Judge Daniel Shanes
Judicial Experience
Chief Judge, 19th Judicial Circuit of Illinois (2024-Present)
Deputy Chief Judge, 19th Judicial Circuit of Illinois (2022-2024)
Presiding Judge, 19th Judicial Circuit of Illinois (2012-2022)
Circuit Judge, 19th Judicial Circuit of Illinois (2010-Present)
Judge Shanes is currently the Chief Judge of the 19th Judicial Circuit, after being unanimously elected by his peers on a bipartisan basis. His responsibilities include directing the administration of the entire Circuit Court of 41 judges across all its divisions (including criminal, felony, misdemeanor/traffic, civil, family, and juvenile/restorative justice), as well as staff of approximately 270 court professionals, including probation and detention officers, court reporters, court interpreters, staff attorneys, information technology, finance and human resources, and other judicial operations professionals. As Chief Judge, Judge Shanes directs budget and grant priorities and proposals, leads contract negotiations and responsibilities with the collective bargaining unit, and provides strategic planning and implementation for the Circuit Court. In addition, Judge Shanes serves as liaison with the County Board, Sheriff, State’s Attorney, Circuit Court Clerk, and Public Defender.
Judge Shanes served as the Deputy Chief Judge of the 19th Judicial Circuit. His responsibilities included assisting in directing the administration of the entire circuit court and acted as a liaison with the County Board, the Sheriff's Office, State's Attorney, Circuit Court Clerk, and Public Defender. He also served as the Chief Judge when the Chief Judge was absent.
Judge Shanes was the Presiding Judge of the Felony Division, and previously served as the Presiding Judge of the Misdemeanor/Traffic Division. As Presiding Judge, his responsibilities included all administrative matters within the division, hearing substitution-of-judge motions, and convening and supervising the Grand Jury.
Appointed in 2010 by the Illinois Supreme Court to fill a circuit court vacancy, Judge Shanes was rated "highly recommended" by the Lake County Bar Association. He has presided over more than 125 jury trial in both criminal and civil cases, including several during the pandemic.
Associate Judge, 19th Judicial Circuit of Illinois (2007-2010)
Judge Shanes was first selected by the circuit judges to serve as an associate judge in 2007. During his time as an associate judge, his assignments included felony trials, bond court, traffic court, and as a floating back-up presiding in every division of the courthouse.
J.D., DePaul University
B.A., University of Iowa
Leadership in Judicial Administration and Education
Illinois Judicial College Board of Trustees, Chair (2020-2022), Trustee (2016-2024)
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Chaired the Board of Trustees of the Illinois Supreme Court Judicial College.
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The Court created the judicial college to provide comprehensive and multidisciplinary educational and professional development training to Illinois trial and appellate court judges and justice partners, including circuit court clerks, probation officers, guardians ad litem, trial court administrators, and others.
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Since 2010, regularly served as faculty both for new judge training as well as continuing judicial education on topics including evidence, criminal law and procedure, ethics and professionalism, trial practice, judicial discretion, contempt, and courtroom management.
Illinois Supreme Court Committee on Pattern Jury Instructions for Criminal Cases, Chair (2023-present), Vice-Chair (2019-2023), Member (2016-present)
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Appointed by the Illinois Supreme Court to serve as one of 18 committee members drafting mandatory pattern jury instructions for criminal cases.
Illinois Judicial Conference, Member (2018-2024)
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One of 15 judges selected by the Illinois Supreme Court to serve on the newly reconstituted Illinois Judicial Conference.
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Chaired by the Chief Justice, the Conference is charged with the development, implementation, and management of Illinois’ first-ever long-term statewide strategic agenda for the courts.
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Chaired task force overseeing development of a new Supreme Court website and developing toolkit for circuit courts to create and enhance their websites.
Faculty, National Judicial College, Reno, Nevada (2015-present)
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The National Judicial College recruits select judges from across the United States to serve as faculty to provide judicial education for trial and appellate judges in State and Federal courts.
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Serves as faculty for judicial education programs across the country on a variety of topics, including evidence, trial practice, judicial discretion, contempt, and courtroom management.
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One of only two Illinois judges serving as faculty.
