As an aid to Congress in understanding nuclear weapons, nuclear proliferation, and arms control matters, this report describes which agency is responsible for research and development (R&D) of nuclear weapons (i.e., nuclear explosive devices, as distinct from the bombers and missiles that deliver them) in the nine nations with nuclear weapons and whether these agencies are civilian or military. It also traces the history of such agencies in the United States from 1942 to the present.

This report discusses a new law, Registration, Evaluation, Authorization, and Restriction of Chemicals (REACH), that the European Union (EU) began to implement On June 1, 2007.

In May 2003, the United States, Canada, and Argentina initiated a formal challenge before the World Trade Organization (WTO) of the European Union’s (EU’s) de facto moratorium on approving new agricultural biotechnology products, in place since 1998. Although the EU effectively lifted the moratorium in May 2004 by approving a genetically engineered (GE) corn variety, the three countries are pursuing the case, in part because a number of EU member states continue to block approved biotech products. Because of delays, the WTO is expected to decide the case by December 2005. The moratorium reportedly cost U.S. corn growers some $300 million in exports to the EU annually. The EU moratorium, U.S. officials contend, threatened other agricultural exports not only to the EU, but also to other parts of the world where the EU approach to regulating agricultural biotechnology is taking hold.

This report provides detailed background and legal analysis of the nature of the current European Union embargo on arms exports to China. It also provides detailed background on the European Union’s current Code of Conduct on Arms Exports. A strengthened version of the Code would be one of the control mechanisms that would remain should the EU lift the embargo on arms exports to China. This report also gives information on recent EU arms exports authorized for China. It further summarizes U.S. concerns regarding the lifting of the arms embargo, and notes the prospective timing of EU action on the embargo issue.

Interview with Bill J. Ripkowski, a sergeant in the US Army during WWII. He answers questions about his life in the military and his time abroad during the war.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Abelino Alviar. Alviar joined the Army in May of 1944. In early 1945, he joined the 778th Anti-aircraft Artillery Automatic Weapons Battalion. They deployed to Le Havre, France, and traveled to Munich, Germany, arriving after the Battle of the Ardennes. Alviar provided guard duty, and served as a gunner on the half-track supporting the 1st Infantry Division as they fought into Germany. He also worked as a translator and helped transport supplies to the front line. He returned home and was discharged in May of 1946.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Abelino Alviar. Alviar joined the Army in May of 1944. In early 1945, he joined the 778th Anti-aircraft Artillery Automatic Weapons Battalion. They deployed to Le Havre, France, and traveled to Munich, Germany, arriving after the Battle of the Ardennes. Alviar provided guard duty, and served as a gunner on the half-track supporting the 1st Infantry Division as they fought into Germany. He also worked as a translator and helped transport supplies to the front line. He returned home and was discharged in May of 1946.

Interview with Herman Berges, a veteran of the U.S. Army who served as a medic in World War II. Berges describes his time in basic training in Texas, service in Germany and France, and general feelings on war and life after. He also talks about receiving the Silver Star, the third highest medal in the Army, from General Anthony McAuliffe.

Interview with Andrew Brosh, Sr., a veteran of the U.S. Army from Karnes County, Texas who served in World War II. Brosh describes his time in basic training and experiences serving in Europe, as well as seeing American prisoners of war.

Interview with Bill J. Ripkowski, a sergeant in the US Army during WWII. He answers questions about his life in the military and his time abroad during the war.

Interview with Andrew Brosh, Sr., a veteran of the U.S. Army from Karnes County, Texas who served in World War II. Brosh describes his time in basic training and experiences serving in Europe, as well as seeing American prisoners of war.

Video recording from The Black Academy of Arts and Letters of a sample reel for a commercial to be made about an upcoming performance of "Wild Women Blues" in June of 2002. The BetaCam footage shows high quality clips of the women giving a crowd pleasing performance such as Linda Hopkins performing in Paris in March of 2001.

Video recording from The Black Academy of Arts and Letters of a sample reel for a commercial to be mads about an upcoming performance of "Wild Women Blues" in June of 2002. The BetaCam footage shows high quality clips of the women giving a crowd pleasing performance such as Linda Hopkins performing in Paris in March of 2001.

Interview with accountant and Army veteran Frederick R. Freeman. The interview includes Freeman's personal experiences about the European Theater during the World War II, basic training, advanced infantry training, initial combat on the front lines in France, survival techniques under combat conditions, the Ardennes Offensive, and the Battle of the Bulge. Freeman also talks about the effects of combat losses and acclimation of individual replacements, his bout with combat exhaustion and reassignment to a replacement depot as a clerk, his participation in the Army of Occupation, and postwar adjustments to civilian life.