Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, forty years ago--on July 24, 1972--Tan Siu Lin, arrived in Guam from Hong Kong with a young family, one cargo ship, and plenty of ambition. He began buying surplus materials from the military in Guam and shipping those goods around the Western Pacific while distributing American movies, an especially prized commodity, to the islands.

Over the years, Doctor Tan, along with his wife Lam Pek Kim, and their children, Henry, Willie, Lilly, Raymond, Jerry, and Sunny, nurtured their small, homegrown enterprise into the 40,000-employee, international powerhouse of affiliated companies that it is today. From tourism, to insurance, logistics, information, and entertainment, Tan Holdings is vital to the economies and communities of the island Pacific.

The Tan family has not only brought employment and economic opportunity to our islands, they have brought our islands to the world. Tan Holdings is our region's premier exporter of tourism and importer of tourists. Starting with Century Travel Agency in 1992, then with the addition of the Fiesta Resort and Spa Saipan, the Fiesta Resort and Spa Guam, and the Saipan Grand Hotel, the Tans have contributed significantly to the islands' economic mainstay of tourism. Even when times have been difficult, Tan Holdings President Jerry Tan has declared, as he did this past January keynoting the Saipan Chamber of Commerce's annual gala, his company's campaign to ``Believe in CNMI,'' and backed up that declaration by confirming that Tan Holdings would soon be launching a new airline. Saipan Air will initially bring tourists from Japan and China to the Mariana Islands, but no doubt with Tan Holding's business acumen, the airline will soon be a force throughout the Asia-Pacific Region. Tan Holdings is no stranger to the airline industry. In 1991, the company established POI Aviation to provide ground-handling services for Northwest Airlines, Asiana Airlines, United Airlines, Korean Air, and other private airlines. And in 1999, the company began operating Asia Pacific Airlines, which provides air cargo services to the region's tuna fishing industry.

Nor is Tan Holdings limited to tourists and airplanes. Through its subsidiary Century Insurance Groups the company is the number one property and casualty underwriter in the Marianas. Tan Holding's Realty Management Services owns and operates approximately 150 residential apartment units on the island of Saipan. And Tan Holdings developed one of the preeminent buildings in our islands: TSL Plaza, which is a flagship for their commercial real estate holdings in Micronesia.

The Tan portfolio includes Cosmos Distributing and Dickerson & Quinn International Distributors, bringing some of the world's best-known consumer brands to island businesses and residents, names such as Procter & Gamble, Campbell's, Gillette, Nabisco, Cadbury, and General Mills. In Guam the public benefits from the company's investment in Tango Theaters, which provide world-class movie viewing at seventeen screens in the Micronesia Mall and Agana Shopping Center. And in Saipan the community gets its daily news from the Saipan Tribune, which has been a trusted outlet of information since 1993.

One of the greatest contributions of the Tan family and Tan Holdings to our community, however, has been the establishment of the Tan Siu Lin Foundation. Although the Tan family has been generous to the island community throughout all of Tan Holdings' 40 years, the formal establishment of the Tan Siu Lin Foundation in 2009, heralded a new beginning in regional philanthropy. The TSL Foundation has donated millions of dollars to deserving, nonprofit, educational, athletic, and community ventures in our islands. Guided by its motto of ``iServe. iGive back.'' the Foundation has not only donated from its corporate proceeds, but has also encouraged philanthropy at the grass-roots level--through its employees. The social responsibility practiced and taught by the TSL Foundation will be as enduring in our islands as any of the Tan Holdings businesses.

Please join me in congratulating Dr. Tan Siu Lin, and his family, for their 40 years of contribution to the commerce, economy, and livability of the Northern Mariana Islands and all of Micronesia.

Madam Speaker, 40 years ago, Dr. Tan Siu Lin founded what is known as Tan Holdings, the largest private employer in the Northern Mariana Islands.

