Reps. Bieda, Adamini, Anderson, Dennis, Drolet, Elkins, Garfield, Gieleghem, Gillard, Jamnick, Lipsey, McConico, Milosch, Minore, Paletko, Richardville, Robertson, Sak, Spade, Stallworth, Tobocman, Vagnozzi, Vander Veen, Waters, Woronchak, Brown, Condino and Gleason offered the following resolution:

            House Resolution No. 181.

A resolution recognizing the 70^th anniversary of the Great Famine-Genocide in the Ukraine.

            Whereas, As Michigan Ukrainians observe remembrances of the millions of victims of the man-made famine that occurred in the Ukraine from 1932 through 1933 and the triumphs they have since shared, we are pleased to add our voice of thanks for the many ways in which this nationality of people has touched and enriched not only its loyal community, but also the state of Michigan.  Since the days when circuit-riding clerics rode through the forests to lead services, Michigan's people have come together to share their deepest emotions through communities like the Ukrainians of Michigan.  The history of the Ukrainian Congress Committee of America, Inc. Southeast Michigan Chapter is a wonderful example of how much their faith and unselfishness mean to our entire state; and

            Whereas, From 1932 through 1933 at least 5 million men, women, and children in the Ukraine and an estimated 1-2 million people in other regions died as a direct result of this man-made famine. The famine took place in the most productive agricultural area of the former Soviet Union, while food stock throughout the country remained sufficient to prevent the famine and the Soviet regime continued to export large quantities of grain.  At the same time, the Soviet regime was deliberately seizing grain, blocking food shipments, and restricting the movement of peasants out of the affected areas.  The purpose of the Soviet regime's actions were to eliminate resistance to the forced collectivization of agriculture and the destruction of the Ukraine's national identity; and

            Whereas, On December 13, 1985, the United States Government’s Commission on the Ukraine Famine concluded that the victims were starved to death in a man-made famine and that Joseph Stalin and those around him committed genocide against Ukrainians from 1932 through 1933.  Although the Ukraine famine was one of the greatest losses of human life in the 20^th century, it remains virtually unknown in the United States and the world.  The official recognition of the famine by the government of Ukraine and the Verkhovna Rada represents a significant step in the reestablishment of Ukraine’s national identity, the elimination of the legacy of the Soviet dictatorship, and the advancement of efforts to establish a democratic and free Ukraine that is fully integrated into the western community of nations; now, therefore, be it

            Resolved by the House of Representatives, That members of this legislative body join with the friends and families of Michigan's Ukrainian descendants in commemorating its 70^th anniversary of the Great Famine-Genocide in the Ukraine.