December 10, 2009 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks E2953

supply functions operate from temporary cated staff that have worked diligently in COSTA, GARY ACKERMAN, XAVIER BECERRA, spaces across base, creating significant Ukraine, and around the globe, to promote DENNIS CARDOZA, JOHN DUNCAN, Jr., ELIOT delays in troop/equipment mobilization. This and facilitate the free and unfettered flow of in- ENGEL, VIRGINIA FOXX, BART GORDON, JAY INS- negatively impacts the Wing’s ability to demol- formation, opinions, and ideas. LEE, SHEILA JACKSON-LEE, and LO- ish and relocate from other substandard facili- Once again, I commend Voice of America RETTA SANCHEZ. I wish to recognize these ties on base. When funded, the Logistics on its 60 years of promoting freedom of infor- members for their thoughtful contributions to Readiness Center will provide command and mation in Ukraine. I also want to congratulate an informed and productive exchange of views control for all materials in-bound and out- VOA Ukrainian Service for its efforts and lead- with Members of the European Parliament. bound, including freight processing, packing, ership in successfully fulfilling VOA’s core mis- The Transatlantic Legislators’ Dialogue crating, pallet buildup shop, and provide bulk sion to ‘‘promote freedom and democracy and serves as the formal response of the Euro- and bin storage. The facility will also support to enhance understanding through multimedia pean Parliament and the U.S. Congress to the secure storage, an armory, and have adminis- communication of accurate, objective, bal- commitment in the New Transatlantic Agenda trative areas. anced news, information, and other program- of 1995 to enhance legislative ties between I appreciate the opportunity to provide a list ming about America and the world to audi- the European Union and the United States. of congressionally-directed projects in my dis- ences overseas.’’ The TLD involves biannual meetings between trict that have received funding in the Con- f American and European legislators in order to ference Report accompanying H.R. 3288, the foster transatlantic discourse and exchange FY2010 Consolidated Appropriations Act and A TRIBUTE TO HERO K. views on topics of mutual interest. Given the provide an explanation of my support for them. TAMAKLOE recent adoption of the Lisbon Treaty and the f additional powers it provides to the European HON. EDOLPHUS TOWNS– Parliament, it is even more important that leg- COMMEMORATING THE 60TH ANNI- OF islators engage in this dialogue in order to VERSARY OF VOICE OF AMERICA IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES seek joint solutions to the pressing issues fac- IN UKRAINE ing citizens on both sides of the Atlantic. Thursday, December 10, 2009 Participants at the New York meeting held HON. ROBERT WEXLER Mr. TOWNS. Madam Speaker, I rise today extensive discussions about the financial crisis OF in recognition of Hero K. Tamakloe who emi- and international trade. The debate was in- IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES grated from Togo in 1988. Mr. Tamakloe has formed by presentations from the Obama ad- held many jobs in New York. He’s worked as ministration, including Michael Froman, Deputy Thursday, December 10, 2009 a cab driver, and interned with Woodhull Hos- National Security Adviser for International Eco- Mr. WEXLER. Madam Speaker, I rise today pital after working on behalf of the Togo Em- nomic Affairs, and Mark Sobel, Acting Assist- to recognize the 60th anniversary of Voice of bassy at the United Nations. Finally, after at- ant Secretary for International Affairs at Treas- America’s Ukrainian Service, which is on De- tending York College, majoring in economics, ury. The TLD emphasized the need for a cember 11, 2009. Mr. Tamakloe decided to apply for work as a strong and coordinated transatlantic policy re- As members of Congress know, Voice of teacher with the Department of Education. sponse, while reiterating the importance of the America is the largest U.S. international Tamakloe was assigned to P.S. 95 Q in Transatlantic Economic Council, TEC, as a broadcaster and plays a critically important Hollis as a substitute teacher, where he framework for cooperation. role globally, broadcasting 1,500 hours a week worked for two years before taking over Considerable attention was paid to foreign of programming through various media forms YMCA of Greater New York’s ‘‘Virtual Y’’ pro- policy issues. TLD participants engaged in vig- spanning news, information, and educational