[Congressional Bills 104th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 350 Introduced in House (IH)]







104th CONGRESS
  2d Session
H. RES. 350

         Relating to a question of the privileges of the House.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                            January 30, 1996

Mrs. Mink of Hawaii (for herself, Mr. Faleomavaega, Mr. Underwood, and 
Mrs. Schroeder) submitted the following resolution; which was referred 
                       to the Committee on Rules

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION


 
         Relating to a question of the privileges of the House.

Whereas virtually every nation in the world has adhered to a moratorium on 
        nuclear tests since September 1992;
Whereas, on June 13, 1995, President Jacques Chirac of France ended his nation's 
        adherence to the moratorium by ordering a series of nuclear tests in the 
        South Pacific;
Whereas France has since conducted six nuclear tests on the Pacific atolls of 
        Moruroa and Fangataufa in French Polynesia;
Whereas France has acknowledged that radioactive materials from some of the 
        tests have leaked into the ocean;
Whereas, as a result of the tests, the people of the Pacific are extremely 
        concerned about the health and safety of those who live near the test 
        sites, as well as the adverse environmental effects of the tests on the 
        region;
Whereas, in conducting the tests, France has callously ignored world-wide 
        protests and global concern;
Whereas the United States is one of 167 nations that have objected to the tests;
Whereas the tests are inconsistent with the ``Principles and Objectives for 
        Disarmament'', as adopted by the 1995 Review and Extension Conference of 
        the Parties to the Treaty on Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons;
Whereas, in proceeding with the tests, France has acted contrary to the 
        commitment of the international community to the non-proliferation of 
        nuclear weapons and the moratorium on nuclear testing;
Whereas the President of France, Jacques Chirac, is scheduled to appear before a 
        joint meeting of the Congress on February 1, 1996; and
Whereas, in light of the tests, the appearance of the President of France before 
        the Congress violates the dignity and integrity of the proceedings of 
        the House: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved, That, by reason of the recent nuclear tests conducted by 
France in the South Pacific, the Speaker of the House shall take such 
action as may be necessary to withdraw the invitation to the President 
of France, Jacques Chirac, to address a joint meeting of the Congress, 
as scheduled to occur on February 1, 1996.
    Sec. 2. On and after the date on which this resolution is agreed 
to, the Speaker of the House may not agree to the appearance before a 
joint meeting of the Congress by any head of state or head of 
government whose nation conducts nuclear tests.
                                 <all>