Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, most of us know how the build-up of carbon dioxide in the Earth's atmosphere is causing global temperatures to rise.

Less well known is how the build-up of atmospheric carbon dioxide is changing the chemistry of the oceans.

Because the oceans absorb atmospheric CO2.

In a way, this is beneficial: reducing atmospheric carbon dioxide slows down the global warming effect.

But as the oceans absorb CO2, the oceans themselves become increasingly acidic.

And the increasingly acid ocean waters can actually eat away the carbon shells of corals and a myriad of other sea life.

The people I represent live on islands surrounded by coral reefs.

Coral reefs protect us from storms and provide habitat for fish and shelled animals that are a traditional source of food.

The existence of coral reefs attract hundreds of thousands of tourists to the Northern Mariana Islands each year.

Economists have valued our coral reefs at up to $70 million annually. Yet each year the oceans grow more acidic that economic value is being eroded.

I thank Mr. Inslee for focusing on this issue.

I urge my colleagues to support House Resolution 989 and national and international policies to prevent ocean acidification.

Madam Speaker, once again, the students of Mount Carmel School have won the honor to represent the Northern Mariana Islands in the annual ``We the People'' competition. Mount Carmel has a tradition of excellence in speech and debate and this year's group of orators continued that tradition with distinction.

The competition is directed by the Center for Civic Education and funded by Congress through the Education for Democracy Act.

This is a program we should continue to support. I watched the Mount Carmel students testify in a simulated congressional hearing on constitutional issues they had studied in the We the People: The Citizen and The Constitution textbook. The students are nothing short of impressive in their knowledge and their understanding of the historical bases and the philosophical concepts underlying the document that established our national government.

Eleven hundred students from around our nation earned the right to come to Washington for the final competition over the weekend of April 24th by competing against other schools in their congressional district and States. This is but a fraction of the students who participate and benefit. In its 23-year history the We the People: The Citizen and The Constitution program has reached more than 30 million students.

A survey of program alumni demonstrates that students take to heart what they learn. Ninety-five percent of the respondents voted in the November 2008 election. Additionally, 76 percent voted in all previous elections for which they were eligible, and 56 percent had contacted a government official regarding a public issue during the previous 12 months.

As in years past the We the People program honored a member of Congress with the Dale E. Kildee Civitas Award. Chairman David Obey was this year's recipient for his contribution to the field of civic education. I congratulate the Chairman for this recognition; and, again, I urge my colleagues to support this worthwhile program.

Now I'd like to recognize the Mount Carmel team members by name: Matthew Aquino, Geza Baka, III, Maria Balajadia, Ryanne Camacho, Ericka Celestino, John Edward Elenzano, Ji Yeon Kim, Min Seong Kim, Savana Manglona, Ivan Matala, Nicoli Matala, Anthony Sablan, Nicolas Sablan, Troy Villafuerte, Brittany Yamagata, Calvin Yang, Joseph Yoon; and their coaches: Keolester Buenpacifico, Rosiky Camacho, Justice John Manglona, Judge Ramona Manglona; and chaperones, Maggie Sablan, Velma Palacios.

Mr. Speaker, once again the students of Mount Carmel School have won the honor to represent the Northern Mariana Islands in the annual We the People competition. Mount Carmel has a tradition of excellence in speech and debate and this year's group of orators continued that tradition with distinction.

The competition is directed by the Center for Civic Education and funded by Congress through the Education for Democracy Act. This is a program we should continue to support. I watched the Mount Carmel students testify in a simulated congressional hearing on constitutional issues they had studied in the We the People: The Citizen & the Constitution textbook. They are nothing short of impressive in their knowledge and their understanding of the historical basis and the philosophical concepts underlying the document that established our national government.

