. Rep. Levin wrote "Dear Colleague" letters arguing for earmarks for Armenia and Ukraine, as well as sponsoring legislation concerning the Great Famine of 1932-1933. Rep. Schaffer composed a portion of the Congressional Record regarding the first anniversary of the ratification of the Ukrainian Constitution.

The caucus was formed in order to work with the Ukrainian community, facilitate improved relations between the United States and Ukraine, and advocate democratization and the growth of a free-market economy in Ukraine. The main function of the Congressional Ukrainian Caucus was to provide the rest of Congress with information about the status of Ukraine and events in that country. The meetings of the caucus were meant to provide a forum for members to express their concerns and suggestions, and to formulate recommendations which would then be passed on to their colleagues in Congress.

According to The Weekly, the Congressional Ukrainian Caucus wrote a "Dear Colleague" letter attempting to convince other congressmen to join the caucus. They also asked concerned Ukrainian Americans to lobby their representatives to become members of the new caucus.

Source: "House of Representatives forms Congressional Ukrainian Caucus," The Ukrainian Weekly, July 6, 1997, Vol. LXV, No. 27.

Copyright © The Ukrainian Weekly, June 30, 2002, No. 26, Vol. LXX

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