[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 31 (Thursday, February 16, 1995)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E365]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                      VOICE OF AMERICA ANNIVERSARY

                                 ______


                        HON. BENJAMIN A. GILMAN

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, February 15, 1995
  Mr. GILMAN. Mr. Speaker, on February 24th the Voice of America begins 
its 54th year on the world's airwaves. From its first broadcast in 
1942--begun with the words ``The news may be good; the news may be bad. 
We shall tell you the truth--through to today, VOA has been a beacon of 
hope and constant source of reliable information to people around the 
world.
  The past year was no exception. From Rwanda to Haiti, Bosnia to 
Chechnya, Washington Beijing, and from Northridge to Kobe, the Voice of 
America was there providing a uniquely American perspective in 47 
languages. The year also saw the important new connection of VOA and 
the Internet.
  VOA is still needed as democratization unevenly proceeds in several 
countries. The world is smaller than ever for those on the information 
superhighway. While CNN reaches some parts of the world, it does not 
reach VOA listeners--in places such as Chechnya, Rwanda, Iraq, Iran, 
Tibet, Nigeria, China, Burma, and North Korea--who don't understand 
English, have no access to cable or satellite TV, the Internet or fax 
machines, or for whom democracy remains only a dream.
  VOA reaches these people every day, some 100 million each week, in 
their homes and in their languages. As they have since 1942, these 
listeners tune in for news of the United States, clear explanations of 
its policies and information about their own countries. VOA broadcasts 
are valuable proponents of our democratic values reaching people with 
the story of America and our own struggle for democracy. These 
broadcasts are a way to try to promote peaceful solutions through 
information and bridging of cultures.
  Listeners have told VOA that they want practical ``how to'' advice on 
grass roots democracy, the free market economy, and the protection of 
human rights as they nurture their own fledgling democracies. VOA has 
responded. These are staples of its programming, along with science and 
health, agriculture, American society and culture, and the enormously 
popular English teaching programs. And VOA is a promoter of free 
enterprise, free trade and tourism, in the United States. It reports 
every day about American products and services.
  In an era of turbulence, where the world is torn by ethnic and 
religious and nationalistic hatred, there is a need for an honest and 
credible voice of sanity and reason.
  At our best that can be our voice. At our best that is the voice of 
America. I salute the Voice of America as it begins year 54.


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