March 8, 1996 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks E 319

Ukraine. After serving 11¤2 years as a deputy House Trustee, praised President Kuchma for as to the Government of and to the in the Ukrainian Parliament, Mr. Kuchma be- moving firmly in the right direction and making Ukrainian peopleÐfor this well-deserved and came Prime Minister and served in that post his country a constructive partner in the inter- most appropriate honor. I also invite my col- from October 1992 until September 1993. national community. He also praised the cour- leagues to join me in paying tribute to Free- After leaving the post of Prime Minister, Mr. age and determination of the Ukrainian people dom House and to its leaders who played key Kuchma became president of the Ukrainian who tenaciously maintained their language, roles in honoring President KuchmaÐVice Association of Industrialists and Entre- customs, and history through centuries of for- Chairman of the Board Mark Palmer, Trustee preneurs, which brought together top business eign and Communist domination. Zbigniew Brzezinksi, and President Adrian leaders and managers from over 14,000 enter- Following Ukraine's achievement of freedom Karatnycky. prises and workplaces throughout Ukraine. He at long last, it has demonstrated remarkable also led the Interregional Block for Reform, a political stability. Dr. Brzezinski called attention f centrist faction in Parliament, until his election to the fact that the transition to President as President of Ukraine. Kuchma from his predecessor was a peaceful HOUSING OPPORTUNITY PROGRAM In his opening remarks at the gala dinner change carried out through free and fair elec- EXTENSION ACT honoring President Kuchma, Ambassador tionsÐthe first such transition in among all of Mark Palmer, former United States envoy to the former Republics of the . The HON. MICHAEL PATRICK FLANAGAN , praised the democ- countries of Central and Eastern Europe and racy-building programs in UkraineÐa strategi- the former Soviet Union could earn much from OF ILLINOIS cally important country of 52 million people Ukraine, Dr. Brzezinski noted. Ukraine has IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES which covers an area the size of France which achieved relative ethnic stability, with Ukrain- Friday, March 8, 1996 lies in the very heart of Europe. He praised ians, Russians, Jews, Poles, and Crimean Ta- President Kuchma for his determined commit- tars living in relative harmony. Mr. FLANAGAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today ment to and economic reform. In his address accepting the award, Presi- to commend the House on its passage of S. United States Ambassador at Large for the dent Kuchma assured American leaders that 1494, the Housing Opportunity Program Ex- Newly Independent States, James Collins, un- Ukraine wants to remain a part of Europe, and tension Act. This is an excellent bill which in- derlined Ukraine's strategic importance in Eu- he pledged continued cooperation with NATO, cludes language from several bills passed by rope, and cited President Kuchma for his con- the European Community, and other economic the House previously, including H.R. 117, the tribution to regional stability and peace. He re- and regional organizations. The President Senior Citizens Housing Safety Act of 1995. iterated American material and moral support said, however, that if Ukraine is to be suc- The safety of America's seniors is important for Ukraine's efforts to preserve its national cessful in becoming an integral part of Europe, to each and everyone of us. S. 1494, like H.R. identity and build a truly pluralistic and free so- then the countries of Europe and their leaders 117 ensures the safety of America's seniors ciety while maintaining good relations with the must be willing to move toward Ukraine living in public housing complexes. It toughens West, and abiding international agreements on through economic cooperation, trade, and placement and eviction policies in order to nuclear weapons and troop strengths in Eu- closer political links. protect residents of public and assisted hous- rope. Mr. Speaker, I invite my colleagues in the ing programs from substance abusers. These Dr. Zbigniew Brzezinski, former National Se- Congress to join me in extending congratula- provisions are the key reasons I cosponsored curity Advisor, the President and Freedom tions to President Kuchma personallyÐas well H.R. 117 and am in full support of S. 1494.