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Faculty, National Center for State Courts, Williamsburg, Virginia (2024-present)
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The National Center for State Courts recruits select court administrators and chief/administrative judges from across the United States who drive innovation and progress in courts and justice systems to consult and provide education and professional development to state courts.
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The NCSC houses the Institute for Court Management, providing multiple levels of credentialed certifications to judicial and court professionals.
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Selected to serve as faculty for topics including Purposes and Responsibilities of the Courts and Elements of Judicial Excellence.
Member, Illinois Supreme Court Committee on Education (2010-2016)
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Appointed by the Illinois Supreme Court to serve on its Committee on Education, providing judicial education and training to all Illinois judges until its dissolution in 2016.
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Selected to chair the faculty recruitment and development workgroup.
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Responsibilities included developing curriculum and serving as faculty.
Certified New Judge Mentor (2012-present)
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Trained and approved by the Illinois Supreme Court to serve as official mentor to new judges appointed or elected to the bench.
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Prior Professional Experience
Assistant State’s Attorney, Division Chief, Lake County State’s Attorney’s office (1995-2007)
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Served as assistant State’s Attorney and division chief.
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Personally prosecuted all types of cases, becoming one of the lead prosecutors in child-sexual-predator and first-degree-murder cases.
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Founding team member that created Lake County’s successful Drug Court, developing a program providing comprehensive treatment and supervision for repeat, non-violent felony offenders whose criminality is driven by significant substance abuse.
Judicial Law Clerk, Justice Robert J. Steigmann, Illinois Appellate Court (1993-1995)
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Assisted the Justice in all aspects of court business.
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Also assisted the Justice with his independent responsibilities as Chair of the Illinois Supreme Court Committee on Pattern Jury Instructions for Criminal Cases.
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Professional and Community Leadership
Lake County Bar Association
Board of Directors (2011-2017)
Secretary (2006-2008)
Co-Editor, The Docket (2004-2007)
Member (1995-present)
Illinois Judges Association
Board of Directors (2008-2014)
Co-Editor, The Gavel (2011-2012)
Member (2007-present)
Board of Directors, Lake County Haven (2011-2017)
Homeless shelter and transitional living facility for women and children
Illinois State Bar Association
Appointed by ISBA president to serve on Criminal Justice Section Council (2005-2010)
Member (1990-present)
The Jefferson Inn, American Inns of Court
Member (1998-present)
Volunteer coach, community youth baseball and soccer programs (2005-2013)
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Selected awards and recognition for service to the justice system
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Commendations from the National Judicial College for serving as faculty with distinction (2020, 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015)
Benedict J. Ori Award (2012)
Fred L. Foreman Criminal Justice Award (2008)
Commendation from the 19th Judicial Circuit Court for outstanding service as an Associate Judge (2008)
National Crime Victims Justice Award (2007)
Commendation from the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Chicago Division, North Resident Agency (2007)
Commendations from the Illinois MEG Directors and Task Force Commanders Association (2006, 2002)
Commendations from the Lake County Metropolitan Enforcement Group (2005, 2001)
Commendations from the Lake County Sheriff’s Office (2001, 1999, 1998)
Commendation from Lake County State’s Attorney’s office (“On the Spot Award”) (2000)
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Selected Judicial Education and Scholarship
Illinois Supreme Court Judicial College and Committee on Education
Biennial Judicial Education Conference (2010-present)
Serve as faculty on various topics including jury trial management, evidence law, ethics and professionalism, and judicial discretion.
Annual New Judge Education Seminar (2013-present)
Serve as faculty on various topics including contempt-of-court, guilty plea and sentencing proceedings, and jury trial management.
National Judicial College, Reno, Nevada (2015-present)
Serve as faculty for a variety of NJC national courses, including General Jurisdiction, Jury Trial Management, Judicial Academy,
and Advanced Evidence. Also asked to teach courses for the NJC in several specific jurisdictions:
South Korean Judicial Research and Training Institute (2021)
Selected by the NJC to develop curriculum and serve as faculty for course for the South Korean judiciary on sentencing
procedures and issues in criminal cases.
Arkansas Supreme Court Education Committee (2017)
Served as faculty from the National Judicial College for Arkansas judicial education conference, presenting on evidence,
contempt, and judicial discretion.
Tennessee Supreme Court Education Committee (2016)
Served as faculty from the National Judicial College for state-wide Tennessee judicial education conference, presenting on
evidence and judicial discretion.
