Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I rise in full support of S. 1235, the Veterans' Benefits Act, which addresses a multitude of important issues facing our nation's veterans: life and health insurance, housing for our disabled and Native American veterans, adjustable rate mortgages, POW diseases, Tricare, homeless veterans, and veterans outreach.

Section 104 of S. 1235 provides permanent authority for the Native American Direct Home Loan Program and extends eligibility for such loans to non-Native American spouses of Native Americans living on Native American trust lands. H.R. 3665, which I cosponsored and which passed the House last November, also contained this important provision.

The Native American Direct Home Loan Program has been a highly successful veterans effort, particularly in my Hawaii where it applies to veterans living on lands held in trust under this Congress' Hawaiian Homes Commission Act of 1920.

The majority of these Hawaiian home lands are in my 2nd Congressional District, on the islands of Oahu, Kauai, Molokai, Maui, Hawaii, and Lanai.

Since the inception of this program, which was spearheaded by Hawaii Senator Spark Matsunaga, and continued by Senator Daniel Akaka, Native Hawaiian veterans have successfully utilized this direct home loan program for their acute housing needs, and, I am proud to say, with nominal delinquency. Over $20 million has been approved for over 200 loans in Hawaii, with 106 loans, totaling $7.5 million, pending.

This is an incredible help not only with the needs of many veterans who would likely otherwise be precluded from quality housing, but with Hawaii's overall housing crisis.

Due to its success over the last 13 years, the Native American Direct Home Loan Program, which initially started out as a pilot program, was twice extended by Congress, but is currently set to expire on December 31, 2005.

It is vital to understand why this program is so important to our Native American veterans and why we should make the program permanent, as S. 1235 purposes.

Of course, the most basic reason is the success of the overall program in honoring our commitment to our nation's veterans.

Beyond that, Congress found some years ago that, during the entire history to that date of the program, not a single Native American veteran living on Indian trust lands or Hawaiian home lands had received a VA home loan under the VA's traditional home loan program.

The reason for that was that the unique trust status of native lands did not lend itself to conventional lending practices because banks and other financial institutions did not recognize those lands as valid collateral.

As part of our obligation to all of our Nation's veterans is to ensure that they are all able to tap fully into VA programs, the Native American Direct Home Loan Program addressed this unique and discrete challenge facing many Native American veterans and afforded them the same opportunity of homeownership availed their comrades-in-arms.

This bill recognizes and improves upon the clear success of this effort, and I ask my colleagues to vote in favor of S. 1235.

Mahalo.

Madam Speaker, I rise today in strong support of passage of S. 1165, the James Campbell National Wildlife Refuge Expansion Act of 2005. I cointroduced the House version of this bill (H.R. 2866) with my colleague, Congressman Neil Abercrombie.

S. 1165 expands the authorized boundary of the James Campbell National Wildlife Refuge in Honolulu, Hawaii, to include approximately 1,100 acres of land. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, USFWS, has managed the James Campbell National Wildlife Refuge in Kahuku, Hawaii, for the past 30 years to protect four endangered Hawaiian water birds-- the Hawaiian stilt (ae`o), the Hawaiian moorhen (`alae `ula), the Hawaiian coot (`alae ke`oke`o), and the Hawaiian duck (koloa maoli)-- and at least 25 different North American migratory birds. In 2005, USFWS acquired fee title to the 240-acre refuge located in two separate parcels. The expansion area will allow for acquisition of adjacent land to create a single, large, manageable, and ecologically intact unit that includes sufficient buffer land to reduce impacts on the Refuge. The acquisition will also facilitate a solution to area flooding problems.

The expanded acreage would allow for restoration of critical wetland habitat, which would form the largest managed freshwater wetland on Oahu. It would connect the two existing units and create a protected corridor between them to provide essential habitat for four endangered waterbird species and migratory waterbirds. It would also protect the last remaining large-scale and intact coastal dune ecosystem on Oahu and preserve native strand plants and protect coastal wildlife such as threatened green sea turtles, seabirds, migratory shorebirds, and possibly the endangered Hawaiian monk seal. Support facilities could be constructed on upland areas to support environmental education and interpretation programs, visitor services, and habitat management programs. All land proposed for purchase is owned by the Estate of James Campbell, a willing seller.

Heavy floods occur frequently in this area, devastating residents who live in the adjacent town of Kahuku. Because of the location and natural function of this floodplain, the land acquisition also serves as the crucial component for the proposed Kahuku flood control project by preserving the floodwater retention of these wetlands and providing an area where flood control design can be made more efficient.

This habitat restoration proposal represents the most significant wetland enhancement project ever undertaken in Hawaii. By combining effective wetland restoration, endangered species conservation, environmental education, visitor opportunities, and flood control, benefits provided will serve not only the local communities, but also Hawai`i residents and visitors for generations to come.

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to join Chairman Honda and other members of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus in commemorating Asian Pacific American Heritage Month.

I am even more pleased that several Asian Pacific American organizations or governmental initiatives are holding their annual conventions in Hawaii this month. This includes the Federal Asian Pacific American Council and the White House Initiative on Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders.

