107TH CONGRESS
1ST SESSION
H. CON. RES. 242
CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
Whereas on May 1, 1951, Radio Free Europe inaugurated its
full schedule of broadcast services to the people of East-
ern 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 Lib-
erty (RFE/RL, Inc.) continues to promote democracy and
•HCON 242 EH
human rights and serve United States national interests
by fulfilling its mission ‘‘to promote democratic values
and institutions by disseminating factual information and
ideas’’;
Whereas Radio Free Europe and Radio Liberty were estab-
lished in the darkest days of the cold war as a substitute
for the free media which no longer existed in the com-
munist-dominated countries of Central and Eastern Eu-
rope and the Soviet Union;
Whereas Radio Free Europe and Radio Liberty developed a
unique form of international broadcasting known as sur-
rogate broadcasting by airing local news about the coun-
tries to which they broadcast as well as providing re-
gional and international news, thus preventing the com-
munist 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 con-
tinued 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
•HCON 242 EH
RFE/RL, and this funding is among the most useful and
effective in promoting and enhancing the Nation’s na-
tional 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, transi-
tional societies where democratic institutions and prac-
tices are poorly developed, as well as countries which still
have tightly controlled state media;
Whereas RFE/RL continues to provide objective news, anal-
ysis, and discussion of domestic and regional issues cru-
cial to democratic and free-market transformations in
emerging democracies as well as strengthening civil soci-
ety in these areas;
Whereas RFE/RL broadcasts seek to combat ethnic, racial,
and religious intolerance and promote mutual under-
standing among peoples;
Whereas RFE/RL provides a model for local media, assists
in training to encourage media professionalism and inde-
pendence, 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 jour-
nalists 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 states of
•HCON 242 EH
Central Europe and the former Soviet republics: Now,
therefore, be it
Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate
concurring), That the Congress—
(1) congratulates the editors, journalists, and
managers of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty on a
half century of effort in promoting democratic val-
ues, and particularly their contribution to promoting
freedom of the press and freedom of expression in
areas of the world where such liberties have been de-
nied or are not yet fully institutionalized; and
(2) recognizes the major contribution of Radio
Free Europe/Radio Liberty to the growth of democ-
racy throughout the world and its continuing efforts
to advance the vital national interests of the United
States in building a world community that is more
peaceful, democratic, free, and stable.
Passed the House of Representatives December 5,
2001.
Attest:
Clerk.