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[Congressional Record: October 25, 2000 (Senate)]
[Page S10987-S10988]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:cr25oc00-193]
INTERNATIONAL BROADCASTING EMPLOYEES
Mr. KENNEDY. Mr. President, it is a privilege to join my colleague,
Senator Helms, in expressing my strong support for this legislation to
benefit international broadcasting employees.
The bill is important for several reasons. A new special immigrant
visa class will be established to cover individuals working in the
United States for the International Broadcasting Bureau or one of the
grantee organizations affiliated with the Broadcasting Board of
Governors. Included among the grantee organizations are the well-
respected Radio Free Asia, the Voice of America and Radio Free Europe.
In creating a special immigrant visa category, we are making a
concerted effort to address the recruitment shortages plaguing these
worthwhile broadcasting organizations. This legislation will help to
attract qualified foreign employees for available positions with the
international broadcasting industry here in the United States.
The mission of the United States with respect to international
broadcasting makes it important for us to be able to attract and retain
a large number of foreign language broadcasters. They must have a
unique combination of journalistic skills, including fluency in various
languages and an in-depth knowledge of the people, history and cultures
of other nations. To carry out its mission, the Broadcasting Board of
Governors and its grantees must employ a minimum of 3,400 broadcasters
and support staff, such as reporters, writers, translators, editors,
producers, announcers, and news analysts.
Historically, the Broadcasting Board of Governors has been unable to
obtain sufficient numbers of U.S. workers with the rare combination of
skills needed for this mission. As a result, we have had to look to
other nations to attract the necessary talent.
No current visa category exists which properly suits the needs of the
international broadcasting industry. Neither the H-1B nor J-1 non-
immigrant visas are appropriate for the Broadcasting Board of Governors
to use as a means to recruit foreign broadcasters and support
personnel. Each of these categories has restrictions which make it
difficult to recruit qualified applicants.
This legislation overcomes these problems by adding a special
immigrant category under the Immigration and Nationality Act. Up to one
hundred immigrant visas will be available each fiscal year for foreign
nationals employed by the Broadcasting Board of Governors. Spouses and
dependent children will also be able to benefit from this legislation.
This proposal will provide significant assistance for the
international broadcasting industry in meeting its goals and
recruitment needs in providing essential news coverage for many of the
most dangerous regions of the world. The people employed by
organizations
[[Page S10988]]
like Radio Free Asia, the Voice of America and Radio Free Europe are
exceptionally talented and courageous. They and their families make
substantial sacrifices, and they put themselves at great personal risk
to carry out their important responsibilities. These dedicated men and
women deserve our full support. I strongly urge my colleagues to pass
this needed legislation.
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