Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in appreciation of the people of Guam for their trust, support, and respect and for allowing me the honor of representing Guam and their interests here in the Congress of the United States for eight terms.

I also rise this final time in appreciation to my colleagues in this wonderful institution, the U.S. House of Representatives, for their support over the years as we have worked on many impactful issues for the betterment of our constituents and our Nation.

It has been my honor to serve in Congress for the last 16 years, and I leave here proud of what we have accomplished not just for Guam, but for our

Nation and our allies in the Asia-Pacific region.

As the nonvoting delegate for 168,000 Americans who live on the westernmost territory of the United States of America, I worked with my congressional colleagues to support policies, programs, and legislation that have benefited the people of Guam. I have also secured billions of dollars in Federal investment in Guam and our people.

With the support of my colleagues on both sides of the aisle, we saw the passage of landmark legislation for Guam, including passing war reparations to recognize the survivors of the occupation of Guam during World War II, enshrining the independence of Guam's judiciary as a coequal branch of government, enhancing regional security with the relocation of marines to Guam, holding the military accountable to its responsibilities to Guam's civilian population, promoting Guam's Chamorro culture, protecting our environment, and improving healthcare for veterans and all Guam residents.

In just this last year, I have worked with entrepreneurs to jump- start the process for Guam to eventually become a commercial spaceport. I have also engaged leaders in the renewable energy industry and sponsored legislation passed unanimously by the House to develop offshore wind energy that will benefit Guam's electricity needs for decades to come.

We have strengthened relations with our neighbors in the Asia-Pacific and enhanced tourism, Guam's largest nonmilitary industry and employer.

Finally, through engagement and cooperation with our regional allies, we have enhanced the security of the Indo-Asia-Pacific region and our national interests, countering growing threats and safeguarding against rogue countries. These are just some of our successes.

My colleagues would often tease me by saying: ``Here comes Miss Guam. What does she want now?'' While this was often said jokingly, and I have always accepted this as good-natured humor, I hope that it speaks to the dedication that I brought to effectively representing my constituents as the first woman to serve as Guam's elected Delegate to the United States Congress.

Mr. Speaker, Guam residents have no other voice or voting representation in their Federal Government to champion their interests and causes. Despite the successes we have had during my tenure, I cannot leave without commenting on the disparity between the Representatives from the 50 States and the Delegates who represent 4 million fellow Americans residing in the U.S. territories.

It is unfortunate, Mr. Speaker, that our country continues to disenfranchise Americans in the territories merely because of where we live. My constituents lack full voting representation in the House, have no representation in the Senate, and are denied the right to vote for the President of the United States; and yet we serve and sacrifice at the highest rates in our military.

When I was first elected to Congress in 2002, one of my predecessors, the late Congressman Ben Blaz, commented to me that, as Guam's Delegate, I would be a Member of Congress but not one of its true Members. I hope that we will continue to see our Nation strive for that goal, and that includes giving full representation and voting rights to our fellow Americans living in the territories and the District of Columbia.

Mr. Speaker, while I am saddened for my congressional tenure to come to a close, I leave proud of my work to advance Guam's interests and thankful for the support and friendship of the colleagues with whom I have served for these past 16 years. I am also eternally grateful to the nearly 200 staffers and interns who have aided me throughout the years in the congressional office.

I am especially appreciative for the staff who were with me during this last year in Congress. In my D.C. office: Adam Carbullido, Rosanne Mantanona, Howard Pangelinan, Edgar Yanger, Brandon Westling, Iain Hart, and Katherine Lee. In my Guam district office: Jon Junior Calvo, Kaye Lea Custodio, Amanda Shelton, Robert San Agustin, Audria-Marie Lizama, and Diosdado Razon.

I would not have been successful without their dedication and tireless support.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in appreciation of the people of Guam for their trust, support, and respect and for allowing me the honor of representing Guam and their interests here in the Congress of the United States for eight terms.

I also rise, this final time, in appreciation to my colleagues in this wonderful institution--the U.S. House of Representatives--for their comradery, support, and collegiality over the years as we worked on many impactful issues for the betterment of our constituents and our nation.

It has been my honor to serve in Congress for the last 16 years, and I leave here proud of what we have accomplished, not just for Guam, but for our nation and our allies in the Asia-Pacific region.

These 16 years I have led, supported, or participated in the national debates, discussions, and policy developments that have improved global and national security, enhanced our economic and political wellbeing, conserved our precious natural resources, and improved quality of life for all Americans.

