[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 166 (Tuesday, December 4, 2001)]
[House]
[Pages H8751-H8753]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
RECOGNIZING RADIO FREE EUROPE/RADIO LIBERTY'S SUCCESS IN PROMOTING
DEMOCRACY
Mr. LEACH. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the
concurrent resolution (H. Con. Res. 242) recognizing Radio Free Europe/
Radio Liberty's success in promoting democracy and its continuing
contribution to United States national interests.
The Clerk read as follows:
H. Con. Res. 242
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
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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.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from
Iowa (Mr. Leach) and the gentleman from California (Mr. Lantos) each
will control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Iowa (Mr. Leach).
{time} 1415
General Leave
Mr. LEACH. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may
have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks
and include extraneous material on H. Con. Res. 242, the concurrent
resolution under consideration.
The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Petri). Is there objection to the
request of the gentleman from Iowa?
There was no objection.
Mr. LEACH. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume,
and simply stress that this resolution recognizes 50 years of
outstanding broadcasts by Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty.
Earlier this year, we celebrated the one-half century of service of
Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, and now we bring before this House a
resolution to memorialize this occasion: Today, RFE/RL continues its
mission to promote democratic values and institutions by disseminating
factual information and ideas, thus expressing the idealism of the
American experience.
As we face the war against terrorism and continued suppression of
free media in many countries, it is clear that there remains a
compelling mission for U.S. support of international broadcasting to
provide factual information about world events and events within a
given country.
The resolution before us recognizes the work of the broadcasters, the
editors, the journalists, and the managers of RFE/RL, who see their
work not just as a job but as a mission. Daily, they bring hope to
people who do not have access to fair and independent media.
I urge my colleagues to support this resolution to formally recognize
the work and successes of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty and our
support for their ongoing work to promote democratic values around the
world.
Before reserving the balance of my time, let me just say I am
particularly appreciative of the work of the gentleman from Illinois
(Mr. Hyde), the gentleman from California (Mr. Lantos), the gentleman
from California (Mr. Berman), the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr.
Smith), and the gentleman from California (Mr. Royce), and so many
others for their strong support of public diplomacy of the United
States.
Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. LANTOS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume,
and I would like to add to that good list of names the gentleman just
recited the name of my dear friend, the gentleman from California (Mr.
Leach), who has made such enormous contributions to this issue and to
all other issues before our committee.
Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of this resolution. I was
pleased to join the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Hyde) in introducing
this important resolution, Mr. Speaker, and I commend the chairman for
his initiative.
As the United States mounts an intensive public diplomacy campaign in
the Middle East in support of our war on terrorism, it is critical that
we reflect on our Nation's past success in amplifying American values
around the globe through the airwaves. Radio Free Europe and Radio
Liberty stand as shining examples of the power of American democratic
values and the potential of public diplomacy to advance United States
national interests.
Since the founding of Radio Free Europe a half a century ago and the
founding of Radio Liberty 48 years ago, these two broadcasting services
have provided people around the world with hope and support in their
struggle against repression. During the Cold War, Mr. Speaker, Radio
Free Europe/Radio Liberty responded to the yearnings of those people
who were suffering under the yoke of Communism and the Soviet Union in
Eastern Europe. Since the fall of the Berlin Wall, the two broadcasting
services have adapted their missions, reformed their institutions, and
extended their reach to Iraq, Iran, Afghanistan, and beyond.
As a young man in occupied Hungary during the Second World War, I
recall the inspirational and liberating broadcasts of the BBC, and I
can testify personally to the dramatic effect those radio programs had
in providing hope to people denied basic information.
Unlike the dictators whom we resist, we have truth on our side.
Democracy and the market economy are destined to prevail. To hasten
this state, we must promote aggressively our values by all means of
communication available to us. Radio Free Europe and Radio Liberty are
among the most effective tools in our public diplomacy toolbox, and
they deserve our continued and strong support.
I commend Radio Free Europe and Radio Liberty on 50 years of
distinguished service to our Nation, and I ask all of my colleagues to
join me in wishing this great organization many more years of success
by supporting this resolution.
Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
Mr. LEACH. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume to
just again compliment the gentleman from California (Mr. Lantos), whose
visions on these issues have been nothing less than extraordinary.
Mr. GILMAN. Mr. Speaker, I would like to voice my ardent support for
H. Con. Res. 242, which congratulates Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty
for its half century of work in promoting democratic values, and
recognizes the organization's contribution to the growth of democracy
throughout the world, as we strive toward creating a world of free
democratic states living in peace with one another.
One of the most effective, efficient ways to promote the growth of
democratic institutions on every continent is for Americans to
communicate directly with people in other countries. For 50 years,
Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty has continued to broadcast daily news,
analysis, and current affairs programming in a coherent, objective
manner throughout the world. Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty programs
continue to provide 35 million listeners with balanced, reliable
information, aimed at bolstering democratic development and market
economies in countries where peaceful evolution to civil societies is
of vital national interest to the United States.
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With the advent of the war on terrorism, it becomes vital that Radio
Free Europe/Radio Liberty continues to demonstrate to other societies
how having the freedom to live and do business creates a dynamic
economy and a vibrant society. Explaining the value of freedom by
directly communicating with the general population of other countries
and their power elites is the best example of public diplomacy.
Mr. LEACH. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the
gentleman from Iowa (Mr. Leach) that the House suspend the rules and
agree to the concurrent resolution, H. Con. Res. 242.
The question was taken.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the opinion of the Chair, two-thirds of
those present have voted in the affirmative.
Mr. LANTOS. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.
The yeas and nays were ordered.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX and the
Chair's prior announcement, further proceedings on this motion will be
postponed.
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