There are also several Filipino American organizations that will be hosting events this year in Hawaii, including the National Federation of Filipino American Associations, as 2006 marks the centennial of sustained immigration from the Philippines to the United States.

The Filipino Centennial Celebration Commission in Hawaii, led by Elias Beniga, and the Smithsonian Filipino American Centennial Commemoration have done a wonderful job in providing commemorative activities across the country, including in Hawaii and Washington, D.C.

I was pleased that Congress passed in December, H. Con. Res. 218, my resolution recognizing the centennial and acknowledging the contributions of Filipino-Americans to the United States.

While there are many issues of importance, a timely issue I believe should be considered by Congress is the inclusion of my bill, H.R. 901, into any comprehensive immigration reform bill moving through Congress.

H.R. 901 would prioritize the permanent immigration petitions of the sons and daughters of Filipino World War II Veterans who were extended U.S. citizenship under the Immigration and Nationality Act of 1990. Most recently, I wrote to President Bush and Congressional leaders urging their inclusion of this provision in immigration reform legislation.

I believe my bill fulfills one of the bedrock principles of our federal immigration policy--family reunification--and warrants special consideration given the unique history between the United States and the Philippines, as well as the contributions of our Filipino World War II veterans to our country and to U.S. national security interests.

As we commemorate Asian Pacific American Heritage Month, I celebrate the contributions of all Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders who call our country home, and I congratulate the Filipino American community for their centennial celebrations this year!

Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H. Res. 781, which congratulates and commends charter schools and their students, parents, teachers, and administrators across the United States for their ongoing contributions to education and the public school system.

Charter schools have been and continue to be a modern-day public education story filled with successes and accomplishments. These schools contain the key ingredient in successful schools: active participation not only from teachers and students, but of the entire community. When the whole community--from parents, to businesses and community organizations, to entire neighborhoods--has a critical role in contributing to their local schools, the outcomes are tremendous. These schools have consistently enabled students to achieve academically and contribute positively to their communities.

In my state of Hawai`i, charter schools have been an exciting development in public education in decades. With more and more charter schools emerging each year, currently 27, they have managed to succeed despite institutional opposition in bringing their brand of education in the communities.

These growing pains and other obstacles make this national recognition even more deserved. But for these very reasons, charter schools also deserve their fair share of resources from federal and state governments.

A specific source of great pride within the Hawai`i charter school community is the development of Native Hawaiian charter schools. Na Lei Na`auao, the Hawaiian Charter School Alliance, serves over 1,500 Native Hawaiian public school students. The Alliance, whose focus is ``Education with Aloha'' seeks to enable Native Hawaiian students to achieve educational success with culturally-driven methods.

The Native Hawaiian charter schools and Hawai`i's other charter schools, both existing and future, need a federal government to be clear and unequivocal in its continued support for the concept of charter schools. They also need full parity in funding between traditional public schools and charter schools.

H. Res. 781 is welcome and needed, but these great words must now be partnered with action. I look forward to working with my colleagues and other charter schools believers toward this realization of the dream.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the courage of the first United States Marines to scale the summit of Mt. Suribachi on Iwo Jima.

Iwo Jima is a small rocky island only two miles wide and four miles long located approximately 650 miles south of Tokyo, Japan. It is a volcanic island, much like the islands of my home state of Hawaii. A place where cool Pacific breezes rush over soft beaches and birds sing songs learned during lonely flights across the wide ocean.

For a brief moment in time, the Island of Iwo Jima became the central battleground between the Empire of Japan and the Allied Forces during those terrible and dark days of World War II. The Allied Forces were determined to take the island in preparation for a final attack on Japan, and the Japanese were unbendable in their desire to defend Iwo Jima and to prevent the Allies from moving any closer to the main islands of Japan.

On February 19, 1945, approximately 70,000 American and other Allied Forces and 22,000 Japanese soldiers locked themselves in a horrific battle that would begin the final phase of the War in the Pacific. Entrenched in a series of interlocking caves, blockhouses, and pillboxes, the Japanese fought with determination to defend their island. Debarking off a naval armada of more than 450 ships, the Allies, led by the United States, brought the full weight of their highly trained and battle-tested troops to bear with the determined goal of taking the rocky island no matter what the cost. The battle for Iwo Jima would be one of the fiercest conflicts of the Second World War. 6,821 Marines were killed in action, and 19,217 Marines were wounded. Of the 22,000 Japanese defenders, only 1,083 survived.

On February 23, 1945, the fifth day of the battle, Marines from the 5th Division were ordered to ascend the slopes of Mt. Suribachi, the main peak controlling the island. Four Marine squads worked their way up the mountain and, at 10:30 a.m., the officer in charge, 1st Lieutenant Harold G. Schrier, along with the platoon leader, Sergeant Ernest Thomas, and Sergeant Henry Hansen, Corporal Charles W. Lindberg, Radioman, Private First Class Raymond E. Jacobs, Private James R. Michels, Private Philip L. Ward, and Corpsman, PhMac John H. Bradley, raised the American flag over Mt. Suribachi.