As the non-voting delegate for 168,000 Americans who live on the western-most sovereign territory of the United States of America, I worked with my Congressional colleagues to support policies, programs and legislation that have benefitted the people of Guam. I have also secured billions of dollars in federal investment in Guam and our people.

With the support of my colleagues on both sides of the aisle, we saw the passage of landmark legislation for Guam, including passing war reparations to recognize the survivors of the Occupation of Guam during World War II; enshrining the independence of Guam's judiciary as a co- equal branch of Government, enhancing regional security with the relocation of Marines to Guam; holding the military accountable to its responsibilities to Guam's civilian population, promoting Guam's Chamorro culture, protecting our environment, and improving healthcare for veterans and all Guam residents.

Some of our most exciting achievements are yet to be realized with the groundwork we have undertaken to further the development of new opportunities for economic development and self-sufficiency for Guam, our national interests, and the region.

In just this last year, I have worked with entrepreneurs to jump start the process for Guam to eventually become a commercial spaceport.

I have also engaged leaders in the renewable energy industry and sponsored legislation passed unanimously by the House to develop offshore wind energy that will benefit Guam's self-sufficiency, sustainability, and electricity needs for decades to come.

We have strengthened relations with our neighbors in the Asia-Pacific and enhanced tourism, Guam's largest non-military industry and employer.

Finally, through engagement and cooperation with our regional allies, we have enhanced the security of the Indo-Asia-Pacific region and our national interests, countering growing threats and safeguarding against rogue countries.

These are just some of our successes. My colleagues would often tease me by saying, ``Here comes Miss Guam.''

While this was often said jokingly, and I have always accepted this as good-natured humor, I hope that it speaks to the dedication and tenacity that I brought to effectively representing my constituents, as the first woman to serve as Guam's elected Delegate to the U.S. Congress.

Guam residents have no other voice or voting representation in their Federal government, to champion their interests and causes.

Despite the successes we have had during my tenure, I cannot leave without commenting on the disparity between the Representatives from the 50 states, and the Delegates who represent 4 million fellow Americans residing in the U.S. territories.

It is unfortunate, Mr. Speaker, that our country continues to disenfranchise Americans in the territories merely because of where we live.

My constituents lack full voting representation in the House, have no representation in the Senate, and are denied the right to vote for the President of the United States; and yet, we serve and sacrifice at the highest rates in our military.

When I was first elected to Congress in 2002, one of my predecessors, the late Congressman Ben Blaz, commented to me that as Guam's Delegate, I would be a Member of Congress, but not one of its Members.

I have been proud to stand alongside my colleagues--both Democrat and Republican--all patriotic citizens doing their level best to reach what our Constitution calls a more perfect union.

I hope that we will continue to see our nation strive for that goal, and that includes giving full representation and voting rights to our fellow Americans living in the territories and the District of Columbia.

Mr. Speaker, while I am saddened for my Congressional tenure to come to a close, I leave proud of my work to advance Guam's interests and thankful for the support and friendship of the colleagues with whom I have serves of these past 16 years.

I am also eternally grateful to the nearly 200 staffers and interns who have aided me throughout the years in the Congressional office.

I am especially appreciative for the staff who were with me during this last year in Congress. In my D.C. office: Adam Carbullido, Rosanne Mantanona, Howard Pangelinan, Edgar Yanger, Brandon Westling, lain Hart, and Katherine Lee.

And in my Guam District Office: Jon Junior Calvo, Kaye Lea Custodio, Amanda Shelton, Robert San Agustin, Audria Lizama, and Disodado Razon.

I would not have been successful without their dedication and tireless support, and I ask that the full list of all my congressional staff be included in the Record.

Rep. Madeleine Z. Bordallo--Full Staff List 2003-2018

Name and title:

Carbullido, Adam, Chief of Staff; Mantanona, Rosanne Meno,

Executive Assistant; Pangelinan, Howard, Legislative

Correspondent; Hart, Iain, Senior Legislative Assistant; Lee,

Katherine, Legislative Assistant; Yanger, Ed, Military

Legislative Assistant; Westling, Brandon, Air Force

Legislative Fellow; Calvo, Jon Junior, District Chief of

Staff; Custodio, Kaye Lea, Constituent Services Coordinator;

Shelton, Amanda, Press Secretary; San Agustin, Rob,

Constituent Services Representative; -Lizama, Audria-Marie,

Receptionist; Razon, Diosdado, Field Deputy.

Ackerman, Randall (Randy), Air Force Legislative Fellow;

Agustin, Krystal A., Press Secretary; Alexander-Ozinskas,

Marselle, Sea Grant Fellow; Anciano, Cody B., Intern;

Ardiente, Ashley N., Intern; Atalig, Tamieko M., Intern.

