Recognizing the anniversary of the proclamation of independence of the Republic of Belarus, expressing concern over the Belarusan Government's infringement on freedom of the press in direct violation of the Helsinki Accords and the constitution of Belarus, and expressing concern about the proposed union between Russia and Belarus.

Referred to the House Committee on International Relations.

Congressional Research Service

Official summary

Version 00 · Introduced in House · Mar 21, 1997

Recognizes the anniversary of the declaration of the independent Republic of Belarus. Calls for the U.S. Government to press the Government of President Lukashenka to: (1) abide by the provisions of the Helsinki Accords and the Constitution of the Republic of Belarus; (2) guarantee freedom of the press; (3) allow for the flowering of Belarusan culture; and (4) enforce the separation of powers. Calls for the Congress to join with Belarusans throughout the world in: (1) defending the statehood and democracy of Belarus; (2) sustaining the country's Constitution; and (3) preventing the loss by Belarus of its hard-won nationhood and its opportunity to survive as an equal and full-fledged member state among the sovereign nations of the world.

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People & committees

Who introduced it

Rep. Pallone, Frank, Jr. [D-NJ-6] · D–NJ

Committees

Foreign Affairs Committee

2 cosponsorship records, including any withdrawals

Legislative record

Actions

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Mar 21, 1997
Referred to the House Committee on International Relations.
Mar 21, 1997
Introduced in House
Mar 21, 1997
Introduced in House

Primary sources

Bill text & related measures

Text links open the official source. We currently store references to these documents.

Introduced in House · Mar 21, 1997 Formatted Text PDF

Related bills identified by Congress.gov

No related bills are listed in this snapshot. This does not establish whether the proposal has appeared in earlier Congresses.

Source last updated: Feb 7, 2024. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.

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Objective

Analyze H.Con.Res.54 as objectively as possible. Explain its main provisions, who would be affected, possible benefits and harms, implementation, exceptions, and uncertainties. Present the strongest arguments for and against it, and identify evidence needed to assess its public impact.

View full prompt & sources

Discuss H.Con.Res.54, 105th Congress: Recognizing the anniversary of the proclamation of independence of the Republic of Belarus, expressing concern over the Belarusan Government's infringement on freedom of the press in direct violation of the Helsinki Accords and the constitution of Belarus, and expressing concern about the proposed union between Russia and Belarus.

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/105th-congress/house-concurrent-resolution/54

Text version to examine: Introduced in House · 1997-03-21.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/105/bills/hconres54/BILLS-105hconres54ih.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2024-02-07T11:39:55Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Analyze H.Con.Res.54 as objectively as possible. Explain its main provisions, who would be affected, possible benefits and harms, implementation, exceptions, and uncertainties. Present the strongest arguments for and against it, and identify evidence needed to assess its public impact.

Fairness and public impact

Progressive lens

Examine H.Con.Res.54 through a progressive lens, focusing on fairness, access, economic inequality, and effects on vulnerable communities. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and distinguish stated goals from demonstrated outcomes.

View full prompt & sources

Discuss H.Con.Res.54, 105th Congress: Recognizing the anniversary of the proclamation of independence of the Republic of Belarus, expressing concern over the Belarusan Government's infringement on freedom of the press in direct violation of the Helsinki Accords and the constitution of Belarus, and expressing concern about the proposed union between Russia and Belarus.

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/105th-congress/house-concurrent-resolution/54

Text version to examine: Introduced in House · 1997-03-21.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/105/bills/hconres54/BILLS-105hconres54ih.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2024-02-07T11:39:55Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Examine H.Con.Res.54 through a progressive lens, focusing on fairness, access, economic inequality, and effects on vulnerable communities. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and distinguish stated goals from demonstrated outcomes.

Institutions and government scope

Conservative lens

Examine H.Con.Res.54 through a conservative lens, focusing on fiscal responsibility, institutional stability, federalism, and the scope of government. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and any provisions that challenge this perspective.

View full prompt & sources

Discuss H.Con.Res.54, 105th Congress: Recognizing the anniversary of the proclamation of independence of the Republic of Belarus, expressing concern over the Belarusan Government's infringement on freedom of the press in direct violation of the Helsinki Accords and the constitution of Belarus, and expressing concern about the proposed union between Russia and Belarus.

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/105th-congress/house-concurrent-resolution/54

Text version to examine: Introduced in House · 1997-03-21.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/105/bills/hconres54/BILLS-105hconres54ih.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2024-02-07T11:39:55Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Examine H.Con.Res.54 through a conservative lens, focusing on fiscal responsibility, institutional stability, federalism, and the scope of government. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and any provisions that challenge this perspective.

Individual rights and government power

Liberty lens

Examine H.Con.Res.54 through a civil-liberties and limited-government lens. Consider individual rights, privacy, voluntary choice, accountability, and government power. Explain tradeoffs, possible safeguards, and the strongest counterarguments without assuming the proposal is beneficial or harmful.

View full prompt & sources

Discuss H.Con.Res.54, 105th Congress: Recognizing the anniversary of the proclamation of independence of the Republic of Belarus, expressing concern over the Belarusan Government's infringement on freedom of the press in direct violation of the Helsinki Accords and the constitution of Belarus, and expressing concern about the proposed union between Russia and Belarus.

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/105th-congress/house-concurrent-resolution/54

Text version to examine: Introduced in House · 1997-03-21.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/105/bills/hconres54/BILLS-105hconres54ih.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2024-02-07T11:39:55Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Examine H.Con.Res.54 through a civil-liberties and limited-government lens. Consider individual rights, privacy, voluntary choice, accountability, and government power. Explain tradeoffs, possible safeguards, and the strongest counterarguments without assuming the proposal is beneficial or harmful.