[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 103 (Tuesday, July 13, 2010)]
[Senate]
[Page S5782]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




            TRIBUTE TO JEFFREY HIRSCHBERG AND JOAQUIN BLAYA

 Mr. KAUFMAN. Mr. President, today, I wish to express my 
appreciation to two members of the Broadcasting Board of Governors, 
whose terms have come to an end. During their 8 years of exceptional 
service on the BBG, Jeff Hirschberg and Joaquin Blaya have contributed 
to ensuring the relevance and timeliness of international broadcasting. 
Both Jeff and Joaquin have served the nation's international 
broadcasting mission with great honor and commitment. Their unique 
contributions have resulted in a robust enhancement of U.S. 
international broadcasting in critical regions at crucial times.
  Jeffrey Hirschberg, who served on the board since 2002, brought his 
deep experience in government and the private sector to bear during his 
tenure on the board. Previously, he served in the U.S. Attorney 
General's Office as special counsel and assistant U.S. attorney, and 
later, as an attorney in private practice. While on the BBG, he applied 
his vast knowledge and understanding of the Soviet Union and Russia he 
acquired during his tenure as Director of the U.S.-Russian Investment 
Fund, a member of the U.S.-Russia Center for Entrepreneurship, and 
Director of the U.S.-Russia Business Council, to greatly improve 
programming in Russia and former Soviet states.
  Joaquin Blaya, who also joined the board in 2002, brought to the BBG 
his vast experience in broadcasting as former chairman of Radio Unica, 
as CEO of Telemundo, and as president of Univision. In fact, Joaquin 
founded Radio Unica and oversaw its operations as it became the first 
24-hour Spanish language radio network, reaching approximately 80 
percent of the Spanish-speaking population in the United States. His 
vision and conviction as a member of the BBG resulted in improved 
programming on Radio Marti, and a ground-breaking television 
programming in the Middle East via Al Hurrah, which is the most widely 
viewed channel in Iraq today.
  As U.S. international broadcasting begins this new chapter in its 
history, I want to convey my utmost respect and appreciation to Jeff 
Hirschberg and Joaquin Blaya for their honorable service and vision as 
members of the BBG.

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