Let me acknowledge each student by name:

Matthew Aquino

Geza Baka III

Maria Balajadia

Ryanne Camacho

Ericka Celestino

John Edward Elenzano

Ji Yeon Kim

Min Seong Kim

Savana Manglona

Ivan Matala

Nicoli Matala

Anthony Sablan

Nicolas Sablan

Troy Villafuerte

Brittany Yamagata

Calvin Yang

Joseph Yoon.

Madam Speaker, in 1914, a young Chamorro by the name of Jose Diaz Torres began his training in medicine at a small hospital opened by the German colonial administration on the island of Saipan. Chamorro people had their own healing and medicinal traditions from ancient times, but Spanish colonizers introduced the indigenous people to Western medicine, and the Germans continued this practice upon taking control of the Northern Mariana Islands at the end of the 19th century. The Germans had a commitment to training local people, and Jose Torres, or Dr. Torres as he came to be called, thus became the islands' first local doctor. When Japan supplanted Germany, Dr. Torres continued his practice in a hospital the Japanese constructed. There too, the careers of Saipan's first Chamorro dentists, Dr. Manuel Manibusan Aldan and Dr. Juan Charfauros Reyes, began.

Victory over the Japanese in World War II brought the United States to control of the Northern Mariana Islands. After the war, the islands were administered under a United Nations trusteeship arrangement that required the United States to improve the standard of living. This responsibility

was carried out by the U.S. Department of the Navy during the 1950s. The Navy built temporary hospitals on Saipan for the treatment of both military and civilian personnel. In recognition that the local population needed access to permanent medical care, the Navy also expanded the colonial practice of training promising individuals in dentistry and medicine. The Navy sent Dr. Juan Charfauros Reyes for further education to the School of Dental Assistants, Navy Hospital, Guam. Doctors Jose Lujan Chong, Francisco Taman Palacios, Benusto Rogolifoi Kaipat, Jose Tenorio Villagomez, and Calistro Camacho Cabrera were sent for medical training first to the Naval Medical School on Guam and then to the Central Medical School at Suva, Fiji, in the early 1950s.

Dr. Carlos Sablan Camacho similarly trained in Fiji later in the decade and in Hawaii in the 1970s.

In 1962, two important events took place in the Northern Mariana Islands. First, the U.S. Department of the Interior took over the United States' trusteeship responsibilities from the Navy, inaugurating the establishment of the Government of the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands, the capital of which was eventually located on Saipan. Second, the residents of Saipan witnessed the grand opening of a modern, civilian-staffed hospital built on As Terlaje hill, christened Dr. Torres Hospital in honor of Saipan's first local doctor.

The 1960s and 1970s brought opportunities for the aforementioned local doctors to obtain advanced training in Guam and in Hawaii. Joining the ranks of the Northern Marianas' first doctors and dentists in 1972 were Dr. Manuel Quitano Sablan and Dr. Helen Taro, who earned their degree in dentistry and medicine, respectively, from the Fiji School of Medicine. Like their faithful colleagues before them, Dr. Sablan and Dr. Taro returned after their schooling to be of service to the people of the Northern Marianas, taking care of the dental and medical needs of the island community.

The people of the Northern Mariana Islands have the deepest appreciation, admiration, and respect for our pioneer doctors and dentists--to those still living today and to the memory of those that have passed on. May their compassion and dedication always be an example and inspire more of our young people to pursue a career in health care.

Madam Speaker, the National High School Mock Trial Competition is the premier national law related academic tournament for high school students. Mock trial programs are designed to give students an inside perspective on the legal system, providing them with an understanding of the mechanism through which society chooses to resolve many of its disputes.

Participation in a performance-based, hands-on program of this nature provides students with a practical knowledge about how our legal system operates and who the major players are in that system. Mock trial programs help develop young citizens who can sustain and build our nation by making a reasoned and informed commitment to democracy.

Students of Mount Carmel High School have earned the right to represent the Northern Mariana Islands in this year's national competition in Philadelphia. They will compete with teams from around the country.