Today, when our National remembers the brave U.S. Marines of Iwo Jima, we often visualize the commanding bronze statue resting on the banks of the Potomac River. Most Americans do not realize that this memorial actually depicts the second, much larger flag that was raised on Mt. Suribachi, signaling the courage and determination of the United States to all on Iwo Jima and at sea.

In my home state of Hawaii, the Iwo Jima USMC Memorial Association, Inc. is working to raise the funds necessary to build a memorial to recognize the American Marines who raised the first American flag on Mt. Suribachi. I applaud their efforts, and hope that every citizen across the Nation will support those groups dedicated to recognizing the courage of American Marines everywhere.

Mr. Speaker, I am most pleased to introduce the Native American Languages Amendments Act of 2006. This is a reintroduction in revised form of my bill, H.R. 2362, from the 108th Congress.

This vital legislation will authorize the Secretary of Education to provide grants to or enter into contracts with Native American language educational organizations, Native American language colleges, Indian tribal governments, organizations that demonstrate the potential to become Native American language educational organizations, or consortia of such entities, to establish Native American language nests for students under the age of 7 and their families. It will also authorize grants to operate, expand, and increase the number of Native American language survival schools throughout the country for Native American children and Native American language-speaking children.

The bill also authorizes the establishment of four demonstration projects that will provide assistance to Native American language survival schools and Native American language nests. The programs selected are well known nationally: all have over ten years of highly successful operation, and are all Native American controlled.

The demonstration sites range from a statewide system to a small localized program for under fifty students, and from programs restricted to elementary students to programs that go through high school and beyond. They include programs on reservations, programs in highly remote areas, and programs in urban areas. Students enrolled in them include children who are first language speakers and students from families where the language has not been spoken for three generations. They include programs with special strengths in teacher training and in resource materials development.

The four sites selected are the four research sites in an ongoing national study of academic effectiveness by prominent Native American and non-Native American educational researchers and major research entities with extensive experience in the field. The demonstration programs are authorized to use technology in cooperating and coordinating their work with each other and with other participating Native American language programs. They will provide direction to the Secretary of Education in developing site visit evaluations of programs and may conduct follow-up data collection that will be valuable in providing direction to schools.

Lastly, the bill provides direction relative to addressing barriers that have prevented Native Americans from accessing education in Native American languages. It also directs the Secretary of Education to provide for the inclusion of Native American language nests and Native American language survival schools in federal support for private schools and charter schools.

The Native American Languages Amendments Act of 2006 is consistent with longstanding federal self-determination policies toward native peoples, which support the promotion of economic and social self- sufficiency, as well as the preservation and revitalization of native culture, languages, art, history, religion, and values. Since language is a significant factor in the perpetuation of native cultures, the federal government enacted the Native American Languages Act of 1990 urging federal support for Native American languages, and the Native American Languages Act Amendments of 1992 establishing a grant program at the Administration for Native Americans to fund the preservation of Native American languages. My bill continues this commitment by our federal government to ensure the survival of these unique cultures and languages.

In my home state, I am proud that the people of Hawaii and the State of Hawaii have strongly supported the revitalization of Hawaiian culture, art, and language. In 1978, for example, the State of Hawaii wrote into its constitution a specific declaration that Hawaiian is one of our two official languages, along with English. This was a remarkable reversal from decades in which the very survival of the Native Hawaiian language was at risk due to benign neglect and to conscious efforts to discourage its use.

There is also support for Hawaiian language programs in both our public and private schools. At the forefront of these efforts have been supporters of Aha Punana Leo, a Hawaiian language immersion program which has endeavored to include both students and parents in an exciting and innovative way to revitalize Hawaiian language and culture. Ms. Namaka Rawlins, Director of Aha Punana Leo, and her husband, Dr. William (Pila) Wilson, have been pivotal in these efforts. The lessons of family and community involvement in the preservation of the Hawaiian language that they and others have proven are and can be used by other native communities and cultures across the country.

While the Aha Punana Leo program initially started with pre-school students, Hawaiian language survival schools were also established to allow for students to graduate from high school. Over 2,000 students are currently enrolled in Hawaiian language nests and survival schools. A Hawaiian language center--Hale Kuamoo--was eventually established at the University of Hawaii at Hilo with the collaboration of Aha Punana Leo as well as a Native College--Ka Haka Ula O Keelikolani College. Both programs have been crucial in providing training to teachers in Hawaiian language, college courses in Hawaiian, and graduate education in Hawaiian language and culture.

The revitalization of the Hawaiian language in my state has been instrumental in the preservation of Hawaiian culture, which is important to all of us who call Hawaii home. Today's legislation will take this lesson nationwide in continuing the commitment made by the federal government in 1990 and the progress that has been made since that time to preserve Native American languages, including the Hawaiian language. Mahalo, and aloha.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the outstanding work of the District of Hawaii United States Marshals Service, recipients of the 2005 USMS Distinguished Small District Director's Honorary Award.

