[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.