[Congressional Bills 107th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Con. Res. 242 Introduced in House (IH)]







107th CONGRESS
  1st Session
H. CON. RES. 242

  Recognizing Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty's success in promoting 
  democracy and its continuing contribution to United States national 
                               interests.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                            October 4, 2001

     Mr. Hyde (for himself and Mr. Lantos) submitted the following 
     concurrent resolution; which was referred to the Committee on 
                        International Relations

_______________________________________________________________________

                         CONCURRENT RESOLUTION


 
  Recognizing Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty's success in promoting 
  democracy and its continuing contribution to United States national 
                               interests.

    Whereas on May 1, 1951, Radio Free Europe inaugurated its full 
            schedule of broadcast services to the people of Eastern 
            Europe and, subsequently, Radio Liberty initiated its 
            broadcast services to the peoples of the Soviet Union on 
            March 1, 1953, just before the death of Stalin;
    Whereas now fifty years later, Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty 
            (RFE/RL, Inc.) continues to promote democracy and human 
            rights and serve United States national interests by 
            fulfilling its mission ``to promote democratic values and 
            institutions by disseminating factual information and 
            ideas'';
    Whereas Radio Free Europe and Radio Liberty were established in the 
            darkest days of the cold war as a substitute for the free 
            media which no longer existed in the communist-dominated 
            countries of Central and Eastern Europe and the Soviet 
            Union;
    Whereas Radio Free Europe and Radio Liberty developed a unique form 
            of international broadcasting known as surrogate 
            broadcasting by airing local news about the countries to 
            which they broadcast as well as providing regional and 
            international news, thus preventing the communist 
            governments from establishing a monopoly on the 
            dissemination of information and providing an alternative 
            to the state-controlled, party dominated domestic media;
    Whereas the broadcast of uncensored news and information by Radio 
            Free Europe and Radio Liberty was a critical element 
            contributing to the collapse of the totalitarian communist 
            governments of Central and Eastern Europe and the Soviet 
            Union;
    Whereas since the fall of the Iron Curtain, RFE/RL has continued to 
            inform and therefore strengthen democratic forces in 
            Central Europe and the countries of the former Soviet 
            Union, and has contributed to the development of a new 
            generation of political and economic leaders who have 
            worked to strengthen civil society, free market economies, 
            and democratic government institutions;
    Whereas United States Government funding established and continues 
            to support international broadcasting, including RFE/RL, 
            and this funding is among the most useful and effective in 
            promoting and enhancing the Nation's national security over 
            the past half century;
    Whereas RFE/RL has successfully downsized in response to 
            legislative mandate and adapted its programming to the 
            changing international broadcast environment in order to 
            serve a broad spectrum of target audiences--people living 
            in fledgling democracies where private media are still weak 
            and do not enjoy full editorial independence, transitional 
            societies where democratic institutions and practices are 
            poorly developed, as well as countries which still have 
            tightly controlled state media;
    Whereas RFE/RL continues to provide objective news, analysis, and 
            discussion of domestic and regional issues crucial to 
            democratic and free-market transformations in emerging 
            democracies as well as strengthening civil society in these 
            areas;
    Whereas RFE/RL broadcasts seek to combat ethnic, racial, and 
            religious intolerance and promote mutual understanding 
            among peoples;
    Whereas RFE/RL provides a model for local media, assists in 
            training to encourage media professionalism and 
            independence, and develops partnerships with local media 
            outlets in emerging democracies;
    Whereas RFE/RL is a unique broadcasting institution long regarded 
            by its audience as an alternative national media that 
            provides both credibility and security for local 
            journalists who work as its stringers and editors in the 
            broadcast region; and
    Whereas RFE/RL fosters closer relations between the United States 
            and other democratic states, and the states of Central 
            Europe and the former Soviet republics: Now therefore be it
    Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate concurring), 
That the Congress--
            (1) congratulates the editors, journalists, and managers of 
        Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty on a half century of effort in 
        promoting democratic values, and particularly their 
        contribution to promoting freedom of the press and freedom of 
        expression in areas of the world where such liberties have been 
        denied or are not yet fully institutionalized; and
            (2) recognizes the major contribution of Radio Free Europe/
        Radio Liberty to the growth of democracy throughout the world 
        and its continuing efforts to advance the vital national 
        interests of the United States in building a world community 
        that is more peaceful, democratic, free, and stable.
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