Over four decades, Dr. Tan, together with his wife and their children, nurtured their small, homegrown business into an international powerhouse. Tan Holdings has become one of the region's most important tourism businesses, with hotels, booking agencies, and, soon, an airline, Saipan Air. The company also provides personal and corporate insurance, distributes some

of the world's best known consumer goods in our islands, is active in real estate, and publishes a newspaper.

In addition to these business accomplishments, Tan Holdings has established the Tan Siu Lin Foundation, which has donated millions of dollars to deserving causes and activities in our islands, setting an example of social responsibility.

Please join me in congratulating Tan Holdings for its 40 years helping to build the economy of the Northern Mariana Islands and economies throughout Micronesia.

Mr. Speaker, we have to ensure that U.S. workers get jobs. So, today I am introducing legislation that requires that on federally funded construction projects in my district, the Northern Mariana Islands, at least 60 percent of the workforce has to be U.S. workers.

It is just common-sense: U.S. dollars should employ U.S. workers.

There is a threshold. This legislation only applies to projects that cost more than $100,000. We do not want to enact a law that unnecessarily delays spending or over-regulates business.

But for larger projects funded with federal dollars--and in the Northern Marianas this means road construction, modernizing schools, putting in water lines--we need to make sure that the local, U.S. workers get most of the jobs. We need to make a stand for U.S. workers and for the families they support.

I know that our national economy is still pulling itself out of the worst recession since the 1930s. Although we have seen almost 4 million jobs created in the last two years, we still have unacceptably high levels of unemployment.

But, if you can imagine, in the Northern Marianas the situation is worse--and not improving. Even before the national recession began our economy was sinking. Our island gross domestic product has gone down every year since 2005--20 percent in 2009, the last year the Bureau of Economic Analysis has computed.

We do not have unemployment data for the Northern Marianas, but we do know that our population has shrunk from 69,000 in 2000 to 54,000 in 2010. People have left because jobs have disappeared. I can say from personal observation and from talking with my constituents that there are many people in the Northern Marianas who want work and cannot get a job.

I know, too, that many of the local, U.S. workers in the Marianas, who want to work are being passed over for the jobs that do exist.

We have something like 11,000 foreign workers today in the Northern Marianas. One has to ask: how can we have so many foreign workers, when there are U.S. workers unemployed, who want to work.

Something is not right.

The workers I talk to have skills. They have a good work ethic. They are employable. Yet they are being passed over.

We have to do more in this Congress for these U.S. workers. At the very least, we can say that when we appropriate federal dollars for construction projects in the Northern Marianas, those funds will put U.S. workers on the payroll.

We are not even asking that all the workers be U.S. workers, only that most are U.S. workers. We understand that there may be some specialty skills U.S. workers do not have. Maybe there will be numerical shortages that need to be filled.

But as long as we know that there are U.S. workers, who want jobs, who need to work, then let us make very sure that the federal dollars we provide to the Northern Mariana Islands put those U.S. workers to work.

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

(Mr. SABLAN asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 306. H.R. 306, as amended, directs the Secretary of the Interior to enter into an agreement with the Corolla Wild Horse Fund, as well as local and State authorities, to provide for the management of the free-roaming wild horses in and around Currituck National Wildlife Refuge. The agreement will increase the cap on the herd size in and around the refuge to 130 horses and specifies that the privately funded Corolla Wild Horse Fund will cover the costs of managing the herd.

Catching a glimpse of these horses on the beach is an integral part of what draws thousands of visitors to the North Carolina coast each year. However, the Currituck refuge was established in 1984 to preserve and protect the native coastal barrier island ecosystem. The refuge provides essential habitat for migrating waterfowl and endangered species, such as piping plover and sea turtles, which also draws visitors to these beaches.

