Floor Statements

I would like to take this time to honor and wish Franklin Gutierrez, Jr., a happy birthday.

Over the weekend, Frankie G., who is one of Guam's legendary musicians, turned the big 5-0.

For decades, Mr. Gutierrez has not only entertained many with his vocal gifts, but he has also nurtured a future generation of musicians in Guam. His band, Rumblefish, is an island icon. Frankie G. is more than just a musician. He is a proud husband, a father, a grandfather, and a friend.

Frankie G. has also served his island as an officer with the Guam Customs and Quarantine Agency. He has proudly protected our borders while putting himself in harm's way. From the Halls of the United States House of Representatives, I wish Frankie G. a happy 50th birthday.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to take this time to remember and honor twin sisters Katrina and Leslie. Their story is one of tragedy, as they both are resting with our maker in heaven. Their memories have and shall continue to be shared with their loved ones.

Katrina and Leslie were born with disabilities. As they were growing up, they required a caretaker to address their basic needs.

These twins were loveable and stole the hearts of those they met. Katrina and Leslie were also emotionally strong. They wanted to be raised like other kids but knew that their conditions were permanent and they wouldn't be able to participate in sports, attend a prom, or get a job.

They accepted the reality of their life, but they knew they had each other, and they had a loving family. The two were living in the State of Pennsylvania and received Supplemental Security Income, SSI, benefits that helped their caretaker purchase necessities.

Unfortunately, their caretaker, who was their mother, passed away unexpectedly. Leslie and Katrina once again found themselves enduring another unbearable hardship. Because of their conditions and the undertaking it would require to care for not one but two disabled individuals, the sisters were separated.

Leslie stayed in the State of Pennsylvania and continued to receive SSI benefits. Katrina was taken in by her

mom's sister, who is married to my childhood friend, Dr. John Fegurgur. The couple brought her to Guam, and within 30 days of leaving Pennsylvania, Katrina lost her SSI benefits.

Why, you may ask?

Because of a Federal inequity which denies American citizens who reside in most territories the rights to secure SSI benefits. This Federal law strips away the financial benefits from American citizens with disabilities who relocate from a State to Guam, American Samoa, the Virgin Islands, or Puerto Rico.

We need to change this inequity. Why are U.S. citizens who reside in U.S. territories denied benefits they can attain if they were residing in a State?

This is a real case of unfairness.

Did you know that Guam has among the highest per capita numbers of enlisted members in the United States armed services throughout the Nation?

Yes, we, too, are proud Americans.

There have been lawsuits to fix this inequity, and the courts have simply ruled that SSI benefits were created by Congress and, hence, can be changed by Congress. So let's change it and do what is right.

Katrina and Leslie are both no longer with us in the world today. In Leslie's final days, she said she sadly wouldn't be able to witness when this wrong would be made right.

While neither sister may be here, let us fix this inequity in their names and the names of many others who have been denied this benefit just because they reside in a U.S. territory.