HON. BENJAMIN A. GILMAN OF NEW YORK

in the House of Representatives

Wednesday, February 15, 1995

Mr. GILMAN. Mr. Speaker, on February 24th the Voice of America begins its 54th year on the world's airwaves. From its first broadcast in 1942--begun with the words `The news may be good; the news may be bad. We shall tell you the truth--through to today, VOA has been a beacon of hope and constant source of reliable information to people around the world.

The past year was no exception. From Rwanda to Haiti, Bosnia to Chechnya, Washington Beijing, and from Northridge to Kobe, the Voice of America was there providing a uniquely American perspective in 47 languages. The year also saw the important new connection of VOA and the Internet.

VOA is still needed as democratization unevenly proceeds in several countries. The world is smaller than ever for those on the information superhighway. While CNN reaches some parts of the world, it does not reach VOA listeners--in places such as Chechnya, Rwanda, Iraq, Iran, Tibet , Nigeria, China, Burma, and North Korea--who don't understand English, have no access to cable or satellite TV, the Internet or fax machines, or for whom democracy remains only a dream.

VOA reaches these people every day, some 100 million each week, in their homes and in their languages. As they have since 1942, these listeners tune in for news of the United States, clear explanations of its policies and information about their own countries. VOA broadcasts are valuable proponents of our democratic values reaching people with the story of America and our own struggle for democracy. These broadcasts are a way to try to promote peaceful solutions through information and bridging of cultures.

Listeners have told VOA that they want practical `how to' advice on grass roots democracy, the free market economy, and the protection of human rights as they nurture their own fledgling democracies. VOA has responded. These are staples of its programming, along with science and health, agriculture, American society and culture, and the enormously popular English teaching programs. And VOA is a promoter of free enterprise, free trade and tourism, in the United States. It reports every day about American products and services.

In an era of turbulence, where the world is torn by ethnic and religious and nationalistic hatred, there is a need for an honest and credible voice of sanity and reason.

At our best that can be our voice. At our best that is the voice of America. I salute the Voice of America as it begins year 54.