In other words, atomic energy had opened up entirely new fields of
interest for the states. Based on the 1955 decision to cope with these
challenges, the Conference in 1956 ordered a comprehensive study of the
problem, set up a Regional Advisory Council on Nuclear Energy sup-
ported by funds from each of the Southern States as an instrument
to serve interstate interests in nuclear energy developments and con-
trols, thus allowing the states to join together by statutory means to
treat matters of mutual interest. The compact concept offered a work-
able program for joint ventures and reciprocal assistance in the nuclear
field, and for assistance to individual states as they desired to proceed.
It was approved in 1959, and then presented to the respective legis-
latures for ratification beginning in 1960. A unique part of the compact
was a provision that a representative be appointed by the President
of the United States to serve on an interstate board. Of all interstate
compacts approved by the United States Congress since the country
was founded, the compact setting up the Southern Interstate Nuclear
Board is the only one containing this provision.

The compact was presented to the Congress in 1961 and approved
in 1962. It was signed into law July 21, 1962 by President Kennedy,
who commented in 1963 that: "The action of the 17 states of the
Southern Governors' Conference in establishing the Southern Interstate
Nuclear Board as a mechanism to pool the energies and resources of
the jurisdictions is in keeping with the best traditions of progressive
and prudent governmental planning. "

This was followed in October 1964 by President Johnson in this
message to the Southern Governors' Conference: "Your Southern Inter-
state Nuclear Board is a fine example of cooperation to meet problems
of common concern. I am confident we will see great progress in our
creative partnership. "

Basically, the Southern Interstate Nuclear Board serves as a catalyst
to pool the resources of the region, to assist our states in individually
advancing their own capabilities for meeting responsibilities and claim-
ing opportunities, and in providing a central point of liaison with the
federal government so that the southern region can be kept attuned
to federal programs in areas served by the agreement.

The Board also was charged by this Conference in 1962 to accept
responsibility for exploring and keeping in touch with developments in

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