Last year, the District successfully accommodated significant workload and productivity increases in law enforcement and prisoner supervisions functions. The District was also exceptionally busy in ensuring the security of our federal judiciary, where proceedings of late have been highly charged.

The District also continued its highly successful partnership with other federal, state, and local law enforcement entities through the Hawaii Fugitive Task Force, a unit of the Hawaii High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area that focuses on the arrest of dangerous fugitives wanted on federal and state felony warrants for drug-related crimes.

For his work on the Hawaii Fugitive Task Force, Criminal Investigator/Deputy United States Marshal Glenn Ferreira received the Hawaii Federal Top Cop Award by the Hawaii State Law Enforcement Officers Association. This award is significant for the District as it is the first time, in its fifty year history, that the association has recognized a member of the United States Marshals Service.

I would like to extend a sincere mahalo (thank you) to Mark ``Dutch'' Hanohano, United States Marshal for the District of Hawaii, and to our District's eighteen Deputy Marshals for their service and contributions to our state and our country. I would also like to thank all our United States Marshals that work daily to keep our communities and our nation safe.

Mahalo, and aloha.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the courage of the first United States Marines to scale the summit of Mt. Suribachi on Iwo Jima.

Iwo Jima is a small rocky island only two miles wide and four miles long located approximately 650 miles south of Tokyo, Japan. It is a volcanic island, much like the islands of my home state of Hawaii. A place where cool Pacific breezes rush over soft beaches and birds sing songs learned during lonely flights across the wide ocean.

For a brief moment in time, the Island of Iwo Jima became the central battleground between the Empire of Japan and the Allied Forces during those terrible and dark days of World War II. The Allied Forces were determined to take the island in preparation for a final attack on Japan, and the Japanese were unbendable in their desire to defend Iwo Jima and to prevent the Allies from moving any closer to the main islands of Japan.

On February 19, 1945, approximately 70,000 American and other Allied Forces and 22,000 Japanese soldiers locked themselves in a horrific battle that would begin the final phase of the War in the Pacific. Entrenched in a series of interlocking caves, blockhouses, and pillboxes, the Japanese fought with determination to defend their island. Debarking off a naval armada of more than 450 ships, the Allies, led by the United States, brought the full weight of their highly trained and battle-tested troops to bear with the determined goal of taking the rocky island no matter what the cost. The battle for Iwo Jima would be one of the fiercest conflicts of the Second World War. Almost 7,000 Americans were killed in action. More than 20,000 Americans were wounded. Of the 22,000 Japanese defenders, only 1,083 survived.

On February 23, 1945, the fifth day of the battle, Marines from the 5th Division were ordered to ascend the slopes of Mt. Suribachi, the main peak controlling the island. Four Marine squads worked their way up the mountain and, at 10:30 a.m., the officer in charge, 1st Lieutenant Harold G. Schrier, along with the platoon leader, Sergeant Ernest Thomas, and Sergeant Henry Hansen, Corporal Charles W. Lindberg, Radioman, Private First Class Raymond E. Jacobs, Private James R. Michels, Private Philip L. Ward, and Corpsman, PhMac John H. Bradley, raised the American flag over Mt. Suribachi.

Today, when our Nation remembers the brave U.S. Marines of Iwo Jima, we often visualize the commanding bronze statue resting on the banks of the Potomac River. Most Americans do not realize that this memorial actually depicts the second, much larger flag that was raised on Mt. Suribachi, signaling the courage and determination of the United States to all on Iwo Jima and at sea.

In my home state of Hawaii, the Iwo Jima United States Memorial Association is working to raise the funds necessary to build a memorial to recognize the American Marines who raised the first American flag on Mt. Suribachi. I applaud their efforts, and hope that every citizen across the nation will support those groups dedicated to recognizing the courage of American Marines everywhere.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H. Res. 692, a resolution introduced by my esteemed colleague from American Samoa and Ranking Member of the House International Relations Subcommittee on Asia and the Pacific--Congressman Eni Faleomavaega--commending the people of the Republic of the Marshall Islands for their incalculable contributions and sacrifices they made to the United States nuclear testing program throughout the 1940s and 1950s in the Marshall Islands.

This year will mark the 60th anniversary of the United States' commencement of nuclear testing in the Marshall Islands. Over a period of twelve years, from 1946 to 1958, the United States of America conducted sixty-seven atmospheric nuclear weapons tests in the Marshall Islands. The tests resulted in a combined yield of 108 megatons, roughly the destructive force of over 7,000 times that of the bomb used on Hiroshima. The worst of these tests, the Bravo shot, was a l5- megaton thermonuclear device, which in itself carried 1,000 times the destructive power of the Hiroshima bomb. It was detonated on March 1, 1954, on Bikini Atoll, and caused dangerous levels of radioactive fallout to be released over 7,000 square miles, including the populated atolls of Rongelap and Utrik.

It is vital that our country remember the contributions of the Marshallese to our national security and to world peace.

