[Congressional Bills 104th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Con. Res. 189 Received in Senate (RDS)]







104th CONGRESS
  2d Session
H. CON. RES. 189


_______________________________________________________________________


                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

                           September 27, 1996

                                Received

_______________________________________________________________________

                         CONCURRENT RESOLUTION


 
Expressing the sense of the Congress regarding the importance of United 
     States membership and participation in regional South Pacific 
                             organizations.

Whereas the United States and the South Pacific region enjoy a close and 
        historic partnership built on a strong foundation of shared values and 
        an unshakable commitment to democracy, development, and human rights;
Whereas the Pacific Island Nations and Governments, together with New Zealand 
        and Australia, share many of the global objectives of the United States, 
        including the nonproliferation of nuclear weapons, the protection of 

unique ecosystems, and sustainable economic development consistent with 
good resource management practices;

Whereas the United States, through support of the East-West Center in Hawaii, 
        has facilitated establishment of the Pacific Islands Conference, wherein 
        the heads of Pacific Island governments have met triennially to target 
        critical research in furtherance of the region's trade, environment, and 
        development; and
Whereas the United States is a member of the regional economic and social 
        development body, the South Pacific Commission, participates in and 
        plans to become a party to the regional environmental body, the South 
        Pacific Regional Environment Program, as well as being a dialogue 
        partner for the regional political body, the South Pacific Forum: Now, 
        therefore, be it
    Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate concurring), 
That the Congress--
            (1) recognizes the traditional and close ties between the 
        United States and the South Pacific region and reaffirms the 
        value of these ties;
            (2)(A) notes the need to continue to support the efforts of 
        the nations and governments of the region to enhance the 
        sustainable development of the more fragile island economies 
        and their integration into the regional economy, while helping 
        to ensure the protection of the unique ecosystems of the 
        region; and
            (B) recognizes the efforts of the East-West Center and 
        Pacific Islands Conference in furtherance of the efforts 
        described in subparagraph (A);
            (3) commends the South Pacific Commission for the process 
        of managerial and organizational reform currently being 
        undertaken, and recognizes the important role the United States 
        financial contribution to, and participation in, the 
        organization makes in assisting it to realize the gradual 
        economic self-sufficiency to all members of the organization; 
        and
            (4) reaffirms the commitment of the United States as a 
        member of the South Pacific Commission and a participant in the 
        South Pacific Regional Environment Programme, and a member of 
        the post-Forum dialogue partnership of the United States with 
        the South Pacific Forum.

            Passed the House of Representatives September 26, 1996.

            Attest:

                                                ROBIN H. CARLE,

                                                                 Clerk.