[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 153 (Tuesday, October 28, 2003)]
[Senate]
[Page S13376]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         ADDITIONAL STATEMENTS

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                           TATYANA GORYACHOVA

 Mr. HAGEL. Mr. President, I rise today to recognize Tatyana 
Goryachova for her contributions to journalism and her strength in the 
face of extreme adversity. Ms. Goryachova is a Ukrainian newspaper 
editor who, as a result of her unbiased reporting and journalistic 
integrity, has suffered threats and physical assault.
  A free press is a defining characteristic of a democratic society. A 
free press in the U.S. is provided for and protected by our 
Constitution. In Ukraine before the fall of communism in 1991, 
newspapers were censored and only allowed to publish officially 
sanctioned positions. While a free press is taking hold in Ukraine, 
significant pressure remains to publish only stories favorable to 
government and business interests.
  Ms. Goryachova and her husband, Sergey Belousov, have owned and 
edited the Berdyansk Delovoy in Berdyansk, Ukraine since 1998. As 
editor, Ms. Goryachova has insisted on evenhanded coverage. The 
newspaper has exposed corruption in the city government and covered 
challengers as well as incumbents in city elections--a decision that 
brought her into conflict with government officials.
  Ms. Goryachova's professional choices have made her the subject of 
severe personal hardships. The Berdyansk Delovoy office was vandalized. 
Ms. Goryachova's life has been threatened. She was attacked and had 
acid thrown in her face, causing serious damage to her eyes and skin. 
Despite this, she has persevered and continued complete coverage at the 
newspaper.
  Ms. Goryachova found an advocate in Hal Foster, an American 
journalist and Omaha World-Herald correspondent she met at a journalism 
seminar in Kiev, Ukraine. Mr. Foster arranged to have Ms. Goryachova's 
eye injuries treated in the United States. He secured an anonymous 
benefactor who paid for her care.
  In addition, the Berdyansk Delovoy needed its own printing press to 
continue publishing. After hearing Ms. Goryachova's story, Omaha World-
Herald Publisher John Gottschalk offered to donate a printing press to 
the newspaper. The generosity of an anonymous donor and the Omaha 
World-Herald has ensured that Tatyana Goryachova will have both her 
eyesight and a strong voice in her community.
  U.S. Supreme Court Justice Louis D. Brandeis wrote in 1913 that, 
``Sunlight is the best of disinfectants; electric light the most 
efficient policeman.'' Ms. Goryachova understands that exposing 
corruption and illuminating Ukraine's darkest corners is the surest way 
to end abuse and promote democracy. A free press is not only a sign of 
a thriving democracy, it is an important tool of democracy.
  Building a strong democratic tradition takes journalists and citizens 
like Tatyana Goryachova who are committed to transparency and integrity 
in government. For her commitment and sacrifices, her contributions to 
journalism and to democracy, Tatyana Goryachova deserves our 
recognition and respect.

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