gram which serves over 300 students in an orous debate about the Middle East, hearing and cultural topics, and reaching an audience after school program. Currently, Mr. Tamakloe the administration’s perspective from Jeffrey of over 130 million people worldwide. Since is a YMCA of Greater New York employee Feltman, Assistant Secretary for Near Eastern 1942, Voice of America has filled a critical gap and is assigned to DYCD (Department of Affairs. Other foreign policy debates focused in regions of the world where freedom of the Youth & Community Development) at New on Afghanistan and Pakistan, the Iranian nu- press is limited or does not exist. York City Housing Authority Beacon Satellite clear threat, relations with Russia, and the Today, Voice of America facilitates the free- at Bushwick-Hylan and Sumner Community Balkans. These deliberations were further en- flow of information globally. It is particularly centers in the North Brooklyn area. hanced by the delegation’s meetings on the important in Ukraine, where Voice of America Mr. Tamakloe is regarded as one of the final day of the TLD at the United Nations with will be celebrating its 60 years of service. strongest off-site YMCA after school Directors Ambassador Susan Rice and Under-Sec- Voice of America has been essential to ad- in , a reputation complimented retary-General for Political Affairs B. Lynn vancing democratic freedoms through the free- by the awards he received. Mr. Tamakloe Pascoe. flow of information and supporting the devel- credits the staff, parents, teachers, mentors In addition, the delegates talked about the opment of democratic institutions in Eastern and volunteers who helped him to keep the challenge of climate change and energy secu- Europe, including Ukraine. On the front lines After School and Beacon Programs running rity with Jon Wellinghoff, Chairman of the Fed- of international broadcasting, VOA has pro- smoothly. eral Energy Regulatory Commission. They vided a critical outlet for the dissemination of Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to also discussed a range of civil liberties issues, free, uncensored news and information join me in recognizing the aptly named Hero including American travel regulations and throughout Ukraine in multiple languages and K. Tamakloe. President Obama’s efforts to close Guanta- formats. Today close to five million Ukrainians f namo. access Voice of America’s services each In conclusion, I submit the joint statement week. VOA’s Ukrainian broadcasts have also IN PRAISE OF THE TRANS- that was agreed upon by American and Euro- provided valuable information to the Ukrainian ATLANTIC LEGISLATORS’ DIA- pean legislators at the 67th TLD meeting held people as they continue their political, eco- LOGUE MEETINGS HELD LAST in New York. This document emphasizes the nomic, and democratic reform efforts and build WEEKEND IN NEW YORK CITY importance of continued transatlantic dialogue a stronger civil society. and cooperation in jointly addressing current Today there are still many countries that do HON. HOWARD L. BERMAN financial and foreign policy challenges not enjoy freedom of the Press, which is an OF CALIFORNIA TRANSATLANTIC LEGISLATORS’ DIALOGUE, 67TH MEETING OF DELEGATIONS FROM THE EURO- essential component of a functioning and suc- IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES cessful democracy. Unconscionably there are PEAN PARLIAMENT AND THE UNITED STATES governments that continue to deny their popu- Thursday, December 10, 2009 CONGRESS, JOINT STATEMENT lations this basic liberty, creating conditions in Mr. BERMAN. Madam Speaker, I would like (By Shelley Berkley, , Jim which media and members of the press face to call the attention of my colleagues in the Costa, Elmar Brok, Sarah Ludford, and Niki Tzavela) censorship, intimidation, persecution, or far Congress to a successful meeting of the We, the Members of the European Par- worse. Transatlantic Legislators’ Dialogue, TLD, in liament and the United States House of Rep- Voice of America is essential to American New York City from December 4–7, 2009. resentatives, held our 67th Interparliamen- and international efforts to change the dynam- Chairwoman SHELLEY BERKLEY led a strong bi- tary meeting (Transatlantic Legislators’ ics of press freedom and human rights. To partisan delegation, which included Vice- Dialogue) in New York City, from 4–7 Decem- that end, I want to praise VOA and its dedi- Chairman CLIFF STEARNS, Vice-Chairman JIM ber 2009.

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