Commemorating the 80th Anniversary of the Ukrainian Famine and Genocide

WASHINGTON- Today, U.S. Representative Mike Quigley (IL-05) remembers The Great Man-Made Famine executed under Joseph Stalin's Communist rule in the Ukraine.

Below is a video and transcript of the speech.

Thank you Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commemorate the 80th anniversary of Ukraine's man-made famine and genocide. The great man-made famine was executed under Joseph Stalin's communist rule in an effort to eradicate Ukrainian culture, education, and social institutions.

Under Stalin’s regime, the Ukrainian people were stripped of their land and grain and herded onto collective farms where they were eventually left to starve. What was once the breadbasket of Europe became home to forced famine that ultimately took the lives of over 6 million innocent men, women, and children.

But Stalin's attempt to squelch the spirit and history of the Ukrainian people failed and this Friday, Ukrainian national museum in Chicago will remember those whose lives that were taken by this man-made genocide. The museum will also justifiably celebrate the strong and vibrant people in the nation of Ukraine that thrives today.