[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 152 (2006), Part 8]
[Senate]
[Page 10963]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




 SENATE RESOLUTION 511--COMMENDING AND SUPPORTING RADIO AL MAHABA, THE 
            1ST AND ONLY RADIO STATION FOR THE WOMEN OF IRAQ

  Mrs. CLINTON (for herself and Mr. Hatch) submitted the following 
resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations:

                              S. Res. 511

       Whereas Radio Al Mahaba, the 1st and only radio station for 
     the women of Iraq, went on the air for the 1st time on April 
     1, 2005;
       Whereas Radio Al Mahaba is an educational tool that--
       (1) is broadcast in 3 different languages; and
       (2) provides the women of Iraq with an opportunity to voice 
     their opinions and listen to the opinions of others;
       Whereas Radio Al Mahaba airs shows that are dedicated to 
     the rights and issues of women;
       Whereas those shows are devoted to issues relating to 
     personal relationships, parenting, and other social topics;
       Whereas, despite terrible risks, the staff of Radio Al 
     Mahaba continues to provide the women of Iraq with hope, 
     knowledge, empowerment, support, and a vision of freedom;
       Whereas, amid the struggles in Iraq, Radio Al Mahaba has 
     followed the democratic principles of free speech and free 
     press championed by the United States, thereby encouraging 
     the people of Iraq to build an open and democratic civil 
     society;
       Whereas Radio Al Mahaba plays a positive and important role 
     in educating the women of Iraq;
       Whereas Radio Al Mahaba provides women with an opportunity 
     to exercise their freedom of speech;
       Whereas Radio Al Mahaba enables the women of Iraq to secure 
     their role in the civil society of Iraq; and
       Whereas Radio Al Mahaba meets a palpable need of the women 
     of Iraq: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the Senate--
       (1) commends the efforts of Radio Al Mahaba to provide the 
     women of Iraq with an opportunity to--
       (A) exercise their freedom of speech; and
       (B) be included in, and informed of, the reconstruction of 
     Iraq;
       (2) supports the mission of Radio Al Mahaba; and
       (3) urges Radio Al Mahaba to continue its important efforts 
     to help create an open, free, and democratic society in Iraq.

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