Quigley Announces Ukrainian Youth Advocate as Virtual Guest to State of the Union Address
Quigley invites Chicago resident and a leader in Chicago’s American Ukrainian Youth Association as virtual guest to President Biden’s first State of the Union address to Congress
U.S. Representative Mike Quigley (IL-05), a co-chair of the Congressional Ukraine Caucus, has selected Maria Solomia Bandriwsky as his virtual guest to President Biden's State of the Union Address to Congress on Tuesday. Bandriwsky serves on the Board of Directors for the Chicago chapter of the American Ukrainian Youth Association and has previously done humanitarian service in Ukraine.
Quigley selected Bandriwsky to help amplify the voices of Ukrainians here in the United States and abroad, and to emphasize the need to stand with Ukraine in the face of the ongoing Russian invasion.
"This past weekend I attended a rally in support of Ukraine where I heard Maria's younger sister Zoryana speak movingly about the plight of Ukrainians. She told us about Maria's past travels to Ukraine, when she worked with children who have been orphaned or displaced by Russian aggression, and she told us about her family and friends who are in Ukraine today, fighting for their lives. Her speech struck a chord with everyone who listened, and I hope that by amplifying Maria's story, my colleagues – and the world – will be moved to action," said Quigley.
On Sunday, Bandriwsky attended a rally in Chicago to show support for Ukraine as the illegal Russian invasion continues. She is a resident of Chicago, IL, a graduate of the Ukrainian School of Chicago and Loyola University Chicago, and a Global Health graduate student at Northwestern University.