Mount Carmel students have a tradition of excellence in oratory. The school represented the Northern Mariana Islands in the National We the People program two years in a row. Mr. Ryan Ortizo, one of the members of this year's competition in Philadelphia just won first place in the CNMI Attorney General's Cup competition.

One has to admire and be proud of the dedication of the students and the commitment of the teaching staff at Mount Carmel School for instilling the passion for debate and public speaking year after year.

Proudly representing the Northern Mariana Islands in this year's National Mock Trial Competitions, are: Geza Baka III, Maria Balajadia, Kevin Bautista, Hazel Doctor, Ryan Ortizo, Keno San Pablo, Janela Revilla, Anastasia Schweiger, and the team's advisor Lourdes T. Mendiola, their attorney coaches Edward Buckingham and Joseph Taijeron, and their teacher coaches, Galvin S. Deleon Guerrero and Rosiky F. Camacho.

Mr. Speaker, the National High School Mock Trial Competition is the premier national law-related academic tournament for high school students. Mock trial programs are designed to give students an inside perspective on our legal system, providing them with an understanding of the mechanism through which society chooses to resolve many of its disputes.

Participation in a performance-based, hands-on program of this nature provides students with a practical knowledge about how our legal system operates and who the major players are in that system. Mock trial programs help develop young citizens who can sustain and build our Nation by making a reasoned and informed commitment to democracy.

Students of Mount Carmel High School have earned the right to represent the Northern Mariana Islands in this year's national competition in Philadelphia. They will compete with teams from around the country.

Mount Carmel students have a tradition of excellence in oratory. The school represented the Northern Mariana Islands in the National We the People program 2 years in a row. Mr. Ryan Ortizo, one of the members of this year's competition in Philadelphia, just won first place in the CNMI Attorney General's Cup competition.

One has to admire and be proud of the dedication of the students and the commitment of the teaching staff at Mount Carmel School for instilling the passion for debate and public speaking year after year.

Mr. Chairman, I rise in support of H.R. 2499.

As the newest member of the American family just 35 years ago, on a plebiscite called an act of free political self-determination, we went to the ballot and had one choice only--Commonwealth.

For us to say that Congress can give Puerto Rico the options it has in H.R. 2499, because it appears as if it's only statehood, we do this all the time, Mr. Chairman. We're not doing it now. We go to war. We are trying to give people free will and freedom. Yet we tell them it is freedom in association with the United States. It took Puerto Rico 100 years of being part of the United States. Only in the past 12 years has this discussion started.

It's about time. Let's put the question to the people of Puerto Rico. Give them an option. They could choose statehood; they could choose to remain a Commonwealth. Let's pass H.R. 2499. I urge my colleagues to support it.

Madam Speaker, Angel Ray Tudela Guerrero is a teenager in the Northern Mariana Islands, who, despite facing extraordinary health problems in his own life, found

ways to improve the lives of other young people.

At age 12 Angel Ray was diagnosed with a malignant brain tumor. He spent a year and a half in a Hawaii hospital battling cancer.

But Angel Ray did not let his disease control his life. Instead, he used his experience to empower himself to help others.

During his long hospital stay, Angel Ray found that time passed more comfortably because of a playroom in the pediatric ward. It was filled with games and toys, computers and a TV well stocked with DVDs, all of which helped take the young patients' minds away from their illness and from the reality of being in the hospital. In the playroom, Angel Ray told a reporter from the Saipan Tribune, kids ``don't feel like they're sick. They feel like they're at home.''

But Angel Ray knew--from personal experience--that kids back home at the Commonwealth Health Center in the Northern Marianas had no playroom. Though the average stay is only two-and-a-half days, some patients are there for six weeks or more. And they have no toys or books, no refuge from the psychological toll of being sick.

