[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 145 (Thursday, October 8, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2501]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  H. CON. RES. 51, RECOGNIZING THE 50TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE ANTARCTIC 
                                 TREATY

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                         HON. PATRICK J. TIBERI

                                of ohio

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, October 8, 2009

  Mr. TIBERI. Madam Speaker, I rise today to express my support for H. 
Con. Res. 51, Recognizing the 50th Anniversary of the Antarctic Treaty.
  This resolution recognizes that the Antarctic Treaty has ensured 
Antarctica's peaceful use and the continuance of international harmony 
for the past half century. Also, it encourages international and 
interdisciplinary collaboration in the Antarctic Treaty Summit.
  The Antarctic Treaty was signed by the United States and eleven other 
nations in Washington, D.C. on December 1, 1959. Over the past five 
decades, the Antarctic Treaty has succeeded as a firm foundation for 
ongoing international cooperation. It has grown to include 47 nations, 
representing nearly two-thirds of the world's population.
  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.''
  November 30th through December 3, 2009, on the 50th anniversary of 
its signing, the Antarctic Treaty Summit will convene in Washington, 
D.C. at the Smithsonian Institution. The summit will be an 
international and interdisciplinary meeting that will offer a unique 
venue for scientists, legislators, administrators, lawyers, historians, 
educators, executives and others to explore the scientific and policy 
achievements of the Antarctic Treaty System and its global precedents 
in international governance.
  This resolution also 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.
  I would especially like to recognize my constituent, Dr. Paul A. 
Berkman. Professor Berkman was awarded a Fulbright Distinguished 
Scholarship at the University of Cambridge to plan the Antarctic Treaty 
Summit: Science-Policy Inter-actions in International Governance. Dr. 
Berkman now serves as Chair of the international board for this 
interdisciplinary project. I am thankful for his dedication, passion, 
and enthusiasm for the Antarctic Treaty and the Antarctic Treaty 
Summit.
  I hope that my colleagues will join me in recognizing the important 
contributions, and peaceful international cooperation the Antarctic 
Treaty has encouraged for the past half century by passing H. Con. Res. 
51. A truly bipartisan measure will both capture and accurately honor 
the spirit of the Antarctic Treaty.

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