JACKSON-VANIK GRADUATION COALITION
Moving Ukraine Forward
Ambassador Steven Pifer and Ambassador William Miller,
Co-Chairmen
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Jackson-Vanik Graduation Coalition Criticizes a MAUP Statement
Press Release, December 23, 2005
The Co-Chairs of the Jackson-Vanik Graduation Coalition, Ambassadors
Steven Pifer and William Green Miller, today criticized the December 20
statement by the press service of Ukraine’s Inter-Regional Academy
of Personnel Management (MAUP), as published on MAUP’s web-site.
That statement is factually wrong on several counts.
First, the MAUP press statement claims that there is no connection between
recent statements by MAUP and efforts in the U.S. House of Representatives
to pass legislation to graduate Ukraine from the Jackson-Vanik Amendment.
Coalition representatives, however, in recent contacts with Congress have
heard considerable concern about the anti-Semitic nature of MAUP statements,
in particular those statements expressing MAUP’s support for the
Iranian president following his outrageous remarks regarding Israel. There
can be no place for anti-Semitism in a modern European democracy.
Second, the MAUP press statement attributes several quotes to Mark Levin,
Director of the National Conference of Soviet Jewry (NCSJ). Mr. Levin,
a very active and supportive member of the Jackson-Vanik Graduation Coalition,
has never made such comments. Indeed, he is extremely concerned that recent
MAUP statements will weaken support for Jackson-Vanik graduation among
those Jewish-American organizations that make up the NCSJ.
Third, the MAUP press statement falsely suggests that Ihor Gawdiak, President
of the Ukrainian American Coordinating Council, is an opponent of graduating
Ukraine from Jackson-Vanik. To the contrary, Mr. Gawdiak has long supported
graduating Ukraine from Jackson-Vanik and has been closely involved with
the Jackson-Vanik Graduation Coalition since its founding. Mr. Gawdiak
has criticized earlier MAUP statements precisely because of his outrage
at the nature of those statements and because they could delay Jackson-Vanik
graduation for Ukraine.
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Jackson-Vanik Graduation Coalition Update from Ambassador
Pifer and Ambassador Miller
Given the Senate's passage by unanimous consent of legislation
to graduate Ukraine from the provisions of the Jackson-Vanik Amendment
in November, the Jackson-Vanik Graduation Coalition on
November 30 launched an effort to urge the U.S. House of Representatives
to take parallel action.
This effort resulted in numerous messages to Congress
as the membership in the Coalition grew to more than 250 businesses
and Ukrainian-American, Jewish-American and non-governmental organizations.
However, the U.S. House adjourned on December 16 without
taking action on Jackson-Vanik graduation. The House is scheduled
to return for its next session on January 31, 2006.
Our soundings on the Hill indicate growing awareness of
this issue, including of the importance of moving on graduation prior
to the March 2006 Rada (parliament) elections. This greater awareness
is due in large measure to the letters that have begun to flow to elected
Representatives, particularly
those on the House Ways and Means Committee and those who are members
of the Congressional Ukrainian Caucus (CUC).
Our soundings further indicate no opposition per se to
graduating Ukraine and general agreement that Ukraine has met the freedom-of-emigration
requirements of the Jackson-Vanik Amendment.
There appears to be reluctance, however, in the House
Ways and Means Committee (the Committee with primary jurisdiction for
Jackson-Vanik, which Congress considers as a trade bill) to take up
graduation legislation until it has the opportunity to review the U.S.-Ukraine
bilateral protocol
on Ukraine's accession to the World Trade Organization (WTO). U.S.-Ukraine
negotiations on the bilateral WTO protocol, while having made progress
in recent weeks, have not yet been concluded.
In preparation for the return of the House of Representatives
on January 31, the Coalition urges those who are interested in seeing
Ukraine graduated from Jackson-Vanik to continue to fax letters
supporting Ukraine's graduation to their members in the U.S. House of
Representatives, to the members of the Congressional Ukrainian Caucus
(CUC) and to members on the House Ways and Means Committee (see list
of Congressional Ukrainian Caucus members, Appendix B, and the House
Ways and Means Committee members, Appendix C, and contact information
below).