So Angel Ray partnered with Hawaii state representative Glenn Wakai and with Reach Out Pacific, a non-profit organization that takes surplus medical and educational supplies from Hawaii to the Pacific islands, including the Marianas, Guam, Palau, the Marshall Islands, Chuuk, Yap, Kosrae, Pohnpei and the Philippines. Together, they organized donations of toys and books to create a playroom at the Commonwealth Health Center. The Shriner's Hospital in Honolulu was being renovated and needed to clear out toys in its pediatric area. Moanalua High School gave hundreds of books. The U.S. Bankruptcy Court donated shelving. And Matson Navigation offered to ship the 20-foot container stuffed with 50 boxes of books, 19 bookshelves, and 60 bags of toys from Hawaii to the Northern Mariana Islands.

Madam Speaker, Angel Ray Guerrero is an inspiration to us all: an individual who took the adversity in his own life and turned it into a benefit for others.

Madam Speaker, Angel Ray Tudela Guerrero is a teenager in the Northern Mariana Islands who, despite facing health problems in his own life, has found ways to improve the lives of other young people.

At age 12, Angel Ray was diagnosed with a malignant brain tumor. But Angel Ray did not let his disease control his life. Instead, he used his experience to empower himself to help others.

During his year-and-a-half long stay in a Hawaii hospital battling cancer, Angel Ray found that time passed more comfortably because of the playroom there. But Angel Ray knew that kids back home in the Commonwealth Health Center in the Northern Mariana Islands had no playroom. So Angel Ray partnered with Hawaii Representative Glenn Wakai and with Reach Out Pacific, a nonprofit organization. Together, they organized donations of toys and books to create a playroom at the Marianas Hospital.

Angel Ray Guerrero is an inspiration to us all, an individual who took the

adversity of his own life and turned it into a benefit for others.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to congratulate the shareholders, management, and employees of a very special family-owned business in the Northern Mariana Islands as they celebrate their company's 60th anniversary. Joeten Enterprises, Inc., or simply Joeten as it is known to local residents, began with Jose Camacho Tenorio and his wife Soledad Duenas Takai selling beer and soft drinks to soldiers and sailors from Saipan right after World War II. Joeten and Daidai, as everyone called the Tenorios, gradually grew their quintessential mom and pop operation into a diversified, multimillion-dollar corporation. Today Joeten Enterprises encompasses not only retail shopping outlets but also wholesale, shipping and stevedoring, car dealership and auto service, hotel, real estate, construction and material supply, hardware, insurance, bakery and deli businesses. They have hundreds of employees, including many that have been a part of the company for decades.

It is difficult to imagine our principal island of Saipan 60 years ago. The war had destroyed virtually all of the physical and commercial infrastructure. Residents found some work with the U.S. military or lived on government handouts. So for newlyweds Joeten and Daidai to take the great entrepreneurial leap of faith and open a corner grocery store in the village of Chalan Kanoa was a significant step not only in their own lives but in the reconstruction of the island economy.

Joeten and Daidai sacrificed much and worked long hours to build their small business. Joeten was lucky enough to have a government job, but he was constantly networking, planning, and then carefully executing a variety of adaptations and expansions to grow the business. Daidai supervised the store during the day, balancing the books, while caring for and feeding the couple's growing family. The four daughters and two sons of Joeten and Daidai--Annie, Clarence, Norman, Patricia, Frances, and Priscilla--began their own education in business at an early age right there in the store. Their parents' example and tough but caring attitude taught the children to work hard to get what they wanted from life. They learned that personal discipline was key to success. And as each of the children grew, they took on their own increasingly important roles in the burgeoning Joeten Enterprises.

Joeten passed on in 1993, Daidai in 2008. But their six children continue to run the many businesses their parents began. The children of Joeten and Daidai share their parents' values with their own children, so the lessons Joeten and Daidai imparted continue to be practiced by a third generation of entrepreneurs.

As retold by the Tenorio children and grandchildren, one of the most important of these lessons was that to a large degree the company's success is the result of the teamwork of the company's loyal and dedicated managers and employees.

