    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George H. W. Bush (1991, Book I)]
    [April 18, 1991]
    [Page 391]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    [[Page 391]]

    Statement on Signing the Joint Resolution Settling the Railroad Strike
    April 18, 1991

        I have today signed H.J. Res. 222, a joint resolution ``To provide
    for a settlement of the railroad labor-management disputes between
    certain railroads represented by the National Carriers' Conference
    Committee of the National Railway Labor Conference and certain of their
    employees.'' This legislation is necessary to end the current nationwide
    strike against the major freight railroads. If allowed to continue, the
    strike would cripple the economy and adversely affect national security.
        I note that H.J. Res. 222 contains provisions that raise
    constitutional issues. One provision purports to require the President
    to appoint one member of the Special Board provided for in section 2
    from among the members of Presidential Emergency Board No. 219. This
    provision could raise constitutional concerns by circumscribing my
    appointment power. However, because I intend for other reasons to
    appoint one of the members of Presidential Emergency Board No. 219 to
    the Special Board, the constitutionality of that restriction will not be
    at issue. The legislation also purports to require the President to
    appoint the other two members of the Special Board from a list of
    arbitrators compiled by the National Mediation Board. While provisions
    purporting to require the President to appoint from specified lists
    could raise constitutional concerns, these concerns are obviated here by
    my authority to supervise the National Mediation Board in the
    preparation of the list.

                                                               George Bush

    The White House,
    April 18, 1991.

                        Note: H.J. Res. 222, approved April 18, was assigned
                            Public Law No. 102-29.