Floor Statements

Madam Speaker, I rise today to urge my colleagues to support a doubling of assistance by developed countries for developing nations in helping them adjust to the impacts of global warming. Increased commitments are essential if we are to achieve a successful international climate change agreement, one that will prevent the most devastating effects of global warming.

Ironically, the poorest and most vulnerable countries are the ones that will suffer the most from rising sea levels, severe weather events and other consequences of climate change--despite the fact that those nations have contributed only negligibly to the problem. U.S. leadership is vital if we are to prod other developed countries to step up to the plate and provide appropriate levels of assistance. And in the aftermath of House passage of the Waxman-Markey cap-and-trade legislation earlier this year, the Senate must now act.

That is why my colleagues--Rep. Raul Grijalva, Rep. Emanuel Cleaver, Rep. Maxine Waters, Rep. Pete Stark, Rep. Dennis Moore, Del. Donna Christensen and Rep. Michael Honda--sent a letter today to Sen. John Kerry, the Chairman of the Foreign Relations Committee and leader on climate change legislation in the Senate, urging him to double assistance for developing countries in legislation the Senator is currently drafting. As our letter states, ``the amount of funding developed countries are currently promising to developed countries is grossly insufficient to meet the need. . . . Given the magnitude of the problem developing countries face, and given the responsibility of developed countries for the majority of historic greenhouse gas emissions, we believe that U.S. climate change legislation should double the emissions allowances currently dedicated in the House bill to international adaptation and mitigation in developing countries.''

Madam Speaker, for the Record, I include a full copy of the letter to Senator Kerry.

Congress of the United States,

House of Representatives,

Washington, DC, December 15, 2009.

Hon. John F. Kerry,

Chairman, Senate Committee on Foreign Relations, Dirksen

Senate Office Building, Washington, DC.

Dear Mr. Chairman: We want to commend you for your valuable

contributions toward enacting climate change legislation. We

particularly appreciate your introduction of S. 2835, which

focuses on the countries most vulnerable to the impacts of

global warming. We sincerely hope that with that measure as

well as the recent pledges by China and India to curb their

emissions relative to economic growth, and President Obama's

support for mobilizing developed countries to contribute $10

billion a year by 2012 and implementing longer-term

mechanisms to assist developing countries with adaptation and

mitigation, Copenhagen makes substantial progress toward

completion of a binding agreement to limit climate change.

The bill you are working on with the Senators Graham and

Lieberman offers a crucial opportunity to advance that

agreement. We urge you to include an adequate commitment of

resources for the nations and peoples most vulnerable to the

consequences of global warming in that legislation.

The needs of developing countries are manifest. As noted by

the recent World Development Report 2010, even if average

global temperatures rise only 2 degrees Celsius above pre-

industrial levels, ``Between 100 million and 400 million more

people could be at risk of hunger. And 1 billion to 2 billion

more people may no longer have enough water to meet their

needs . . . It is estimated that developing countries will

bear most of the costs of the damages--some 75-80 percent.''

As the Stern Review made clear, even if greenhouse emissions

ceased today, the world would still face at least two decades

of increasing global temperatures.

In the very near future, higher temperatures will lead to

economic and political instability, refugee crises and

conflicts over ever-scarcer natural resources in developing

nations, all of which will have direct, negative implications

for developing and developed countries alike. That is why the

United Nations negotiating blocs of Least Developed Countries

and the Alliance of Small Island States (AOSIS)--which

together represent 80 countries least responsible for

climate change but most severely affected by it--have

recently called for a minimum 45 percent reduction of

greenhouse gas emissions below 1990 levels by 2020. They

are further requesting that there be no more than a 1.5

global temperature rise from pre-industrial levels, and

that atmospheric greenhouse gas concentrations return to

below 350 parts per million of carbon dioxide equivalent.

As AOSIS has pointed out, `` Serious adverse impacts are already being felt by island states at the current 0.8C of warming, including coastal erosion, flooding, coral bleaching and more frequent and intense extreme weather events. The U.N.'s lead agency on refugees has already warned that some particularly low-lying island states are `very likely to become entirely uninhabitable'.''

Estimates vary on the level of funding needed by the developing world to lessen the destabilizing impacts of climate change that will likely occur regardless of the adoption of an international agreement. However, the UN's latest Human Development Report estimates that additional adaptation finance needs alone will amount to $86 billion annually by 2015. And last week in Copenhagen, Yvo de Boer, Executive Secretary of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, said that developed countries should expect to contribute $100 billion annually to developing nations.

Yet the amount of funding developed countries are currently promising to developed countries is grossly insufficient to meet the need. The United States must demonstrate leadership if the developed world is to meet its obligation to provide appropriate sums. The Congressional Research Service's calculation of the funding produced by H.R. 2454 for developing countries--based on the current percentage of emissions allowances dedicated to international adaptation and international clean technology deployment and the allowance prices used in the EPA/ IGEM Model--suggests that less than $1 billion per year would be available in 2012, rising to less than $1.6 billion by 2020.

Given the magnitude of the problem developing countries face, and given the responsibility of developed countries for the majority of historic greenhouse gas emissions, we believe that U.S. climate change legislation should double the emissions allowances currently dedicated in the House bill to international adaptation and mitigation in developing countries.

While such enhanced allocations would amount to substantial sums of money, we believe they will more than pay for themselves over time when compared to American commitments of troops and resources that would likely be required to address adverse impacts in developing countries affecting vital U.S. interests. As retired Marine Corps General Anthony Zinni, former commander of U.S. Central Command, has noted, ``We will pay now to reduce greenhouse gas emissions . . . or we will pay the price later.''

