SOTU: Lawmakers wear blue and yellow ribbons in show of support to Ukraine

Members of Congress, at the State of the Union on Tuesday, wore blue and yellow ribbons – the colour or Ukraine’s flag – in show of support to the Eastern European country that has been invaded by Russia. 

Also read: State of the Union: Joe Biden says Justice Department will name chief prosecutor for pandemic fraud

Several lawmakers, across the aisle, also wore blue and yellow suits, dresses and ties to show solidarity to Ukraine. Represetative Mike Quigley, co-chair of the Ukraine caucus and a Democrat from Chicago, was behind the initiative, CNN reported. 

Tweeting a picture of himself in a navy suit with light blue shirt and yellow tie, California Democrat Mark Takano said, “I stand with Ukraine.”

Senator Joni Ernst carried a knitted sunflower pin in blue and yellow. She studied in Ukraine, where sunflower is the national flower. 

Also read: US President Joe Biden bans Russian flights from American airspace

Biden, early in his address, recognised the Ukrainian ambassador to the US, Oksana Markarova. 

“Let’s each of us, if you’re able to stand, stand and send an unmistakable signal to the world, to Ukraine,” the President said to the members of Congress as they waved the Ukrainian flag. 

Markarova was sitting in first lady Jill Biden’s box watching the President’s State of the Union address. She placed her hand over her heart and held a Ukrainian flag. 

“She’s bright, she’s strong, she’s resolved. Yes. We the United States of America stand with the Ukrainian people,” Biden said. 

Also read: In Pics: Ukrainians escape by foot, train, car as Russian invasion continues

Meanwhile, the President declared that he and all members of Congress, whatever political differences there may be, were joined “with an unwavering resolve that freedom will always triumph over tyranny.” He asked the lawmakers crowding the House chamber to stand and salute the Ukrainians as he began his speech. They stood and cheered.

“Throughout our history we’ve learned this lesson – when dictators do not pay a price for their aggression, they cause more chaos,” Biden said. “They keep moving. And, the costs and threats to America and the world keep rising.”