Congressman Hoyer Announces University of Maryland Student Pavlo Dziuba as Official Guest for State of the Union Address

Strategic Insights -

Congressman Steny H. Hoyer (MD) has announced that University of Maryland sophomore and Terrapin men's basketball player Pavlo Dziuba will be his official guest for the 2022 State of the Union Address. Dziuba, a native of Kyiv, Ukraine, will virtually attend the joint session of Congress at which President Joe Biden will deliver his annual address. Dziuba's presence comes as a response to the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Ukraine, where his parents and brother are currently trying to escape the Russian invasion.

Key Takeaways:

  • Congressman Steny H. Hoyer (MD) has announced that Pavlo Dziuba, a University of Maryland sophomore and Terrapin men's basketball player, will be his official guest for the 2022 State of the Union Address.
  • Pavlo Dziuba is a native of Kyiv, Ukraine, and his parents and brother are still in Ukraine, trying to make their way to safety amid the Russian invasion.
  • Dziuba was cheered on by his teammates and spectators when he took to the court for Maryland at Ohio State draped in a Ukrainian flag and with the words "Peace," "No War," and "Family" written on his shoes.
  • Congressman Hoyer expressed his concern for Dziuba's family and praised the support of Marylanders for Ukrainian and Ukrainian-American communities during this time of distress.
  • The University of Maryland student has previously played for Arizona State University and was the youngest college basketball player in the US at 16.
  • Dziuba has also played in a European basketball league prior to attending Arizona State University.

Statistics:

  • Pavlo Dziuba is 18 years old.
  • He is currently a sophomore at the University of Maryland.
  • The Russian invasion of Ukraine has entered its seventh day as of the date of this announcement.
  • Dziuba has played in multiple basketball leagues, including a European league prior to attending Arizona State University.
  • President Joe Biden is expected to discuss America's response to Vladimir Putin's invasion of Ukraine and the humanitarian crisis it has created during the State of the Union Address.

Sources:

  • Congressman Steny H. Hoyer (MD-05) via the United States House of Representatives
  • The University of Maryland
  • The New York Times (no reference used, as it is not explicitly cited by the original text)