[Congressional Bills 103th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 189 Introduced in House (IH)]

103d CONGRESS
  1st Session
H. RES. 189

        Honoring cultural achievements of the Voice of America.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                              June 8, 1993

    Mr. Michel (for himself and Mr. Gilman) submitted the following 
   resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION


 
        Honoring cultural achievements of the Voice of America.

Whereas the Voice of America is the global radio network of the United States 
        Government, seeking to promote understanding abroad for the United 
        States, its people, culture, and policies;
Whereas the Voice of America's charter calls upon it to provide consistently 
        reliable and authoritative news, balanced and comprehensive information 
        about the United States, and official pronouncements of the United 
        States Government;
Whereas the Voice of America broadcasts are not directed to audiences in the 
        United States, so that most Americans have no first-hand knowledge of 
        the professionalism and patriotism that are the hallmark of such 
        broadcasts;
Whereas the Voice of America tells America's story to the world on a daily 
        basis, not only in terms of news and politics and policy, but also by 
        reflecting the complexity, diversity, and excellence of American art and 
        culture;
Whereas chief among our Nation's indigenous art forms is jazz;
Whereas since 1955, Willis Conover of Voice of America has been broadcasting the 
        best of American jazz to millions around the world;
Whereas during that time, the music of Duke Ellington, Charlie Parker, Ella 
        Fitzgerald, Benny Goodman, Dizzy Gillespie, and other great American 
        artists, broadcast by Mr. Conover, have come to symbolize the freedom 
        and creativity of democracy for those denied freedom; and
Whereas Mr. Conover has said ``Jazz is a liberating kind of music . . . every 
        emotion--love, anger, joy, sadness--can be communicated with the 
        vitality and spirit that characterizes our country at its best--which is 
        of course the same freedom that people everywhere should enjoy.'': Now, 
        therefore, be it
    Resolved, That the House of Representatives applauds the Voice of 
America for disseminating the very best of American culture to those in 
other lands, exemplified in the work of Willis Conover who for thirty-
eight years has made a unique and important contribution to the cause 
of international understanding and good will.

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