Cheney brings campaign to Ukrainian cathedral in Parma (07/18/04)

Cheney brings campaign to Ukrainian cathedral in Parma

by Halyna Kuzyszyn-Holubec

PARMA, Ohio - The astrodome of St. Josaphat's Ukrainian Catholic Cathedral was filled to the brim on July 3, with some 1,500 Republican supporters, as Vice-President Dick Cheney kicked off his campaign bus tour in Parma, Ohio.

Children dressed in traditional Ukrainian clothing, along with several prominent Ukrainian American Republican leaders, stood on stage with the vice-president as he delivered a speech rallying support for President George W. Bush's re-election, American values and the war on terror.

"With your support I have no doubt that Ohio will support the Bush-Cheney ticket," Mr. Cheney said. He continued to speak of the "strong-decisive action" by President Bush since 9/11 and America's economy as being the fastest growing economy of any major industrialized nation in the world.

Joined by his wife, Lynne, and 10-year-old granddaughter Kate, the vice-president spoke after introductions by Ohio State Sen. Bob Spada, who declared that "Parma is where it's at," referring to the melting pot of nationalities - including some 40,000 Ukrainians - that live in the community.

"The vice-president's visit to Parma, Ohio, especially to our Ukrainian Catholic Cathedral, shows the importance that we will play in this election," said Republican consultant Andrew Futey. Mr. Futey also mentioned that he, Taras Szmagala Jr. and others have organized a Ukrainians for Bush organization in Greater Cleveland and plan to be actively involved in the race.

In addition to speeches by 10th Congressional District candidate Ed Herman and Ohio Secretary of State J. Kenneth Blackwell, Sen. George V. Voinovich (R-Ohio) welcomed the enthusiastic crowd at St. Josaphat's, telling them that "there is no doubt in my mind that Ohio will be the state that puts George Bush and Dick Cheney over the top in this presidential election." He also noted that he was pleased to be back at St. Josaphat's Ukrainian Catholic Cathedral where in 1992 he presented President George H. W. Bush with the Medal of Freedom for his work to liberate those countries that were behind the Iron Curtain.

Sen. Voinovich also mentioned that through the efforts of the current Bush administration, NATO has incorporated such countries as Bulgaria, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Romania, Slovakia and Slovenia. Speaking to the vice-president, Sen. Voinovich added, "I know that, with the president, you yearn for the day when the partnership for peace is extended to Ukraine, because that, too, will be one guaranteed way that NATO can be strengthened and Ukraine will not slip under the boot of a more powerful nation."

Ukraine is not yet part of NATO, as it still has much democratic, political and economic reform to enact. October's Presidential election in Ukraine will be critical for its future and for further U.S.-Ukraine relations.

"The Bush administration has to come out with a decisive stance on free and fair elections in Ukraine to ensure democracy," said Wasyl Liscynesky, head of the United Ukrainian Organizations in Greater Cleveland. Mr. Liscynesky continued by saying that only a true democratic Ukraine can be included in NATO and, therefore, both U.S. presidential candidates need to make their policy toward Ukraine clear to the Ukrainian American community.

The vice-president's bus tour continued on to Wheeling, W.V., and Pittsburgh for the July 4 holiday.

| Home Page |