Illinois State Sen. Dudycz named 2002 "Friend of the Institute" (11/10/02)

Illinois State Sen. Dudycz named 2002 "Friend of the Institute"

by Vira Bodnaruk

CHICAGO - At its ninth "Friend of the Institute" award banquet on September 21, the Ukrainian Institute of Modern Art (UIMA) presented the 2002 award to Illinois State Sen. Walter Dudycz. Sen. Dudycz has shown great interest in supporting cultural and educational institutions by being instrumental in UIMA receiving a grant of $50,000 for much-needed repairs (new facade, air-conditioning, new floor).

Sen. Dudycz has represented the 7th District in the Illinois Senate since 1985 and was named assistant majority leader in 1993. He was always attentive to the needs of his constituents and those of the Ukrainian village where his parents and other family members reside.

He was born in Chicago, graduated from Holy Trinity High School and the Chicago Police Academy. He received a B.A. from Northeastern Illinois University and served in the U.S. Army from 1968 to 1971, including a 12-month tour of duty in Vietnam. He retired from the Chicago Police Department in March 2000, after serving since 1971 and holding the rank of detective since 1978. From 1987 to 1990 he served as director of Cook County Sheriff's Work Alternative Program.

In November 2000, Mr. Dudycz was hired by the City of Chicago Department of Aviation to assist in the operation of the security and safety programs at O'Hare International Airport.

In May 1992 State Sen. Dudycz was invited to the White House to witness the signing of a series of treaties between the United States and Ukraine. He observed the 1990 and 1994 parliamentary elections in Ukraine and co-chaired the International Conference on Law Enforcement in Kyiv in August 1994. He accompanied members of the Illinois National Guard on historic military training exercises in Poland in 1997 and Ukraine in 2000 and 2001, as part of the State Partnership for Peace/ Peace Shield program.

After receiving the "Friend of the Institute" award, Sen. Dudycz thanked the president of UIMA, Oleh Kowerko, for this great honor and donated $500 to the Ukrainian Institute of Modern Art.

| Home Page |