On 25 September 2016, Ukrainian World Congress (UWC) President Eugene Czolij addressed the XXII Congress of Ukrainians in America, the highest forum of the Ukrainian Congress Committee of America (UCCA), which took place 23-25 September 2016 in Hartford, U.S.A.
The UWC President congratulated the UCCA for effectively representing Ukrainians and Ukrainian issues in the U.S.A., and expressed gratitude for its active involvement and support for the UWC. Eugene Czolij specifically acknowledged the successful unveiling of the Holodomor monument in the U.S. capital, Washington, D.C., in November 2015.
Accentuating with his remarks that the primary focus for the diaspora must remain the defence of Ukraine’s territorial integrity, the UWC President called for the UCCA and its membership to actively support Ukraine, the sons and daughters of which continue to risk their lives defending their homeland. This should include support for humanitarian initiatives, and countering the Russian disinformation machine by promoting the new Ukraine.
Eugene Czolij highlighted the need to continue impressing upon U.S. authorities that it is in the best interests of the international community that Ukraine succeed in stopping an imperialist aggressor from moving further West, and encouraged promoting the adoption of legislation akin to the Magnitsky Act for the violation of human rights by Russian authorities, and removing the Russian Federation from the SWIFT financial network.
The delegates to the XXII Congress of Ukrainians in America elected a new Еxecutive for a four-year term led by President Andrew Futey.
“The Ukrainian World Congress congratulates the newly elected UCCA Executive led by President Andrew Futey, its entire membership, and anticipates continued cooperation in the attainment of our common goals,” stated UWC President Eugene Czolij.
