The Ukrainian American Bar Association (UABA) is a national bar association created in 1977 whose members are U.S. judges, attorneys and law students of Ukrainia descent and those American attorneys who share the UABA’s goals and dedication to the rule of law. Our Association has a very deep interest in upholding the ability of our colleagues in other countries to represent clients without being intimidated, harassed or penalized by theirgovernment for exercising their profession obligations on behalf of their clients.
About 175 years ago, Hans Christian Anderson wrote a children’s fairytale, - The Emperor’s New Clothes - about a narcissistic monarch who was deceived by his tailors into believing that his non-existent new garb which they pretended to weave was real but would be invisible only to those who were hopelessly stupid or incompetent. The gullible emperor paraded in his imaginary non-attire before his subjects. Fearing that saying the truth to the vain sovereign would jeopardize their position in his imperial court, none of his ministers or citizens of his kingdom dared to state the self-evident – that the emperor had no clothes.
Contact the White House by Friday and request that President Obama sign into law HR5859 during the constitutionally-mandated 10-day time period. As you know, both chambers of Congress have in a bipartisan fashion overwhelmingly passed HR5859, the Ukraine Freedom Support Act of 2014. The bill is now on President Obama's desk awaiting his signature. The president is constitutionally required to act on a bill in one of four ways: sign it into law within a 10-day period; issue a veto; let the bill become law without his signature (when Congress is in session); or, issue a "pocket" veto. The last option is of most concern because it occurs when Congress is adjourned, thus eliminatingCongress' opportunity to override the presidential veto.
Open letter to President Barack Obama in support of the Ukraine Freedom Support Act, On December 11, 2014, the Ukraine Freedom Support Act was passed by both houses of Congress in a swift and decisive manner. The expedited passage of this bill in a bipartisan way gives clear evidence that the elected representatives of the people of the United States fully recognize that Russia’s unlawful invasion of Ukraine is a direct threat to peace and security in the world and also to the United States itself.
On December 4, 2014, the United States House of Representatives, by an overwhelming vote of 411 – 10, passed H.Res.758- "Strongly condemning the actions of the Russian Federation, under President Vladimir Putin, which has carried out a policy of aggression against neighboring countries aimed at political and economic domination." The Ukrainian American Bar Association (UABA) applauds with great appreciation the House of Representatives for its strong expression of support for Ukraine and the Ukrainian people in their struggle to attain Western values and democracy.
The Ukrainian American Bar Association (UABA) strongly urges
swift congressional passage of Senate Bill 2828 and House Bill
HR 5782. These bipartisan bills will grant Ukraine "Major
Non-NATO Ally Status" (MNNA) and defensive military
assistance. Once these bills become law, they will greatly
enhance the United States' national security interests and
will promote peace on the Eurasian continent and throughout
the world.