Baik, Susan J., Intern; Baldevia, Ria, Intern; Behr,

Tiffany, Air Force Legislative Fellow; Bettis, Leland P.,

Intern; Bhojwani, Chirag M., Intern; Blas, Cecilia G.,

Scheduler; Blas, Joelle M., Intern; Blas, Jonathan M.,

Intern; Blas, Kyra J., Intern; Blaz, Josh J., Intern; Blaz,

Rachael P., Intern; Blaz, Vicente T. (Vince), Intern;

Blickstein, Adam R., Staff Assistant; Bonanno, Ashley D.,

Intern; Bordallo, Stephanie M., Intern; Borja, Krystina J.,

Intern; Borja, Mary C., Policy Advisor; Bullock, Jed R.,

Legislative Director; Butler, Charles, Intern.

Caluag, Stephanie M., Intern; Camacho, Adam A., Intern;

Camacho, Felix, Intern; Camacho, Iwalani R., Intern; Catahay,

Marc A., Intern; Cepeda, Julie Marie K., Intern; Chan, Gloria

Si-Chun, CAPAC Executive Director; Chon, Alicia, Legislative

Assistant; Cowan, Sydney L., Intern; Cruz, Amanda R., Intern;

Cruz, Marie L., District Scheduler; Cruz, Mikaele, Intern;

Cruz, Nicole G., Intern.

D'Arduini, Timothy, Intern; De Oro, Moneka, Intern; Diaz,

Frances R., Legislative Assistant; Dimla, Mariana P., Intern;

Djalali, Alex J., Intern; Doucette, Cameron M., Intern;

Duenas, Joseph E., Press Secretary; Duke, Richard A.,

Legislative Assistant; Dunbar, Forrest A., Staff Assistant;

Dydasco, Bonita Y., Intern.

Eusebio, Christian, Intern; Fang, Vincent, Intern; Felix,

Dominique Rose, Intern; Fitzpatrick, Sara R., Intern;

Foertsch, Sean T., Defense Fellow; Fram, Bryan J., Air Force

Legislative Fellow; Fry Robert C., Intern.

Gatewood, Daniel P., Intern; Gatewood, Stephen R., Intern;

Gault, Catherine S., Press Secretary; Gladieux, Raquel, Navy

Legislative Fellow; Gonzalvo, Patrick Vincent I., Intern;

Grillo, Christopher Charles, Legislative Assistant; Guerrero,

Helana E., Intern; Guiao, John Michael D. (John Michael),

Intern; Gumataotao, Kailani A., Intern; Gutierrez, Darren

William, Intern.

Haddal, Nicolai A., Intern; Hammond, Sho J., Intern;

Hedgepeth, Ryan Keith, Chief of Staff; Hedger, Stephen C.

(Steve), Legislative Assistant; Herrmann, Matthew (Matt),

Chief of Staff; Hill, Derick E., Intern; Houska, David S.,

Legislative Assistant; Hudson, Jean Borja, Press Assistant.

Ilao, Gemilie G., Intern; Ilao, Geneveive G., Intern;

Jablonski-Diehl, Rebecca, Sea Grant Fellow; James, Joy L.,

Staff Assistant; Jernigan, Andrew T., Intern; Joseph, D.

Tenorio, Intern; Kaai, Krystal C. (Krystal Ka'ai), CAPAC

Executive Director; Kerr, Alexandra I., Intern; Kim, Gene

F., CAPAC Executive Director, Knudson, Scott Evan, Intern.

Lacson, Jaime S., Intern; Lai, Alisha G., Intern; Lai,

Andrea G., Intern; Lai, Breanna G., Press Secretary; Lai,

Samantha, Intern; Lai, Shaneika G., Intern; Lai, Shavonne G.,

Intern; Lai, Stephanie G., Intern; Lam, Hannah B., Intern;

Lee, Regine Biscoe, Policy Advisor; Leon Guerrero, Frank,

Constituent Services Representative; Leon Guerrero, Nathan

S., Intern; Lim, Diana, Intern; Lotz, Jonathan D., Intern.

Mandell, Derek, Press Secretary; Marati, Jessica, Intern;

Mateo, Matthew C., Legislative Assistant; McDaniel, Daniel,

Intern; McFerran, Jennifer Grace, Intern; McMahon, Jason C.,

Legislative Director; Meno, Mary Bridget P. (Bridget),

Receptionist; Mercer, Shannon T., Intern; Mickevicius, Alexis

M., Intern; Miranda, Kainan H., Intern; Miranda, McKenna L.,

Intern; Moore, John G., Staff Assistant; Mufnas, Joleen P.,

Intern.

