SENATE RESOLUTION

8650

BySenators Fortunato, Padden, Ericksen, Braun, Schoesler, Honeyford, Warnick, Zeiger, Sheldon, Rivers, Short, O'Ban, Brown, Wilson, L., Walsh, Wagoner, King, and Hawkins

WHEREAS, Ukraine is a diverse nation home to Ukrainians, Crimean Tatars, Jews, Poles, and other ethnic groups; and

WHEREAS, Washington state is now home to over 70,000 Ukrainian Americans, being the fifth-largest Ukrainian diaspora in the United States; and

WHEREAS, Many Ukrainians immigrated to Washington fleeing Soviet persecution for their beliefs, seeking personal and religious freedoms in the United States; and

WHEREAS, Ukrainian Americans living in Washington have enriched our state through their leadership and contributions in agriculture, business, academia, government, and the arts; and

WHEREAS, The Ukrainian American community shares its rich history, culture, traditions, and gastronomy with numerous events such as the Northwest Ukrainian International Festival organized by the Pacific Ukrainian Society, which is the largest Ukrainian cultural event on the West Coast; and

WHEREAS, The state of Washington supports the Ukrainian American community in its endeavors to preserve Ukrainian culture, traditions, and language for future generations who call the United States home; and

WHEREAS, The state of Washington seeks to expand its relationship with Ukraine through increased economic, cultural, and educational cooperation;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the Washington State Senate recognize the important role Ukrainian Americans play in the civic, cultural, and economic life of Washington state, and join in the celebration of their Independence Day; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be immediately transmitted by the Secretary of the Senate to the Honorary Consul of Ukraine in Seattle and to the Embassy of Ukraine in the United States of America for appropriate distribution.