A resolution recognizing the goals of Catholic Schools Week and honoring the valuable contributions of Catholic schools in the United States.

Mr. Speaker, today I am re-introducing the American Memorial Park Annex in Tinian Act at the request of Senators Jude U. Hofschneider and Francisco Cruz, and many of the people of Tinian, one of the Northern Mariana Islands I represent.

The bill, which I also introduced late in the last Congress, authorizes the Secretary of the Interior, acting through the National Park Service, to establish an annex of the American Memorial Park, located on the island of Saipan, on the adjacent island of Tinian.

Tinian is only 39 square miles in area. But the island played an outsize role in ending World War II.

While a military lease of two-thirds of Tinian precludes any set- aside of the historical land on Tinian, creating an annex of the American Memorial Park, a repository for artifacts to be displayed, and a locus for the interest of visitors to Tinian and locals alike, would be appropriate.

I am submitting for the record the letter of request from Senators Hofschneider and Cruz. I am also submitting NMI Senate Resolution No. 17-37 that supports the establishment of annex. The Resolution refers to H.R. 6380, the bill number from the 111th Congress. But the language of today's bill is essentially the same as H.R. 6380.

I ask that my colleagues support the American Memorial Park Annex in Tinian Act.

Northern Marianas

Commonwealth Legislature,

Saipan, MP, March 14, 2011.

Hon. Gregorio Kilili Camacho Sablan,

Delegate, Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands,

Cannon House Office Building, Washington, DC.

Dear Congressman: I am writing to request your

reintroduction of legislation authorizing the Secretary of

the Interior to establish an annex of the American Memorial

Park in Saipan, on the Island of Tinian.

The North Field on Tinian has been designated as one of the

most important World War II (WWII) sites in the Pacific. The

North Field was used as the launching point for the dropping

of two atomic bombs on Japan during WWII, in addition to the

strategic bombing of Japan. Many historians believe use of

the Atomic bomb ended America's war with the Japanese

expeditiously, saving the lives hundreds of thousands, if not

millions of lives had the U.S. naval and ground forces

invaded Japan.

On June 18, 2009, I wrote you regarding adding Tinian's

North Field to the national park system. However, as I stated

in that letter, the U.S. military leases approximately two

thirds of Tinian, and their training needs preclude

inclusion. On December 23, 2009, the National Park Service

suggested several options to recognize the North Field such

as brochures, an interpretive film and providing interpretive

tours on Saipan. While these suggestions are a good start,

the people of Tinian feel a permanent memorial, the Tinian

Annex of the American Memorial Park, will appropriately

recognize the historic role of Tinian in WWII.

The Tinian Delegation of the Commonwealth Legislature,

Senator Cruz and me, and the Mayor and Municipal Council of

Tinian and Aguiguan humbly encourage you to assist us with

this legislation to obtain the Tinian Annex to the American

Memorial Park. Such a memorial appropriately recognizes the

historic role of Tinian in WWII.

Thank you for your consideration,

Sincerely,

Jude U. Hofschneider,

Senator, CNMI Legislature.

Francisco Q. Cruz,

Senator, CNMI Legislature.

I ask unanimous consent the Senate proceed to the immediate consideration en bloc of the following resolutions which were submitted earlier today: S. Res. 36, S. Res. 37, S. Res. 38, S. Res. 39, and S. Res. 40.

I ask unanimous consent the resolutions be agreed to, the preambles be agreed to, the motions to reconsider be laid on the table en bloc, with no intervening action or debate, and any statements be printed in the Record.