Kaptur Selected to Escort New Ukraine President Yushchenko Before Session of Congress

KAPTUR SELECTED TO ESCORT NEW UKRAINE PRESIDENT YUSHCHENKO BEFORE JOINT SESSION OF CONGRESS
Apr 6, 2005

WASHINGTON, D.C.-Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur (OH-9) today was selected as one of four House Democrats to officially escort Ukraine President Viktor Yushchenko-Ukraine's first democratically elected President-into the House to address a special joint session of Congress.

"Today, the people of the United States warmly welcome the first democratically elected President of the young, independent nation of Ukraine," said Kaptur. "It has been a profound experience to stand at the edge of history with the free election of a new President. And today it was my great honor to help welcome him to the United States as Ukraine ushers in a new era of human possibility."

Kaptur, co-chair of the Congressional Ukrainian Caucus, drafted the Rada-Congress Agreement that established the first Parliamentary Exchange with the goal of improving U.S.-Ukraine relations. Last year, Kaptur met again with then-President Leonid Kuchma in Kiev, as part of a six-member Congressional delegation. Their visit took place before the December 26 revote that elected Yushchenko.

"None of us will forget the sight of hundreds of thousands of citizens, risking their political lives for a democratic transition," continued Kaptur. "President Yushchenko is leading Ukraine towards a freer, more prosperous era. His presence today in the U.S. Capitol reminds us that America has a moral responsibility and indeed, a duty, to help plant democracy where it seeks to root."

Kaptur has traveled extensively in Ukraine since 1973. Kaptur is of Eastern European heritage and her maternal great-grandparents are buried in the Ukraine. The Kaptur family created The Anastasia Fund, named after their mother, a foundation for that has dedicated a significant share of its early efforts to humanitarian support in Ukraine.

http://www.kaptur.house.gov/PressRelease.aspx?NewsID=1369