AJR17: Joint Resolution Text

LRB-1522/1

PJD:kmg:ijs

1999 - 2000 LEGISLATURE

1999 Assembly JOINT RESOLUTION 17

January 28, 1999 - Introduced by Representatives Johnsrud, J. Lehman, Ryba, Goetsch, Meyer, Bock, Owens, Pocan, Miller, Plouff, Black, Hasenohrl, Lassa, Gunderson and Boyle, cosponsored by Senators Rude, Robson and George. Referred to Committee on Rules.

AJR17,1,2 Relating to: memorializing Congress to work toward an international ban on land mines.

AJR17,1,5 Whereas, there are over 119,000,000 land mines scattered in 70 nations of the world, and this number increases dramatically every year, the result of which is the injury or death of 2,000 people a month; and

AJR17,1,8 Whereas, these weapons continue to harm civilians and to prevent homes, land and communities from being free of danger and destruction and make it impossible for sustainable life to be resumed when war has ended; and

AJR17,1,11 Whereas, numerous U.S. military leaders confirm that land mines pose a threat to U.S. troops abroad and confirm that antipersonnel land mines no longer are necessary weapons of war; and

AJR17,2,2 Whereas, the United States declared a moratorium until 1999 on the export of antipersonnel land mines and in 1996 called, by means of President Clinton's address to the United Nations, for a universal ban on the transfer and use of antipersonnel land mines and for the protection of civilians by removing the land mines already laid in the ground; and

AJR17,2,7 Whereas, the United States' backing of the U.N. Conference on Disarmament is an uncertain and contradictory approach to the permanent elimination of the manufacture, sale and use of land mines and does not complement the more positive diplomatic approach of the Ottawa initiative, which has a high level of international support; and

AJR17,2,10 Whereas, momentum is growing for a worldwide ban, and the support of the Ottawa process by the United States would show significant leadership toward that goal; now, therefore, be it

AJR17,2,15 Resolved, by the assembly, the senate concurring, That the members of the Wisconsin legislature urge President Clinton and the Congress of the United States to work toward a universal ban of the production, sale and use of land mines by supporting the diplomatic "Ottawa process" in order to achieve an international ban treaty in 1999; and, be it further

AJR17,2,18 Resolved, That the assembly chief clerk shall provide copies of this joint resolution to President Clinton and to each member of this state's congressional delegation.

AJR17,2,19 (End)