James A. Leach: “This resolution recognizes 50 years of outstanding broadcasts by Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty. Earlier this year, we…”

“This resolution recognizes 50 years of outstanding broadcasts by Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty. Earlier this year, we celebrated the one-half century of service of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, and now we bring before this House a resolution to memorialize this occasion: Today, RFE/RL continues its mission to promote democratic values and institutions by disseminating factual information and ideas, thus expressing the idealism of the American experience. As we face the war against terrorism and continued suppression of free media in many countries, it is clear that there remains a compelling mission for U.S. support of international broadcasting to provide factual information about world events and events within a given country. The resolution before us recognizes the work of the broadcasters, the editors, the journalists, and the managers of RFE/RL, who see their work not just as a job but as a mission. Daily, they bring hope to people who do not have access to fair and independent media. I urge my colleagues to support this resolution to formally recognize the work and successes of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty and our support for their ongoing work to promote democratic values around the world.”