Durbin Welcomes Ukraine President Viktor Yushchenko to Washington, DC
DURBIN WELCOMES UKRAINE PRESIDENT VIKTOR YUSHCHENKO TO WASHINGTON D.C.
Wednesday, April 6, 2005
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Richard J. Durbin welcomed President Viktor Yushchenko of Ukraine to our nation's capital today. President Yushchenko addressed Congress in a special joint session in the Capitol and spoke about improving economic relations between the U.S. and Ukraine.
"I look forward to working with President Yushchenko to further the relationship between the Ukraine and the U.S.," Durbin said. "Now that the country has embraced democracy, I believe greater economic opportunity is on the horizon."
President Yushchenko, who survived dioxin poisoning and stills bears the scars on his face, was elected in December after months of turmoil.
"The Ukrainian people demanded democracy in their last election," Durbin said. "President Yushchenko is the man they trust to give that to them. He is a courageous and will not be intimidated. He is determined to bring long-term stability to the Ukraine and is looking for support from the U.S. That's why he's addressing Congress today.
Today's visit with President Yushchenko was Durbin's second in several weeks. President Yushchenko welcomed Durbin to the Ukraine late last month during the Senator's nine-day trip to the Middle East and Eastern Europe. Earlier this week, President Yushchenko received a warm welcome during an appearance in Chicago.
"Chicago will always have a special connection to President Yushchenko," Durbin said. "Not only is his wife Kateryna from Chicago, but the Ukrainian community in Chicago is the most vibrant in the nation."
President Yushchenko also attended a luncheon with Durbin, Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) and Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist (R-TN) in the Capitol after his address to Congress. Durbin's guest at the joint meeting of Congress today for President Yushchenko's address was Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity Director Jack Lavin.
http://durbin.senate.gov/record.cfm?id=236103&&