S11634 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE September 17, 2003 THIRD ANNIVERSARY OF THE munity is not merely a geopolitical or WWJ Radio and Channels 2 and 4 tele- MURDER OF UKRAINIAN bureaucratic decision. must vision, best known as a personable and GEORGIY GONGADZE continue efforts to develop and imple- humorous weatherman. In fact, his Mr. LEVIN. Mr. President, the nation ment a responsive and transparent witty weather reports have been named of Ukraine recently celebrated the 12th rule-based system of law before it is the nation’s best by the National Asso- anniversary of its independence from fully able to from the West. ciation of TV Program Executives. the former . This mile- The conduct of the October 2004 Pres- Nevertheless, his interest in aviation stone, gained after decades under So- idential elections in Ukraine will be never faded. While at Channel 4 TV and viet repression, is a notable achieve- watched closely by the international WWJ, Sonny won numerous news ment that bears witness to humanity’s community. Free and fair elections, re- media awards for promotion and public inextinguishable and universal desire gardless of their final outcome, will be awareness of aviation. In addition, he for liberty and freedom. Twelve years an important step toward Ukraine’s continues to fly and has accumulated after its independence, much has been rapproachment with the community of more than 7,500 hours. Sonny holds the achieved, yet much work remains to be nations. This election will be vital not rank of colonel in the U.S. Air Force done before Ukraine is able to fulfill its for its outcome, but for the process by Reserve and was named the Air Force considerable promise and fully join the which it is conducted. It is my hope liaison for the 1st Congressional Dis- Euro-Atlantic community of nations that the October 2004 elections will aid trict. In October 2001, as a result of his that find unity through their commit- Ukraine’s transformation from a na- lifelong commitment to aviation, he ment to democracy and a steadfast ad- tion where fear undermines public dis- was enshrined into the Michigan Avia- herence to the rule of law. course into a nation where all facets of tion Hall of Fame. Yesterday also marked the third an- society can freely engage in the mar- Currently, Sonny can be heard on niversary of the disappearance and ket-place of ideas without fear of re- WWJ-AM 950 with his easy-to-under- murder of Ukrainian journalist crimination. Only in such a society stand weathercasts. I am pleased to Georgiy Gongadze. This anniversary will we be able to learn the truth sur- join my colleagues in the Senate in sa- casts a pall over Ukrainian society and rounding the disappearance and murder luting Marvin ‘‘Sonny’’ Eliot’s lifetime underscores the problems it faces as it of Georgiy Gongadze. His family and full of contributions to his country and seeks to reform its domestic political the Ukrainian people deserve no less. the state of Michigan. I wish him con- tinued success in the future. situation. The editor of an internet f newspaper, Ukrainska Pravda Ukrain- f ian Truth—Gongadze reported widely TRIBUTE TO MARVIN ‘‘SONNY’’ ELIOT NEGOTIATION OF A U.S.-CENTRAL on corruption within highest circles of AMERICAN FREE TRADE AGREE- Ukrainian society. He was an out- Mr. LEVIN. Mr. President, today I MENT spoken critic of corruption, and his de- have the honor of recognizing a great Mr. BAUCUS. Mr. President, I rise cision to create an internet news jour- American and Michigander, Marvin today to address the ongoing negotia- nal was done in part to avoid some of ‘‘Sonny’’ Eliot. Sonny was born and tions for a United States-Central the censorship and intimidation im- raised in my hometown of Detroit. He America Free Trade Agreement—also posed upon journalists in Ukraine who is well known as a popular TV and known as the ‘‘CAFTA.’’ radio weatherman, with a career span- routinely have their papers seized, These negotiations present a couple presses damaged, and lives threatened ning 57 years. However, equally as im- of unique challenges. by government officials. pressive as his broadcasting career is First, most of the CAFTA countries However, Gongadze’s actions did not his aviation and military career. are less developed, both economically escape official notice. Nothing done by Sonny had always wanted to fly and politically, than Mexico, Chile, or members of the fourth estate is going planes. While in high school, he com- any of our other FTA partners. This unnoticed in a nation that Reporters muted across town to take a special presents challenges to the abilities of Without Frontiers ranked 112th in its aviation course at another school. the Central American countries—both rating of worldwide media freedom. Sonny did so well on the final exam to negotiate a comprehensive set of After Gongadze’s disappearance, tapes that he was awarded flying lessons, commitments and to implement them secretly recorded by Mykola which led to his pilot’s license in 1940. effectively. Melnychenko, a former bodyguard for After high school, Sonny attended Second, these negotiations are on an President , documented Wayne State University. Before fin- accelerated schedule. They started in plans by President Kuchma and other ishing a degree program, he decided to January 2003 and are set to conclude by government officials to dispose of enlist in the U.S. Army Air Corps. the end of this year. The limited trade Gongadze by a variety of means includ- Following his training in the Air negotiating capacities of the CAFTA ing ‘‘selling him to the Chechens.’’ Corps, Sonny was shipped to Wendling, countries makes this an ambitious Since his disappearance 3 years ago, England, where he flew B–24’s as part goal. little headway has been made into the of the 392nd Heavy Bomber Group. Dur- Third, several of the CAFTA coun- investigation of his murder. Ukrainian ing World War II, Sonny was shot down tries played a less than constructive officials have hindered efforts by the over Gotha, Germany on his 16th mis- role at the WTO Cancun Ministerial. FBI to examine evidence, court docu- sion. Subsequently, he was captured by Their participation in the G–21 and the ments have been forged and a witness the Nazis and spent 16 months as a role of that group in precipitating the in the case recently died while in po- Prisoner of War in Germany, 14 of meeting’s collapse raises serious ques- lice custody. Delays into this inves- which were in the prison camp Stalag tions about their commitment to trade tigation and the lack of transparency Luft I. Due to his valor and loyalty in liberalization. with which it has been conducted un- the service, Sonny earned the Distin- I support comprehensive free trade dermine the reputation of Ukraine and guished Flying Cross, Air Medal, and agreements that create sound market hinders its relationship with the Purple Heart. In addition, he received access rules and meaningful commer- United States, the , the Presidential Unit Citation with all cial opportunities for American farm- and NATO. the members of the 392nd Heavy Bomb- ers, workers, and businesses. And I sup- Much has been made of Ukraine’s er Group for carrying out one of the port, in principle, the goal of reaching contribution to Operation Iraq Free- most vital air strikes of the aerial at- such an agreement with the five dom. Currently, a brigade of Ukrainian tacks of the war. CAFTA countries. soldiers are on the ground in Iraq, and After returning from Europe in 1945, But we need to be realistic. A CAFTA this contribution is greatly appre- Sonny continued his studies at Wayne agreement will be politically difficult ciated. Yet such assistance, coupled State University where he earned a here—much more so than the recently with military reform, should not be B.A. in English and an M.A. in Mass passed free trade agreements with seen as a quid pro quo for a lack of re- Communication and began his career in Singapore and Chile. The issues it form on Ukraine’s domestic front. Uni- broadcasting. He has spent almost six raises will be challenging on both sides fication with the Euro-Atlantic com- decades on Detroit’s airwaves with of the aisle.

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