Again, we applaud your efforts at addressing the enormous challenge of climate change. As legislation moves toward passage in the Senate, we sincerely hope that it provides increased commitments to the countries and peoples most vulnerable to the consequences of global warming.

Sincerely,

Eni F.H. Faleomavaega,

Member of Congress.

Raul M. Grijalva,

Member of Congress.

Emanuel Cleaver,

Member of Congress.

Maxine Waters,

Member of Congress.

Pete Stark,

Member of Congress.

Dennis Moore,

Member of Congress.

Donna M. Christensen,

Member of Congress.

Michael M. Honda,

Member of Congress.

Madam Speaker, I rise in strong support of H.R. 2194, the Iran Refined Petroleum Sanctions Act of 2009, aimed at checking the government of Iran's clandestine effort to acquire a nuclear weapons capability.

That effort is particularly troublesome given the country's ongoing support of international terrorism and its programs to develop ballistic missiles. An Iranian regime armed with nuclear weapons and the systems to deliver them, and no compunction about targeting innocents, will present a grave security threat to the United States, the Middle East and the entire globe. And make no mistake: Iran has global ambitions, now encompassing the Pacific Islands. Last year, for example, Iran provided a $200,000 scholarship fund to the Solomon Islands for students living there to study medicine in Cuba. This year, the Solomons voted in favor of a U.N. resolution regarding the seriously-flawed Goldstone Report on the Gaza conflict.

Meanwhile, today's Washington Post reports that Iran's indigenous scientific and technical capabilities appear to have put Teheran on the threshold of becoming a nuclear weapons state. And as Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton noted yesterday, diplomatic engagement with Iran over its nuclear activities, ``has produced very little in terms of any kind of a positive response from the Iranians.''

H.R. 2194, sponsored by the Chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, the distinguished gentleman from California, Mr. Berman, provides the Administration one more instrument for its diplomatic tool kit: explicit authority to impose additional sanctions on the Iranian regime if it fails to abandon its quest for nuclear weapons.

While I hope that the President will not have to exercise that authority, I believe having it available will increase his diplomatic leverage. It is time for the government of Iran to heed the call of the international community and abandon its nuclear ambitions. I ask my colleagues in the House to reinforce that call by supporting H.R. 2194.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H. Res. 890, which welcomes the Prime Minister of the Republic of India, His Excellency Dr. Manmohan Singh, to the United States, and commends the maturation of the U.S.-India relationship.

That relationship has made remarkable strides in the past 2 decades. And one of the critical elements helping launch our improved ties was the series of economic reforms India initiated in 1991, reforms developed and implemented under the leadership of then Finance Minister, Dr. Singh.

With his rise to Prime Minister in 2004, Dr. Singh provided the leadership required for his country to strike the landmark U.S.-India Civil Nuclear Cooperation Initiative with us, a deal that facilitates nuclear cooperation and offers the bilateral relationship a major strategic opportunity.

After his party's victory in this year's general elections, Dr. Singh became the first full-term Indian Prime Minister to be returned to power since 1962. The particularly strong electoral mandate he received in the recent election is testament to his accomplishment. It also offers our two countries a chance to move our partnership to an even higher level, better positioning us to advance solutions to the key regional and global challenges we confront, from pandemic disease, to the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, climate change, and poverty.

Reflecting India's emergence as a major international player and the importance of the U.S.-India relationship, the Prime Minister's visit here next week will be the first official state visit by any foreign dignitary to the Obama White House.

The Prime Minister should know that the United States Congress values his leadership and our bilateral partnership just as much as the new Administration, and so I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting H. Res. 890.

Madam Speaker, God is good. I rise in full support of the health care needs of all our fellow Americans. God bless America.

Madam Speaker, I rise in strong support of H.R. 3962, legislation to provide affordable, quality health care for all Americans and reduce the growth in health care spending, and for other purposes. This bill will control rising medical costs and also extend health care coverage to uninsured American citizens throughout the United States and its Territories.

I want to thank Speaker Nancy Pelosi for her leadership and my colleagues in Congress for their support on this important bill. Especially, I extend my gratitude to the Chairmen of the House Committee on Energy and Commerce, Congressman Henry Waxman; and the House Committee on Ways and Means, Congressman Charles Rangel for listening to the concerns of the Territories and for their willingness to work with the Territorial delegates on resolving their concerns.

I also want to commend my fellow Territorial delegates for their hard work and efforts, in working hand-in-hand to reduce health disparity facing the Territories. I especially want to recognize Congresswoman Donna Christensen for her work in the House Committee on Energy and Commerce, Congressman Pedro Pierluisi and Congressman Gregorio Sablan for their advocacy in the House Committee on Education and Labor and to Congresswoman Madeleine Bordallo for her leadership as the Chairwoman of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus Healthcare Task Force.

Madam Speaker, the Affordable Health Care for America Act, or H.R. 3962, will improve health care for Americans living in the insular areas. Under the provisions of this legislation, from FY2011 through FY2019, American Samoa will receive additional Medicaid funding in the amount of $239.5 million. Moreover, its Federal Medical Assistance Percentage (FMAP) will be raised to the highest FMAP applicable to any of the 50 States and District of Columbia. As a result American Samoa will assume an FMAP no less than 75 percent, the FMAP for Mississippi which has the highest among the 50 States.

