WHEREAS, 2021 marks the 88th Anniversary of the Ukrainian Famine of 1932-1933, known as the Holodomor; and
WHEREAS, The Holodomor, meaning “death inflicted by starvation”, was a planned genocide against independent-minded Ukrainians in an effort to quell resistance to Stalin’s Soviet regime; and
WHEREAS, Ukraine was a largely agricultural-based economy at the time, with an estimated 80 percent of Ukrainians residing in rural villages; and
WHEREAS, Ukrainian farmers opposed Stalin’s push toward collectivism, which forced them to surrender their land, livestock, and farming equipment to the state; and
WHEREAS, Thousands of farmers were arrested, killed, or sent to labor camps for failing to comply; and
WHEREAS, In addition to the many political repressions, the Soviet government deliberately set unrealistically high grain procurement quotas, sealed borders to ensure Ukrainians could not escape, and rejected offers of international aid; and
WHEREAS, Archival documents became available following the fall of the Soviet Union which confirmed the deliberate and premeditated nature of these acts; and
WHEREAS, While exact figures are unknown, most historians estimate that roughly 4-7 million Ukrainians died as a result the brutal acts of the Stalin regime, and the prolonged consequences were felt for generations; and
WHEREAS, On the 88th Anniversary of this tragedy, citizens are encouraged to solemnly remember and extends deepest sympathies to the victims, survivors, and families impacted by this dark chapter in history which must never be repeated; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, That it hereby
recognizing the 88th Anniversary of the Ukrainian Genocide of 1932-1933.
FURTHER RESOLVED, That an Engrossed copy be presented to Iryna Mazur, Honorary Consul of Ukraine in Philadelphia, further evidencing the sincere respect and admiration of this legislative body.
End