Greenleaf Resolution Urges State Ties to Ukraine 

HARRISBURG – The Senate unanimously approved a resolution offered by Sen. Stewart J. Greenleaf, R-Montgomery/Bucks, to encourage the Governor and the Department of Community and Economic Development to establish relations with the nation of Ukraine for the purposes of cultural, educational, and economic exchange.

Greenleaf noted that Ukraine President Viktor Yushchenko will be coming to Philadelphia in September to receive this year's Philadelphia Liberty Medal in recognition of his courage in overcoming tremendous obstacles to take the office to which he was elected by the people of Ukraine.  "As a champion of liberty and a symbol of democracy, President Yushchenko already has a kinship with the city known as the cradle of liberty in the United States," Greenleaf said.

The senator noted that Pennsylvania is second among all the states in the number of citizens of Ukrainian descent and that the state is the site of the Ukrainian Heritage Studies Center at Manor Junior College in Jenkintown, the Ukrainian Educational and Cultural Center in Philadelphia, and the Ukrainian American Sport Center Tryzub in Horsham Township, Montgomery County.

Greenleaf pointed to the important role people of Ukrainian descent played in the coal and steel industries of Pennsylvania.  He said that Ukraine and Pennsylvania have in common fertile farmland, mineral resources, and metal industries, and that their people share the values of freedom and independence.  In remarks on the Senate floor, Greenleaf referenced the Ukraine's Orange Revolution, in which Ukrainians took to the streets to demand that Yushchenko take office as their duly elected leader following an election—widely viewed as rigged—that resulted in the elevation to the presidency of Yushchenko's Russian-backed opponent.  The overwhelming citizen pressure and resultant world opinion in favor of the Orange Revolution led to a second election in which Yushchenko, while suffering the effects of a suspicious poisoning, was certified as the peoples' choice for president.

Greenleaf said that Senate Resolution 142 encourages the state to undertake trade missions, student and faculty exchanges, and a mutually-beneficial cultural and tourism relationship with Ukraine.  He introduced the resolution at the prompting of a constituent of Ukrainian heritage.

The senator said that Pennsylvania in 2004 exported over $10 million in machinery and transportation equipment to Ukraine, the second largest nation in Europe.  "The basis for close ties between the commonwealth and Ukraine already exists, and I believe that we should take this opportunity to establish a formal link," Greenleaf said.

The resolution will be transmitted to the Governor and to the Secretary of the Department of Community and Economic Development.  Greenleaf said he plans to send personal letters as well to Governor Rendell and Secretary Yablonsky, asking their consideration of the resolution.