Naddaf, Z.F., Intern; Nadler, Ashley N., Intern; Nakamura,

Robert T., Intern; Nelson, Isabella L., Intern; Nery, Tristan

C., Press Secretary; Nichols, Adam, Air Force Legislative

Fellow; Nussbaum, David Y., Intern; Nussbaum, Matthew Y.

Intern.

Palmer, Richard (Rick), Air Force Legislative Fellow;

Pangelinan, Edward D., Intern; Pangelinan, Felix, Intern;

Pangelinan, James E. III, Intern; Park, Lynn, Intern; Pena,

Ricco A., -Intern; Perez, Brandon J., Intern; Perez, Stephan

F., Intern; Pontemayor, Paulo, Legislative Assistant; Pothen,

Selina, -Intern; Prandle, Adrian, Intern; Protacio, Mark P.,

-Legislative Assistant.

Quinata, Marybelle R., Intern; Quinata, Nicole Michelle M.,

-Intern; Rebanal, Edna Reonal, Staff Assistant; Reyes,

Vincent P., Intern; Rivera, Annie A., Constituent Services

Representative; Rousseau, Jean Michel G.M., Intern.

Sablan, James G., District Director; Sablan, Teresa M.,

Intern; Saluta, Gabrielle, Sea Grant Fellow; San Gil, Amanda

D., Intern; Sander, Michael J., Air Force Legislative Fellow;

Santos, Carla G., Intern ; Saxon, Ethan A., Military

Legislative Assistant; Siegal, Daniel, Intern; Skates,

Jonathan D., Intern.

Taitano, Audreya, Press Assistant; Tavangar, Nahal, Intern;

Tenorio, Andrew, District Director; Tenorio, Christian E.,

Intern; Tenorio, Mae C., Office Manager; Terlaje, Carmen V.,

Intern; Thackaberry, Christopher (Chris), Air Force

Legislative Fellow; Tiples, Liezel V., Intern; Toves, Kelly

M., -Press Secretary; Towes, Phillip Mathew, Intern; Tung,

Victoria (Vicky), -CAPAC Policy Advisor; Turow, Andrew T.,

Intern.

Underwood, Naomi Tacuyan, Senior Legislative Assistant;

Untalan, Katrina A., Intern; Vasquez, Melissa, Intern;

Veltri, David, Intern; Walls, Daniel B., Legislative

Assistant; Wang, Alton, CAPAC Policy Advisor; Watkins,

Marshall T., Intern.

Weare, Neil, Press Secretary; Wehner, John, Intern;

Wheeler, Brendan M., Military Legislative Assistant; Whitt,

John Joseph, Chief of Staff; Wolf, Aaron, Legislative

Assistant; Woolwine, Patrick R., Intern; Wu, Vera, Intern;

Yanger, Dominic D.,Intern; Yanger, Samantha, Intern; Zabala,

R.P., Constituent Services Representative.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in memory of an outstanding Soldier and a very dear friend, retired Command Sergeant Major Benjamin C. Palacios who passed away on November 9, 2018.

Affectionately known as Ben, Command Sergeant Major Palacios was born on November 11, 1950 on the island of Saipan in the Northern Marianas. He later moved to Guam where he graduated from George Washington High School and was drafted into the United States Army in 1969.

Ben spent the next thirty-four years in exemplary service in the Army as an armor Soldier. His duties have included diverse assignments ranging from Tank Commander to Command Sergeant Major of some of the premier organizations in the United States military. He served as the Operations Sergeant in several Armor Battalions including an assignment as a Senior Enlisted Advisor for the 50th Armored Division, New Jersey Army National Guard in 1988. In 1991, Ben deployed to Saudi Arabia in Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm as the 3-69 Armor Battalion Command Sergeant Major. In 1994, Ben served as the Brigade Command Sergeant Major for the 2nd Vanguard Brigade in the 24th Infantry Division at Fort Stewart, Georgia, and in 1996 he was selected to be the 24th Infantry Division Command Sergeant Major. Following this assignment Ben served as the Command Sergeant Major for the Third Mobile Armored Corps at Fort Hood in Texas and was subsequently selected to serve as the United States Army Forces Command's Command Sergeant Major in July 1998. Ben's illustrious Army career culminated in one of the most prestigious assignments as the command sergeant major of the United Nations Command, Combined Forces Command, United States Forces Korea and 8th United States Army in the Republic of South Korea.