While recognizing such contributions, our country over the years has sought to address the legacy of our nuclear testing in the Marshall Islands in our initial Compact with the Republic of the Marshall Islands in 1986 and in our ongoing bilateral relations with the RMI government. Just recently, our governments renegotiated the compact agreement.

I am aware that the RMI government has filed a ``changed circumstances'' petition with the U.S. government, which still must be negotiated. It is time our country come to closure on the changed circumstances petition and address our country's long-standing nuclear legacy in the Marshall Islands and its ramifications on the lives of its residents, particularly those of the affected atolls. I also believe that we must ensure that the U.S. Department of Energy's medical assistance program is fulfilling its obligation to its beneficiaries in the Marshall Islands.

I urge my colleagues to support H. Res. 692 and to work on addressing these crucial remaining issues.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in full support of S. 2089, legislation which provides permanent recognition--the naming of the prominent Kapalama post office in Honolulu, Hawaii--of the late, great U.S. Senator Hiram L. Fong of Hawaii, whose long life--he died in August 2004 at the age of 97--was dedicated to reshaping, for the betterment of all, the social and political landscape of twentieth- century Hawaii.

S. 2089, introduced by Senator Daniel Akaka, and cosponsored by Senator Daniel Inouye, passed the Senate on March 3. I was pleased to cointroduce its companion, H.R. 4509, with Congressman Neil Abercrombie on December 13, 2005.

Born into poverty in Honolulu in October 1907, Hiram L. Fong was the seventh of 11 children of Chinese-immigrant parents. His father, Fong Sau Howe, originally from China's Kwangtung Province, arrived in Hawaii in 1872, one of 45,000 Chinese immigrants who came to Hawaii to work on the plantations of the islands' once dominant sugar industry. His mother, Fong Lum Shee, arrived in Hawaii when she was 10 years old to work as a maid.

By all accounts, Hiram Fong was enterprising, even as a child. He shined shoes, delivered poi, sold newspapers, led visitors to local tourist spots as well as caddied nine holes of golf for 25 cents.

He attended Hawaii's public schools and was a member of McKinley High School's famous class of 1924, whose 216 members, many of them first- generation immigrants, became some of Hawaii's most distinguished lawyers, business executives, and public servants. Hiram Fong himself became the first resident of Hawaii to receive the Horatio Alger Award for overcoming poverty to achieve great success in law, business, and public service.

As a student at the University of Hawaii, Fong found time to edit the student paper and the yearbook, become a member of the volleyball, rifle and debate teams, and serve as president of the YMCA and Chinese Students Alliance, all the while working at the Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard as a supply clerk. He somehow managed to graduate from the University of Hawaii with honors in 1930 after just 3 years.

After working at what was then the Suburban Water System of Oahu from 1930 to 1932, Hiram Fong attended Harvard Law School. Upon graduation in 1935, he returned to Honolulu to work as a deputy city attorney.

In 1938, when he was 31, he founded the law firm of Fong, Miho, Choy and Robinson, and entered and won a race for a seat in the Territorial House of Representatives. A member of the Republican Party, he forged a coalition of independent Republicans and Democrats to win election as speaker of the Territorial House, where he would serve a total of 14 years, including three terms as speaker.

Hiram Fong's political career was interrupted by World War II, when he was called to active duty with the Army Air Corps. He served as judge advocate with the 7th Fighter Command of the Seventh Air Force. He later retired as a colonel in the U.S. Air Force Reserve.

As a member of the Hawaii Territorial House, Fong supported legislation designed to help organized labor and working families. In 1945, he supported what became known as the ``Little Wagner Act,'' which allowed agriculture workers to unionize. It was Hiram Fong's understanding of and identification with Hawaii's laborers and plantation workers and fellow immigrant families that enabled him, a Republican in an increasingly Democratic Party-dominated Hawaii, to continue winning elections.

His one electoral defeat, which ended the first phase of his political career, came in 1954, when he lost his race for re-election to the Territorial House seat by a mere 31 votes.

Hiram Fong then focused on real estate, insurance, and investments, and established a number of successful island firms: Finance Factors, Finance Realty, Finance Home Builders, and Finance Investment, to name a few.

In the Statehood year of 1959, Fong embarked on the second phase of his political career by running for and winning one of the two new United States Senate seats created for the newly established State of Hawaii. He won re-election in 1964 and 1970, and served with honor and distinction, beloved by all in his native Hawaii and beyond, until his retirement on January 2, 1977. At his retirement, Senator Fong was the ranking Republican on the Senate Committee on the Post Office and Civil Service.

But even then, Senator Fong, as he was universally known thereafter with great affection, returned home to his various business enterprises and to the devotion of his expanded family. Well into his nineties, he was a remarkable sight as he strode through downtown Honolulu on his way to and from work, excited by what the day brought and eager to continue his long string of accomplishments. At his death, his body lay in state in Hawaii's State Capitol as whole generations of citizens paid tribute to a remarkable man who led a remarkable life.

It is both fitting and appropriate that we provide this modest memorial, as he would have wished, in order to remember the essence of public service and a life well lived by Hawaii's quintessential native son, Hiram L. Fong.

