Massachusetts House Passes Burma Bi

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Subject: Massachusetts House Passes Burma Bill

Coalition for Corporate Withdrawal from Burma

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:			Contact:  Simon Billenness
							617-423-6655
July 20, 1995

BURMA BILL PASSED BY MASSACHUSETTS
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

NEWS EDITORS, BUSINESS EDITORS

	Boston--July 20, 1995-- Yesterday, with Burma's democracy 
movement gaining momentum, the Massachusetts House of Representatives passed 
H2833, a bill that would effectively bar the Commonwealth of Massachusetts from 
buying any goods or services from companies doing business in Burma.

The Burma bill is sponsored by State Representitive Byron Rushing (D, 
Boston).  It is closely modeled on "selective contract" legislation regularly 
introduced by Rep. Rushing during the anti-apartheid movement.  By 
executive order, Massachusetts stopped buying goods or services from companies
doing business in South Africa.	

Last week, in the face of growing international condemnation, the 
military junta of Burma released Nobel Peace Prize winning democracy 
leader Aung San Suu Kyi from six years of detainment without charge. 
Military offensives against ethnic minorities and other human rights 
violations continue unabated.

"When Nelson Mandela was released, it was two years before he called for 
the lifting of sanctions" says Rep. Rushing.  "Since her release, Aung San 
Suu Kyi has asked other countries not to rush to invest in Burma.  We will
press forward in our campaign until there is an irreversible transfer of power
to Burma's legitimate, elected representatives."
	
Having passed its third and final reading in the House, H2833 now goes to 
the Massachusetts Senate.  If it passes the Senate, the bill will go to 
Governor William Weld for his signature.

Last year the same bill stalled in the House Ways & Means Committee.

In February, the City of Berkeley, California, became the first city to 
boycott companies doing business in Burma.  The Massachusetts bill is the first 
statewide legislation.  It is expected that ten other cities and states 
will introduce similar legislation this year.  

US Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-KY) is preparing to introduce a federal Burma 
sanctions bill.

Massachusetts, with a population of 6 million, has the tenth largest 
economy in the US.  The state and local budget is over $11 billion, including
the purchase of billions of dollars of goods and services annually.
                          
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Contact:  Simon Billenness 617-423-6655,  ext 225   Franklin Research & 
Development Corporation
            Rep. Byron Rushing 617-722-2240  Massachusetts State House of 
Representatives