HR 2410: CLW Letter of Support

June 9, 2009

Dear Member of Congress:

Council for a Livable World strongly endorses H.R. 2410, the State Department Authorization Bill, on the House floor tomorrow.

We particularly commend the following provisions in Title II, Subtitle D–Strengthening Arms Control and Nonproliferation Activities at the Department of State:

The call to develop immediately a plan to strengthen the capabilities of the Department of State to lead and participate effectively in all international negotiations and implementation fora in the field of nonproliferation and arms control.
The authorization of $3,000,000 for an additional 25 positions at the Department of State for arms control and nonproliferation functions over the number of such positions in existence as of the date of the enactment of this Act.
The establishment of the Arms Control and Nonproliferation Rotation Program for employees of the Department of State and such other Federal departments and agencies. The Rotation Program would:
- provide midlevel Foreign Service officers and employees of the Department, and employees of other Federal departments and agencies concerned with arms control and nonproliferation responsibilities the opportunity to broaden their knowledge through exposure to other areas of the Department and such other Federal departments and agencies;
- expand the knowledge base of the Department by providing for rotational assignments of employees to such other Federal departments and agencies;
- build professional relationships and contacts among the employees in such other Federal departments and agencies;
- invigorate the Department’s arms control and nonproliferation workforce with professionally rewarding opportunities; and
- incorporate human capital strategic plans and activities of the Department, and address critical human capital deficiencies, professional development, recruitment and retention efforts, and succession planning within the Federal workforce of the Department.
The establishment of a scholarship program (to be known as the “Arms Control and Nonproliferation Scholarship Program”) to award scholarships for the purpose of recruiting and preparing students for civilian careers in the fields of nonproliferation, arms control, and international security to meet the critical needs of the Department of State.
The establishment of a ten-member Scientific Advisory Committee to advise the President, the Secretary of State, and the Undersecretary for Arms Control and International Security regarding scientific, technical, and policy matters affecting arms control and nonproliferation.

Sincerely,