It is unusual to protect a nonnative species in a wildlife refuge. Extra effort and resources are needed to ensure that the wild herd does not impair the ecosystem for the native animals and plants. The Fish and Wildlife Service needs additional funds to accomplish the conservation purposes of the Currituck National Wildlife Refuge. Additional resources would support staff salaries, since no staff is currently stationed at Currituck National Wildlife Refuge; corrals to keep the horses from trampling critical habitat; and research to study the potential impacts of these horses on the island's habitat.

As we move forward to consider the Fish and Wildlife Service budget later this month, we should examine the operations and maintenance backlog of the National Wildlife Refuge System, which has been chronically underfunded. We must provide the Fish and Wildlife Service adequate funding to

preserve all the species in the home of these horses.

I thank Mr. Jones for his work in support of the Currituck National Wildlife Refuge and urge adoption of H.R. 306.

I reserve the balance of my time.

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

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

This legislation appears to be a good solution to a challenging problem. H.R. 2606 will allow for the delivery of natural gas into an underserved area while also providing a revenue stream that will allow the National Park Service to rehabilitate important historic structures at Gateway National Recreation Area.

Representatives Grimm and Meeks, who represent Gateway, are to be commended for their hard work on this compromise bill.

In the past, some have raised concerns regarding whether it is appropriate for Congress to direct funding to specific projects such as this one. We are pleased to see that when a meritorious project such as this one is proposed, a project which will provide energy resources while also improving historic resources, it is allowed to proceed.

We support the passage of H.R. 2606, as amended, and I reserve the balance of my time.

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

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

(Mr. SABLAN asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

I rise in support of H.R. 1162, legislation sponsored by the esteemed ranking member of the Appropriations Committee, the gentleman from Washington (Mr. Dicks).

Events in Japan, Indonesia, and elsewhere have demonstrated the devastation that can be caused by tsunamis. The Quileute people live in a dangerous zone, and we fully support this legislation to allow the Quileute to move key facilities to higher ground.

I would note, however, that this version of H.R. 1162 is only half of the bill, as introduced. The Quileute, Mr. Dicks, the National Park Service, and other stakeholders had negotiated over many years a version of this legislation that not only provided safety for the Quileute but also sought to address the resource needs of Olympic National Park. The park portion of this bill was removed by the majority despite the fact that the bill represented a popular negotiated compromise. During consideration of this measure in the Natural Resources Committee, the chairman suggested that the park portion of the original bill be introduced as a second bill to be moved separately. Mr. Dicks has taken this advice, and we hope to see H.R. 3222 on the House floor in the very near future.

Mr. Dicks is to be commended for his diligent work on behalf of the Quileute people and Olympic National Park.

I urge adoption of H.R. 1162, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I yield 5 minutes to the gentleman from Washington (Mr. Dicks), the esteemed ranking member of the Appropriations Committee.

(Mr. DICKS asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

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

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

(Mr. SABLAN asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

Mr. Speaker, H.R. 2070 would direct the Secretary of the Interior to install at the World War II Memorial a plaque or inscription with the text of President Franklin Delano Roosevelt's prayer on June 6, 1944--D-day. The committee considered this legislation in November. We have no objections.

I yield to the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Kucinich) as much time as he may consume.

No, I don't, Mr. Speaker. I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself as much time as I my consume.

(Mr. SABLAN asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

Mr. Speaker, H.R. 290 is a bill that would allow religious symbols to be included as part of memorials commemorating the service of the United States armed services. The legislation, sponsored by my good friend Congressman Hunter of California, was considered by the Committee on Natural Resources in July. I commend my colleague, Mr. Hunter, for moving this legislation forward.

We have no objections to the bill, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, some Members may be aware of specific situations regarding religious symbols located on public land in California. In fact, the committee report for H.R. 290 mentions one of these ongoing controversies.

It is important to note that the committee report also makes clear ``this legislation does not specifically address the Mt. Soledad situation.'' Further, the report includes analysis of the legislation by the Congressional Budget Office, which found, ``under current law, religious symbols are not barred from being used in any military memorials; thus, H.R. 290 would codify current practice. According to the Department of Defense, the National Park Service, and the American Battle Monuments Commission, implementing H.R. 290 would not require any new memorials to be built or current memorials to be changed.''

