WHEREAS the Maritime Law Association of the United States ("MLA") drafted a Proposal for a new Carriage of Goods by Sea Act, which Proposal was reviewed by the membership of the MLA, and adopted by a clear majority vote at the General Meeting in New York in April, 1996, and

WHEREAS the MLA has been seeking to obtain the support of Congress to enact the Proposal, and

WHEREAS various industry groups have approached Congress in an effort to make modifications or adjustment to the Proposal so as to obtain the approval of their respective groups,

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that pursuant to Section 701.2 of the By-Laws of this Association, that the President of the MLA be authorized to appoint a representative of the MLA to present the Association's views to Congress and where necessary to consent to modifications or adjustments suggested by other industry groups, so long as the spirit and intent of the Proposal adopted by the members at the General Meeting in April, 1996, is maintained as closely and as reasonably as possible.