American Samoa will also work together with the Secretary of Health and Human Services on a plan to transition the Territory to full parity by 2020. And to make this transition, the Secretary will also assist to make appropriate modifications to the Territory's existing Medicaid programs. This will require comprehensive assessment of the existing Medicaid program and health care services in American Samoa.

I am pleased that American Samoa and the insular areas will have the opportunity to become part of the Exchange program, the centerpiece of the Health Care Reform legislation. Again I thank my Territorial delegates for their hard work to ensure that Congress continues to recognize the need and unique set of circumstances we have in the Territories. To help carry out the Exchange program, $300 million is to be allocated among American Samoa, the CNMI, Guam, and the USVI, based on consultation with the Secretary of Health and Human Services. If American Samoa or any Territorial government chooses not to join the Exchange, its allocation will be added instead to that Territory's Medicaid funding.

Madam Speaker, H.R. 3962 will bring much needed improvement to the health care system in American Samoa. The fact of the matter is rising medical costs and limited health care coverage, exacerbated by American Samoa's remote location and exponential rate of chronic diseases, have led to a high number of people in the Territory with minimal or no access to quality health services. Indeed, findings from the American Samoa Health Survey conducted in 2005 estimated only 25 percent of the population have insurance. Subsequently, there is a tremendous need to address these concerns in a viable health care policy for the Territory.

For this reason, in a letter sent June 22, 2009, I wrote members of the Fono (American Samoa Legislature) to address the need to improve the health care system in the Territory. I specifically requested that the Fono should take advantage of the report from the Coverage for All in American Samoa (CAAS) project, which includes policy recommendations on ways to improve the Territory's health care system.

I commend the American Samoa Government especially the Office of the Lieutenant Governor and staff for their dedication and commitment to the CAAS project that was completed in 2007. I also want to commend the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) for committing total funding of $1.2 million from 2004 to 2007 to complete the CAAS project. My hope is for the American Samoa Government to follow through on the policy recommendations in the CAAS report and adopt the framework for health care reform that is now in place and supported by H.R. 3962.

The Affordable Health Care for America Act, H.R. 3962, carries with it our expectations and hopes for quality and affordable health care for our people and with it a commitment; a commitment to ensure that every American is provided quality health care that they are entitled to and to receive health services that they so critically need.

I urge my friends and colleagues to support H.R. 3962 and pass this historical health care reform legislation.

Mr. Speaker, I certainly would like to thank our distinguished chairman of our Foreign Affairs Committee and our senior ranking member, the gentlelady from Florida, for their leadership and sponsorship and certainly support for this important resolution. I also would like to particularly thank my colleague, the gentleman from Oregon, for his authorship of this important bill.

I think I know something about earthquakes, since recently my own district was just devastated by an 8.3 Richter scale earthquake for which the distance was only about 120 miles south of Samoa. Traveling at about 500 miles an hour, the shock wave was such that, within a matter of minutes, we ended up with a 20-foot tsunami that caused tremendous devastation in property, our homes, and villages, and the deaths of many people.

I do want to commend my good friend from Oregon for his leadership and for raising this important issue to our colleagues and also to commend the two citizens who really wanted just to investigate how was it that, because of faulty construction of these classroom facilities, that these children died, and the government of China did not allow these investigations to go on.

I have tremendous respect for the leaders of the People's Republic of China, given the fact they have only been in existence for about 60 years. As I remind my colleagues sometimes, when China was founded in 1948, there were 400 million people living in China at the time. Yes, under Communist rule, China has evolved itself, and it still has a lot of serious problems, like any other country.

I think also in the time I have that I want to express very much the concerns that I have that I think it is time, especially under the circumstances on how these children ended up dead because of faulty construction of the buildings and the Chinese government refused to have this kind of investigation, for which these two citizens of China were victimized and prosecuted and certainly abused by the Chinese officials. This is not right.

I want to again thank my good friend from Oregon, David Wu, for bringing this matter to the attention of our colleagues, and I urgently urge my colleagues to support this resolution.

Madam Speaker, one month ago, the U.S. Territory of American Samoa was struck by the world's most powerful earthquake of 2009, which set off a tsumani that left untold damage and loss. Once more, I want to thank the Obama Administration, the U.S. Congress, and our friends in the House and Senate, including the Hawaii Delegation and the Territorial Delegates who have stood by us every step of the way.

I especially thank Senator Daniel K. Inouye, HI, Senator Daniel K. Akaka, HI, Congressman Neil Abercrombie, HI, Congresswoman Mazie Hirono, HI, Congresswoman Madeleine Bordallo, GU, Congressman Gregorio Kilili Camacho Sablan, MP, Congresswoman Donna Christensen, VI, and Congressman Pedro Pierluisi, PR for their unwavering support.

I also thank the many foreign nations and non-government organizations who have been so generous in helping us rebuild.

I also want to recognize Cathy Barnhardt of the Combined Airline Ticket Office, CATO, and those at the United Airlines government desk including Debbie Smith and Darlene Sacha, and also Debbie Trance- Mordecai of United Global Services at the JFK airport in New York for the outstanding service they provide at all times.

Above all, I pay tribute to the people of American Samoa for the strength, courage and faith they have shown in the face of adversity. My heart also continues to go out to the families of those who have lost loved ones, and I ask for your continued support and prayers on their behalf.

Again, I express my sincere gratitude for everyone, named and unnamed, for lending us a hand when we need it most. I appreciate your kindness and assure you that the people of American Samoa are grateful for your service.

