State Rep. Sean Brennan proposes Aug. 24 as 'Ukrainian Independence Day' in Ohio

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Ukrainian roots run deep in Ohio.

An estimated 45,781 Ohioans claim Ukrainian ancestry, which ranks sixth nationwide. And Parma can claim more than 4,400 such residents, making it the Ukrainian capital in the Buckeye State.

That’s why State Rep. Sean Brennan (D-14) was surprised to learn that Aug. 24 wasn’t designated statewide as “Ukrainian Independence Day.”

“It’s something I started thinking about last Ukrainian Independence Day,” he said. “In Parma, we always have a big celebration, including the parade.

 “After speaking with some of the members of the Ukrainian community, the idea kind of popped in my head. I then talked it over with several of my colleagues at the Statehouse.”

The ball got rolling when Brennan found a Republican joint sponsor in State Rep. Bill Seitz (Cincinnati).

So far, more than 5,000 Ukrainians have resettled to Ohio since the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

“Ukrainians are really going through some tough times right now,” Brennan said. “This is just another example of the fact that as Ohioans, we support our Ukrainian friends.”

The bill commemorates Aug. 24, 1991, which is the day when the parliament of Ukraine, the Verkhova Rada, formally declared an independent, sovereign and democratic Ukrainian state.

“We couldn’t find any state or local government that had officially recognized Ukrainian Independence Day, so this could be the first in the country,” Brennan said.

Titled House Bill 360, the bill has been referred to the Ohio House Oversight Committee for consideration.

Brennan is optimistic that it could receive approval this summer.

 “We have a total of 50 co-sponsors on it, which is almost unheard of when you originally introduce a bill,” he said.

“My gut is that we won’t have any problems getting it through. It’s all going to depend on whether we have enough committee meetings.”

Parma Mayor Tim DeGeeter said he’s fully supportive of the efforts of Brennan and Seitz. He served with the latter more than a dozen years ago in the Ohio House.

“Parma is home to our Ukrainian Village, an Independence Day parade and ceremonies,” he said.

“And many Ukrainian churches dot our landscape, so this makes real sense for Ohio and for Parma, too.”