The Coalition again recommends that messages also urge
members to co-sponsor HR 1053, introduced by Rep Gerlach of Pennsylvania.
We have been repeatedly told that, of the three House bills pending
on Jackson-Vanik graduation for Ukraine, the Gerlach bill has the greatest
receptivity in the
Ways and Means Committee. As of December 14, the Gerlach bill had 33
co-sponsors (the list of co-sponsors is shown below, appendix A).
The greater the number of co-sponsors, of course, the greater the pressure
for early action.
Looking toward the next session of Congress, the Coalition
will be considering the best tactics for securing action in the U.S.
House of Representatives and for engaging the Bush Administration to
make a more forceful push for Ukraine's graduation.
A. HR 1053 (Gerlach Bill) CO-SPONSORS AS OF DECEMBER
16
To graduate Ukraine from the Jackson-Vanik Amendment
33 U.S. House members have signed on as co-sponsors (Members are listed
by date each agreed to be a co-sponsor)
Rep Harman, Jane [CA-36] - 3/2/2005
Rep Weldon, Curt [PA-7] - 3/2/2005
Rep Kennedy, Mark R. [MN-6] - 3/2/2005
Rep Kaptur, Marcy [OH-9] - 3/2/2005
Rep Burton, Dan [IN-5] - 3/2/2005
Rep Bartlett, Roscoe G. [MD-6] - 3/10/2005
Rep Snyder, Vic [AR-2] - 4/14/2005
Rep Platts, Todd Russell [PA-19] - 11/10/2005
Rep Fitzpatrick, Michael G. [PA-8] - 11/10/2005
Rep Boehlert, Sherwood [NY-24] - 11/16/2005
Rep Schwarz, John J.H. "Joe" [MI-7] - 11/16/2005
Rep Pitts, Joseph R. [PA-16] - 11/18/2005
Rep Smith, Christopher H. [NJ-4] - 11/18/2005
Rep Dent, Charles W. [PA-15] - 11/18/2005
Rep Diaz-Balart, Lincoln [FL-21] - 11/18/2005
Rep McNulty, Michael R. [NY-21] - 12/6/2005
Rep Andrews, Robert E. [NJ-1] - 12/6/2005
Rep Shuster, Bill [PA-9] - 12/6/2005
Rep Crowley, Joseph [NY-7] - 12/6/2005
Rep English, Phil [PA-3] - 12/6/2005
Rep Wexler, Robert [FL-19] - 12/7/2005
Rep Peterson, John E. [PA-5] - 12/7/2005
Rep Langevin, James R. [RI-2] - 12/7/2005
Rep McCotter, Thaddeus G. [MI-11] - 12/13/2005
Rep Rothman, Steven R. [NJ-9] - 12/13/2005
Rep Hinchey, Maurice D. [NY-22] - 12/13/2005
Rep Kolbe, Jim [AZ-8] - 12/13/2005
Rep Berman, Howard L. [CA-28] - 12/13/2005
Rep Gallegly, Elton [CA-24] - 12/14/2005
Rep Diaz-Balart, Mario [FL-25] - 12/14/2005
Rep Fossella, Vito [NY-13] - 12/14/2005
Rep Schwartz, Allyson Y. [PA-13] - 12/15/2005
Rep Lowey, Nita M. [NY-18] - 12/15/2005
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B. CONGRESSIONAL UKRAINIAN CAUCUS (CUC) MEMBERS
Members who are already co-sponsors of H.R. 1053 are marked as such
(1) Rep. Roscoe Bartlett (R-MD), Co-chair, Co-sponsor