In that spirit, we salute them all--owners, managers, employees. Hand in hand, may they continue to prosper in the next decade, guided by the vision and spirit of the company's founding couple, Joeten and Daidai.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 1182) congratulating Radford University on the 100th anniversary of the university.

I request 5 legislative days during which Members may revise and extend and insert extraneous material on House Resolution 1182 into the Record.

I yield myself as much time as I may consume.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H. Res. 1182, which celebrates Radford University for 100 years of leadership and service in higher education. Radford was originally founded in 1910 as the State Normal and Industrial School for Women, tracing its roots back to the expansion of the Virginia public higher education system. While its name and composition has evolved over the years, Radford's commitment to academic excellence has never wavered.

Radford's beautiful 177-acre campus is located in the New River Valley between the Blue Ridge and Allegheny mountains. The university is home to nearly 8,000 undergraduates and over 1,000 graduate students, and these students have access to a diversity of academic and extracurricular programs.

The university is comprised of six undergraduate and one graduate college which offer 153 degree options. Additionally, Radford also has 19 NCAA Division I teams, 400 intramural sports teams, and over 200 clubs and organizations.

Recently, Radford was named one of the Top Up-and-Coming Schools in the Nation by U.S. News & World Report due to its promising and innovative changes it has made over the past few years. Under the leadership of Radford's sixth president, Ms. Penelope Kyle, the university has consistently ranked among the best colleges and universities in the Southeast region. Such recognition shows that the school is continually innovating and striving for success.

For its 100th anniversary, Radford honored its culture of service with a ``Centennial Service Challenge,'' which encouraged students, faculty, and staff to participate in community service in local and regional areas. This event is indicative of Radford's tradition of cultivating graduates who will become meaningful contributors to society and mark a significant milestone in the university's history.

Once again, I congratulate Radford University on its 100-year anniversary and thank Representative Boucher for bringing this bill forward.

Mr. Speaker, I'm pleased to recognize the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Boucher), the sponsor of the resolution, for 3 minutes.

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

Mr. Speaker, I again urge my colleagues to support H. Res. 1182, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 1239) commending the University of Connecticut Huskies for their historic win in the 2010 NCAA Division I Women's Basketball Tournament, as amended.

Mr. Speaker, I request 5 legislative days during which Members can revise and insert extraneous material on House Resolution 1239 into the Record.

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

Mr. Speaker, I rise to congratulate the University of Connecticut's women's basketball team for winning the 2010 NCAA Division I Women's Basketball Championship.

At the final buzzer in this year's championship game, the UConn Huskies roared to their second straight championship win and a history- making 78th straight win of the season. With their 53-47 victory that Tuesday night at the Alamodome, the UConn Huskies and the Stanford Cardinals both played with exceptional talent and dedication. In the end, UConn seized their seventh NCAA Women's Basketball Championship. The Huskies became the first women's basketball team to have back-to- back undefeated national championship seasons. With their 78 straight wins, UConn also broke the NCAA women's basketball record for number of consecutive wins.

The Huskies women's basketball season marked Coach Geno Auriemma's 25th season at UConn, and his seventh NCAA Women's Basketball Championship victory. Auriemma has led UConn to the Final Four a total of 11 times during his time with the team, and this game was his 735th career win as a coach. In fact, he has the highest winning percentage among the Division I active coaches. Auriemma has also guided UConn to five Big East regular season titles and 14 Big East Tournament titles.

The sensational junior forward Maya Moore was named the Final Four's Most Outstanding Player, scoring 23 points during the championship game. She scored 11 of her team's 17 points during the second half, leading UConn's comeback from the first half and giving the Huskies their solid lead. She has been a leader and a remarkable asset to the Huskies all season.

Senior center Tina Charles also proved to be an invaluable player. She was chosen as the Naismith Award winner and Associated Press player of the year. She was later drafted number one overall in the 2010 WNBA draft and recently signed with the Connecticut Sun.