On his retirement in 2003, the Republic of South Korea awarded Command Sergeant Major Palacios the Order of National Security Merit Gwanbok Medal on behalf of the President of South Korea. Ben was the first enlisted soldier to receive this prestigious medal since the end of the Korean War.

Ben's most prestigious awards include the Distinguished Service Medal, Defense Superior Service Medal, Legion of Merit, Republic of Korea Order of National Security (Gwangbok) Medal, Bronze Star Medal, and Meritorious Service Medal. Some of these he was awarded more than once.

Since 2003 Ben has remained engaged in Guam and the Pacific region working for companies associated with improving the United States security posture and contributing to the local community. One of his most devoted efforts was as a member of my Veterans Advisory Council which I founded to assist my advocacy on behalf of veterans residing in Guam. His dedication and personal efforts at improving services, support, and benefits for the U.S. military veterans living on Guam was greatly appreciated and a welcome improvement to the quality of life of all veterans.

I appreciated his warm, welcoming and inclusive approach to serving our veterans and everyone he engages.

I will miss Ben and his ever-optimistic attitude. I extend my deepest condolences to his wife of 45 years Estella Kosaka Palacios, and his sons; Benjamin, Bryan, Bradley, Brent, and their families.

Rest in peace my friend.

Mr. Speaker, today I introduce the Human Trafficking and IUU Fishing Act. I thank my colleagues, Congressman Grijalva (D-AZ) and Congresswomen Radewagen (R-AS) and Bonamici (D-OR), for their support as original cosponsors.

Increasingly, we are seeing foreign fishing fleets forcing vulnerable people--migrant workers taken or smuggled out of their home countries and coerced into taking illegal narcotics as stimulants--to fish around the clock without rest, out of fear for their very lives.

Human trafficking and forced labor in the global seafood industry is, very simply, a form of modern slavery.

The United Nations' International Labor Organization, the Food and Agriculture Organization, and the International Organization for Migration all recognize human trafficking, forced labor, and related transnational organized crime in the seafood industry to be pressing global problems.

In June 2018, the U.S. State Department's Trafficking in Persons Report identified more than 40 countries with substantial human trafficking and forced labor across their seafood industries and supply chains.

This is especially true in southeast Asia and the south Pacific, where IUU fishing dominates much of the seafood industry.

Right now, trafficked persons who were forced into the IUU fishing industry remain marooned on sparse islands in the South China Sea, waiting to be rescued.

Seafood products harvested with slave labor are largely untraceable and could end up in our grocery store aisles, on the menu at our restaurants, or on our family dinner tables.

Last year, the United States imported some $21.5 billion in seafood products from abroad.

Congress and the Executive Branch have a responsibility to ensure that the United States does not import any seafood associated with human trafficking, forced labor, or other human rights abuses.

To address this problem, our Human Trafficking and IUU Fishing Act would add the Secretary of Commerce (NOAA Fisheries) to the President's existing Interagency Task Force to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons, chaired by the Secretary of State.

Human trafficking and illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing rank among the top global crimes.

These criminal activities generate billions in illicit profits each year for transnational criminal organizations and other groups responsible for human rights abuses.

Since 2016, U.S. Customs and Border Protection has detained 15 shipments of seafood processed illegally in mainland China by North Korean workers under forced labor.

With poor traceability and a lack of accountability in the global seafood supply chain, we simply do not know where our seafood products come from or the conditions under which they are harvested and processed.

We must ensure that American fishermen are never expected to compete against foreign seafood imports harvested with slave labor.

Our bipartisan bill builds upon the Victims of Trafficking and Violence Protection Act of 2000 (Public Law 106-386), sponsored by Congressman Smith (R-NJ) from New Jersey.

I urge all my colleagues to join us in cosponsoring the Human Trafficking and IUU Fishing Act.

Mr. Speaker, the Violence Against Women Act, signed by President Clinton 24 years ago today, is a landmark federal law that provides critical support to women and children who face domestic violence and assault nationwide.

However, Congress must do more to protect victims and survivors of sexual assault and domestic violence, especially in the territories.

The Sexual Assault Services Formula Grant Program, authorized under VAWA, provides funding to support rape crisis centers and assist individuals who have been sexually assaulted.

While each State, Puerto Rico, and the District of Columbia receive 1.5 percent of total funding under current law, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, and the U.S. Virgin Islands receive just 0.25 percent each.

This disparity is unacceptable, especially considering Guam has one of the highest rates of rape per capita in the United States.

That is why today, I am introducing legislation to double the minimum amount of Sexual Assault Services Formula Grant Program funding made available to the territories under VAWA.

