[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

[[Page H8752]]

     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.

[[Page H8753]]

  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.

                          ____________________