H.R. 1053
Contact: Monica DeLong
Phone: (202) 225-2721; Fax: (202) 225-2193
(2) Rep. Marcy Kaptur (D-OH), Co-chair, Co-sponsor H.R. 1053
Contact: Jessica Roach
Phone: (202) 225-4146; Fax: (202) 225-7711
(3) Rep. Sander Levin (D-MI), Co-chair
Contact: Jeff Ziarko
Phone: (202) 225-4961; Fax: (202) 226-1033
(4) Rep. Curt Weldon (R-PA), Co-chair, Co-sponsor H.R. 1053
Contact: Yevgeny Bendersky
Phone: (202) 225-2011; Fax: (202) 225-8137
(5) Rep. Andrews, Robert (D-NJ) Co-sponsor H.R. 1053
Contact: David Weinreich
Phone: (202) 225-6501; Fax: (202) 225-6583
(6) Rep. Howard Berman (D-CA) Co-sponsor H.R. 1053
Contact: Doug Campbell
Phone: (202) 225-4695; Fax: (202) 225-3196
(7) Rep. Corrine Brown (D-FL)
Contact: David Simon
Phone: (202) 225-0123; Fax: (202) 225-2256
(8) Rep. Sherrod Brown (D-OH)
Contact: Brett Gibson
Phone: (202) 225-3401; Fax: (202) 225-2266
(9) Rep. Crowley, Joseph (D-NY) Co-sponsor H.R. 1053
Contact: Gregg Sheiowitz
Phone: (202) 225 3965; Fax: (202) 225-1909
(10) Rep. Danny Davis (D-IL)
Contact: Evan Decresce
Phone: (202) 225-5006; Fax: (202) 225-5641
(11) Rep. Lloyd Doggett (D-TX)
Contact: Oscar Quinones
Phone: (202) 225-4865; Fax: (202) 225-2947
(12) Rep. Eliot Engel (D-NY)
Contact: Sasha Suderow
Phone: (202) 225-2464; Fax: (202) 225-5513
(13) Rep. Fitzpatrick, Mike (R-PA) Co-sponsor H.R. 1053
Contact: Greg Calhoun
Phone: (202) 225-4276; Fax: (202) 225-9511
(14) Rep. Luis Gutierrez (D-IL)
Contact: Joan Kato
Phone: (202) 225-8203; Fax: (202) 225-7810
(15) Rep. Hastings, Alcee (D-FL)
Contact: Fred Turner
Phone: (202) 225 1313; Fax: (202) 225 1171
(16) Rep. Maurice Hinchey (D-NY) Co-sponsor H.R. 1053
Contact: Moira Campion
Phone: (202) 225-6335; Fax: (202) 226-0774
(17) Rep. Holden, Tim (D-PA)
Contact: Keith Pemrick
Phone: (202) 225 5546; Fax: (202) 226 0996
(18) Rep. Issa, Darell (R-CA)
Contact: Laurent Crenshaw
Phone: (202) 225 3906; Fax: (202) 225 3303
(19) Rep. Kildee, Dale (D-MI)
Contact: Chris Mansour
Phone: (202) 225 3611; Fax: (202) 225 6393
(20) Rep. Joe Knollenberg (R-MI)
Contact: Craig Albright
Phone: (202) 225-5802; Fax: (202) 226-2356
(21) Rep. Kucinich, Dennis (D-OH)
Contact: Samantha Stinney
Phone: (202) 225-5871; Fax: 9202) 225-5745
(22) Rep. Langevin, James (D-RI) Co-sponsor H.R. 1053
Contact: Brian Daniels
Phone: (202) 225-2735; Fax: (202) 225-5976
(23) Rep. Lantos, Tom (D-CA)
Mr. Lantos is the minority leader on the House Committee on International
Relations. His office refers Jackson-Vanik type issues to the International
Relations Subcommitte on Europe and Emerging Threats.
