[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 25 (Wednesday, February 8, 1995)]
[House]
[Page H1436]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


 MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL RESTORATION ACT--MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT OF 
                 THE UNITED STATES (H. DOC. NO. 104-30)

  The SPEAKER pro tempore laid before the House the following message 
from the President of the United States; which was read and, together 
with the accompanying papers, without objection, referred to the 
Committee on Economic and Educational Opportunities:

To the Congress of the United States:
  I am pleased to transmit for your immediate consideration and 
enactment the ``Major League Baseball Restoration Act.'' This 
legislation would provide for a fair and prompt settlement of the 
ongoing labor-management dispute affecting Major League Baseball.
  Major League Baseball has historically occupied a unique place in 
American life. The parties to the current contentious dispute have been 
unable to resolve their differences, despite many months of 
negotiations and the assistance of one of this country's most skilled 
mediators. If the dispute is permitted to continue, there is likely to 
be substantial economic damage to the cities and communities in which 
major league franchises are located and to the communities that host 
spring training. The ongoing dispute also threatens further serious 
harm to an important national institution.
  The bill I am transmitting today is a simple one. It would authorize 
the President to appoint a 3-member National Baseball Dispute 
Resolution Panel. This Panel of impartial and skilled arbitrators would 
be empowered to gather information from all sides and impose a binding 
agreement on the parties. The Panel would be urged to act as quickly as 
possible. Its decision would not be subject to judicial review.
  In arriving at a fair settlement, the Panel would consider a number 
of factors affecting the parties, but it could also take into account 
the effect on the public and the best interests of the game.
  The Panel would be given sufficient tools to do its job, without the 
need for further appropriations. Primary support for its activities 
would come from the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service, but 
other agencies would also be authorized to provide needed support.
  The dispute now affecting Major League Baseball has been a protracted 
one, and I believe that the time has come to take action. I urge the 
Congress to take prompt and favorable action on this legislation.
                                                  William J. Clinton.  
  The White House, February 8, 1995.
  

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