Madam Speaker, I submit the following message of support from Seung Youn Kim, Chairman of the Hanwha Group, in response to the massive tsunami that struck American Samoa on Tuesday, September 29, 2009.

October 1, 2009.

Hon. Eni Faleomavaega,

Rayburn House Office Building,

Washington, DC.

Dear Congressman Faleomavaega: I would like to offer my

deepest condolences to you and the people of Samoa for the

losses and sufferings caused by the natural disaster

yesterday.

Everyone in my family was shocked by seeing the devastated

sites of Pago Pago and Leone through the media, I am greatly

concerned on the tragic news, not as a bystander but a

personal friend of yours.

I can only imagine the grief that you must feel and the

immensity of the tasks you face, but I also know that you are

a man of undefeatable courage who will once again lead the

way out from this disaster. It is slightly relieving to me

that acts of courage and kindness surfaced and that the U.S.

government and the international society take

the matter seriously moving quickly in aiding the region.

I heard that you have already flown out to Samoa, and I

only wish I could come to the area and join you in person to

help. I am personally committed to supporting you, pondering

over how I could help you on the efforts for the recovery of

Samoa and its people.

Once again, my heart and thoughts are with you and the

people of Samoa wishing safety and hope for all those who

have been affected.

Truly yours,

Seung Youn Kim.

Madam Speaker, I submit the following message of support submitted by Governor of Jeollabuk-do Province Kim Wan-Joo of the Republic of Korea in response to the massive tsunami that struck American Samoa on Tuesday, September 29, 2009.

October 1, 2009.

Hon. Eni F.H. Faleomavaega,

Chairman, Subcommittee on Asia, the Pacific and the Global

Environment, Committee on Foreign Affairs, House of

Representatives.

Honorable Eni Faleomavaega, On behalf of Jeollabuk-do,

please accept my warmest thanks for your visit to be

appointed an Honorary Citizen and Goodwill Ambassador.

There is no doubt that you have enriched Jeollabuk-do with

your works, speech and spirit. For that reason, the value of

such visits is immeasurable and we truly appreciate the

opportunity to have you as one of us.

It's only been less than a month since we shared our

celebratory nights with Samoan soldiers. We were overwhelmed

by their and your spiritual reunion and warm hearts.I was

mournful with the latest and yet tragic news of the

earthquake and the tsunami. My deepest sympathies are with

American Samoans and other Samoans who have lost loved ones,

especially with Samoan soldiers in Korea and with you. There

is no doubt that you are the sons of warriors. I know you

will only be stronger. I hope that Samoa is in good hands and

will recover sooner and better. You and Samoa are in my

thoughts and prayers.

Sincerely yours,

Kim Wan-Joo,

Governor, Jeollabuk-do Province.

Madam Speaker, I submit the following message of support submitted by Tom Beanal, Chairman of the Papua Presidium Council, in response to the massive tsunami that struck American Samoa on Tuesday, September 29, 2009.

Presidium Dewan Papua, Jayapura, October 7, 2009.

Hon. Eni F. H. Faleomavaega,

Rayburn House Office Building,

Washington, DC.

Dear Congressman Faleomavaega, on behalf of the people of

West Papua, we are writing to express to you our greatest

sympathy for the losses and sufferings of the people of

American Samoa and other Pacific Islands caused by the recent

tsunami.

Please accept our sincerest condolences to you. Please also

extend them to your people. We are with you all in our

hearts, tears, and prayers.

With God's grace, may you, our dear Congressman, and the

people of American Samoa, find the strength to endure in this

tragic tragedy.

Tom Beanal,

Wakil Ketua.

Herman Awom,

Moderator.

Thaha Mohammad Alhamid,

Sekretaris Jenderal.

Madam Speaker, I submit the following message of support submitted by Ambassador Don Pramudwinai on behalf of Minister of Foreign Affairs Kasit Piromya of the Kingdom of Thailand in response to the massive tsunami that struck American Samoa on Tuesday, September 29, 2009.

Royal Thai Embassy,

Washington, DC, October 7, 2009.

Hon. Eni F. H. Faleomavaega,

House of Representatives,

Washington, DC.

The Honorable Eni F. H. Faleomavaega, I have the honor to

transmit herewith a condolence message on the earthquakes and

tsunami incident in American Samoa from His Excellency Mr.

Kasit Piromya, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Thailand to the

Honorable as follows:

The Honorable Faleomavaega, It is with profound sorrow that

I learned of the intense magnitude of the undersea

earthquakes and tsunami that hit the United States territory

of American Samoa on 29 September 2009, causing a terrible

loss of lives, widespread property damage and left so many

people homeless.

I would like to extend my sincere condolences and heartfelt

sympathy to you and, through you, to those families who lost

their loved ones as well as those who were distressed by this

dreadful disaster. Our thoughts and prayers are with them

during this time of sorrow. In 2004, Thailand suffered

through the devastating effects of a tsunami, and therefore,

we share your grief and understand very well the hardship

besetting the people of American Samoa. I am certain that

with strong spirit of solidarity of the people of American

Samoa, the affected areas will be quickly rehabilitated and

restored.

Accept, the Honorable, the renewed assurances of my highest

consideration.

Kasit Piromya,

Minister of Foreign Affairs

of the Kingdom of Thailand.

Please accept, the Honorable, the assurances of my highest

consideration.

Don Pramudwinai,

Ambassador.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 816) mourning the loss of life caused by the earthquakes and tsunamis that occurred on September 29, 2009, in American Samoa and Samoa, as amended.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and to include extraneous material on the resolution under consideration.