I also congratulate the Huskies on their excellence both on and off the court. The Huskies women's team boasts a flawless 100 percent graduation rate in 2009 amongst all 4-year players. The alumni, faculty, and staff at the University of Connecticut have much to be proud of.

Once again, I congratulate the UConn Huskies winning the national championship, and I thank Mr. Courtney for bringing this bill forward.

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to yield as much time as he may consume to the distinguished gentleman from Connecticut (Mr. Courtney).

Mr. Speaker, again, I ask all my colleagues to support House Resolution 1239, as amended.

I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 1585) to amend the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 to improve standards for physical education, as amended.

Mr. Speaker, I request 5 legislative days during which Members may revise and extend and insert extraneous material on H.R. 1585 into the Record.

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

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 1585, which brings much- needed attention to the role of physical attention and activity in our Nation's schools and the importance of healthy living and active lifestyles.

This legislation comes at a critical time. Obesity among our Nation's children has not only reached epidemic proportions, it has become a public health crisis. The danger of childhood obesity is far greater than any other health-related emergency we have seen in the past decade. The percentage of children that are overweight in America has tripled over the last 30 years. Nearly 25 million children and teens are considered overweight or obese, a number that keeps on rising.

The First Lady has recognized the need to address this epidemic and has created the ``Let's Move'' initiative. Her initiative has four key pillars to achieve the goal of ending childhood obesity: Getting parents more involved and informed about nutrition and exercise; making healthy foods more accessible and affordable; increasing attention to physical activity; and lastly, improving the quality of food in the school meal programs.

This legislation touches on many of those goals, making available important information to parents and communities regarding the type of physical education being provided to students, encouraging increased physical education and activity and promoting the Healthier U.S. School Challenge, which recognizes schools that are creating healthier school environments through their promotion of good nutrition and physical activity. The legislation will also make available best practices for innovative and successful physical education programs and policies at the State and local level.

Finally, the bill calls for a National Research Council study to figure out the best way to incorporate physical activity into the school day and study the relationship between physical activity and cognitive development and academic achievement. This study will build on recent research that has shown that children's health has a statistically significant impact on their academic achievement and a decline in physical education may contribute to a decline in school performance.

I am glad to join the First Lady in encouraging awareness of the importance of physical education in our schools. By investing in our children and their future, we will be investing in our country's future health and prosperity.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank Representative Kind and Representative Wamp for bringing this bill forward and urge my colleagues to support it.

I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to recognize the gentleman from Washington (Mr. Inslee) for 1 minute.

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to recognize the gentleman from Wisconsin (Mr. Kind) for 4 minutes.

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

Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman 1 additional minute.

Mr. Speaker, again, I am very happy to join the First Lady in encouraging awareness of the importance of physical education in our schools. I ask all of our colleagues to join us in supporting H.R. 1585, as amended.

I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 1270) expressing support for Mathematics Awareness Month.

Mr. Speaker, I request 5 legislative days during which Members may revise and extend their remarks and insert extraneous material on House Resolution 1270 into the Record.

I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of House Resolution 1270, which recognizes the important role of mathematics in our schools and in our country.

Family members, as children's first teachers, are crucial to student success. The more adults become engaged in their children's education, the greater the chances that children will succeed. Parents teach children academic fundamentals by reading to them and by counting with them.

Mathematics Awareness Month provides a venue for students from kindergarten through high school and their families to celebrate and learn math. Institutes of higher education and professional organizations organize community events that highlight math problem- solving and how math is used in a variety of careers.

To succeed in tomorrow's world, students must understand algebra, geometry, statistics, and probability. Business and industry demand workers who can solve real-world problems, who can explain their thinking to others, who can identify and analyze trends from data, and who can use modern technology.

Our Nation's economic competitiveness depends upon rich math knowledge that can fuel industry by our citizenry. Tackling prominent social and health challenges will require professionals skilled in mathematics.

Mathematics Awareness Month began in 1986 as Mathematics Awareness Week, and it became a monthlong celebration in 1999. Math has been commemorated this way every April for almost 25 years.