H.R. 290 is not necessary and does not appear to change current law. As a result, we do not oppose it.

At this time, I reserve the balance of my time.

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

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

H.R. 1022 would direct the Secretary of the Interior to study ways the National Park Service could commemorate the role of Buffalo Soldiers.

Buffalo Soldiers were African American troops who served in the first national parks, including Yosemite and Sequoia National Park, prior to the establishment of the National Park Service.

The legislation, sponsored by Congresswoman Speier of California, was considered by the Committee on Natural Resources in May. I commend my colleague, Congresswoman Speier, for introducing this legislation and for her leadership on this issue. We strongly support this legislation.

I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, at this time, I yield such time that she may consume to the Congresswoman from California (Ms. Speier), the sponsor of this legislation.

Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I yield back the balance of my time.

I yield myself as much time as I may consume.

(Mr. SABLAN asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

Madam Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 1141, the Rota Cultural and Natural Resources Study Act. The bill authorizes the Secretary of the Interior to determine whether it is suitable and feasible to add certain cultural, archeological, historical, and natural resources of the island of Rota in the Northern Marianas to the National Park System.

This same measure was approved by the House in 2010 without dissent, and I hope my colleagues will approve its passage again today.

I want to thank Chairman Hastings and Ranking Member Markey of the Natural Resources Committee for their support of H.R. 1141. I also want to

thank Chairman Bishop and Ranking Member Grijalva of the Subcommittee on National Parks, Forests and Public Lands for their help in bringing this measure to the floor.

We all understand that resources are limited and that we must not add to the debt our children and grandchildren will be responsible for tomorrow.

At the same time, we owe a debt to our descendants to preserve and protect those resources that we hold in trust for them today. Therefore, when considering adding a unit to the National Park System, we have to balance these two requirements. And we have a well established process for doing so.

The National Park Service began this process on the island of Rota in 2004. A study team assessed the ancient Mochon Latte Stone Village and other sites of the Chamorro people, who first inhabited the Marianas some 3,500 years ago. The team explored the Chugai Cave, containing over 90 pictographs of prehistoric origin. They inventoried the rare species of plants and animals endemic to the limestone forests that still blanket parts of Rota, home to the critically endangered aga, or Marianas crow, and the endangered nosa Luta, or Rota bridled white-eye.

Having completed this field reconnaissance in September of 2005, the Park Service issued a report that concluded there are cultural and natural resources on the island of Rota that are of national significance. The Park Service recommended the next step in designation of a new unit of the Park System: A suitability and feasibility study. And H.R. 1141 authorizes the Secretary of the Interior to take that next step and conduct the necessary study.

I would like to note that the people of Rota look forward to the possibility of having areas of their island added to the National Park System.

It was then-Senator Diego M. Songao of Rota who first encouraged the Park Service to conduct a reconnaissance of the archeological sites on his home island and to determine their importance as part of America's legacy.

Rota Representative Teresita A. Santos testified before the Natural Resources Committee enthusiastically supporting a national park on Rota.

Rota Mayor Melchor A. Mendiola of Rota has added his support to the record, as has Northern Mariana Islands Senate President Paul A. Manglona, who also hails from Rota.

Of course, during the study authorized by H.R. 1141, the people of Rota will continue to have ample opportunity to consider along with the Park Service the suitability and feasibility of including any particular areas of their island in park status.

The people of Rota understand the importance of their culture and of the natural resources and want to pass this on to their children and grandchildren. They also understand that preserving the remains of ancient Chamorro culture and the plants and animals of the limestone forests of Rota has value today because visitors from elsewhere in the world want to see that which is unique and experience what only Rota has to offer.

Last week, President Obama announced new initiatives to create jobs and spur economic growth in America by improving our visa system and by providing national parks, wildlife refuges, and historic sites to international travelers.