I would like to thank our House Leadership, Congressman Tom Davis, chairman of the House Government Reform Committee, and Congressman Henry Waxman, the committee's ranking member, for their assistance in moving this bill expeditiously to the House floor. I also appreciate the support of my colleagues on this measure.

I am certain that Senator Fong's family and friends, and all of Hawaii, are appreciative of all of your support. Mahalo.

Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and congratulate the Kekaha Federal Credit Union on winning the 2005 Dora Maxwell Social Responsibility Award.

Chartered in 1938 to serve the employees of the Kekaha Sugar Company, the Kekaha Federal Credit Union has expanded its membership to include all businesses and individuals throughout the island of Kauai. It also acts as a Community Development Credit Union, catering to the financial needs of low-income individuals. The Kekaha Federal Credit Union has over 1,500 members.

In January 2004, the Kekaha Federal Credit Union initiated a partnership with the Kekaha Elementary School to support and encourage student achievement and raise school-wide standardized rest scores. Kekaha Elementary School serves a community of 3,700 residents, dominated by low-income, native Hawaiian and immigrant families. At the school, 11 percent of the student body speak English as a second language, 49 percent are Native Hawaiian (a historically disadvantaged group), and 62 percent qualify for free or reduced lunches due to low- income status. Many students live in single-parent homes or face situations that are not conducive to learning.

As part of their partnership, the credit union and the school established the Maximum Communication Journal program, also known as the MAX Program. The MAX Program has become the cornerstone to learning at the school, as students must keep a journal of class activities and homework, including notes and notices from teachers and the school. Each student is then required to have his/her parents or guardians read and sign the MAX notebook each week. This ensures communication between the students, parents, teachers, and the school.

With the incentive of prizes that include boogie boards, movie passes and bicycles, students are instructed to write in their MAX journals and have their parents read and sign it every week. In order to earn a chance to win a prize, students have to write in their MAX journals and have their parents read and sign it every week. Prizes were also given to the class with the highest percentage of completed and signed journals. Prizes are given at the school's monthly assembly. Often, parents and guardians attend these assemblies.

By all measures, this program has been a great success. The program's goal of 80 percent student participation has been achieved for the past four semesters and, more importantly, Kekaha Elementary School has achieved passing levels in the State of Hawaii standardized tests each of the last two times the tests have been administered.

Students and parents alike are excited and have a sense of accomplishment. Billy Smith, the principal of Kekaha Elementary School, explained: ``The celebration assemblies are fun and crazy. Parents are invited to attend and the kids are happy and excited.'' Students have become more responsible as they see tangible results for their MAX participation.

Dora Maxwell is recognized as one of the original pioneers of the credit union movement. This award was created to promote social responsibility among credit unions by formally recognizing and celebrating their social achievements. The Dora Maxwell Social Responsibility Recognition Award is awarded to credit unions, based on seven asset-size categories, and to specific chapters for outstanding social responsibility projects in the community in which they are located.

I want to recognize and commend Kekaha Federal Credit Union not only for sponsoring this important and innovative program, but for receiving this national recognition by the Credit Union National Association. This award is just another example of the great work and strong personal relationships that our credit unions provide their respective communities, and represents a perfect union of the very best of credit unions and community service.

Mr. Speaker, as we continue our commitment to securing our nation's borders, I would like to extend a heartfelt congratulations to one of our outstanding border patrol agents, a former resident of Kailua, Hawaii and a real ``local boy'': Thomas H. Nuetzel.

Today, at the 2005 Commissioner's Annual Awards Ceremony, Tom will receive the U.S. Bureau of Customs and Border Protection's Top Humanitarian Award in recognition of his bravery and service. Tom is currently assigned to the Office of Field Operations at the Douglas Port of Entry in Arizona.

In July, while on the way home from dinner, Tom, his wife Dawn, and their two children observed a rollover vehicle accident. The couple stopped to assist the two adults and two young children trapped in the vehicle. The driver told Tom that there were several full gas cans in the trunk of the overturned vehicle. The heavy rainfall, flooding, and severe lightening magnified a critical situation.

Tom and Dawn immediately called Emergency Medical Services. Then, standing in knee-deep water, Dawn kept the passengers calm as Tom extracted each family member through a broken window. The passengers awaited the arrival of EMS in Tom and Dawn's car. All victims of the rollover accident are doing well, thanks to the selflessness of Tom and Dawn Nuetzel.

Again, I extend a sincere mahalo (thank you) to Tom and Dawn for their act of courage and compassion. I would also like to thank all our border patrol agents that work daily to keep our nation safe and secure.

Mahalo, and aloha!

Mr. Speaker, I am truly honored today to introduce, with my colleague, Congressman Neil Abercrombie, the Kalaupapa Memorial Act of 2005, legislation authorizing the establishment of a memorial at a suitable location or locations at Kalawao or Kalaupapa within the boundaries of Kalaupapa National Historical Park located on the island of Molokai, in my home State of Hawaii, to honor and perpetuate the memory of those individuals who were forcibly relocated to the Kalaupapa Peninsula from 1866 to 1969.

