[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 135 (Thursday, September 26, 1996)]
[Senate]
[Page S11448]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




    THE 35TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE ARMS CONTROL AND DISARMAMENT AGENCY

 Mr. HATFIELD. Mr. President, today marks the 35th anniversary 
of the Arms Control and Disarmament Agency--the only Federal agency 
devoted solely to arms control, nonproliferation, and disarmament. This 
unique Agency has played a critical role in ensuring that arms control 
considerations are taken into account in formulating our Nation's 
national security policy.
  Since the creation of ACDA, we have seen the realization of more than 
10 major arms control treaties and significant progress on many others 
including the recently signed Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty. 
Before ACDA was created, only one major arms control treaty was 
ratified in the period between 1945 and 1961.
  Some of the major arms control accomplishments we have seen in the 
last 35 years include:
  The elimination by the United States and Russia of two-thirds of 
their strategic nuclear forces, including more than 14,000 of their 
strategic nuclear warheads.
  The ratification and permanent extension of the nuclear 
nonproliferation treaty by more than 181 countries, making it the most 
widely accepted arms control agreement in history.
  The elimination of above ground nuclear tests through the Limited 
Test Ban Treaty, and the establishment of an international norm against 
underground testing through the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty 
signed earlier this week by the United States and the other declared 
nuclear weapons states.
  We have accomplished much over the last 35 years. However, our work 
is not done. The United States must ratify the Chemical Weapons 
Convention to stop the production and use of these dangerous weapons. 
We must ensure that the Russian's ratify the START II Treaty and 
continue their commitment to reducing their nuclear arsenal. We must 
continue to pressure India to ratify the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban 
Treaty so the treaty will enter into force.
  In the words of the current Director of ACDA, John Holum:

       [W]e have demonstrated in one hard-won agreement after 
     another that when we control arms we control our fate . . . 
     buttress our freedom . . . enhance our security and our 
     prosperity.

  I applaud ACDA and join in celebrating its 35 years of success. I 
hope we can continue this success for another 35 years for the hopes 
and lives of future generations of Americans depend on our ability to 
control the spread of weapons of mass destruction.

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