DC: “Captive Nations 50th Anniversary Commemorated in Washington, DC”
— “Washington, DC (UNIS) – The yearly commemoration of Captive Nations Week began 50 years ago in 1959 with the passage of PL 86-90 which stated:  ‘Whereas the enslavement of a substantial part of the world’s population by Communist imperialism makes a mockery of the idea of peaceful coexistence between nations and constitutes a detriment to the natural bonds of understanding between the people of the United States and other peoples.’  Such phrases, documented yearly by each President in his Executive Proclamations, instilled hope for the nations enslaved by this tyrannical form of government.
— “To commemorate the 50th anniversary of the original 1959 congressional resolution, the National Captive Nations Committee (NCNC) sponsored a daylong event dedicated to those countries that have freed themselves from communism, as well as to those still suffering the perils of dictatorship.  On Wednesday, July 22, 2009, several dozen representatives of various ethnic communities and friends of freedom gathered at the Victims of Communism Memorial at the corner of New Jersey and Massachusetts Avenues, NW to pay tribute to those innocent victims of communism.”
— “The day’s events began with brief remarks from NCNC Director of Public Relations and Chairman of the Victims of Communism Memorial Foundation (VOCMF), Dr. Lee Edwards, who characterized the fight against communism as an endless war.   Rev. Robert Hitchens, Rector of St. Josaphat Ukrainian Catholic Seminary and Administrator of the Ukrainian Catholic National Shrine of the Holy Family delivered a very inspiring invocation:  ‘Hear us this day as we gather to commemorate 50 years of bearing witness to our sisters and brothers through out the world who suffer and endure tyranny and subjugation at the hands of totalitarian governments that seek to extinguish the living fire of human freedom and self-determination and to kill the human spirit.’  Various ethnic communities and their representatives placed wreaths or flowers at the base of the Memorial to remember those who have suffered under Communist oppression.  Michael Sawkiw, Jr., Director of the Ukrainian National Information Service (UNIS) and also NCNC Executive Secretary, read President Barack Obama’s 2009 Captive Nations Week proclamation (proclamation enclosed).  A moment of silence was offered for all who have fought against communism and continue to struggle against it.”