Rep. Brennan Celebrates Recognition of Ukrainian Independence Day in Ohio

COLUMBUS – State Rep. Sean Patrick Brennan (D-Parma) today celebrated the passage of House Bill (HB) 360  from the 135th General Assembly, which would designate August 24th as “Ukrainian Independence Day” in Ohio. This bill was a bipartisan collaboration with his former colleague State Rep. Bill Seitz (R-Cincinnati). 

“I am humbled to be a voice for Ohio’s Ukrainian community and to do my part to bolster Ohio’s cultural and economic ties with Ukraine. I just know how honored Ohio’s thousands of Ukrainians will be by our recognition of their Independence Day, especially those who reside in my district. I wish to thank all of my House and Senate colleagues who voted for the bill, especially former Rep. Bill Seitz (R-Cincinnati), Rep. Bride Rose Sweeney (D-Westlake), and Sen. Nickie Antonio (D-Lakewood) who played pivotal roles in getting HB 360 amended into HB 315, as well as Governor DeWine, for signing the bill,” said Rep. Brennan.

The bill commemorates August 24, 1991, the day when the parliament of Ukraine, the Verkhovna Rada, formally declared an independent, sovereign, and democratic Ukrainian state. Prior to that, Ukraine was part of the Soviet Union or Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (U.S.S.R.).

There are an estimated 45,781 Ohioans claiming Ukrainian ancestry in Ohio. In fact, Ohio ranks 6th among states with the largest Ukrainian populations. Because Parma is the community with the largest population of Ukrainian residents in Ohio, with an estimated 4,407, which is about 5% of Parma’s population, Brennan refers to the city as the Ukrainian capital of Ohio. It has been reported that more than 5,000 Ukrainians have resettled to Ohio since the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Following Parma with the largest Ukrainian populations are Cleveland with 2,028, Columbus with 1,953, North Royalton with 1,559, Parma Heights with 1,294, and Strongsville with 1,099.

In 2023, Ukraine was Ohio’s 63rd largest export market, exporting more than $31 million worth of products. Ohio imported $205M worth of goods from Ukraine in 2023.

EDITOR’S NOTE: State Rep. Sean Patrick Brennan’s picture in a recent meeting with Governor DeWine and the Ukrainian Ambassador to the United States Oksana Markarova is attached to this press release.