31 March 2009

As part of the U.S. Committee for Ukrainian Holodomor-Genocide Awareness of 1932-1933 (formerly - National Committee to Commemorate the 75th Anniversary of the Ukrainian Genocide of 1932-1933), the New York State Educators for the Study of the Ukrainian Holodomor have been working to amend the New York State education law to include the study of the Ukrainian Holodomor in the New York State social studies curriculum.  Currently, two bills have been introduced by Senator Andrea Stewart-Cousins (S.2256) and Assemblyman Mike Spano (A.6690), respectfully, in the New York legislature.  These bills would require the study of the Ukrainian Holodomor in New York State public schools.

The Ukrainian National Information Service (UNIS) urges the Ukrainian American community in New York State to contact your elected officials in the NY State Senate and Assembly and encourage them to co-sponsor the abovementioned bills.  For your convenience, below please find a sample letter to your New York State legislator. You may find your legislator by logging onto the following websites:  http://www.assembly.state.ny.us or http://www.senate.state.ny.us.  Should you require additional information, please contact the UNIS office at (202) 547-0018 or via e-mail at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .  Please monitor this and other projects of the U.S. Committee for Ukrainian Holodomor-Genocide Awareness of 1932-1933 at http://www.ukrainegenocide.org. 

SAMPLE LETTER

The Honorable (Name)
New York State (Senate/Assembly)
Albany, NY

Dear Senator/Assemblyman (Name):

I am writing to request your co-sponsorship and support of Bill (S.3356/A.6690). This bill would mandate the inclusion of the Holodomor – the Ukrainian Famine Genocide of 1932-1933, into the social studies curriculum of New York State.  In 1932-1933 Stalin attempted to exterminate the independently-minded Ukrainian nation by closing the borders of Ukraine and seizing all food.  As a result, 7-10 million people, including three million children, were deliberately starved to death. 

As a member of the large Ukrainian community within New York State, I am very interested in seeing this bill pass in the New York State legislature.  In fact, many New Yorkers wonder why a genocide of this magnitude is not being taught in our school system. Passing this bill would go a long way in amending the inequity.

Once again, I urge you to make every effort to facilitate the passing of Bill (S.3356/A.6690). As a champion of democracy, the United States must bring to light the crimes of totalitarianism as part of its struggle to end oppression in all corners of the world.