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WHEREAS, on August 24, 1991, the Verkhovna Rada, Ukraine’s parliament, adopted the Act of Declaration of Independence of Ukraine; and,
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WHEREAS, in the subsequent December referendum, more than 90 percent of Ukrainian voters cast ballots in favor of independence; and
WHEREAS, the City of Pittsburgh has a long and proud connection to the Ukrainian people, having benefitted immensely from the contributions made by Ukrainian-American immigrants and their descendants; and,
WHEREAS, in the last decade, Ukraine has endured multiple, ongoing attacks on its sovereignty perpetrated by Russian armed forces and their collaborators; and,
WHEREAS, the people of Pittsburgh, owing to their longstanding ties with the Ukrainian people and their desire for peace and freedom to prevail across the world, have stood resolutely with Ukraine during its valiant campaign of national defense; and,
WHEREAS, via nonprofit organizations and faith-based groups, Pittsburghers have organized and contributed to significant relief efforts following Russia’s illegal invasion of Ukraine in early-2022; and,
WHEREAS, August 24 of this year marks the 33rd anniversary of Ukraine’s Independence Day, the country’s most important state holiday.
NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that in these trying times for the Ukrainian nation, the people of the City of Pittsburgh join the brave people of Ukraine to honor Ukrainian independence and fervently support the existence of a free and sovereign Ukraine; and,
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Council of the City of Pittsburgh does hereby declare Saturday, August 24 to be “Ukrainian Independence Day” in the City of Pittsburgh.