The theme of this year's Mathematics Awareness Month is ``Sports.'' All over the country, students and their families can attend community events to learn about math in baseball, basketball, football, golf, soccer, track and field, tennis, and, actually, car racing. Additionally, the Mathematics Awareness Month Web site provides videos and links to other resources.

Mathematics Awareness Month also provides an opportunity for us all to recognize the dedication of our Nation's math educators and to purposefully look for ways to increase mathematical excellence for all of our children.

I commend the colleges, universities, and organizations which hold events to draw and retain students into the field of mathematics.

Mr. Speaker, once again, I express my support for Mathematics Awareness Month, and I hope this resolution

serves to inspire our Nation's citizenry to seek out events near them.

I want to thank Representative McMorris Rodgers for bringing this resolution to the floor, and I urge my colleagues to pass this resolution.

I reserve the balance of my time.

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

Mr. Speaker, I would like to urge my colleagues to support House Resolution 1270, and 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. 1276) recognizing the continued importance of volunteerism and national service and the anniversary of the signing of the landmark service legislation, the Edward M. Kennedy Serve America Act.

Mr. Speaker, I request 5 legislative days during which Members may revise and extend their remarks and insert extraneous material on House Resolution 1276 into the Record.

I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of House Resolution 1276, which recognizes the anniversary of the signing of the landmark service legislation, which is the Edward M. Kennedy Serve America Act, and the continued importance of volunteerism and national service to our country.

For many Americans, including my constituents in the Northern Mariana Islands, service is the most valuable way for them to contribute to their communities. The Serve America Act encourages all Americans--from at-risk youth in inner cities, to people in rural communities, to people in the middle of the Pacific Ocean, to seniors and veterans--to unite in service to their communities. This is the universal quality of service that Martin Luther King spoke about when he said, ``Everyone can be great because anyone can serve.''

The Serve America Act expands many of the current service programs, including AmeriCorps, which is on a path to increasing its volunteer force from 75,000 to 250,000 by 2014. These new initiatives will specifically focus on key areas that are the foundation of our Nation's growth and prosperity, such as education, health care, energy, and veterans.

Young adults who join AmeriCorps VISTA commit to serve full time for a year at a nonprofit organization or local government agency, working to fight illiteracy, improve health services, create businesses, and strengthen community groups. Programs like these are valuable teaching tools for students to apply real-world experiences to issues they may encounter in the classroom and to grow as individuals while giving back.

Most importantly, the act seeks to revitalize our Nation's commitment to, and engagement in, service, especially among our Nation's youth. I strongly believe that our people are our most important and best resource, and engaging them in service puts that resource to work for the good of the community as a whole. I have seen the benefits, in my home in the Northern Mariana Islands, to the recipient of service and the volunteer alike, and I know that it is a rewarding experience for both, one that strengthens the ties of our community.

This week also marks the 37th Annual National Volunteer Week. Established in 1974, National Volunteer Week celebrates the spirit of service that has been so important to bringing Americans together, especially in times of economic hardship. According to the Corporation for National and Community Service, 61.8 million Americans, or 26 percent of adults, took time to contribute some volunteer service in 2008. Those volunteers donated 8 billion hours, worth $162 billion.

Finally, I want to recognize the person for whom this Serve America Act is named, the late Senator Edward M. Kennedy. Senator Kennedy spent his life serving his country, never forgetting the words spoken by his brother President John F. Kennedy in 1961: ``Of those to whom much is given, much is required.'' I am proud that we can honor Senator Kennedy's memory by encouraging Americans to offer service to their fellow citizens.

Mr. Speaker, once again I express my support for this resolution commemorating the Edward M. Kennedy Serve America Act, and I urge my colleagues to join me in support of this resolution celebrating its 1 year anniversary.

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

Mr. Speaker, again I express my support for this resolution, and I encourage all my colleagues to join me in their support.

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