Being the closest part of America to the emerging economies of Asia, the Northern Marianas is eager to see new countries added to our visa waiver program. We want to have the unique cultural and natural resources of our islands added to the national treasures the President intends to promote.

We know that having areas on Rota designated as part of the National Park System will help create jobs in ecotourism, transportation, hotels and restaurants for the people of today. We understand that protecting and preserving these nationally significant resources on Rota will also help ensure jobs for our children and grandchildren in the future.

I urge my colleagues to support passage of H.R. 1141.

I yield back the balance of my time.

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

(Mr. SABLAN asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

Madam Speaker, I rise in strong support of H.R. 3117, which would allow the Secretary of the Interior to continue sale of electronic duck stamps and expands the program to include all 50 States.

The Migratory Bird Hunting and Conservation Stamp, commonly called the ``duck stamp,'' must be purchased and carried by all waterfowl hunters 16 years and older when hunting migratory waterfowl on both public and private land. Ninety-eight cents of every dollar generated by the sales of the duck stamp goes to purchase or lease wetland habitat for the National Wildlife Refuge System, which benefits migratory waterfowl.

In some rural areas, purchasing duck stamps can be difficult, with hunters having to wait a significant amount of time to receive their official duck stamp. Electronic stamps come with a unique identifying number that serves as a proof of purchase and allows hunters to hunt for 45 days until the actual stamp arrives via the postal service.

In October, at the hearing on H.R. 3117, the Fish and Wildlife Service supported the bill's intent to continue the electronic duck stamp program.

I commend my colleagues, Congressman Wittman and Congressman Ron Kind, for introducing this bill and for their leadership on this issue.

I have no additional speakers, and I yield back the balance of my time.

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

(Mr. SABLAN asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 443.

This bill would provide the Maniilaq Association with clear title to land previously conveyed to it by the United States. Elimination of this restriction would enable the association to obtain loans for improvements to the property without Federal involvement.

I urge my colleagues to support the passage of this legislation, and I reserve the balance of my time.

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

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

I rise in support of H.R. 2719, which would require the Fish and Wildlife Service to provide both motorized and non-motorized access to the summit of Rattlesnake Mountain. This bill would allow the Fish and Wildlife Service to enter into cooperative agreements with the Department of Energy, the State of Washington, local governments, and other interested persons to provide guided tours to the summit of the mountain and to maintain the access road to the summit.

In 2008 the Fish and Wildlife Service completed a management plan for this area and determined that Service-sponsored or led tours and a hiking trail are appropriate and compatible uses of the area. In October, at the hearing on H.R. 2719, the Fish and Wildlife Service supported the bill's intent to provide appropriate public access on Rattlesnake Mountain that gives due consideration to all stakeholders, including the Yakima tribe.

I commend Chairman Hastings from Washington for introducing this bill.

I yield back the balance of my time.

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

Since 1967 the Forest Service has issued two special use permits to the Sugar Loaf Fire Protection District to own and operate two fire stations on National Forest System land.

The District would like to own the parcels of land on which the fire stations sit in order to build an area for firefighter training and bathroom facilities. The land exchange authorized in this legislation will assist the Fire District in its mission and is in the public interest. I support passage of this measure.

Mr. Speaker, the gentleman from Colorado, Congressman Polis, sponsored the House companion to this legislation, H.R. 643. I commend Congressman Polis for his work on this bill and wish to yield him such time as he may consume.

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

Mr. Speaker, 25 years ago, a group of forward-thinking and civic-minded individuals realized the need for volunteer support and fundraising for the new hospital nearing completion in the Northern Mariana Islands. So was born the Commonwealth Health Center Volunteers Association. The volunteers have made tremendous contributions to our hospitals in Saipan, Tinian, and Rota, and have made an appreciable difference to the experience of every patient who receives health care in the Northern Marianas.