My bill builds upon the work of my colleague, Congressman Sablan (D- MP), who introduced similar legislation (H.R. 840) during the 113th Congress.

This additional funding will provide critical federal resources for community programs that provide direct intervention services in cases of rape, sexual assault, domestic violence, and abuse.

As Congress looks to reauthorize the Violence Against Women Act, I urge my colleagues to include my bill to provide greater parity for American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

We must strengthen current laws to ensure that all women across the United States feel safe and secure, including women and children of the territories.

I stand ready to support that effort in any way that I can.

Mr. Speaker, today I introduce the IDEA Parity for Outlying Areas Act, which would amend the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act to better support students with disabilities in our smaller U.S. territories and the Freely Associated States.

During my final congressional address to my constituents in Guam, I pledged to sponsor this important legislation for our youngsters and students with disabilities, as well as their families.

I want to give special recognition to Ms. Nadia Pablo, who interned in my office this past summer, for her work in developing this legislation with my staff. Ms. Pablo currently attends Virginia Commonwealth University, where she is studying to become an occupational therapist and pursue a rewarding career working with people with disabilities.

The IDEA Parity for Outlying Areas Act would ensure that American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, and the U.S. Virgin Islands, classified as outlying areas by the U.S. Department of Education, receive their fair share of Federal funding to serve students with disabilities and their families.

The intent of Congress, outlined in current Federal law, is that the U.S. Department of Education set aside a fixed percentage of available Federal funding each year for the four outlying U.S. territories and the three Freely Associated States in the Pacific.

However, the U.S. Department of Education frequently allocates far less than the 1 percent reserved for the outlying areas under current law. So, to fix this, my bill would require the U.S. Department of Education to reserve the full 1 percent of available IDEA funding each year for the outlying areas, as Congress always intended.

This will ensure that special education in American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, and the U.S. Virgin Islands gets full Federal funding.

It will also ensure that the U.S. Department of Education provides adequate support for special education in the Federated States of Micronesia, the Republic of the Marshall Islands, and the Republic of Palau consistent with the Compacts of Free Association between the U.S. and those allied countries.

There are some 7,177 students with disabilities in the outlying U.S. territories and the Freely Associated States, all of whom would benefit under this bill. According to the most recent figures, Guam recorded more than 2,020 students with disabilities, including 171 preschoolers with disabilities.

Our territorial Departments of Education are chronically underfunded, and many developmental and learning disabilities simply go undiagnosed. So we desperately need Federal support under the IDEA.

Instantly, and importantly, my bill would also make Guam and the other outlying U.S. territories eligible to receive IDEA funding for preschoolers, children ages 3 to 5, with disabilities. Under current law, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, and the U.S. Virgin Islands are not eligible to receive U.S. Department of Education funding for preschoolers with disabilities.

Finally, my bill removes a number of antiquated and unnecessary restrictions in current law to allow the U.S. Department of Education to exercise the same flexibility in awarding IDEA funding to the territories as the Department may do so under other programs.

As a daughter of a schoolteacher, with many members in my family as part of education, and someone involved in special education on Guam over many, many years, the education of our island's youngsters with disabilities is very close to my heart. Students with disabilities in the territories deserve nothing less than the full support of their Federal Government, and that is exactly what my bill would provide.

While I will be leaving Congress at the end of this year, I am confident that my colleagues from the other territories will take on my IDEA Parity for Outlying Areas Act in the next Congress, and I look forward to supporting them in that important work in any way that I can.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commend and thank Roy Abraham for his years of service and contributions to Guam's tourism industry. Roy graduated from Madras Christian College in 1977 and began his career shortly after. Roy has worked in the hotel industry since 1978 as a management trainee with Marriott hotels in Kuwait. Roy opened four hotels for Marriott over the span of 35 years. He served in six countries with Marriot International, and was eventually brought to Guam. Most recently, Roy worked as the Director of Operations with the Guam Marriott Resort and Spa from 2010 to 2014, and then as General Director of Pacific Star Resort and Spa from 2014 to 2018.

Roy has been a pillar of Guam's tourism industry since coming to Guam in 2010. He has served the island as an active supporter of the Guam Visitors Bureau. Roy has contributed his wealth of knowledge of the tourism industry through fruitful discussion and direction on several marketing committees of the Guam Visitors Bureau. He was most recently the Vice Chairman for the Russia and Greater Markets committee.

