110 HRES 1519 IH: Honoring the important work of journalists U.S. House of Representatives 2008-09-28 text/xml EN Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain.

IV 110th CONGRESS 2d Session H. RES. 1519 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES September 28, 2008 Ms. Waters submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, and in addition to the Committee on Armed Services, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned RESOLUTION Honoring the important work of journalists covering the war in Iraq.

Whereas the freedom of the press is guaranteed in the First Amendment to the Constitution of the United States; Whereas the press is essential to the preservation of freedom and liberty in a democratic society by playing a vital role in keeping the public informed; Whereas citizens of the United States are best served by a vigorous media that provides detailed, accurate, and unbiased news, particularly when it comes to matters of war; Whereas Iraq is recognized as the most dangerous place in the world to report and journalists working in Iraq have had to endure extraordinarily harsh conditions to do their jobs; and Whereas, as of July 2008, at least 179 journalists and media assistants have been killed and 51 journalists have been kidnapped while covering the war in Iraq according to the Committee to Protect Journalists: Now, therefore, be it

That the House of Representatives— (1)honors the important work of journalists in providing the public with information regarding the war in Iraq; (2)pays tribute to the journalists who have been killed in Iraq; (3)encourages the media to honor the members of the United States Armed Forces who continue to serve and sacrifice bravely in Iraq by providing thorough coverage of the war in Iraq; and (4)encourages the Department of Defense, the Department of State, and other Federal departments and agencies that carry on operations and other activities in Iraq to provide the highest possible level of openness, access, and transparency to the press covering the war in Iraq.