LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION recognizing the delegation of Ukrainian officials
who wish to further solidify Ukraine's democratization by learning from
New York's State Legislators and implementing this knowledge in their
own regional and national governments

WHEREAS, The largest country in Europe, Ukraine has a population of
nearly 46 million people; on August 24, 1991, Ukraine declared its inde-
pendence from the Soviet Union, establishing a free, democratic state;
and
WHEREAS, In November of 2013, Ukraine embarked on a massive social,
political and economic transformation via the Euromaidan revolution;
this revolution of dignity helped to turn Ukraine westward by beginning
the process of Europeanization and democratization; and
WHEREAS, Social activists, non-governmental organization leaders,
rising political figures, and the citizens of Ukraine risked their lives
fighting for freedom and democracy in Ukraine's Independence Square in
the capital city of Kyiv; and
WHEREAS, Since the Euromaidan revolution ended, Ukraine has experi-
enced numerous hardships, such as the Russian annexation of Crimea and
the Russian invasion of the Donbas region of Eastern Ukraine; and
WHEREAS, Even in the face of so much tragedy, Ukraine's people and
political leaders continue to strive for a complete democratic system
within their borders that is free of corruption and Soviet style poli-
tics; and
WHEREAS, Members of the Ukrainian delegation who are visiting Albany,
New York, are just a few of the Western thinking leaders who have come
to the New York State Legislature to learn about legislative processes
and bring that knowledge back to their homeland; and
WHEREAS, This Legislative Body applauds the efforts made by the visit-
ing Ukrainian Delegation as well as the Ukrainian government for their
efforts in democratizing their nation, with the hope that the knowledge
they gain from discussions with New York's Legislators will be taken
back to Ukraine and implemented within their own political system; and
WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is justly proud to host Ukrainian jour-
nalists, non-governmental organization leaders, regional councilmen,
business leaders, diplomats, and professors from different parts of the
country; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
recognize the delegation of Ukrainian officials who wish to further
solidify Ukraine's democratization by learning from New York's State
Legislators and implementing this knowledge in their own regional and
national governments; and be it further
RESOLVED, That copies of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to the members of the Ukrainian delegation.