I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of this resolution mourning the loss of life caused by the earthquakes and tsunamis that occurred on September 29, 2009, in American Samoa, in the independent state of Samoa and in Tonga.

On September 29, 2009, a powerful earthquake, which registered 8.3 on the Richter scale and is recognized as the world's largest earthquake of 2009, struck below the ocean about 140 miles southwest of Pago Pago and 125 miles south of Apia, in the state of Samoa, creating a massive tsunami, or tidal wave, that crashed into American Samoa, the Independent State of Samoa, and the Kingdom of Tonga, sweeping cars and people out to sea as survivors fled to high ground. The tsunami, or tidal wave, with towering waves that reached up to 20 feet in height and penetrated 1 mile inland, caused death and destruction on a nearly unprecedented scale.

The human cost of this disaster transcends mere statistics and has resulted in deeply personal tragedies for numerous families and communities in the region and throughout the world.

In the U.S. territory of American Samoa, children running for home unknowingly ran in the direction of the tsunami. The villages of Fagamalo, Poloa, Amanave, Failolo, Afao, Asili, Amaluia, Leone, Fagasa, Fagatogo, Pago Pago, Aua, Afono, Vatia, Lauli'i, Faga'itua, Masefau, Alao, Tula, and Aoa in American Samoa were devastated by the disaster. Villages were also wiped out in the independent state of Samoa.

In response to this tragedy, President Barack Obama speedily deployed the tools necessary for a full, swift and aggressive response by FEMA.

Secretary of State Hillary Clinton also offered her full support and authorized the airlift of emergency supplies to the independent state of Samoa.

Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi issued a special statement on behalf of the entire Congress, promising to quickly address the needs of American Samoa and the Americans who live there.

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer, Chairman John F. Kerry of the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations, Chairman Howard L. Berman of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs, Chairman Nick Rahall of the House Committee on Natural Resources, as well as many other Members of Congress also offered expressions of support in these trying times.

I especially want to thank my colleague and dear friend, Congresswoman Laura Richardson, for her working side by side with my office in support of our Samoan communities living in her district and in Samoa, as well as in American Samoa. Congresswoman Richardson has stood by us every step of the way and has earned her rightful place in our hearts for leaving no stone unturned in relief efforts.

I also want to thank our Samoan communities and congregations-- churches from Hawaii, Washington, Utah, and California--which collected critical supplies that will now be airlifted or transported by surface transportation to Samoa and, hopefully, also to American Samoa.

I want to also thank the Reverend Liki Tiatia, the Reverend John Mailo, the Reverend Misipauena Tagaloa, and High Chief Loa Pele Faletogo, who have been instrumental in gathering emergency supplies for our families abroad.

With so many people in need of basic supplies, words cannot express how grateful I am to all of my fellow Americans and to our friends from around the world who have responded to this disaster and to our call for assistance with a generous and heartfelt outpouring of aid. More than 300 responders from the Federal Emergency Management Agency, the American Red Cross, the U.S. Corps of Engineers, the Department of Health and Human Services, and other Federal agencies are on the ground in American Samoa, coordinating relief and recovery operations.

Organizations including the Li Ka Shing Foundation, the Hanwha Group, Save the Children, Habitat for Humanity, Latter-Day Saint charities, Catholic Charities, the American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee, tuna canneries like StarKist, Bumble Bee, even the Polynesian professional football players with the National Football League and the coalition of various Samoan organizations like the Office of Samoan Affairs and many others that are providing assistance.

The United States Navy, the Coast Guard, the Hawaii International Guard and the U.S. Army Reserves in American Samoa provided critical transport of the life-saving and life-sustaining supplies and equipment to meet the immediate needs of the survivors.

On behalf of the people of America Samoa, I express my gratitude for all of those who have stood by us when we have needed you most.

I also join with Governor Togiola Tulafono and First Lady Maryanne Togiola Tulafono of American Samoa conveying my deepest condolences to the families of the many earthquake and tsunami victims, and to the Head of State, his Highness Tui Atua Tupua Tamasese and Prime Minister Tuilaepa Lupesoliai Sailele Malielegaoi of Samoa, as well as to His Majesty King George Tupou V and Prime Minister Feleti Vaka'uta Sevele of Tonga.

As we begin the long and difficult process of rebuilding, we thank God for the prayers you have offered on our behalf and express appreciation to all persons and relief organizations who continue to alleviate our suffering.

In memory of those who are no longer with us, I urge my colleagues to support passage of House Resolution 816, mourning the loss of life caused by the earthquakes and tsunamis that occurred on September 29, 2009, in American Samoa, Independent State of Samoa and the Kingdom of Tonga.

Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I thank my good friend and gentleman from Washington for his support and endorsement as well as the chairman of our Committee on Natural Resources, Nick Rahall, for his support.

At this time I would like to yield 2 minutes to my distinguished friend and colleague, the gentlelady from the State of Hawaii (Ms. Hirono).

I thank the gentlelady for her kind remarks from the State of Hawaii.

At this time, I would like to yield 4 minutes to my good friend from California, Congresswoman Laura Richardson.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself 1 minute to again express my sincere appreciation to the comments by my dear friend and colleague, Congresswoman Laura Richardson.

Just to give my colleagues a sense of what took place, as I said earlier in my remarks, it was an earthquake right on the fringe of the Tonga Trench. The Tonga Trench is one of the two deepest trenches in the world, second only to the Marianas Trench. And when the earthquake struck at almost 7 in the morning, it caused tremors in the Samoan Islands for about 3 minutes, but the shock wave was traveling at about 500 miles an hour. So there was no way that anybody could possibly prepare for this disaster to occur because in a manner of minutes--I've seen tidal waves before, and what happens is that the water is totally sucked out from the shoreline from the reefs so pretty much you can prepare yourself to anticipate the coming of the tidal wave.

