introduced by Representative Aspinall, was to set up a fund from which the people of Rongelap would receive annually the interest only, and upon special request, payments from the principle. The bill was subsequently amended to appropriate the sum of $950,000 which would be made in direct payments to the people--less a 5 percent attorney's fee. Both committee reports included a statement dated March 15, 1963 from then Assistant Secretary of the Department of State to the chairman which said in part: “As you know, the Department of State strongly supports this bill. We are grateful to you for introducing it so promptly at this session of Congress and most earnestly hope that it will be speedily approved. You recall of course, the great interest the United Nations Trusteeship Council has taken in this matter, At its session last summer, the Council again expressed its view that, the need for the most expeditious settlement of these claims cannot be over emphasized .*** The Department of State believes this to be true as much for reasons of our national interests as to satisfy the requirements of the Trusteeship Council. "The Trusteeship Council will meet again in May and we hope that by that time this bill might be well on its way to enactment. The Department of State will, of course, be happy to assist you and your committee in any way you might desire." Of particular interest to the Special Joint Committee are two sections of another statement which were made part of the House and Senate committee reports, The identical statements were from John A. Carver, Jr., Assistant Secretary of the Interior and were dated March 14, 1963. Statement is of interest in the light that House of Representatives Bill No. 1988 (HR 1988) states that-- -15~ wot owe eteageete - <Page oe . * teemnge, SRDee Art eS £03 * a ray, te The