Kalaupapa National Historical Park, encompassing most of the isolated and haunting Kalaupapa Peninsula and adjacent lands, was established 25 years ago on December 22, 1980. In advance of celebrating its 25th anniversary, our National Park Service is hosting day-long commemorative activities today at Kalaupapa, and it is entirely fitting that we offer this measure during this time of renewed commemoration.

Kalaupapa National Historical Park is a very special and beautiful park with a rich and tragic history. While the park is widely known for the isolation and settlement of Hansen's disease patients from 1866 until 1969, Native Hawaiians inhabited the Kalaupapa Peninsula for 900 years prior to being forcibly removed from their homelands between 1865 and 1895. Surrounded on three sides by ocean and the fourth by steep cliffs, Kalaupapa is spectacularly breathtaking and ecologically diverse, home to nearly 20 federally listed threatened and endangered species of plants and animals. When one visits Kalaupapa today, it is like stepping back in time.

Due to its steep cliffs and isolated geography, the Kalaupapa Peninsula was used by the Kingdom of Hawaii, and subsequently the Territory and State of Hawaii, as an isolation settlement for individuals considered to have Hansen's disease, widely known as leprosy, for nearly a century. By law, individuals were forcibly separated from their families and isolated at Kalaupapa to ``protect the welfare of

society.'' These isolation laws, dating back to 1865, were not abolished until 1969.

Although the World Health Organization still documents over a million registered cases of Hansen's disease worldwide, today it is considered one of the least contagious of all communicable diseases due to established and successful drug treatments. In Hawaii, those needing medical treatment outside of Kalaupapa are able to go to the Hale Mohalu wing of Leahi Hospital in Honolulu.

However, that is now, and the history of Kalaupapa is otherwise. Between 1866 and 1896, the first 5,000 individuals were forcibly relocated to Kalaupapa, most of whom lived at Kalawao. The second wave of patients (approximately 3,000) occurred after 1896 until 1969, when most of the community lived on the Kalaupapa side of the peninsula. Most of these unfortunate fellow citizens died on the peninsula; while many of their final resting places are known and remembered, many are not.

It is right and appropriate that these many lives be remembered, both individually and collectively, within the boundaries of the world to which they were condemned for life, through maintenance of the park itself, the history of the settlement, and an appropriate memorial. Ka Ohana O Kaluapapa, a non-profit organization consisting of patient residents at Kalaupapa National Historical Park and their family members and friends, was established in August 2003 for just this purpose: to promote the value and dignity of the 8,000+ individuals (at least 90 percent of who were Native Hawaiian) who were forcibly relocated to the Kalaupapa Peninsula.

Since its establishment, Ka Ohana O Kalaupapa has sought to honor and perpetuate the memory of these 8,000+ individuals through the establishment of a memorial at a suitable location or locations at Kalawao or Kalaupapa within the boundaries of Kalaupapa National Historical Park. I fully support its efforts, which have broad-based support from the Kalaupapa Advisory Council and the community.

The national and international significance of Kalaupapa is the rich and tragic history of the lives and memories of those individuals who were forcibly relocated to the Kalaupapa Peninsula between 1866 and 1969. It is fitting and appropriate that our nation, through the National Park Service, ensure that they are never forgotten through the establishment of a memorial.

I therefore believe that the establishment of a memorial is consistent with the basis for the park's establishment. It is timely. And it will enhance the purpose of the park, which is to ``preserve and interpret the Kalaupapa settlement for the education and inspiration of present and future generations.''

I look forward to working with my House colleagues, particularly members of the House Resources Committee, the National Park Service, and the Hawaii congressional delegation, in passing this legislation.

Madam Speaker, as an original cosponsor of H.R. 3899, the Combat Methamphetamine Epidemic Act, and as a committed member of the Congressional Caucus to Fight and Control Methamphetamine, I rise in support of its passage, as Title VII in H.R. 3199, the USA PATRIOT Improvement and Reauthorization Act of 2005.

I would like to thank Congressman Mark Souder, the chief sponsor of H.R. 3889, for his leadership in addressing our methamphetamine epidemic. Last year, Congressman Souder visited my district in order to fully understand first-hand the unique challenges we in Hawaii face, to hear of our efforts to keep drugs out of our homes and communities, and to see our successes in our fight against the scourge of crystal methamphetamine, ice. And he just returned to address the 2nd Annual National Methamphetamine Legislative and Policy Conference of the National Alliance for Model State Drug Laws, Congressman Souder has not just talked, but acted.

We in Hawaii share many of the same concerns as others in our Nation in regard to the need to support drug control, education, prevention, and treatment efforts. However, our geographic isolation, not only from the contiguous United States but also from our neighbor islands to the island of Oahu, must be taken into account as we work to end the scourge of crystal methamphetamine.

General drug abuse, of course, has plagued many of our communities for decades. To target what is needed to prevent this abuse now and in the future, we must first understand what causes it and then focus our efforts on overcoming those causes. And uniquely, it is up to our Federal Government to take the lead on the issue as it is the only entity with the resources and ability to coordinate the indispensable multi-pronged approach to stamping out drug abuse.