What made this disaster so different is the fact that the tremors occurred for about 3 or 5 minutes, then 5 minutes later, the tidal wave was up there 20 feet in height coming to the many people who were so surprised and shocked that early morning at 7 o'clock when the tidal wave came in.

So we're looking at two disasters: an earthquake that caused a lot of problems and then the tsunami. So the two disasters occurred at the same time.

I wanted to share that with my colleague that this is what made a very unusual disaster was because there was no way that anybody could properly prepare for what was coming when this earthquake occurred.

At this time, Mr. Speaker, I would like to yield 2 minutes to my colleague from the Virgin Islands, Donna Christensen.

Mr. Speaker, again, I thank my good friend, the senior ranking member of our House Foreign Affairs Committee, for her kind comments, mentioning also about the military participation of the sons and daughters of American Samoa.

According to the recent reports of USA Today newspaper, American Samoans have the highest percentage per annum in the whole United States in terms of those who sacrificed their lives in the war in Iraq and Afghanistan, with about 136 percent above all States and territories. I do want to thank the gentlelady for reminding us of that.

Mr. Speaker, if I could ask how much more time do we have?

I yield 1 minute to the gentlelady from California, my dear friend, Ms. Chu.

Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to my good friend from the Northern Mariana Islands, Congressman Sablan.

Mr. Speaker, how much time do I have remaining?

Mr. Speaker, at this time I yield 1\1/2\ minutes to my

good friend from Texas (Mr. Al Green).

Mr. Speaker, I again want to thank my good friend from Washington for his assistance and partnering with me in putting this resolution before our colleagues.

I also have a proverbial expression, going along with what my good friend from Texas has said, that, yes, there truly is only one race, and that's the human race. That's what makes this country so great.

I also believe that this country is but a microcosm of the whole world in itself, and the fact that it seeks no race or creed or boundaries to the extent that we are all fellow human beings, and whenever there is a need, it's our moral responsibility to do all that we can to give assistance.

There is also a saying among the Chinese people that says there are many acquaintances but very view friends.

I will say, Mr. Speaker, to express my deepest appreciation and gratitude to my colleagues who truly are my friends, when I am in need, just from the fact that many of our colleagues have had occasions of having to appear before the floor and expressing and asking for assistance when disasters occur in their States and their territories, this is what the Congress is all about. This is what democracy is all about in this great country.

Again, Mr. Speaker, I cannot say enough words to express my deepest appreciation and gratitude for the offered help from the administration, from our colleagues on the other side of the aisle, from everybody in the Congress, knowing of the difficulties that we are going through. I am going to say, our people are in good spirits. The prayer services, all that has been offered has been tremendous. I just want to say again, thank you to my colleagues.

I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 810) expressing condolences to the citizens of Indonesia and support for the Government of Indonesia in the aftermath of the devastating earthquake that struck the island of Sumatra.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on the resolution under consideration.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of this resolution, and I yield myself such time as I may consume.

I would like to thank my good friend Congressman Dan Burton of Indiana, distinguished member of the Committee on Foreign Affairs and co-Chair of the Indonesia Caucus, for his leadership in introducing this resolution.

This resolution extends our profound sympathy and condolences to the people of Indonesia for the terrible losses they suffered as a result of the massive earthquake that struck the island of Sumatra on September 30, 2009. Landslides triggered by the quake wiped out three villages in the province of West Sumatra. Nearly 700 lives were lost. Thousands have been injured and displaced, and a staggering number of houses, schools, and public buildings were destroyed or seriously damaged.

I want to extend my deepest sympathy and support to the Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, who has been working tirelessly to deliver assistance to victims in response to this catastrophic event.

As a representative of American Samoa, a place that has also recently experienced calamity caused by a natural disaster, I know firsthand how difficult it is to see the people who elected you facing such profound losses. I also know how much it means to have support from friends and allies during these times of crisis.

Indeed, Indonesia has many friends around the world, as seen by the outpouring of international support for the earthquake relief efforts, which currently stands at about $16 million in financial commitments from more than 20 countries. For our part, the United States has released $300,000 for earthquake relief and has set aside an additional $3 million for recovery operations.

In addition, the Secretary of Defense has authorized $7 million for relief operations in Indonesia, which includes setting up a field hospital, sending three U.S. Navy ships with helicopters and lift capability, and 45 metric tons of emergency relief commodities.

These are all signs of enduring friendship between our two countries.

Time and time again, Indonesia has shown the world that democracy can not only survive, but thrive in a vibrant, multiethnic, moderate Islamic country. This resolution reflects our commitment to maintain a strong U.S.-Indonesia relationship and expresses our solidarity with the good people of Indonesia during these difficult times.

Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the distinguished gentlewoman from Hawaii (Ms. Hirono).

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Mr. Speaker, I will say that Indonesia has come a long way in establishing its democracy, being the largest democratic country. It happens to be a Muslim country with a population of some 225 million people.

I want to also commend President SBY for all that he is trying to do in helping the good people of West Papua. There have been some difficulties along the way, but I suspect that every effort is being made to address the needs of the people of West Papua. Certainly I congratulate them on the recent national elections that were done in such a way that it was again demonstrated that democracy can happen in a Muslim country like Indonesia.

