Glenside, PA – Congresswoman Madeleine Dean (PA-04) welcomes local Ukrainian-American community leaders, Iryna Mazur, Esq. and Roman Petyk, Esq., as her virtual guests for President Biden’s State of the Union Address to highlight efforts here and abroad to end Russia’s unprovoked and unjustified attack on Ukraine.
Iryna Mazur serves as the Honorary Consul of Ukraine in Philadelphia. She is an immigration lawyer and a dedicated leader of the Ukrainian-American community around Philadelphia; she also serves as Vice President and chair of the Advocacy and Information program of the Ukrainian Federation of America. Roman Petyk is an attorney who is heavily engaged in the Philadelphia region’s Ukrainian-American community. Since 2014, Mr. Petyk has served as Board Chair of the Ukrainian Self-Reliance Federal Credit Union; he also chairs the Ukrainian Community Foundation of Philadelphia.
The State of the Union Address will highlight the achievements and work still to be done under the leadership of President Biden. While safety protocols mean this year’s in-person attendance will be limited, Congresswoman Dean said inviting Iryna Mazur and Roman Petyk as her virtual guests is an important way to honor the people of Pennsylvania’s fourth congressional district and the people of Ukraine.
“Our district is home to a vibrant and beautiful Ukrainian community — many of whom still have loved ones in Ukraine,” Rep. Dean said. “It has been heartbreaking to watch Russia’s unprovoked and unjustified brutalization of their homeland — and I commend the Biden Administration’s steadfast leadership in holding Vladimir Putin accountable and protecting the sovereignty of Ukraine.”
“It is overwhelming how much support Ukrainians are getting from the American people,” Iryna Mazur, Esq. said. “The support of Americans and the U.S. government is vital for the protection of Ukraine — and I am grateful that Rep. Dean has welcomed me as her State of the Union virtual guest and hope we can continue to work together to ensure that peace prevails."
“Ukrainian–Americans acknowledge the overwhelming support of Americans and the free world for Ukraine’s tenacious battle against the armies of a brutal tyrant, and we are grateful that the Administration and the free world have recognized how this horrific invasion is an assault not just on Ukraine, but on the values all Americans hold dear,” Roman Petyk, Esq. said. “We thank everyone who has contributed to relief efforts because the need is great. Please let our President and our Congress know that you support the strongest possible sanctions against Russia’s dictator and all necessary aid for the brave people of Ukraine.”
Iryna Mazur was appointed as the Honorary Consul of Ukraine in Philadelphia in 2019. Previously, Ms. Mazur served as an advisor to the Permanent Mission of Ukraine to the United Nations and the Foreign Relations Committee of the Ukrainian Parliament. Ms. Mazur practiced law in Ukraine, including the Antimonopoly Committee of the Lviv Region. She moved to the United States 20 years ago and received an LLM degree from Temple University Beasley School of Law. Ms. Mazur and her husband, Francois-Ihor Mazur, are partners at the Mazur Law Firm, PC in Huntingdon Valley, Pennsylvania. They are the proud parents of their son who currently serves in the United States Navy.
Roman Petyk is the child of World War II refugees who earned his B.A. degree in American Civilization from the University of Pennsylvania and a JD from Northeastern University Law School. He has been Board Chair at Ukrainian Self-Reliance Federal Credit Union (UKRFCU) since 2014, a 12,000 member institution with five branches in the region. He also chairs the Ukrainian Community Foundation of Philadelphia — a charity established and funded by the credit union. Mr. Petyk actively promotes the Ukrainian-American community's political engagement through direct advocacy in Philadelphia, Montgomery County, and Washington, DC.
Rep. Madeleine Dean is a mother, grandmother, attorney, professor, former four-term member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives, and U.S. Representative for the Fourth District of Pennsylvania.
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