UCCA-IL delegation met with Senators and Representatives during Ukrainian Days 2023 in Washington, D.C.
by Maria Dmytriv-Kapeniak, M.D.
Members of the Ukrainian Congress Committee of America- Illinois Division visited Washington, D.C., and held a number of meetings with U.S. Senators and Congressmen during Ukrainian Days, June 14-15, 2023. The purpose of the meetings was to lobby on behalf of Ukraine and Ukrainian interests. The delegation included newly elected members to UCCA-IL and those who for many years have been in constant communication with politicians on behalf of issues important to the Ukrainian community.
This event takes place several times a year, and the main organizer is the Ukrainian Congress Committee of America (UCCA) and its Washington Bureau – Ukrainian National Information Service (UNIS), under the leadership of Michael Sawkiw.. Mr. Mikhailo Savkiv heads this position for many years, he works with the offices of Senators and Congressmen and appoints the specified time for these meetings. The Ukrainian Days began with a briefing. Ambassador of Ukraine Oksana Markarova addressed the delegation and emphasized that “elections have the greatest influence on the daily decisions of American politicians.”
All delegates received leaflets with descriptions of resolutions which require the support of politicians. There were many resolutions, among them - resolutions which would ban importing of Russian uranium and the purchase of land by Russian oligarchs; designating the Russian Federation as a terrorist state, recognizing the Holodomor and the current actions of Russia in Ukraine as genocide; officially condemning the kidnapping of children and recognizing Putin as an international criminal. Among the most recent resolutions was/is H.R. 488 ATACMS , which requests that the Biden Administration provide Ukraine with long-range missiles. The goal of the meetings was to convince politicians that the war has already reached the highest level and the only way to de-escalate is speed and full victory of Ukraine. Members of our delegation were armed not only with historical facts, quick arguments about the importance of the victory of Ukraine, both for foreign and domestic policy of America; but, also with personal emotional stories about the daily horrors of war.
In the United States politicians meet with their voters and listen to their demands and needs. All conversations are carefully recorded by their assistants, and then processed. Our delegation included representatives of three states - Iowa, Indiana and Illinois. Illinois Representatives usually vote in favor of pro-Ukraine initiatives; however, more effort is needed to convince Senators and Representatives of other states. In order to secure bi-partisan support of pro-Ukrainian interests, UCCA-IL delegation members met with Senators Chuck Grassley (R-IA), Mike Braun (R-IN), Todd Young (R-IN), Donald Bacon (R-NE); and, with Representatives Mike Quigley (D-IL), Sean Casten (D-IL) and Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-IL). Every citizen who has the right to vote should be involved in advocary in Washington, D.C. on issues of importance. Meetings lasted approximately 45 minutes.
In general, representatives of both parties demonstrate a very pro-Ukrainian support. Entrances to multiple offices had pro-Ukrainian banners of support. At the entrance to the office of Donald J. Bacon (R-NE) the symbolic donkey of Zmiinyi Island (Snake Island in the Black Sea) is on display.
Members of the delegation acquired a valuable experience and reached conclusions that will shape the future work and efforts of UCCA-IL. We got valuable experience during this trip and made many conclusions that will shape our future work. There must be a concerted effort to engage with members of Congress; and, representatives of other ethnic groups to promote Ukrainian interests and to oppose the Russian evil even on the American continent. One of the projects of UCCA-IL will be to recruit individuals to speak on behalf of Ukrainian interests and awareness of the dangers of war.
We, living here, in America, in a peaceful and peaceful society, should not forget for a minute that we can also speed up the victory in Ukraine - someone transfers money for the needs of the Ukrainian army, someone actively participates in meetings, someone posts in social networks; someone does reaching out to U.S. Representatives and Senators.
In Chicago on July 9, 2023, a protest will be held at the historical Water Tower Place “NO PEACE WITHOUT JUSTICE” We invite everyone to participate. Follow UCCA-IL posts and join the robot. Victory depends on everyone, regardless of where we live.
Members of the UCCA-IL delegation that attended the Ukrainian Days in Washington, D.C., included: UCCA-IL President Mariya Dmytriv-Kapeniak, M.D.; Vice-Presidents Pavlo Bandriwsky and Ihor Diaczun; members of UCCA-IL Alla Lopatkina, Dr. Nataliya Kukhar, Liliia Popovych; Vitasliy Sykyrynsky from “Help Heroes of Ukraine:” Nataliya Baranchan from “UA Resistance Foundation
Mariya Dmytriv-Kapeniak, M.D.
President, UCCA-Illinois Division