So I want us to realize that only 5 years ago we had a tsunami that also impacted Indonesia, that some 220,000 people died as a result of that terrible disaster, and for which I am very grateful that our country responded in such a way that I think the people of Indonesia deeply appreciated our assistance.

So we are at this again. Another disaster struck Indonesia, and I thank the administration for all the efforts that are being made to give assistance to the good people of Indonesia.

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

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 786) commemorating the canonization of Father Damien de Veuster, SS.CC. to sainthood, as amended.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on the resolution under consideration.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of this resolution and yield myself such time as I may consume.

Mr. Speaker, this resolution commemorates the canonization of Father Damien de Veuster for his selfless works ministering to those suffering from Hansen's disease, also known as leprosy, on the Hawaiian island of Molokai. I would also like to thank my good friend Ms. Hirono from the State of Hawaii for sponsoring and authoring this resolution and for working to ensure that Father Damien's legacy is never forgotten.

Many of us here and our colleagues who walk the Halls of the Congress have oftentimes passed by the distinctive statue of Father Damien in the Capitol, yet few of us understood that this was a man who essentially gave his life in order to help others.

In 1863, at the age of 23, Father Damien left his home in Belgium, sailing to Hawaii to perform missionary work. At that time, the Hawaiian Government deported those who had contracted Hansen's disease to a place called Kalaupapa on the island of Molokai to prevent the spread of the disease. Though he was aware of the risks of contracting leprosy, Father Damien decided to move to Molokai permanently in order to be with those who suffered there.

Isolated from society on the Kalaupapa peninsula on the island of Molokai, Father Damien and those to whom he ministered had many remarkable achievements: building schools and hospitals, constructing churches and homes, and attending to the spiritual and physical needs of those suffering from Hansen's disease, or leprosy.

For 16 years, Father Damien served as a voice of hope and a source of consolation and encouragement for individuals afflicted with Hansen's disease, until he died on April 15, 1889, after contracting the disease himself.

In 1977, recognizing his life of good works and the sacrifice he made in helping others, Pope Paul VI began the process that would ultimately lead to sainthood for Father Damien.

Mr. Speaker, just last Sunday, Father Damien was finally canonized as a saint by Pope Benedict XVI.

I urge all my colleagues to honor the life and accomplishments of Father Damien and his legacy of self-sacrifice by supporting this resolution.

Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself 2 minutes.

Mr. Speaker, years ago it was my privilege to have been invited by the famous native Hawaiian navigator Nainoa Thompson to be a member of the crew of the famous Hawaiian voyaging canoe Hokule`a. We sailed from Tahiti, and it took us about 27 days until finally we sighted the famous mountains of Mauna Kea.

Part of our traveling along the Hawaiian chain of islands was that we also visited the famous peninsula called Kalaupapa on the island of Molokai where we visited and stayed there, resting before we went on to the island of Oahu. It was there, Mr. Speaker, that I saw the legacy of Father Damien's work in dealing with the native Hawaiian people, or anybody who contracted leprosy who was sent to that island to remain there for the rest of their lives.

The unfortunate stories that I have heard in the treatment of these people is that they were just dropped off, not even on the wharf. They were just simply taken there, and they had to swim to the islands in order to get there. What a terrible way of treating those people that were screened or realized that they had Hansen's disease.

But I just wanted to describe the memory of seeing the school and the grave sites and the little community that was built, for which Father Damien was very responsible in helping those who were in need and the people who contracted Hansen's disease on the island of Molokai on this particular peninsula, the beautiful, beautiful peninsula of Kalaupapa, very, very historical; and I know this is true also to our native Hawaiian community.

Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to my good friend, the distinguished author of this legislation, the gentlewoman from Hawaii (Ms. Hirono).

I yield the gentlewoman an additional 1 minute.

I would like to ask just a couple more minutes to say I want to share with my colleagues another beautiful story, a legacy of Father Damien. This is a story about a native Hawaiian leader by the name of Jonathan Napela. And when this Hawaiian leader found out that his wife had contracted Hansen's disease, he went with her to Kalaupapa, lived with her throughout the rest of his life, and he also contracted Hansen's disease because of the love that he had for his wife, and they lived there, working with Father Damien and other leaders there in this little community of Kalaupapa.

And I just wanted to note that for the Record. This famous native Hawaiian leader by the name of Jonathan Napela also was a beautiful story of how much he was able to help the community there in Kalaupapa and the island of Molokai.

Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 266) celebrating 90 years of United States- Polish diplomatic relations, during which Poland has proven to be an exceptionally strong partner to the United States in advancing freedom around the world, as amended.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on the resolution under consideration.

I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Mr. Speaker, I am in strong support of House Resolution 266, which celebrates 90 years of diplomatic relations between the United States and Poland. I wish to thank my good friend, the distinguished gentleman from the State of Illinois (Mr. Lipinski) for his authorship and introduction of this bill that enables the House to join the Senate in marking this significant anniversary and reaffirming our friendship with an important ally.

It is remarkable to think that it has been only 20 years since Poland began to emerge from a period marked by war, Communist rule and occupation. On June 4, 1989, the good people of Poland voted in semi- democratic parliamentary elections. They resulted in a landslide victory for opposition candidates fielded by the Solidarity trade union over the ruling Communists. The new government moved swiftly to re- establish democratic practices and a free market economy.