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Vermont State Judicial Officer Education Committee (2022)
Invited by the Vermont Chief Superior Judge and Judicial Officer Education Committee to participate as faculty in Vermont’s
new judge education program.
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Arkansas Supreme Court Education Committee (2018, 2020)
Invited by the Arkansas Supreme Court Education Committee to return to serve as plenary speaker on contempt-of-court issues at
state-wide judicial education conferences.
Illinois State’s Attorneys Appellate Prosecutor (2005-present)
Annually teach two-day continuing education program for attorneys hosted at the University of Illinois College of Law.
Lake County Bar Association, Illinois Public Defenders Association, Illinois Appellate Lawyers Association, and other MCLE providers (generally 2007-present)
Present continuing education programs for attorneys at various conferences and seminars.
Illinois law enforcement in-service training (2016-present)
Provide training on constitutional law and criminal procedure for Illinois police to understand and properly fulfill their duties.
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Daniel B. Shanes, Confronting Testimonial Hearsay: Understanding the New Confrontation Clause, 40 Loy. U. Chi. L. J. 879 (2009).
Cited in: People v. Bryant, 391 Ill.App.3d 1072, 909 N.E.2d 391 (4th Dist. 2009)
People v. Sharp, 391 Ill.App.3d 947, 909 N.E.2d 971 (4th Dist. 2009)
People v. Kitch, 392 Ill.App.3d 108, 915 N.E.2d 29 (4th Dist. 2009), aff’d 239 Ill.2d 452, 942 N.E.2d 1235 (2011)
30B Wright & Miller, Federal Practice and Procedure, ch. 9, §§ 7033, 7034 (2009)
2 Steigmann & Nicholson, Illinois Evidence Manual, §10:16 (2011)
5C Washington Practice Series, §1300.24 (5th ed. 2010)
3 Bailey & Fishman, Criminal Trial Techniques, ch. 67 (2010)
2 Modern Constitutional Law, § 30:65 (3rd ed. 2011)
C. Koochek, Giles v. California: Slaying the Supreme Court’s Overly Formalistic Forfeiture by Wrongdoing Exception to the
Sixth Amendment, 31 Whittier L. Rev. 759 (2010)
K. Vanderpuye, Traditions in Conflict: The Internationalization of Confrontation, 43 Cornell Int’l L.J. 513 (2010)
J. Scott, “Confronting” Foreign Intelligence: Crawford Roadblocks to Domestic Terrorism Trials, 101 J. Crim. L. &
Criminology 1039 (2011)
Backes, Wasim, et al., Recording Victim Video Statements as Evidence to Advance Legal Outcomes in Family Violence
Cases (ReVEAL) 2.0: Case Characteristics and Initial Impact, Institute on Domestic Violence & Sexual Assault,
University of Texas at Austin (2019)
Daniel B. Shanes, The Crawford Confrontation Clause: Governmental Involvement Key to Testimonial Hearsay, 96 Ill. B.J. 574 (2008)
Cited in: People v. Richter, 2012 IL App (4th) 101025, 977 N.E.2d 1257 (quoting approvingly)
J. Wykoff, DNA Evidence and the Confrontation Clause After People v. Barner, 104 Ill. B.J. 36, 40 (2016)
Wright & Miller, Federal Practice and Procedure, § 6371.2 (2016)
A. Neumann, Criminal Law: Incompatible Approaches to Interpreters’ Translations, 47 Mitchell Hamline L. Rev. 751 (2021)
Daniel B. Shanes, Murder Plus Mitigation: The “Lesser Mitigated Offense” Arrives in Illinois, 27 J. Marshall L. Rev. 61 (1993)
Cited in: People v. Jeffries, 164 Ill.2d 104, 646 N.E.2d 587 (Ill. Sup. Ct. 1995)
People v. Kidd, 295 Ill.App.3d 160, 692 N.E.2d 455 (4th Dist. 1998) (Steigmann, J., specially concurring)
People v. Kauffman, 308 Ill.App.3d 1, 719 N.E.2d 275 (1st Dist. 1999)
People v. Izquierdo-Flores, 367 Ill.App.3d 377, 854 N.E.2d 1156 (2nd Dist. 2006) (Bowman, J., dissenting)
People v. Burton, 2012 IL App (1st) 103007-U
Sandra B. McPherson, Insanity and Mitigation to Murder, in Lethal Violence: A Sourcebook on Fatal Domestic,
Acquaintance and Stranger Violence, at 460 (Harold V. Hall, ed. 1999)
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Daniel B. Shanes, Justice in the Balance, The Docket (Lake County Bar Assoc.), Dec. 2009, at 9.