Majority Staff Dir.: Richard Mereu
Minority Staff Dir.: Jonathan Katz
Phone: (202) 226-7820; Fax: (202) 226-2722
(24) Rep. Lipinski, Dan (D-IL)
Contact: Emily Chibnall
Phone: (202) 225 5701; Fax: (202) 225 1012
(25) Rep. Lowey, Nita (D-NY) Co-sponsor H.R. 1053
Contact: Beth Tritter
Phone: (202) 225-6506; Fax: (202) 225-0546
(26) Rep. McNulty, Michael (D-NY) Co-sponsor H.R. 1053
Contact: David Torian
Phone: (202) 225-5076; Fax: (202) 225-5077
(27) Rep. Menendez, Robert (D-NJ)
Contact: Jessica Lewis
Phone: (202) 225-7919; Fax: (202) 226-6025
(28) Rep. Pallone, Frank (D-NJ)
Contact: Jim Delmonico
Phone: (202) 225-4671; Fax: (202) 225-9665
(29) Rep. Pascrell, Bill (D-NJ)
Contact: Susan Quatron
Phone: (202) 225-5751; Fax: (202) 225-5782
(30) Rep. Pelosi, Nancy (D-CA)
Contact: Mike Sheehy
Phone: (202) 225-4965; Fax: (202) 225-8259
(31) Rep. Rangel, Charles (D-NY)
Contact: George Dalley
Phone: (202) 225-4365; Fax: (202) 225-0816
(32) Rep. Rothman, Steven (D-NJ) Cosponsor H.R. 1053
Contact: Shelly Stoneman
Phone: (202) 225-5061; Fax: (202) 225-5851
(33) Rep. Schwartz, Allyson (D-PA) Co-sponsor H.R. 1053
Contact: Aaron Brand
Phone: (202) 225 6111; Fax: (202) 226 0611
(34) Rep. Sherman, Brad (D-CA)
Contact: Dawn MacDonald
Phone: (202) 225 5911; Fax: (202) 225 5879
(35) Rep. Slaughter, Louise M. (D-NY)
Contact: Alan Snyder
Phone: (202) 225 3615; Fax: (202) 225 7822
(36) Rep. Smith, Christopher (R-NJ) Co-sponsor H.R. 1053
Contact: Kate Benedetti
Phone: (202) 225-3765; Fax: (202) 225-7768
(37) Rep. Waxman, Henry (D-CA)
Contact: Zahava Goldman
Phone: (202) 225-3976; Fax: (202) 225-4099
(38) Rep. Weiner, Anthony (D-NY)
Contact: Joshua Fa-Hurvitz
Phone: (202) 225-6616; Fax: (202) 226-7253
(39) Rep. Wexler, Rob (D-FL) Cosponsor H.R. 1053
Contact: Halie Soifer
Phone: (202) 225-3001 Fax: (202) 225-5974
(40) Rep. Wilson, Joe (R-SC)
Contact: Dino Teppara
Phone: (202) 225 2452; Fax: (202) 225 2455
PLEASE TAKE ACTION NOW
Due to tight security/screening requirements, regular mail to Congress
can be significantly delayed (like up to two weeks or more); we therefore
recommend that letters be faxed.
Please take action now to quickly and substantially increase
the number of Members of the House who are co-sponsors of H.R. 1053.
This is very, very important to the success of Ukraine's graduation
from the Jackson-Vanik amendment in 2006.
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C. U.S. HOUSE WAYS AND MEANS COMMITTEE MEMBERS
CONGRESSMAN BILL THOMAS, CHAIRMAN
Contact Information:
Rep. William M. Thomas (R-CA)
(22nd District of California)
2208 Rayburn House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515
Ph. 202-225-2915; FAX: 202-225-8798
Also send letters to the Congressman's district offices in California.
