IV

107TH CONGRESS

1ST SESSION H. CON. RES. 242

Recognizing Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty’s success in promoting

democracy and its continuing contribution to United States national interests.

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

OCTOBER 4, 2001

Mr. HYDE (for himself and Mr. LANTOS) submitted the following concurrent

resolution; which was referred to the Committee on International Relations

CONCURRENT RESOLUTION

Recognizing Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty’s success in

promoting democracy and its continuing contribution to

United States national interests.

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’’;
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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 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
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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
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states of Central Europe and the former Soviet republics: Now therefore be it

1 Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate

2 concurring), That the Congress—

3 (1) congratulates the editors, journalists, and

4 managers of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty on a

5 half century of effort in promoting democratic val6 ues, and particularly their contribution to promoting

7 freedom of the press and freedom of expression in

8 areas of the world where such liberties have been de9 nied or are not yet fully institutionalized; and

10 (2) recognizes the major contribution of Radio

11 Free Europe/Radio Liberty to the growth of democ12 racy throughout the world and its continuing efforts

13 to advance the vital national interests of the United

14 States in building a world community that is more

15 peaceful, democratic, free, and stable.

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