Roy has supported the Guam Visitors Bureau's mission by participating in travel trade and consumer shows and key partnerships. He's used his talents as a photographer to capture images of the island and promote Guam as a travel blogger. Roy gave his time freely as a trainer for the Pacific Asia Travel Association Micronesia Chapter. He provided training in hospitality and customer service to residents of Chuuk, Pohnpei, and Palau to improve the tourism offerings of the islands. Additionally, Roy has also supported those who have served our country by hosting World War II veterans and liberators of the island of Guam for the last three years. Roy has made countless positive contributions to the development and sustainability of Guam's tourism industry.

I join the people of Guam in thanking Roy for his outstanding service to the people of Guam. I extend a sincere gratitude (Si Yu'os

Ma'ase') and congratulate Roy on his retirement. I wish him the best in this new chapter of his life.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the life and accomplishments of Mr. Frederick Quinene. Fred is a longtime friend who has spent his life serving our community, working for the government of Guam in different capacities and as a school teacher. Fred is most known on island for his poetry. Fred was named the Poet Laureate of Guam by my late husband, Governor Ricky Bordallo in 1986 by Executive Order No. 86-14. Fred was recognized for his ability to write beautiful, lyrical pieces that truly celebrated Guam's unique and rich cultural heritage. Fred was to be called upon to use his talents of writing whenever necessary.

Fred has been writing poetry since he was a young boy, and most recently published the book, ``An Islander's Voice.'' His newest book is a compilation of poems about love and family, his home, politics, legends, the Chamorro people, and special occasions. Fred worked closely with the University of Guam Press to publish this compilation of his poetry as his gift to the island.

I join the people of Guam in recognizing the life and countless accomplishments of Frederick Quinene. I commend Fred for his gift to

our island and recognize his wife, Cecilia Ungacta Quinene, their children and grandchildren for their support of Fred's art.

Mr. Speaker, today I introduce the ``Offshore Wind for Territories Act,'' which would authorize wind energy development off the coasts of all 5 U.S. territories.

I thank my colleagues--Resident Commissioner Gonzalez-Colon from Puerto Rico, Congresswoman Radewagen from American Samoa, and Congressman Soto from Florida--for their support as original cosponsors.

Guam and the other territories remain heavily reliant on costly imports of foreign-refined petroleum for electricity generation and transportation fuel.

Electricity usage and costs for territorial residents are nearly twice the national average, while at the same time our median household incomes are less than half that of the mainland United States.

As such, reducing the territories' dependence on costly foreign fuel imports with domestically produced offshore wind energy should be a priority for Congress, and something everybody can support.

Current federal law does not authorize offshore development in the Exclusive Economic Zone around U.S. territories, which extends 200 nautical miles seaward from our coastlines.

This oversight precludes potentially viable offshore wind projects near Guam and other U.S. territories from moving forward or even getting started.

To rectify this problem, my bill would amend the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act to include American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands, as well as our respective Exclusive Economic Zones.

Further, my bill would direct the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management to complete a feasibility study on the offshore wind development potential for each territory, issue a call for information to gauge commercial interest, and offer wind lease sales as appropriate.

The wind lease scoping and sale process outlined by my bill mirrors the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management's existing process for other forms of offshore development.

Any offshore wind project in the territories must be sited appropriately, which is why my bill would ensure that the governors of each territory are consulted throughout this process.

My bill also requires consultation with the National Renewable Energy Laboratory and the U.S. Department of Defense.

My late husband, our former Governor Ricky Bordallo, proposed powering Guam with wind and solar energy during the 1970s and 1980s.

Now decades later, his vision may soon be realized.

Importantly, my bill would guarantee each territory a state- equivalent share of all royalty payments made to the federal government by offshore wind developers for projects in our respective Exclusive Economic Zones.

The royalty revenue-sharing under my bill is the same as that which current federal law provides for the states of Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama from offshore development in the Gulf of Mexico.

My bill would also direct a portion of federal royalties collected to support the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Coral Reef Conservation Program.

This will provide dedicated funding for coral reef conservation in U.S. territories and elsewhere, at no additional cost to American taxpayers.

In addition to improving self-reliance and lowering electricity costs, my bill would ensure that offshore wind development in federal waters provides a direct, economic benefit to adjacent U.S. territories.

Given that land is limited, offshore wind development has enormous potential for our islands.

Mr. Speaker, I urge all my colleagues to join me in supporting the ``Offshore Wind for Territories Act.''

Mr. Speaker, I wish to thank Chairman Thornberry and commend Ranking Member Smith for their hard work in bringing this bill to the floor. It has been an honor to be a member of this bipartisan committee. I also want to recognize my chairman of the Readiness Subcommittee, Joe Wilson of South Carolina, for his invaluable assistance.