Office of Congressman William M. Thomas
4100 Empire Drive, Suite 150
Bakersfield, California 93309
Ph. 661-327-3611; FAX: 661-637-0867
Office of Congressman William M. Thomas
5805 Capistrano Avenue, Suite C
Atascadero, CA 93422
Ph. 805-461-1034 - North County
Ph. 805-549-0390 - South County
FAX: 805-461-1323
KEY COMMITTEE: HOUSE WAYS AND MEANS COMMITTEE
Key subcommittee: Trade Subcommittee
Contact Information:
Trade Subcommittee (Ways and Means)
Contact: Stephanie Lester
1104 Longworth HOB, Washington, DC 20515-6354
Phone: (202) 225-6649; Fax: (202) 226-0158
REPUBLICAN MEMBERS OF TRADE SUBCOMMITTEE:
(1) E. Clay Shaw, FL, Chairman
Phone: (202) 225-3026; Fax: (202) 225-8398
(2) Wally Herger, CA
Phone: (202) 225-3076; Fax: (202) 226-0852
(3) Phil English, PA
Phone: (202) 225-5406; Fax: (202) 225-3103
(4) Jim Nussle, IA
Phone: (202) 225-2911; Fax: (202) 225-9129
(5) Jerry Weller, IL
Phone: (202) 225-3635; Fax: (202) 225-3521
(6) Ron Lewis, KY
Phone: (202) 225-3501; Fax: (202) 226-2019
(7) Mark Foley, FL
Phone: (202) 225-5792; Fax: (202) 225-3132
(8) Kevin Brady, TX
Phone: (202) 225-4901; Fax: (202) 225-5524
(9) Thomas M. Reynolds, NY;
Phone: (202) 225-5265; Fax: (202) 225-5910
DEMOCRAT MEMBERS OF TRADE SUBCOMMITTEE
(1) Benjamin L. Cardin, MD
Phone: (202) 225-4016; Fax: (202) 225-9219
(2) Sander M. Levin, MI
Phone: 202-225-4961; Fax: 202-226-1033
(3) William J. Jefferson, LA
Phone: 202-225-6636; Fax: 202-225-1988
(4) John S. Tanner, TN
Phone: 202-225-4714; Fax: 202-225-1765
(5) John B. Larson, CT
Phone: 202-225-2265; Fax: 202-225-1031
(6) Jim McDermott, WA
Phone: 202-225-3106; Fax: 202-225-6197
REMAINING MEMBERS OF THE HOUSE WAYS AND MEANS COMMITTEE
Republicans:
(1) Nancy L. Johnson, CT
Phone: 202-225-4476; Fax: 202-225-4488
(2) Jim McCrery, LA
Phone: 202-225-2777; Fax: 202-225-8039
(3) Dave Camp, MI
Phone: 202-225-3561; Fax: 202-225-9679
(4) Jim Ramstad, MN
Phone: 202-225-2871; Fax: 202-225-6351
(5) Sam Johnson, TX
Phone: 202-225-4201; Fax: 202-225-1485
(6) J.D. Hayworth, AZ
Phone: 202-225-2190; Fax: 202-225-3263
(7) Kenny C. Hulshof, MO
Phone: 202-225-2956; Fax: 202-225-5712
(8) Paul Ryan, WI
Phone: 202-225-3031; Fax: 202-225-3393
(9) Eric Cantor, VA
Phone: 202-225-2815; Fax: 202-225-0011
(10) John Linder, GA
Phone: 202-225-4272; Fax: 202-225-4696
(11) Bob Beauprez, CO
Phone: 202-225-2645; Fax: 202-225-5278
(12) Melissa A. Hart, PA
Phone: 202-225-2565; Fax: 202-226-2274
(13) Chris Chocola, IN
Phone: 202-225-3915; Fax: 202-225-6798
(14) Devin Nunes, CA
Phone: 202-225-2523; Fax: 202-225-3404
Democrats:
(1) Charles B. Rangel, NY
Phone: 202-225-4365; Fax: 202-225-0816
(2) Fortney Pete Stark, CA
Phone: 202-225-5056; Fax: 202-226-3805
(3) John Lewis, GA
Phone: 202-225-3801; Fax: 202-225-0351
(4) Richard E. Neal, MA
Phone: 202-225-5601; Fax: 202-225-8112
(5) Michael R. McNulty, NY
Phone: 202-225-5076; Fax: 202-225-5077
(6) Xavier Becerra, CA
Phone: 202-225-6235; Fax: 202-225-2202
(7) Lloyd Doggett, TX
Phone: 202-225-4865; Fax: 202-225-2947
(8) Earl Pomeroy, ND
Phone: 202-225-2611; fax: 202-226-0893
(9) Stephanie Tubbs Jones, OH
Phone: 202-225-7032; fax: 202-225-1339
(10) Mike Thompson, CA
Phone: 202-225-3311; Fax: 202-225-4335
(11) Rahm Emanuel, IL
Phone: 202-225-4061; Fax: 202-225-5603
PLEASE TAKE ACTION NOW
Due to tight security/screening requirements, regular mail to Congress
can be significantly delayed (like up to two weeks or more); we therefore
recommend that letters be faxed.
