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House Legislators Urge Congressional Leaders to Invite Ukrainian President to Address Congress

September 10, 2014

Washington D.C. – Today, U.S. Representatives Mike Quigley (D-IL), Marcy Kaptur (D-OH), Jim Gerlach (R-PA) and Sander M. Levin (D-MI) led 41 of their colleagues in a bipartisan letter urging congressional leaders to invite Ukrainian President Petro O. Poroshenko to address a joint session of Congress during his upcoming visit to Washington, D.C.

"Ukraine faces a pivotal moment in its history, and the United States is an important partner in Ukraine's struggle against Russia aggression," the letter states. "From the beginning of the current crisis in Ukraine, the United States has supported the Ukrainian people in their aspirations toward democracy. In the face of an existential threat from Russia, it is more important than ever that the United States and our NATO partners support Ukraine. A joint session with President Poroshenko will show Congressional support for Ukraine while informing Congress of the best ways that we can support the U.S.-Ukraine relationship."

Rep. Quigley is a member of the Congressional Ukrainian Caucus and represents a robust Ukrainian population in Illinois' 5th Congressional District that is deeply invested in protecting Ukraine's sovereignty and stopping further Russian aggression toward Eastern Europe. Rep. Quigley made an official visit to Ukraine earlier this year to assess U.S. efforts in the region and spoke out against the violence during a meeting of the Ukrainian Congress Committee of America Illinois Division.

The text of the letter is below:

Dear Mr. Speaker, Madam Minority Leader, Mr. Majority Leader, and Mr. Minority Leader,

Ukraine's President Petro O. Poroshenko is expected to visit Washington, D.C. in September 2014. Given the importance of our relationship with Ukraine and the ongoing crisis there, we respectfully ask you to invite President Poroshenko to address a Joint Session of Congress.

Ukraine faces a pivotal moment in its history, and the United States is an important partner in Ukraine's struggle against Russia aggression. From the beginning of the current crisis in Ukraine, the United States has supported the Ukrainian people in their aspirations toward democracy. In the face of an existential threat from Russia, it is more important than ever that the United States and our NATO partners support Ukraine. A joint session with President Poroshenko will show Congressional support for Ukraine while informing Congress of the best ways that we can support the U.S.-Ukraine relationship.

We hope you will extend an invitation to President Poroshenko. Such a gesture will help to deepen and strengthen the relationship between the United States and Ukraine.

Thank you for your consideration of this request.

Sincerely,

Members of Congress