Daniel B. Shanes, Only the State Can File a Petition To Revoke, Criminal Justice (Illinois State Bar Assoc.), vol. 52, p.8
(January 2009).
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Daniel B. Shanes, The standard of care on the common school bus, Chicago Daily Law Bulletin, Aug. 15, 2008, at 5.
Reprinted sub nom. Is the Ubiquitous School Bus a Common Carrier? It May Not Matter, The Docket (Lake County Bar Assoc.),
Sept. 2008, at 11.
Daniel B. Shanes, Court outlines agency’s boundaries, Chicago Daily Law Bulletin, Jan. 11, 2008, at 5.
Reprinted sub nom. Administrative Agencies and Meat Loaf, The Docket (Lake County Bar Assoc.), Feb. 2008, at 25.
Daniel B. Shanes, Justice Finds Reason to Bark, Chicago Daily Law Bulletin, Dec. 4, 2007, at 5.
Reprinted sub nom. Restrictive Covenants, Legitimate Business Interests, and Barking Dogs, The Docket (Lake County Bar Assoc.),
Jan. 2008, at 15.
Daniel B. Shanes, Crawford v. Washington and Davis v. Washington: What Did the Supreme Court Do Now?, The Docket (Lake County
Bar Assoc.), Nov. 2006, at 17.
Reprinted in 2 Steigmann & Nicholson, Illinois Evidence Manual, §10:15 (2006).
Daniel B. Shanes, Summary Judgment Update, The Docket (Lake County Bar Assoc.), June 2006, at 31.
Daniel B. Shanes, Quick Hits in Civil Practice, The Docket (Lake County Bar Assoc.), Apr. 2006, at 19.
Daniel B. Shanes, Crawford v. Washington; Where are we now?, Newsletter (State’s Attorneys Appellate Prosecutor, Second District),
Oct. 2005.
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Daniel B. Shanes, Civil Case Law Update: How Void Is Void?, The Docket (Lake County Bar Assoc.), Sept. 2005, at 23.
Reprinted sub nom. How void is void?, Bench & Bar (Illinois State Bar Assoc.), vol. 36, p. 2 (Dec. 2005).
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Daniel B. Shanes, How Many Plaintiffs Make a Party?, The Docket (Lake County Bar Assoc.), May 2005, at 29.
Reprinted sub nom. How many plaintiffs make a party?, Bench & Bar (Illinois State Bar Assoc.), vol. 36, p. 3 (Sept. 2005).
Daniel B. Shanes, Crawford and the New Confrontation Clause: How has it Developed?, The Docket (Lake County Bar Assoc.),
Nov. 2004, at 7.
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Daniel B. Shanes, A Motion to Reconsider Is Not a Mulligan, The Docket (Lake County Bar Assoc.), Oct. 2004, at 11.
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Daniel B. Shanes, Civil Practice Alert: Post-Trial Motions and Untimely Appeals, The Docket (Lake County Bar Assoc.), Aug. 2004,
at 13.
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Daniel B. Shanes, Admitting Pre-Existing Injuries Without Experts, The Docket (Lake County Bar Assoc.), July 2004, at 21.
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Daniel B. Shanes, Confronting the Sixth Amendment: The Supreme Court Rewrites the Confrontation Clause, The Docket (Lake
County Bar Assoc.), May 2004, at 7.
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Daniel B. Shanes, Recent Civil Appellate Issues: Should that Appeal Be Appealing?, The Docket (Lake County Bar Assoc.),
Feb. 2004, at 9.
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Daniel B. Shanes, Sue First, Ask Questions Later? Try Naming Respondents in Discovery, The Docket (Lake County Bar Assoc.),
Oct. 2003, at 15.
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Daniel B. Shanes, Did Sally Leave Harry? Also Known As: Is that Divorce Decree Void or Voidable?, The Docket (Lake County Bar
Assoc.), May 2003, at 31.
