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103D CONGRESS
2D SESSION
H. R. 4442
To provide consultations for the development of Articles of Relations and
Self-Government for insular areas of the United States.
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
MAY 17, 1994
Mr. YOUNG of Alaska introduced the following bill; which was referred to the
Committee on Natural Resources
A BILL
To provide consultations for the development of Articles of
Relations and Self-Government for insular areas of the
United States.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa-
tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. FINDINGS.
(a) FINDINGS.—The Congress finds that:
(1) The United States of America has long been
committed to making it possible for all peoples to ex-
ercise their inherent rights of self-government.
(2) While the nearly four million citizens of the
insular areas of the United States of America are
United States citizens (or, in the case of American
Samoa, United States nationals) and have achieved
local self-government, they do not fully participate in
the Federal decisionmaking process although they
are subject to Federal laws, rules, and regulations.
SEC. 2. PURPOSE.
The purpose of this Act is to provide a process where-
by the citizens of United States insular areas can achieve
a full measure of self-government through political inte-
gration into the United States or through another ar-
rangement with the United States.
SEC. 3. ARTICLES OF RELATIONS AND SELF-GOVERNMENT.
(a) GENERAL AUTHORIZATION.—Before December
31, 1998, the President and the government of an insular
area may develop, and submit to the Congress, proposed
measures to enable the citizens of the insular area to exer-
cise greater powers of self-government or greater partici-
pation in the Federal system.
(b) APPOINTMENT OF UNITED STATES REPRESENT-
ATIVE.—At the request of the government of an insular
area transmitted not later than December 31, 1997, the
President shall designate a personal representative to con-
sult and develop in good faith with representatives des-
ignated by the government of the area, Articles of Rela-
tions and Self-Government.
(c) SUBMISSION DEADLINE.—The proposed Articles
and a report on the consultations shall be submitted to
the Congress within one year after the appointment of a
representative under subsection (b).
(d) RATIFICATION.—Upon enactment of a resolution
approving the proposed Articles, the legislation shall be
submitted to the citizens of the insular area in a plebiscite
organized by the government of the insular area and shall
take effect in accordance with the terms of such resolution
if ratified by a majority vote in that plebiscite.
(e) INSULAR AREA DEFINED.—For the purpose of
this Act, the term ‘‘insular area’’ includes American
Samoa, Guam, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mari-
ana Islands, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, and the
Virgin Islands.
SEC. 4. GENERAL INSULAR AREAS PROCESSES.
The process for developing the status of insular areas
provided for by this Act shall be in addition to any other
process for addressing issues in the relationship between
the United States and an insular area established by or
initiated pursuant to any other Federal or insular area
Act and enactment of this Act is not intended to prevent
or limit such efforts.
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