Since its founding, the group has donated over $2 million in medical equipment and supplies. Many of these donations include life-saving diagnostic and treatment equipment and other supplies that dramatically improve the quality of life for patients and their families.

The volunteers have withstood the many challenges that have faced our community over the past 25 years, and I think that's a good indication of their ability to successfully navigate the next 25.

Please join me in celebrating the wonderful men and women who founded and over the years staffed and supported the Commonwealth Health Center Volunteers Association.

Mr. Speaker, 25 years ago, there were two important developments to better serve the health needs of the people of the Northern Mariana Islands. One was the opening of the Commonwealth Health Center; the other, less publicly recognized, but also of great significance, was the formation of the Commonwealth Health Center Volunteers Association. A group of forward-thinking and civic-minded individuals realized the need for volunteer support and fundraising for the new hospital. An initial meeting was organized by the late Dr. Jose T. Villagomez, Gregorio S. Calvo, Juanita Dortch, Angie V. Guerrero, Norma Matthews, and Rosa T. Palacios. These founding individuals, and the many more who have answered the call for volunteers, have made critical contributions to the availability and quality of health care in our local community.

As in every corner of our country, we in the Northern Marianas have always faced the issue of bridging the gap between providing affordable health care and what the true cost of that care is. The CHC Volunteers Association has made tremendous contributions to our hospitals and has made an appreciable difference to the experience of every patient who receives health care in the Northern Marianas. Since its founding, the group has donated over $2 million in medical equipment and supplies which have benefited health care needs on Saipan, Tinian, and Rota. Many of these donations include lifesaving diagnostic and treatment equipment such as telemetry machines, nebulizers, and hemodialysis chairs. In fact, they have been responsible for the purchase of two mammography diagnostic units over the years. The availability of equipment such as this means lives have been saved. It also means our residents do not need to travel to receive medical care with the frequency they once did. The group's current goal is to raise funds for a hyperbaric chamber, which will cost approximately a quarter million dollars. This will help doctors heal their patients more effectively. Many of our residents suffer from diabetes, and the hyperbaric chamber can be used to assist in healing persistent wounds in these patients and decrease the need for amputations. Many of our residents and tourists alike enjoy deep-sea diving, and the equipment can also be used to provide lifesaving treatment in the event an individual suffers decompression illness. Other supplies the Volunteers provide are not lifesaving, but dramatically improve the quality of life for patients: new bedsheets, televisions, and reclining chairs, for example. These make extended hospital stays more tolerable than they once were.

All of this has been accomplished through the CHC Volunteers' unwavering commitment to improving the quality of health care in the Northern Marianas. Every year, the group sets about fundraising with an awe-inspiring vigor: they host a Thanksgiving raffle, an annual Christmas bazaar, walkathons, concerts, and pancake breakfasts, just to name a few. The Volunteers have supported our community in other important ways as well, such as sponsoring health conferences and public education programs. They have also served as an important link between the Commonwealth Health Center and other charitable organizations and businesses. The Volunteers have come a long way since their initial fundraising, which was accomplished by selling cold drinks and snacks from two portable coolers at the hospital. They now operate a full-service gift shop at the hospital to help fund their endeavors.

A testament to the enduring nature of the CHC Volunteers Association is that some of the original volunteers are still actively involved. Twenty-five years after committing to do what they could to improve local health care, Mrs. Amparo LG Tenorio, Mrs. Rita V. Tenorio, and Mrs. Rieko M. Guerrero are still volunteering. The Volunteers have withstood the many challenges that have faced our community over the past 25 years, and I think that's a good indication of their ability to successfully navigate the next 25. Their continued success not only benefits hospital patients, but it serves our entire population. It is important for the youth of today to see all that can be accomplished through good intentions and hard work. The group also serves as a constant reminder of the importance of volunteerism, which is alive and well in the Northern Mariana Islands.

Please join me in celebrating the wonderful men and women who founded, and over the years staffed and supported, the Commonwealth Health Center Volunteers Association.