FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
FMC PRESENTS 2023 DISTINGUISHED SERVICE AWARD TO THE PEOPLE OF UKRAINE
Washington, DC — Today, the U.S. Association of Former Members of Congress (FMC), a nonpartisan alliance of more than 800 Former U.S. Senators and Representatives, presented its 2023 Distinguished Service Award to the people of Ukraine during a luncheon at the Association’s annual membership meeting. The award was accepted by Ukrainian Ambassador to the United States, Oksana Markarova. With this award, FMC wanted to recognize the patriotism, courage, and resolve of the Ukrainian people who have fought back against Russia’s unprovoked invasion of the sovereign nation and crimes against humanity for nearly a year and a half.
“The people of Ukraine have inspired the world through their unrelenting fight for freedom and democracy,” said The Honorable L.F. Payne (D-VA, 1988-1997), FMC President. “Despite Russia’s countless and ongoing atrocities against a nation of innocent people, the men and women of Ukraine march on to defend their right to self-governance. For that reason, I am honored to award FMC’s 2023 Distinguished Service Award to the Ukrainian people to recognize their courage and sacrifice.”
“While our authoritarian adversaries constantly question and undermine the value of representative democracy, the people of Ukraine have shown us how precious self-governance is and why it is worth fighting for. Their heroic defense of their homeland, freedoms, and people is both an inspiration and beacon of light for those around the world,” said The Honorable Barbara Comstock (R-VA, 2015-2019), FMC President-Elect. “I am proud that my FMC colleagues from both sides of the aisle have come together to honor the Ukrainian people with our Distinguished Service Award.”
“I am privileged to receive the FMC 2023 Distinguished Service Award and thank the Former Members of Congress Association for high recognition of the patriotism, courage and resolve of all Ukrainians. We are sincerely grateful for the military aid and vital assistance that the United States Congress and Administration provide to Ukraine as our brave defenders are fighting not only for our Independence in the face of Russia’s barbarous war of aggression, but also defending our common values of life, freedom, and human dignity,” said H.E. Oksana Markarova, Ukrainian Ambassador to the United States.
FMC’s Distinguished Service Award has been awarded to Current Members of Congress or Former Members of Congress on an almost annual basis since 1974. However, given the heroism of the Ukrainian people both this year and last, FMC has decided to break tradition and extend the award to them this year, rather than a Current or Former Member of Congress.
The purpose of the award is to recognize individuals or groups who have made extraordinary contributions to the United States Congress, public service, or representative democracy either in the United States or worldwide.
Previous recipients include President Gerald Ford, Senate Majority Leader Bob Dole (R-KS), House Speakers Thomas “Tom” Foley (D-WA) and Thomas P. “Tip” O-Neill (D-MA), Secretary Ray LaHood (R-IL), Senator Sam Nunn (D-GA), and Congresswoman Gabby Giffords (D-AZ).
FMC is a non-advocacy, nonpartisan group founded in 1970 and chartered by Congress in 1983. It is a voluntary alliance of Former U.S. Senators and Representatives working to strengthen Congress in the conduct of its Constitutional responsibility through promoting a collaborative approach to policymaking and deepening the public’s understanding of our democratic system.
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