Skip to content
Call Us Today! 212-533-4646 | MON-FRI 12PM - 4PM (EST)
DONATE
SUBSCRIBE
Search for:
About Us
Publications
FAQ
Annual Report 2023
Annual Report 2022
Annual Report 2021
Initiatives
Advocate
Educate
Cultivate
Care
News
Newsletters
Sign Up For Our Newsletter
Join UNWLA
Become a Member
Volunteer With Us
Donate to UNWLA
Members Portal
Calendar
Shop to Support Ukraine
Search for:
Print
Print Page
Download
Download Page
Download Right Page
Open
1
2-3
4-5
6-7
8-9
10-11
12-13
14-15
16-17
18-19
20-21
22-23
24-25
26-27
28-29
30-31
32-33
34-35
36-37
38-39
40
30 “НАШЕ ЖИТТЯ”, КВІТЕНЬ 2009 Helena on the Hill Helena Zyblikewycz is a Senior Profes - sional Staff Member with the Committee on Tran sportation and Infrastructure of the United States House of Representatives, a position in which she has served in since January 2007. As a Full Committee staffer for Chairman James L. Oberstar, Ms. Zyblikewycz assists with the management of the Committee’ s policy work conducted by six congressional subcommittees: Aviation; Coast Guard; Economic Development, Public Buildings, and Emergency Management; Highways and Transit; Railroads; and Water Resources. Working with the 75 Members of Congress who serve on the Committee, Ms. Zyblikewycz actively participates in the process of shaping laws the Committee writes. She also works with other congressional committees on the development of joint legislation to ensure the Committee’s interests are protected. During a recent telephone interview with OL, this Congressional aide indicated that her work involves long hours and an unpredictable schedule that is frequently driven by outside events and dictated by emerging public policy concerns. During the energy crisis of recent months, for example, Ms. Zyblikewycz was integrally involved in assembling and coordinating fast - track hearings on the rising cost of diesel fuel and the impacts on the trucking industry. When asked what she liked best about her work, Ms. Zyblikew ycz commented that she likes having an impact on public policy. “I like and ad - mire my boss,” she observed, “and find it extremely exciting to see a bill I have worked on become law.” She also likes the variety and the pace of her work: “Things happe n and change very quickly . . . It’s never boring.” During our interview (early Febru - ary), she noted that during the past two months her committee had been involved in negotiations related to the recently passed stimulus package. Asked what she found most diff icult about her work, Ms. Zyblikewycz responded that many of things she likes best are also things she finds most challenging. Her work, she said, is a constant “learn - ing curve,” because the issues involved are complex. “It’s not open - heart surgery . . . no one will die if I make a mistake . . . but it is important, and there is sometimes a tendency to second - guess yourself.” Helena Zyblikewycz While she derives great satisfaction from working intimately with people and information that will affect national policy, she laughed when asked whether there was a rush associated with working with distinguished and even famous political leaders. “If you focus too much on being around the movers and shakers,” she quipped, “you are pro - bably not doing your j ob.” She does, however, admit she gets a rush when she sees a particular approach or action she recommends spark interest among her colleagues and Members. “I am extremely fortunate to work in a stimulating and challenging environment. I learn from the ins ide how our government really works.” Her current position as Senior Professional Staff Member, she noted, has been an incredible professional development opportunity. “After working on the Hill, I’ll never be afraid of any other job.” Among the things thi s job has nurtured and enhanced is cooperation, collaboration, the ability to compromise, to perform under pressure, and to multitask without feeling overwhelmed. A first - generation Ukrainian American, Helena Zyblikewycz was born and raised in Marlton, Ne w Jersey, commuting to Philadelphia to attend Ukrainian Saturday school and participate in Plast activities. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Видання C оюзу Українок A мерики - перевидано в електронному форматі в 2012 році . A рхів C У A - Ню Йорк , Н . Й . C Ш A.
Page load link
Go to Top