Download Zipped Introduced WordPerfect HJR018.ZIP
[Status][Bill Documents][Fiscal Note][Bills Directory]
H.J.R. 18
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9 LONG TITLE
10 General Description:
11 This joint resolution of the Legislature urges the United States Senate to provide its
12 advice and consent for ratification of the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty.
13 Highlighted Provisions:
14 This resolution:
15 . strongly urges the President of the United States to submit the Comprehensive
16 Nuclear Test Ban Treaty to the United States Senate for ratification; and
17 . strongly urges the United States Senate to promptly give its advice and consent for
18 ratification of the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty.
19 Special Clauses:
20 None
21
22 Be it resolved by the Legislature of the state of Utah:
23 WHEREAS, a global halt to nuclear weapons testing has been a bipartisan objective of
24 the United States since the late 1950s when President Dwight D. Eisenhower sought a
25 comprehensive nuclear test ban;
26 WHEREAS, the United States has not conducted a nuclear weapon test since the
27 United States suspended testing and joined with the Union of Soviet Socialist Republic in a
28 nuclear weapons testing moratorium in September 1992;
29 WHEREAS, the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty (CTBT) was opened for
30 signature on September 24, 1996, and President Bill Clinton was the first head of state to sign
31 the Treaty;
32 WHEREAS, no nuclear tests have been conducted since that time by the United States,
33 Russia, or China;
34 WHEREAS, as of June 2009, 180 states had signed the CTBT and 148 had ratified it;
35 WHEREAS, ratification of the CTBT would signal a strong commitment by the United
36 States to fulfill its obligations under the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, prompt ratification
37 by other states which is necessary for the Treaty to enter into force, reinforce the global taboo
38 against nuclear weapons testing, and set an example for the rest of the world;
39 WHEREAS, a global verifiable ban on nuclear weapons testing would prevent could-be
40 nuclear powers from proof testing smaller nuclear bombs that could be delivered on ballistic
41 missiles;
42 WHEREAS, United States ratification of the CTBT would be a significant step towards
43 preventing the spread of nuclear weapons, reducing nuclear weapons arsenals worldwide, and
44 building confidence among nations that the abolition of nuclear weapons can someday be
45 achieved;
46 WHEREAS, after 1,030 nuclear test explosions, further nuclear weapons testing is not
47 necessary to maintain the integrity, effectiveness, and deterrence value of the existing United
48 States nuclear weapons stockpile, nor is there any new military requirement for new types of
49 United States nuclear warheads;
50 WHEREAS, the United States government acknowledges that 433 of 824 United States
51 underground tests have vented radiation into the atmosphere;
52 WHEREAS, as part of its recognition of the 50th anniversary of nuclear weapons
53 testing at the Nevada Test Site, in its 2001 General Session, the 54th Legislature of the state of
54 Utah expressed "the fervent desire and commitment to assure that such a legacy will never be
55 repeated";
56 WHEREAS, resumption of United States nuclear weapons testing would place persons
57 downwind of the Nevada test location at risk of exposure to radioactive emissions from
58 possible venting;
59 WHEREAS, citizens of Utah living downwind of the Nevada Test Site have already
60 suffered significant health effects as a result of nuclear weapons testing;
61 WHEREAS, in the best interests of their children and grandchildren, Utah's remaining
62 "downwinders" continue to fight the resumption of any nuclear weapons testing;
63 WHEREAS, past nuclear weapons testing at the Nevada Test Site has devastated the
64 health and livelihoods of thousands of Utahns;
65 WHEREAS, in 2005, the 58th Legislature of the state of Utah voted in support of a
66 Concurrent Resolution Opposing Nuclear Testing, articulating that "The state of Utah has an
67 obligation to its citizens, especially those who have suffered so much, to do all in its power to
68 ensure that the lingering wounds from nuclear testing are not reopened to afflict both current
69 and future generations";
70 WHEREAS, the Legislature of the state of Utah supports a strong military defense, but
71 atomic weapons tests are not a necessary component of that defense;
72 WHEREAS, United States citizens must not be subjected to the hazards of future
73 nuclear weapons tests;
74 WHEREAS, the CTBT is effectively verifiable and would improve the United States'
75 ability to detect, deter, and respond to potential surreptitious nuclear weapons testing by other
76 nations; and
77 WHEREAS, the CTBT would increase international safety and security and is in the
78 best interests of Utah, the United States, and the world:
79 NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Legislature of the state of Utah
80 strongly urges the President of the United States to submit the Comprehensive Nuclear Test
81 Ban Treaty to the United States Senate.
82 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Legislature of the state of Utah strongly urges
83 the United States Senate to promptly give its advice and consent for ratification of the
84 Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty.
85 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this resolution be sent to the President of
86 the United States, the Majority Leader of the United States Senate, and to Utah Senators Orrin
87 Hatch and Bob Bennett.
Legislative Review Note
as of 1-8-10 9:08 AM