[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 185 (Thursday, December 10, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2953]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   COMMEMORATING THE 60TH ANNIVERSARY OF VOICE OF AMERICA IN UKRAINE

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                           HON. ROBERT WEXLER

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, December 10, 2009

  Mr. WEXLER. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the 60th 
anniversary of Voice of America's Ukrainian Service, which is on 
December 11, 2009.
  As members of Congress know, Voice of America is the largest U.S. 
international broadcaster and plays a critically important role 
globally, broadcasting 1,500 hours a week of programming through 
various media forms spanning news, information, and educational and 
cultural topics, and reaching an audience of over 130 million people 
worldwide. Since 1942, Voice of America has filled a critical gap in 
regions of the world where freedom of the press is limited or does not 
exist.
  Today, Voice of America facilitates the free-flow of information 
globally. It is particularly important in Ukraine, where Voice of 
America will be celebrating its 60 years of service.
  Voice of America has been essential to advancing democratic freedoms 
through the free-flow of information and supporting the development of 
democratic institutions in Eastern Europe, including Ukraine. On the 
front lines of international broadcasting, VOA has provided a critical 
outlet for the dissemination of free, uncensored news and information 
throughout Ukraine in multiple languages and formats. Today close to 
five million Ukrainians access Voice of America's services each week. 
VOA's Ukrainian broadcasts have also provided valuable information to 
the Ukrainian people as they continue their political, economic, and 
democratic reform efforts and build a stronger civil society.
  Today there are still many countries that do not enjoy freedom of the 
Press, which is an essential component of a functioning and successful 
democracy. Unconscionably there are governments that continue to deny 
their populations this basic liberty, creating conditions in which 
media and members of the press face censorship, intimidation, 
persecution, or far worse.
  Voice of America is essential to American and international efforts 
to change the dynamics of press freedom and human rights. To that end, 
I want to praise VOA and its dedicated staff that have worked 
diligently in Ukraine, and around the globe, to promote and facilitate 
the free and unfettered flow of information, opinions, and ideas.
  Once again, I commend Voice of America on its 60 years of promoting 
freedom of information in Ukraine. I also want to congratulate VOA 
Ukrainian Service for its efforts and leadership in successfully 
fulfilling VOA's core mission to ``promote freedom and democracy and to 
enhance understanding through multimedia communication of accurate, 
objective, balanced news, information, and other programming about 
America and the world to audiences overseas.''

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