UKRAINIAN HOLODOMOR MEMORIAL RECEIVES SIZABLE DONATION FROM DMYTRO FIRTASH
CONSTRUCTION TO BEGIN PROMPTLY
Washington, DC (U.S. Holodomor Committee) - For the past several years, the U.S. Committee for Ukrainian Holodomor-Genocide Awareness 1932-33 has worked diligently to raise awareness within American society about one of the least known tragedies in the world - the 1932-1933 Famine-Genocide in Ukraine, or Holodomor. In commemoration of the 80th anniversary of the Ukrainian Holodomor this year, the U.S. Holodomor Committee intends to continue this important work throughout 2013.
One of the greatest achievements of the Ukrainian American community in the campaign to raise awareness about the Holodomor has been the allocation of federal land in Washington, DC for the establishment of a memorial dedicated to the victims of the Ukrainian Famine-Genocide. This tremendous effort, spearheaded by the Ukrainian Congress Committee of America (UCCA), led to federal approval of land allocation in Washington, and the signing into law of a bill by President Bush in 2006, that allowed the U.S. Holodomor Committee, in close cooperation with the Embassy of Ukraine in Washington, the National Park Service (NPS), and Hartman-Cox Architects, to embark upon securing design concept approval for the Memorial. As of October 1, 2013, the National Park Service has issued the Embassy of Ukraine a construction permit to begin the construction of the “Field of Wheat” design by architect Larysa Kurylas for the Holodomor Memorial in Washington, DC.
This endeavor, however, would not have been possible without the understanding and support of the President of Ukraine Viktor Yanukovych and cooperative efforts of all parties, most notably prominent Ukrainian entrepreneur Dmytro Firtash. Mr. Firtash agreed to provide a generous donation of $2.5 million in support of the commitments associated with the construction of the Holodomor Memorial. The endowment, matching projected building costs, along with all federal agency approvals, was necessary prior to obtaining the construction permit. Mr. Firtash’s donation finalized the completion of this mandate.
Representing Mr. Firtash, Anthony Fisher visited the site in June 2013 and was impressed by the location of the future memorial, as well as the due diligence of the designer, the architects, the Embassy of Ukraine, and the U.S. Holodomor Committee in their commitment to bringing this project to fruition.
Explaining his support for the Holodomor Memorial, Dmytro Firtash said: “I do believe that the U.S. Holodomor Committee plays a key role in raising the world’s awareness about the Holodomor. Due to the Committee’s work and the endeavors of many committed people, the Memorial will be erected in Washington D.C. It will be a compelling reminder of the tragic chapter in Ukraine’s history for modern and future generations. Many Ukrainians surviving the famine immigrated to the United States of America. This country became their home. The Memorial dedicated to the Holodomor victims is a tribute to this great country that opened its doors to so many Ukrainians. Their children – our fellow-Ukrainians – are a large, prosperous and valued part of American society.”
U.S. Holodomor Committee Chairman Michael Sawkiw, Jr. commented on Mr. Firtash's tremendously generous donation: “We are truly grateful for Mr. Firtash's generosity and commitment to the building of a memorial in Washington, DC that will educate and inform thousands of people about a forgotten chapter in world history. Having worked on this issue for many years, this project would not have been successful without Mr. Firtash’s keen awareness and dedication to seeing this project completed. The community commends Mr. Firtash for this memorable deed and act of charity.”
Also commenting on the donation and permit acquisition, Ukrainian Congress Committee of America (UCCA) President Tamara Olexy stated: “We are extremely proud of the fact that the UCCA initiated the U.S. Committee for Ukrainian Holodomor-Genocide Awareness 1932-33 and of all of the work that has been done to date. Throughout the past years, we have dedicated our efforts to establishing a memorial to the victims of Ukraine's Genocide in our nation's capital and it has finally borne fruit. The world will finally become more aware of the true nature of this heinous crime committed against the Ukrainian nation. Our heartfelt gratitude goes out to Dmytro Firtash for funding this project and understanding the importance of exposing this dark page of our history so that such crimes are never committed again.”
With this generous donation on hand, construction of the Memorial will begin in early 2014, but plans are also currently underway to confirm a date in mid-November 2013 for a groundbreaking ceremony at the site in Washington, DC. Further details are pending.
For further information about the Holodomor Memorial in Washington or other programs, please join the U.S. Holodomor Committee’s Facebook social networking page at: http://www.facebook.com/pages/US-Committee-for-Ukrainian-Holodomor-Genocide-Awareness-1932-33/115928911852192#!/pages/US-Committee-for-Ukrainian-Holodomor-Genocide-Awareness-1932-33/115928911852192.