Daniel B. Shanes, Clowns to the Left, Jokers to the Right: Attorneys Stuck in the Middle, The Docket (Lake County Bar Assoc.),
Jan. 2003, at 25.
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Daniel B. Shanes and Victoria A. Rossetti, Future Damages: Illinois Gets Trendy, The Docket (Lake County Bar Assoc.), Oct. 2002,
at 7.
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Daniel B. Shanes, I Pledge Allegiance to The Sopranos, The Docket (Lake County Bar Assoc.), Oct. 2002, at 15.
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Daniel B. Shanes, Double Jeopardy or Double Trouble, The Docket (Lake County Bar Assoc.), Aug. 2002, at 15.
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Daniel B. Shanes, Forever Gone: Failing to Invoke Speedy Trial Rights in Traffic Court, The Docket (Lake County Bar Assoc.),
Feb. 2002, at 19.
Daniel B. Shanes, A Defendant By Any Other Name... When a Third Complaint Is Not A Second Refiling, The Docket (Lake County
Bar Assoc.), Dec. 2001, at 19.
Daniel B. Shanes, When a Simple “Thank You” is Not Enough: Allegations of Conflicts of Interest from Representing Multiple Clients,
The Docket (Lake County Bar Assoc.), Nov. 2001, at 21.
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Daniel B. Shanes, Ignorance is Bliss for the Appellee, The Docket (Lake County Bar Assoc.), June 2001, at 17.
Daniel B. Shanes, Green Bananas: Abraham Shanes, The Docket (Lake County Bar Assoc.), May 2001, at 35.
Daniel B. Shanes, Illinois Supreme Court Streamlines Duty to Defend, The Docket (Lake County Bar Assoc.), Nov. 2000, at 15.
Daniel B. Shanes, Illinois Supreme Court Rejects “Same Part of the Body” Rule, The Docket (Lake County Bar Assoc.), Oct. 2000,
at 29.
Daniel B. Shanes, Special Interrogatories: A Potent Tool, The Docket (Lake County Bar Assoc.), May 2000, at 29.
Daniel B. Shanes, Suing or Defending a Hospital? Watch Out!, The Docket (Lake County Bar Assoc.), Apr. 2000, at 21.
Daniel B. Shanes, The Price of Failing to Disclose an Expert: The World After Rule 220, The Docket (Lake County Bar Assoc.),
Feb. 2000, at 9.
Daniel B. Shanes, Oh, No! The Jury Has A Question!, The Docket (Lake County Bar Assoc.), Apr. 1999, at 23.
Daniel B. Shanes, IPI--Criminal Creates a Lynch Instruction, The Docket (Lake County Bar Assoc.), Apr. 1996, at 17.
Daniel B. Shanes, The Need for a Lynch Instruction, The Docket (Lake County Bar Assoc.), Nov. 1995, at 17.
Daniel B. Shanes, What’s New in IPI--Criminal, The Docket (Lake County Bar Assoc.), Aug. 1995, at 23.
Daniel B. Shanes, Court defines limits on sentencing power, Chicago Daily Law Bulletin, Apr. 3, 1995, at 5.
Daniel B. Shanes, Court clarifies meaning of murder statutes, Chicago Daily Law Bulletin, Jan. 30, 1995, at 6.
Reprinted sub nom. Murder Statutes Survive Supreme Court Review, The Docket (Lake County Bar Assoc.), Apr. 1995, at 14.
Daniel B. Shanes, A twist in IPI’s murder instructions, Chicago Daily Law Bulletin, Nov. 14, 1994, at 6.
Daniel B. Shanes, Did 4th District go too far on Miranda: Court took logical step, “Point-Counterpoint”, Chicago Daily Law Bulletin,
Oct. 3, 1994, at 6.
Opposite Prof. Timothy P. O’Neill, Ruling ignores precedent, at 6.
Daniel Shanes, Free Flow of Information: Radio Jamming in the Soviet Union and Eastern Europe. Published by the International
Parliamentary Group for Human Rights in the Soviet Union (Rep. John E. Porter, USA, and Sen. Charles E. Grassley, USA,
chairmen), Washington, D.C., June 1987. Printed in English and French.​