A group of Texans with ties to Ukraine is spending this week in Washington D.C. to meet with lawmakers in support of funding for the war in Ukraine. President Biden has proposed $106 billion in supplemental funding for Ukraine and Israel.
"My first message, and from all Ukrainian-American communities, is a huge, huge, huge thank you," said Mick Safron, an Austin resident and founding member of the Ukraine Action Summit.
The summit is taking place in Washington this week, and Safron said he wants other Texans to know the gratitude Ukrainians feel for the support so far. Local businesses and organizations have flown Ukrainian flags, and many people have learned more about the country's culture and history. He said they are also grateful for donations Texans have made to organizations providing humanitarian support in Ukraine.
"We all work hard here in the United States so people in Ukraine can have a roof above their heads, can have some fresh water, can have some electricity," Safron said.
He said a military medic working at Fort Cavazos, formerly Fort Hood, signed up to work on battlefields in Ukraine after observing similarities between Texans and Ukrainians.
"She's saying, 'Hey, guys I feel the spirit of Texas in this nation. I feel the spirit of entrepreneurship. I feel the spirit of liberty,'" he said.
The Ukraine Action Summit in Washington has served as a chance to advocate for Congress to pass additional funding. Safron met with Senator Ted Cruz' staff while there.
"He really supports legislation that sanctions Russia, Putin. and many other legislation helping Ukraine, but he's still undecided on supplemental funding through 2024," Safron said.
He said the summit also provided a chance to show the importance of American involvement in Ukraine. Safron states millions of Ukrainians depend on the help, but a Russian victory could also embolden other totalitarian regimes.
"That would be harmful for the U.S. image, harmful to the U.S. economy," Safron said. "It would show others such as China, such as North Korea, such as Russia they can do it, and they can win."
More information about the Ukraine Action Summit is available at https://www.americancoalitionforukraine.org/home.
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