Please take action now to quickly and substantially increase
the number of Members of the House who are co-sponsors of H.R. 1053.
This is very, very important to the success of Ukraine's graduation
from the Jackson-Vanik amendment in 2006.
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A CALL TO ACTION
December 9, 2005
The Jackson-Vanik Graduation Coalition, with over 240
member organizations and businesses, needs your support to encourage
the U.S. Congress to pass legislation to graduate Ukraine from the Jackson-Vanik
Amendment this year. The Amendment was passed in 1974 to place limitations
on when trade restrictions that had been placed on the Soviet Union
in response to its poor human rights policies could be lifted, particularly
considering the Soviet Union's restrictions on the emigration of religious
minorities. Ukraine is a success story for Jackson-Vanik, now having
a strong record of open emigration and having created conditions for
religious minorities to practice their beliefs freely.
Recognizing Ukraine's full compliance with the Amendment, the U.S.
Senate acted to graduate Ukraine from the trade restriction on November
18, 2005 by passing Senate bill S. 632. Now the House of Representatives
must also pass legislation to graduate Ukraine from the Jackson-Vanik
Amendment. The House Ways and Means Committee is currently considering
several possible bills. However, the House of Representatives will be
in session for only two weeks, beginning on December 5, before recessing
for the holidays. The Jackson-Vanik Graduation Coalition Co-Chairmen
sent a letter on November 30 to House Ways and Means Committee Chairman
Bill Thomas and Ranking Minority Member Charles B. Rangel urging their
action to pass legislation to graduate Ukraine (see text below). The
Coalition urges that you immediately call or send a letter of support
for Ukraine's graduation as well.
Due to increased security measures in Congress, correspondence through
the postal service can be delayed for up to two weeks. We therefore
recommend that you call or send letters via fax. You can find a list
of suggested points to address in your letter of support on the US-Ukraine
Foundation Website, www.usukraine.org, by clicking on the link for the
"Jackson-Vanik Graduation Coalition Information Page."
Please email martam@usukraine.org
for more information or to add your organization or business to the
Jackson-Vanik Graduation Coalition.
WHO TO CONTACT IN CONGRESS
Please direct your calls/letters to:
House Ways and Means Committee
Chairman Bill Thomas, R-CA
Phone (202) 225-2915, Fax (202) 225-8798
Attention: International Trade Aid, Mike Holland
Ranking Minority Member Charles B. Rangel, D-NY
Phone (202) 225-4365, Fax (202) 225-0816
Attention: International Trade Aid, Jon Sheiner
If your Congressman is a member of the House Ways and Means Committee,
please contact him/her with your support for Ukraine's graduation as
well.
House Ways and Means Committee Membership
E. Clay Shaw Jr. , R-FL
Nancy L. Johnson, R-CT
Wally Herger, R-CA
Jim McCrery, R-LA
Dave Camp, R-MI
Jim Ramstad, R-MN
Jim Nussle, R-IA
Sam Johnson, R-TX
Phil English, R-PA
J.D. Hayworth, R-AZ
Jerry Weller, R-IL
Kenny C. Hulshof, R- MO
Ron Lewis, R-KY
Mark Foley, R-FL
Kevin Brady, R-TX
Thomas M. Reynolds, R-NY
Paul Ryan, R-WI
Eric Cantor, R-VA
John Linder, R-GA
Bob Beauprez, R-CO
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Melissa A. Hart, R-PA
Chris Chocola, R-IN
Devin Nunes, R-CA
Fortney Pete Stark, D-CA
Sander M. Levin, D-MI
Benjamin L. Cardin, D-MD
Jim McDermott, D-WA
John Lewis, D-GA
Richard E. Neal, D-MA
Michael R. McNulty, D-NY
William J. Jefferson, D-LA
John S. Tanner, D-TN
Xavier Becerra, D-CA
Lloyd Doggett, D-TX
Earl Pomeroy, D-ND
Stephanie Tubbs Jones, D-OH
Mike Thompson, D-CA
John B. Larson, D-CT
Rahm Emanuel, D-IL
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