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83rd OREGON LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY--2025 Regular Session
Senate Concurrent Resolution 23
Sponsored by COMMITTEE ON VETERANS, EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT, FEDERAL AND WORLD AFFAIRS
SUMMARY
The following summary is not prepared by the sponsors of the measure and is not a part of the body thereof subject
to consideration by the Legislative Assembly. It is an editor’s brief statement of the essential features of the
measure as introduced.The statement includes a measure digest written in compliance with applicable readability
standards.
Digest: Pledges that the State of Oregon wants to work together with a province in Ukraine.
(Flesch Readability Score:67.5).
Creates a ceremonial relationship between the State of Oregon and Cherkasy Oblast, Ukraine.
CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
Whereas Ukraine gained independence in 1991 and is a sovereign, democratic and law-based
state that protects basic human rights and liberties; and
Whereas Article 15 of Ukraine’s constitution states that Ukrainian social life shall be “based
on the principles of political, economic and ideological diversity”; and
Whereas Article 15 further states that no ideology is recognized as mandatory by the state;
censorship is prohibited; and the state guarantees freedom of political activities not prohibited by
the constitution and laws of Ukraine; and
Whereas in July 2014, Ukraine was officially recognized as an ally of the United States by the
U.S. Senate; and
Whereas in December 2022, speaking before a joint session of the United States Congress,
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy thanked the American people for their support of Ukraine
and for their resolve for Ukrainian independence and victory; and
Whereas there are more than 22,000 Ukrainian Americans in Oregon, and Oregon has been a
home and refuge for Ukrainian immigrants for decades; and
Whereas the State of Oregon acknowledges the significant contributions of the Ukrainian com-
munity residing within its borders, which has brought forth an array of talents, entrepreneurial
spirit and traditions that have deeply enriched Oregon’s economy, culture and civic life; and
Whereas Oregon was among the first U.S. states to officially recognize the tragedy of the
Holodomor of 1932-1933 in Ukraine, including the passage of Senate Bill 583 (2023), which estab-
lished Holodomor Remembrance Day; and
Whereas approximately 4,500 Ukrainians have arrived in Oregon since Russia invaded Ukraine
in February 2022, upending their lives and forcing them to flee the danger and destruction inflicted
on their homeland; and
Whereas Oregon’s Department of Human Services plans to distribute $2.25 million in federal
grants to help refugees from war-torn Ukraine gain access to housing assistance, employment ser-
vices, health and mental health programs, legal services and aid for senior citizens; and
Whereas within Oregon, the City of Corvallis shares a sister city relationship with the
Ukrainian community of Uzhhorod, and the City of Portland shares a friendship city relationship
with the City of Lviv in Ukraine; and
NOTE:Matter in boldfaced type in an amended section is new; matter [italic and bracketed] is existing law to be omitted.
New sections are in boldfaced type.
LC 4210 SCR23
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Whereas more than 30 communities in Ukraine maintain a sister city or similar relationship
with communities in the United States; and
Whereas in 2024, Ihor Taburets, the Governor of Cherkasy Oblast, met virtually with Oregon’s
Senate Interim Committee on Veterans, Emergency Management, Federal and World Affairs and
requested a formalized sister state relationship between the State of Oregon and Cherkasy Oblast;
and
Whereas Oregon and the Cherkasy region of Ukraine share many mutual values, aspirations and
interests, including economic cooperation, education, arts and culture, agriculture, energy,
governance, health, biotechnology, humanitarian assistance, environmental sustainability, science
and technology; and
Whereas Russian military forces committed an unprovoked and unjustified attack on the people
of Ukraine, inflicting catastrophic loss of life and destruction; and
Whereas on February 24, 2025, a peaceful solidarity gathering was held at Pioneer Courthouse
Square in Portland to mark the third anniversary of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine; and
Whereas the Legislative Assembly recognizes and thanks the many organizations and groups in
Oregon, such as the nonprofit entity DAWN, which have provided vital humanitarian aid and sup-
port to the Ukrainian community; now, therefore,
Be It Resolved by the Legislative Assembly of the State of Oregon:
That we, the members of the Eighty-third Legislative Assembly, support the establishment of a
sister state ceremonial relationship between the State of Oregon and Cherkasy Oblast, Ukraine; and
be it further
Resolved, That the State of Oregon stands in unwavering solidarity with the people of Ukraine,
and we condemn in the strongest terms Russia’s premeditated and unjust war against a peaceful,
sovereign nation; and be it further
Resolved, That a copy of this resolution shall be presented to the Governor of Cherkasy Oblast
as an expression of our solidarity and commitment to this partnership.
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