This election marked a turning point in the region, as other Soviet satellite states in Central and Eastern Europe regained their freedom by the end of 1989. Poland undertook internal reforms that enabled its rapid integration into the Euro-Atlantic community. Indeed, 2009 marks the fifth anniversary of Poland's membership with the European Union and the 10th anniversary of its accession to NATO. Poland has since been playing an active role in the international community, helping to secure peace and stability through its contributions to civilian and military operations in Afghanistan and Iraq.

In addition, Poland has been a strong ally of the United States. This year we are marking 90 years of diplomatic relations, with the United States being the first country to recognize the newly independent Second Polish Republic in January 1919. This was particularly fitting given the key role played by President Woodrow Wilson in demanding that an independent Poland be included in the Treaty of Versailles.

Since that time, there has continued to be a close friendship between our two peoples and countries. The estimated 10 million of our fellow Polish Americans who comprise 3 percent of the U.S. population have made considerable contributions to the cultural, economic, social, and political fabric of our great Nation. I welcome the planned visit by Vice President Biden to Poland later this month, as it provides an excellent opportunity to affirm our strong bilateral relationship.

I strongly support this resolution and urge my colleagues to do the same.

I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, at this time I would like to yield 3 minutes to the distinguished gentleman, the author of this piece of legislation, the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Lipinski).

Mr. Speaker, at this time, I yield 1\1/2\ minutes to my good friend, the gentleman from New York (Mr. Tonko).

Mr. Speaker, at this time, I have no further speakers and yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 603) recognizing the 140th anniversary of the birth of Mahatma Gandhi.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on the resolution under consideration.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of the resolution and yield myself such time as I may consume.

This resolution recognizes the 140th anniversary of the birth of Mahatma Gandhi, one of the 20th century's greatest political leaders, a devout and spiritual Hindu, and the father of India's nationalist movement.

While much has been said about the great works of Gandhi's life, it is important that we never forget that without Gandhi, the fates of what is now the world's largest democracy, India, and the oldest democracy, the United States, would likely be far different.

Mahatma Gandhi served as an inspiration for a movement that ended the rule of the British Raj and created a free and independent Indian state. I might also add, Mr. Speaker, it ended the rule of the British Empire. But of equal significance, especially to us in this Chamber today, Mahatma Gandhi inspired the American civil rights movement that hailed one of America's most remarkable social and political transformations.

By advocating nonviolence, a radical new form of resistance, Mahatma Gandhi transformed the methods used around the world to protest oppression. Mahatma Gandhi developed the term ``Satyagraha,'' meaning vindication of truth not by inflicting suffering on others but through nonviolent and patient self-suffering. He counseled humankind to ``hate the sin and love the sinner'' and urged people everywhere to ``be the change you want to see in the world.'' The late Reverend Martin Luther King, Jr., became the agent, an instrument, of that change here in the United States.

In India, at a time when sectarian tensions threatened to disrupt the independence movement, Mahatma Gandhi encouraged dialogue between Muslim and Hindu community leaders, working to cool passions and put an end to religious-based violence.

Though his life was cut tragically short by an assassin's bullet, his legacy is seen in the over 1.5 billion people who inhabit the free and independent countries of the Indian subcontinent and by our own embrace of the principles of nonviolent political action, unity, and religious tolerance within the United States.

I urge all my colleagues to honor the 140th anniversary of the birth of the great Mahatma Gandhi by supporting this resolution.

With that, Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

I want to commend and thank the gentlelady from Florida, our ranking member of our House Foreign Affairs Committee, for authoring this resolution and giving remembrance to our Nation about the legacy and life of this great human being.

You know, the unusual thing about my reading about this great person, Mahatma Gandhi, was that he was a firm believer not only in the Guida, but also in the Bible. He believed in a lot of the principles that were taught by Jesus Christ in the Bible itself. And as I recall a statement of the Good Book saying, Love your enemies, do good to them who hate you, I think gives the great substance of what Gandhi had said, hate the sin, but not the sinner. And I think in the same way he tried to say to the British Empire, he loves the British people, but he did not like what the British Government was doing to his people.

I think it was at the time when he had just completed his legal studies from Oxford University that he was given an assignment to go to South Africa to help one of the Indian community people there with some of the problems.

And it was on that train ride that he purchased a first-class ticket on this train, and the porter there stopped him saying, You're not supposed to sit on that first-class trip; you are supposed to be out in the baggage area where all the nonwhite people are supposed to be sitting. And he protested and said, I bought a first-class ticket, I deserve it, and there should be no reason why I shouldn't sit in the first-class cabin on the train. And for that, he was not only beaten, but he was left to himself and the train went on.

It was in that given experience that Mahatma Gandhi said, Something is wrong here; and from there he started believing that the British colonial rule of his people just did not seem to fit right as far as the way that the Indian people were being treated by the British.

For that, Mr. Speaker, history has well spoken. I don't have the exact quote that was given by Albert Einstein that said no mortal in the last 100

years has ever been given as an example of this one human being that, by the way, the former Prime Minister, Winston Churchill, described him as a ``naked fakir,'' in very derogatory terms, I suppose, in that respect because Mr. Winston Churchill believed that the British Empire should rule for another 1,000 years perhaps.

But I must say that, yes, there is absolutely no question that the life and the legacy of this great man, Mahatma Gandhi, literally transformed even the civil rights movement here in our own country. And for good, I say, yes, absolutely, influenced people like Rosa Parks, and especially the great and the late Martin Luther King, Jr. for what he has done to transform American Society, making it better than what it was.

I would like to quote to my colleagues what Albert Einstein said: ``I believe Gandhi's views were the most enlightened of all the political men in our time.''

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