Speech #890002698

Since that time they have been swallowed up as part of the Soviet Union. Americans who have long held high the principle of selfdetermination of peoples pay special tribute to these wonderful people of Eastern Europe during this month. the 47th anniversary of the proclamation of the Ukrainian National Republic. All of us here in Congress are well aware of the great contribution to American life made by the Ukrainian American immigrants. be they from the 19th century or among the 60.000 Ukrainian displaced persons who came to our shores and became a part of our national life after World War II. One of the best statements I have read about Americans of Ukrainian background was written by Joseph L. Dichten in "One America." edited by Brown & Roucek. I have unanimous consent to place part of that at this point: The Ukrainian American immigrant has done more than his share in the building of the Nation. He has worked in great numbers in factories and farms. railroads and mines. and his unremitting labors have helped to strengthen the vast and crucially important industrial power of the United States. He has strongly identified himself Please note. as certainly have I. the 463 to 15 in the 24th precinct. the 345 to 7 in the 27th precinct. the 406 to 11 in the 28th precinct. the 350 to 10 in the 33d precinct. the 493 to 12 in the 42d prewith the cause of organized labor. and has zealously participated in the founding and growth of the American labor movement. The Ukrainian immigrant brought with him from the old country a love of his own home and his own piece of land. thus. the UkrainIan American family unit has always been a sturdy. stable entity. Many areas of American culture have profited from the contributions of the Ukrainian immigrant. His music. songs. and folk dances have greatly influenced American composers and choreographers. George Gershwin used an old Ukrainian theme as a base for his "Dont Forget Me" from the operetta "Song of the Flame." The Ukrainian National and the United Ukrainian Folk choruses. composed mainly of young Ukrainian Americans born in the United States. have been acclaimed by critics as among the best ever heard in the United States. One reviewer described the Ukrainian National Chorus as "a human organ. an instrument of incomparable precision and incomparable expressiveness. It can rustle like leaves In the forest. it can be lyrical as a lark at dawn. it can be sonorous as thunder over mountains." These choral groups were created by Prof. Alexander Koshetz. a Ukrainian immigrant who lived in New York until his death in 1944. Professor Koshetz left behind him several notable compositions and arrangements of Ukrainian songs for American choruses. Ukrainian dances are often considered among the most vivid and colorful of all folk dances by virtue of charm and expressiveness. and many of their basic steps have found their way into the American dance.