Title VII of H.R. 3199 is essential in our efforts to address methamphetamine trafficking, both in the United States and abroad. It would classify pseudoephedrine, ephedrine, and phenylpropanolamine, the major methamphetamine precursor chemicals, as ``Scheduled Listed Chemicals.'' It would repeal the federal ``blister pack exemption'' that currently allows unlimited sales of pseudoephedrine pills. The bill would also require information sharing from importers on the ``chain of custody'' from foreign manufacturer to U.S. shores of methamphetamine precursor chemicals. Title VII would also strengthen Federal penalties against traffickers and smugglers.

I look forward to continuing to work with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle on initiatives to provide the federal resources and support we need in our fight against methamphetamine.

Mahalo, thank you, for this opportunity to express support for Title VII of H.R. 3199.

Mr. President, I rise today in full support of a bill I have cointroduced to provide a small token of permanent recognition-- the naming of the prominent Kapalama post office in Honolulu, Hawaii-- of the late, great U.S. Senator Hiram L. Fong of Hawaii, whose long life--he died last August at the age of 97--was dedicated to reshaping, for the betterment of all, the social and political landscape of twentieth-century Hawaii.

Born into poverty in Honolulu on October 1907, Hiram L. Fong was the seventh of 11 children of Chinese-immigrant parents. His father, Fong Sau Howe, originally from China's Kwangtung Province, arrived in Hawaii in 1872, one of 45,000 Chinese immigrants who came to Hawaii to work on the plantations of the islands' once dominant sugar industry. His mother, Fong Lum Shee, arrived in Hawaii when she was 10 years old to work as a maid.

By all accounts, Hiram Fong was enterprising, even as a child. He shined shoes, delivered poi, sold newspapers, led visitors to local tourist spots as well as caddied nine holes of golf for 25 cents.

He attended Hawaii's public schools and was a member of McKinley High School's famous class of 1924, whose 216 members, many of them first- generation immigrants, became some of Hawaii's most distinguished lawyers, business executives, and public servants. Hiram Fong himself became the first resident of Hawaii to receive the Horatio Alger Award for overcoming poverty to achieve great success in law, business, and public service.

As a student at the University of Hawaii, Fong found time to edit the student paper and the yearbook, become a member of the volleyball, rifle and debate teams, and serve as president of the YMCA and Chinese Students Alliance, all the while working at the Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard as a supply clerk. He somehow managed to graduate from the University of Hawaii with honors in 1930 after just three years.

After working at what was then the Suburban Water System of Oahu from 1930 to 1932, Hiram Fong attended Harvard Law School. Upon graduation in 1935, he returned to Honolulu to work as a deputy city attorney.

In 1938, when he was 31, he founded the law firm of Fong, Miho, Choy and Robinson, and entered and won a race for a seat in the Territorial House of Representatives. A member of the Republican Party, he forged a coalition of independent Republicans and Democrats to win election as speaker of the Territorial House, where he would serve a total of 14 years, including three terms as speaker.

Hiram Fong's political career was interrupted by World War II, when he was called to active duty with the Army Air Corps. He served as judge advocate with the 7th Fighter Command of the Seventh Air Force. He later retired as a colonel in the U.S. Air Force Reserve.

As a member of the Hawaii Territorial House, Fong supported legislation designed to help organized labor and working families. In 1945, he supported what became known as the ``Little Wagner Act,'' which allowed agriculture workers to unionize. It was Hiram Fong's understanding of and identification with Hawaii's laborers and plantation workers and fellow immigrant families that enabled him, a Republican in an increasingly Democratic Party-dominated Hawaii, to continue winning elections.

His one electoral defeat, which ended the first phase of his political career, came in 1954, when he lost his race for re-election to the Territorial House seat by a mere 31 votes. Hiram Fong then focused on real estate, insurance, and investments, and established a number of successful island firms: Finance Factors, Finance Realty, Finance Home Builders, and Finance Investment, to name a few.

In the statehood year of 1959, Fong embarked on the second phase of his political career by running for and winning one of the two new United States Senate seats created for the newly established State of Hawaii. He won re-election in 1964 and 1970, and served with honor and distinction, beloved by all in his native Hawaii and beyond, until his retirement on January 2, 1977. At his retirement, Senator Fong was the ranking Republican on the Senate Committee on Post Office and Civil Service.

But even then, Senator Fong, as he was universally known thereafter with great affection, returned home and to his various business enterprises and to the devotion of and to his expanded family. Well into his nineties, he was a remarkable sight as he strode through downtown Honolulu on his way to and from work, excited by what the day brought and eager to continue his long string of accomplishments. At his death, his body lay in state in Hawaii's State Capitol as whole generations of citizens paid tribute to a remarkable man who led a remarkable life.

It is both fitting and appropriate that we provide this modest memorial, as he would have wished, in order to remember the essence of public service and a life well lived by Hawaii's quintessential native son, Hiram L. Fong.