COLUMBUS, Ohio – Gov. John Kasich of Ohio received the Shevchenko Freedom Award, the highest accolade accorded by the Ukrainian Congress Committee of America (UCCA), the nation’s largest representation of Ukrainians in America.
Established in 1962, the award named in honor of Ukraine’s poet-laureate and national hero Taras Shevchenko is bestowed upon individuals who have displayed a remarkable understanding and given substantial assistance to the Ukrainian American community and the Ukrainian people. Previous Ohio honorees include U.S. Sen. Rob Portman (R-Ohio).