[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 32, Number 40 (Monday, October 7, 1996)]
[Pages 1948-1949]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Statement on Signing the Antarctic Science, Tourism, and Conservation 
Act of 1996

October 2, 1996

    I have today signed into law H.R. 3060, the ``Antarctic Science, 
Tourism, and Conservation Act of 1996.''
    Almost 40 years ago, the United States proposed a treaty among the 
nations carrying out scientific research in Antarctica. The resulting 
Antarctic Treaty establishes this fascinating and remote region of our 
planet as a zone of peace, reserved exclusively for peaceful uses, and 
guarantees freedom of scientific research there.
    The Antarctic Treaty has proven a uniquely successful agreement and 
has spawned an innovative system of supplementary agreements to protect 
the Antarctic environment and conserve its living resources. For these 
reasons, it gives me particular pleasure to sign into law legislation 
that will provide authority for the United States to ratify the most 
recent extension of that system: the Protocol on Environmental 
Protection to the Antarctic Treaty. The Protocol sets forth mandatory 
rules for the protection of the environment of Antarctica and the 
promotion of scientific research there.
    The bill that I have signed today implements the provisions of the 
Environmental Protocol. The Senate has already given its advice and 
consent to ratification of the Protocol.
    Enactment of this legislation reaffirms United States leadership in 
Antarctic affairs. Our leadership is expressed in our world class 
research program on the ice, which is helping to answer basic questions 
about the earth. The United States has also provided leadership in the 
innovative diplomacy that has made Antarctica a shining example of 
constructive international cooperation.
    I would like to pay particular tribute to those who made this 
legislation possible: the U.S. negotiators who crafted the Protocol and 
the legislators who have provided for its implementation. Congressional 
passage of this legislation reflected the bipartisan partnership that 
has been the hallmark of our Antarctic policy. I would like to pay 
tribute to the House Science Committee and the Senate Commerce, Science, 
and Transportation Committee, which took the initiative to move this 
bill. In particular, I commend Senator John Kerry for his continued 
interest and support for implementation of the Protocol and Chairman Bob 
Walker and Representative George Brown for their initiative in moving 
this important legislation in this Congress. Finally, I would like to 
recognize the leadership of the Vice President on this issue, dating 
back to his days in the Senate.
                                            William J. Clinton
The White House,
October 2, 1996.

[[Page 1949]]

Note: H.R. 3060, approved October 2, was assigned Public Law No. 104-
227.