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BOZHENA OLSHANIWSKY THE UKRAINIAN FAMINE COMMISSION IN THE US CONGRESS This year marks the 10th anniversary of the legisla tion of the monumental congressional Ukrainian Famine Commission which was conceived by Ihor Olshaniwsky, president of Americans for Human Rights in Ukraine (AHRU) during the 50th anniversary of the 1932-33 genocidal famine in Ukraine. Acting on a plea from AHRU, Congressman James Florio (D-NJ) introduced the famine legislation, called House of Representatives bill #3993, or popularly referred to as H.R. 3993 on Sep tember 17, 1983 and then reintroduced it again in the House of Representatives with 59 additional cosponsors as H.R. 4459 on November 17, 1983. Senator Bill Bradley (D-NJ) introduced a compan ion bill S.2456, in the Senate on March 21, 1984. The two “famine bills” (proposals for law) received biparti san support from members of both houses of Congress (House of Representatives and Senate). Ultimately there were 123 sponsors of H.R. 4459 in the House of Repre sentatives and 23 sponsors of S.2456 in the Senate. In spite of the substantial amount of sponsors there was a reluctance from the House Democratic leadership to push for the passage of the famine bill. It took a hercu lean effort to get this proposed legislation moving. A network of grass roots support was organized by AHRU in all states where Ukrainian Americans lived. In addition, thousands of letters were sent by AHRU and its branches to all members of Congress. Many Ukrainian- American and American organizations, plus numerous individuals, joined in this endeavor. Many thousands of signatures on petitions were sent to congressmen and senators. The chairmen of the committees which were charged with reviewing, marking-up and voting for the passage of the bill were targeted. Tens of thousands of postcards with messages requesting support were sent to President Ronald Reagan and House Speaker “Tip” O’Neill. Many meetings and briefings were held between members of AHRU’s lobbyists and congressional staffers regarding progress of the famine bills. Continuous communication with Washington was maintained by mail, by phone and by frequent trips to the Washington and local offices of the legislators. This effort culmi nated in hearings for H.R. 4459 in the House Subcom mittee on International Operations on October 3, 1984, one day prior to the scheduled adjournment of the 98th Congress, and hearings for S. 2456 were held in the Senate Foreign Relations Committee on August 1, 1984. At the hearings on the House side, with Chairman Dan Mica presiding, favorable testimonies were given by: Senator Dennis DeConcini (D-AZ), Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur (D-OH), Congressman James Florio (D- NJ), Ihor Olshaniwsky, president of AHRU who also represented the National Committee to Commemorate the Victims of the 1932-33 Genocide in Ukraine, David G. Roth, national ethnic liaison for the American Jewish Committee and John A. Kromkowski, president of the National Center for Urban Ethnic Affairs. Opposing tes timony came from Robie Mark Palmer, representing the administration, that is, President Ronald Reagan and the Department of State. Objections to the bill were weak and illogical. Because of the lateness of the date and the impending adjournment of the Congress due the next day, there was no time left to schedule it for a vote on the floor. The situation for the congressional famine commis sion in the Senate presented a different picture. Although Senator Bill Bradley introduced S. 2456 in the Senate six months after the introduction of H.R. 4459 in the House, the progress of S. 2456 proceeded at a much brisker pace. In June 1984 AHRU was informed that hearings on S. 2456 would be held on August 1, 1984. Favorable testimonies were given by Senator Bill Brad ley, UNA representative Dr. Myron Kuropas and Ihor Olshaniwsky, representing AHRU and the National Fam ine Committee before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee with Chairman Charles Percy (R-IL) presid ing. Robie Mark Palmer, the voice of the administration, again came out strongly against the creation of the commission. At a September 19, 1984 business meeting of the Foreign Relations Committee S. 2456 was approved with small changes and a proposal for $400,000 for funding of the two-year famine commission study was made. It was favorably reported out of committee on the same day and was referred to the full Senate for a floor vote. On September 21, 1984, S. 2456 passed the Senate by a voice vote. In order for a bill to become a law, it must have approval of both houses of Congress. It was apparent that support for the bill from the House of Representa tives was not forthcoming since it was not as yet sche duled for hearings. The famine bill was in jeopardy. In a valiant effort to save this bill, Senator Bradley attached the famine bill as an amendment to the continuing reso lution (a $470 billion funding bill) on the last day of Congress — October 4, 1984 at 2:00 AM. This special privilege was available only to senators. But in order for the House side to approve the att achment of the famine bill amendment to the funding bill, it had to be discussed at a conference between ’’НАШЕ ЖИТТЯ”, ЧЕРВЕНЬ 1994 21
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