The publication is reproduced in full below:
30TH ANNIVERSARY OF UKRAINIAN INDEPENDENCE
______
HON. MARCY KAPTUR
of ohio
in the house of representatives
Thursday, September 30, 2021
Ms. KAPTUR. Madam Speaker, as co-chair of the bipartisan Congressional Ukraine Caucus, I join Liberty lovers around the globe in congratulating Ukraine on its 30 years of restored independence.
Since my first trip to Ukraine in 1973, it has been an honor to watch Ukraine's inspirational path to Liberty. In the dark days of Soviet-
Russian occupied Ukraine, there were very few cars on the street, the buildings were gray, and people lived their lives in the shadow of secret police oppression. Yet, while Ukraine's progress has at times been jagged, even then, I personally witnessed her people's thirst for Liberty, and their desire to live in an open society.
Today's Ukraine is religiously and ethnically diverse, vibrant, and yes, a democracy. Her people have decided to cast off the yoke of Russian oppression. They wish to join the community of democracies, the Euro-Atlantic nations, and importantly NATO.
The U.S. Congress on a bipartisan basis has been the backbone over generations to support these aspirations. Ukraine's success is critical for U.S. national security. Indeed, she is on the scrimmage line for Liberty on the European continent.
The Congressional Ukraine Caucus strongly condemns Russia's ongoing illegal war and occupation of Ukrainian territories. The U.S. House of Representatives voted to increase security assistance by $25 million for fiscal year 2021. To counter Russia's weaponization of energy against our allies and partners, the House unanimously adopted our bipartisan amendment in the FY22 National Defense Authorization Act to fully sanction the Nord Stream 2 pipeline. The Congress also strongly supports the U.S. pledge for $1 billion in the Three Seas Fund to strengthen the region's energy resilience.
While our Caucus celebrates Ukraine's 30 years of restored independence, we also commemorate the 80th anniversary and honor the lives lost at the Babyn Yar massacre. We shall never forget the precious lives lost in this atrocity and in the Holocaust. We must work together to uncover historical truth to allow for historical reconciliation and to ensure acts like these never happen again.
In conclusion, our Caucus looks forward to working with freedom defenders around the world to ensure a Ukraine that is democratic, secure, prosperous, and at peace.
Onward Liberty, Onward Ukraine, Slava Ukrayna.
____________________
SOURCE: Congressional Record Vol. 167, No. 171
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