HERBERT KOHL Milwaukee Office:

WISCONSIN 205 East Wisconsin Avenue
Milwaukee, WI 53202

WASHINGTON OFFICE: (414) 291-4451

702 Hart Senste Office Building ° Mooi om:
Washington, DC 20510 aC { dD St { o>) { adison Otfice:
(202) 224-5653 TIT ¢ co es ena @ 14 wer ee
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COMMITTEES: WASHINGTON, D.C. 203510 Madison, WI §3703
(608) 264-5338
ICIARY
JUDICIA Eau Claire Office:
GOVERNMENTAL AFFAIRS ken Cleire Wi ba701
ire,
SPECIAL COMMITTEE November 22, 1989 (715) 832-8424
ON AGING Kenosha Office:

625 S2nd Street
loom 303
Kenosha, WI 53140
(414) 657-7719

Dear Friend:

I thought you would be interested in knowing that the U.S.
Senate recently passed my bill to implement the 1972 Biological
Weapons Convention (BWC). This is an important victory for
arms control and nonproliferation efforts. Though such
legislation was first contemplated in 1973, the Senate's
unanimous consent on November 21 marked the first time that
either body of Congress had endorsed the idea.

The bill, the Biological Weapons Anti-Terrorism Act (S.
993), now goes to the House of Representatives, where it will
be considered by the Judiciary Committee's Subcommittee on
Immigration, Refugees, and International Law.

More than 100 nations have signed the BWC, agreeing never
to develop or possess germ warfare devices. Signatory
governments also pledge to "take any necessary measures" to
outlaw these abominations at home. Though many observers (and
several nations) interpret this latter commitment to require
enactment of domestic laws against bio-weapons, the United
States has not yet taken this crucial step.

My bill would discharge America's obligation by making it
a crime to possess a bio-weapon or to help a foreign nation
acquire one. In addition, the Attorney General would be
authorized to seek the civil forfeiture of these
weapons--before they injure people or harm the environment.
The measure would not affect peaceful scientific research.

By enacting S. 993, we will protect the public against the
threat of bio-terrorism and signal the world that the United
States remains firmly opposed to these heinous weapons.

I am enclosing a copy of the Senate Judiciary Committee's

report on the bill. If you have any questions, please do not
hesitate to contact me or Keenen Peck of my office. Thank you.

sincerely

 
 

Herb Kohl, U.S.S.