[Congressional Bills 111th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Con. Res. 51 Engrossed in House (EH)]

111th CONGRESS
  1st Session
H. CON. RES. 51

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                         CONCURRENT RESOLUTION

Whereas the Antarctic Treaty was signed by 12 nations in Washington, DC, on 
        December 1, 1959, ``with the interests of science and the progress of 
        all mankind'';
Whereas the Antarctic Treaty was established to continue and develop 
        international ``cooperation on the basis of freedom of scientific 
        investigation in Antarctica as applied during the International 
        Geophysical Year'';
Whereas the Antarctic Treaty came into force on June 23, 1961, after its 
        unanimous ratification by the seven countries (Argentina, Australia, 
        Chile, France, New Zealand, Norway, and the United Kingdom) with 
        territorial claims in the region and five other countries (Belgium, 
        Japan, South Africa, the Soviet Union, and the United States), which had 
        collaborated in Antarctic research activities during the International 
        Geophysical Year from July 1, 1957, through December 31, 1958;
Whereas the Antarctic Treaty now has 47 nations as signatories that together 
        represent nearly 90 percent of humanity;
Whereas Article IV of the Antarctic Treaty states that ``no acts or activities 
        taking place while the present Treaty is in force shall constitute a 
        basis for asserting, supporting or denying a claim to territorial 
        sovereignty in Antarctica'';
Whereas the 14 articles of the Antarctic Treaty have provided a lasting 
        foundation for maintaining the region south of 60 degrees south 
        latitude, nearly 10 percent of the Earth's surface, ``for peaceful 
        purposes only'';
Whereas the Antarctic Treaty prohibits ``any measure of a military nature'';
Whereas the Antarctic Treaty has promoted international nuclear cooperation by 
        prohibiting ``any nuclear explosions in Antarctica and the disposal 
        there of radioactive waste material'';
Whereas the Antarctic Treaty provides a framework for the signatories to 
        continue to meet ``for the purpose of exchanging information, consulting 
        together on matters of common interest pertaining to Antarctica, and 
        formulating and considering, and recommending to their Governments, 
        measures in furtherance of the principles and objectives of the 
        Treaty'';
Whereas common interests among the Antarctic Treaty nations facilitated the 
        development and ratification of the Convention on the Conservation of 
        Antarctic Marine Living Resources;
Whereas the international cooperation represented by the Antarctic Treaty offers 
        humankind a precedent for the peaceful governance of international 
        spaces;
Whereas in celebration of the 50th anniversary of the International Geophysical 
        Year, the Antarctic Treaty Parties in their Edinburgh Declaration 
        recognized the current International Polar Year for its contributions to 
        science worldwide and to international cooperation; and
Whereas the International Polar Year program has endorsed the Antarctic Treaty 
        Summit that will convene in Washington, DC, at the Smithsonian 
        Institution on the 50th anniversary of the Antarctic Treaty: Now, 
        therefore, be it
    Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate concurring), 
That the Congress--
            (1) recognizes that the Antarctic Treaty has greatly 
        contributed to science and science cooperation worldwide and 
        successfully ensured the ``use of Antarctica for peaceful 
        purposes only and the continuance of international harmony'' 
        for the past half century; and
            (2) encourages international and interdisciplinary 
        collaboration in the Antarctic Treaty Summit to identify 
        lessons from 50 years of international cooperation under the 
        Antarctic Treaty that have legacy value for humankind.

            Passed the House of Representatives September 30, 2009.

            Attest:

                                                                 Clerk.
111th CONGRESS

  1st Session

                            H. CON. RES. 51

_______________________________________________________________________

                         CONCURRENT RESOLUTION

   Recognizing the 50th anniversary of the signing of the Antarctic 
                                Treaty.