Joint resolution authorizing the President to employ the Armed Forces of the United States for protecting the security of Formosa, the Pescadores and related positions and territories of that area
PL 84-4 (H.J.Res.159), enacted 01/29/1955

69 
S T A T . ] 
Public Law 4 
PUBLIC LAW 5-FEB. 7, 1955 
CHAPTER 4 
J O I N T R E S O L U T I O N 
January 29,1955 
Authorizing the President to employ the Armed Forces of the United States for 
[H. J. Res. 159] 
protecting the security of Formosa, the Pescadores and related positions and 
territories of that area. 
Whereas tlie primary purpose of the United States, in its relations 
with all other nations, is to develop and sustain a just and enduring 
peace for all; and 
Whereas certain territories in the West Pacific under the jurisdiction 
of the Republic of China are now^ under armed attack, and threats 
and declarations have been and are being made by the Chinese Com-
munists that such armed attack is in aid of and in preparation for 
armed attack on Formosa and the Pescadores, 
Whereas such armed attack if continued would gravely endanger the 
peace and security of the West Pacific Area and particularly of 
Formosa and the Pescadores; and 
Whereas the secure possession by friendly governments of the Western 
Pacific Island chain, of which Formosa is a part, is essential to 
the vital interests of the TJnited States and all friendly nations 
in or bordering upon the Pacific Ocean; and 
"V\niereas tlie President of the United States on January 6, 1955, sub-
mitted to the Senate for its advice and con-^ent to ratification a 
Mutual Defense Treaty between the United States of America and 
the Republic of China, which recognizes that an armed attack in 
the West Pacific area directed against territories, therein described, 
in the region of Formosa and the Pescadores, would be dangerous 
to the peace and safety of the parties to the treaty: Therefore be it 
Resol'ved hy the Senate and Iloune of Representatives 
of the United 
States of America in Congress asuemhled^ That the President of the 
United States be and he hereby is authorized to employ the Armed 
Forces of the Ignited States as he deems necessary for the specific 
purpose of securing and protecting Formosa and the Pescadores 
against armed attack, this authority to include the securing and pro-
tection of such related positions and territories of that area now in 
friendly hands and the taking of such other measures as he judges to 
be required or appropriate in assuring the defense of Formosa and 
the Pescadores. 
This resolution shall expire w^hen the President shall determine 
that the peace and security of the area is reasonably assured by inter-
national conditions created by action of the Ignited Nations or other-
wise, and shall so report to the Congress. 
Approved January 29, 1955, 8:42 a.m. 
F o r m o s a 
a n d 
Pescadores. 
Defense. 
Expiration. 
Report. 
Public Law 5 
CHAPTER 5 
AN ACT 
February 7, 1955 
To amend the Act of July 10, 1953, which created the Commission on Inter- 
[H. R. 20 lO] 
governmental Relations. 
Be it enacted hy the Senate and House of Representatives 
of the 
United States of America in Congress assemoled, That subsection (c) 
of section 3 of the Act of July 10,1953, entitled "An Act to establish 
a Commission on Intergovernmental Relations", is hereby amended 
to read as follows: 
"(c) The Commission, not later than June 30, 1955, shall submit 
to the President for transmittal to the Congress its final report, includ-
ing recommendations for legislative action; and the Commission may 
67 Stat. -146. 
5 u s e 138a- 138j. 
Final report, etc. 
PUBLIC LAW 6-FEB. 15, 1955 
[69 
S T A T . 
also from time to time make to the President such earlier reports as 
the President may request or as the Commission deems appropriate." 
SEC. 2. Section 6 of such Act of July 10, 1953, is hereby amended 
to read as follows: 
"TERMINATION OF THE COMMISSION 
Ante, p. 5. 
"SEC. 6. The Commission shall cease to exist at the close of business 
on June 30,1955." 
Approved February 7, 1955. 
Public Law 6 
CHAPTER 6 
JOINT RESOLUTION 
[s. jf. ftes. 14] 
Extending an invitation to the International Olympic Committee to hold the 
1960 Olympic Games at Detroit, Michigan. 
February 15,1955 
'3. J. Res. " •-
1960 
O l y m p i c 
Games. 
I n v i t a t i o n 
to 
Detroit, Mich. 
Resoliyed hy the Senate and House of Representatives 
of the United 
States of America in Congress assembled^ That whereas the United 
States Olympic Association will invite the International Olympic 
Committee to hold the Olympic Games in the United States at Detroit, 
Michigan, in 1960, the Government of the United States joins in the 
invitation of the United States Olympic Association to the Inter-
national Olympic Committee to hold the 1960 Olympic Games in the 
United States at Detroit, Michigan; and expresses the sincere hope 
that the United States will be selected as the site for this great 
enterprise in international good w^ill. 
SEC. 2. The Secretary of State is directed to transmit a copy of this 
joint resolution to the International Olympic Committee. 
Approved February 15, 1955, 
Public Law 7 
CHAPTER 7 
February 15, 1955 
[H. R. 587] 
Veterans. 
Ed u c a t i o n a l 
benefits. 
66 Stat. 663. 
AN ACT 
To provide that persons serving in the Armed Forces on January 31, 1955, may 
continue to accrue educational benefits under the Veterans' Readjustment 
Assistance Act of 1952, and for other purposes. 
Be it enacted hy the Senate and House of Representatives 
of the 
United States of Ameiica in Congress assembled^ That (a) section 201 
(1) of the Veterans' Readjustment Assistance Act of 1952 (38 U. S. C , 
sec. 911 (1)) is hereby amended to read as follows: 
" (1) the term 'basic service period' means the period beginning 
on June 27,1950, and ending on January 31,1955, except that with 
respect to persons in the active service in the Armed Forces on 
January 31, 1955, such term means the period beginning on June 
27, 1950, and ending on the date of the person's first discharge or 
release from such service after January 31, 1955;". 
(b) Section 201 (2) (A) of such Act (38 U. S. C, sec. 911 (2) (A)) 
is hereby amended by striking out "during the basic service period" 
and inserting in lieu thereof "during the period beginning on June 
27, 1950, and ending on January 31, 1955". 
(c) Section 212 (c) of such Act (38 U. S. C, sec. 917 (c)) is hereby 
amended by striking out "during the basic service period" each time 
it occurs and inserting in lieu thereof each time "prior to Februaiy 1, 
1955". 
(d) Section 213 of such Act (38 U. S. C, sec. 918) is hereby amended 
to read as follows: