ACTION ITEM: The Famine Monument in D.C. (06/15/03)

ACTION ITEM

The Famine Monument in D.C.

Rep. Sander Levin (D-Mich.), co-chair of the Congressional Ukrainian Caucus, introduced H.R. 591, a bill to erect a monument in Washington to the victims of the Ukrainian Famine-Genocide of 1932-1933. The monument would be unveiled in commemoration of the 75th anniversary of the Ukrainian Famine-Genocide in the year 2008.

Ukrainian American community organizations, as well as the government of Ukraine, have actively supported this bill. The Ukrainian National Information Service (UNIS) received numerous letters of support addressed to the U.S. Congress to serve as evidence of the overwhelming support of this bill. These letters were presented as part of the UCCA's testimony before the National Park Service hearing in May 2003.

Currently, 37 members of Congress have co-sponsored the Ukrainian Famine-Genocide Memorial Bill. UNIS requests that Ukrainian Americans contact their representatives and urge them to co-sponsor this bill. It is extremely important that the Ukrainian American community demonstrate support for this proposed legislation by actively addressing their elected representatives. A sample letter follows for your convenience.

For further information readers may contact UNIS via phone, (202) 547-0018, or e-mail, unis@ucca.org.

SAMPLE LETTER

The Honorable (Name)
U.S. House of Representatives
Washington, D.C. 20515

Dear Representative (Name):

As a member of the Ukrainian American community, I was pleased to have learned of H.R. 591, a bill introduced by Rep. Levin that would allocate a plot of federal land in Washington, D.C., on which the Ukrainian American community would erect a monument to the victims of the Ukrainian Famine-Genocide of 1932-1933.

This artificial famine was created by the Stalinist Communist regime, which mercilessly starved to death over 7 million Ukrainians, a quarter of Ukraine's rural population. The Soviet regime intended to subjugate the Ukrainian nation through physical elimination. However, the Ukrainian people continued to resist Communist oppression and, after 70 years of struggle, regained their freedom in 1991.

It is important that the memory of the innocent victims not vanish. Knowledge of the horrors suffered by the Ukrainian nation at the hands of the Communists will serve as a constant reminder that the free world cannot rest as long as oppressive regimes exist. It is our duty to prevent similar genocides from ever again happening. A monument to the victims of the Ukrainian Famine-Genocide in the capital of the United States will demonstrate that our great nation has always fought, and will always fight, for the oppressed.

I respectfully urge you to co-sponsor this bill and support its passage.

Sincerely,

(Your name)

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