Page:United States Statutes at Large Volume 69.djvu/637

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[69 Stat. 595]
PUBLIC LAW 000—MMMM. DD, 1955
[69 Stat. 595]

69 S T A T. ]

PUBLIC LAW 304-AUG. 9, 1955

Public Law 304

595 CHAPTER 664

JOINT RESOLUTION To establish a Commission on Government Security. Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled.)

August 9, 1955 [H. j. Res, i57] Commission on Government Security*

DECLARATION OF POLICY

1. I t is vital to the welfare and safety of the United States that there be adequate protection of the national security, including the safeguarding of all national defense secrets and public and private defense installations, against loss or compromise arising from espionage, sabotage, disloyalty, subversive activities, or unauthorized disclosures. I t is, therefore, the policy of the Congress that there shall exist a sound Government program— (a) establishing procedures for security investigation, evaluation, and, where necessary, adjudication of Government employees, and also appropriate security requirements with respect to persons privately employed or occupied on work requiring access to national defense secrets or work affording significant opportunity for injury to the national security; (b) for vigorous enforcement of effective and realistic security laws and regulations; and (c) for a careful, consistent, and efficient administration of this policy in a manner which will protect the national security and preserve basic American rights. SECTION

ESTABLISHMENT OF THE COMMISSION ON GOVERNMENT SECURITY

SEC. 2. (a) For the purpose of carrying out the policy set forth in the first section of this joint resolution, there is hereby established a commission to be known as the Commission on Government Security (hereinafter referred to as the "Commission"). (b) The Commission shall be composed of twelve members as follows: (1) Four appointed by the President of the United States, two from the executive branch of the Government and two from private life; (2) Four appointed by the President of the Senate, two from the Senate and two from private life; and (3) Four appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives, two from the House of Representatives and two from private life. (c) Of the members appointed to the Commission not more than two shall be appointed by the President of the United States, or the President of the Senate, or the Speaker of the House of Representatives from the same political party. (d) Any vacancy in the Commission shall not affect its powers, but shall be filled in the same manner in which the original appointment was made. (e) Service of an individual as a member of the Commission or employment of an individual by the Commission as an attorney or expert in any business or professional field, on a part-time or full-time basis, with or without compensation, shall not be considered as service or employment bringing such individual within the provisions of section 281, 283, 284, 434, or 1914 of title 18 of the United States Code, or section 190 of the Revised Statutes (5 U.S.C. 99).

62 Stat. 697.