The conference agreement authorizes $247.2 billion in operations and maintenance funding between the base and overseas contingency accounts. This includes increases in readiness-enabling accounts to support depot-level maintenance, parts and spares, training, and facilities sustainment, restoration, and modernization.

The agreement also addresses readiness challenges of the surface Navy following the four incidents that occurred in the Pacific last year.

With respect to military aviation, the agreement establishes a National Commission on Military Aviation Safety that will assess the causes of recent aviation mishaps and make changes for training, maintenance personnel, and policies related to safety.

The FY19 NDAA also begins to address challenges with DOD's facilities and infrastructure by authorizing appropriations of $11.3 billion for military construction and family housing. This includes authorization for 38 additional military construction projects from the services' unfunded priorities list.

I am also grateful to the conference for including provisions important to Guam.

First, the H-2B workforce provision allows us to fully implement the marine relocation from Okinawa, which is vital to the security of the Indo-Pacific region. This is an important step toward stabilizing Guam's workforce crisis, and I hope to continue working on further legislation needed for civilian relief.

Also, on the Navy's net negative commitment to Guam, the bill improves transparency by establishing a publicly accessible list of Navy property expected to be transferred to the Government of Guam.

The bill supports the ship repair industry on Guam and in the U.S. The bill authorizes $32 million for the Navy to restore a dry dock capability and prohibits the Navy from redeveloping the former ship repair facility on Guam for any purpose other than to support depot- level ship maintenance.

I continue to stress that it is imperative for the Navy to maintain a depot-level ship repair capability on sovereign U.S. soil in the western Pacific.

I close by extending my gratitude again to the chairman and the ranking member and to my colleagues and the professional staff and all who participated in producing the conference agreement. I encourage my colleagues to support it.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to introduce a constitutional amendment that will fix a gross injustice within our democracy and finally provide American citizens living in the territories the right to vote for President and Vice President of the United States.

Every American should be alarmed that over 4 million of their fellow citizens are denied the right to have a say in the selection of their President. The people of Guam and other U.S. territories are patriotic Americans who contribute to every aspect of American life.

We are Americans by birth, bear U.S. passports, and support and defend the Constitution of the United States--many with their lives. Yet, still Americans who reside in the territories are unable to vote for our President.

Mr. Speaker, I am proud to introduce this constitutional amendment so that every American is finally able to cast a vote for President and Vice President, just as the Founding Fathers intended.

Casting a ballot for President is a right for all Americans, and this amendment is a step toward our Constitution's solemn promise to form a more perfect union.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to introduce the Guam Temporary Workforce Act. A near 100 percent denial of temporary H-2B petitions on Guam has hindered our island's ability to grow the economy and provide affordable and timely services for our civilian population.

While our community fully supports providing job opportunities and career advancement for those already living on Guam, we do not have the population or the organic workforce to fill the labor demands of our island. Local companies have tried to recruit from other territories and mainland United States, all to no avail.

I am pleased that we made some progress in alleviating these workforce challenges in the defense bill that we are considering this week, but, Mr. Speaker, we need to do more. The Guam Temporary Workforce Act would make sure that local labor needs are met by giving the Governor of Guam more input in temporary labor need determinations. Specifically, it would allow him to certify the temporary needs of Guam's civilian labor market while safeguarding the local economy from overreliance on temporary workers.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to pass this very, very important measure and to support our island economy

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

This bill, authored by Representative Paul A. Gosar, authorizes the conveyance of approximately 8,800 acres of Bureau of Land Management land to La Paz County, Arizona, for the development of renewable energy. The BLM land has been identified as suitable for disposal, and the county is required to pay full-market value and all the administrative costs associated with the conveyance. The bill also includes important safeguards for Tribal cultural property and is supported by the Colorado River Indian Tribes.

This is a targeted sale of public land for a very specific public purpose that ensures a fair return for taxpayer-owned assets. Our support for this bill does not mean that we support the wholesale disposal of public land.

Federal land is a public resource, and the conveyance of any part of this resource should include guarantees to protect the public's interest. The proceeds of any conveyance authorized by Congress should be reinvested back into land conservation efforts.

Without this important safeguard, the accumulation of individual conveyances potentially threatens the viability of our system of public lands. This is not yet included in this bill, so I do hope, Mr. Speaker, that we can work with our Senate colleagues to make this bill even better as it moves through the legislative process.

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

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

Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from Massachusetts (Mr. Lynch), the bill's sponsor.

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

Mr. Speaker, I just want to add a few words to this bill. Nearly 20 years ago, Congress authorized the Adams Memorial Foundation to construct a commemorative work with private funds in honor of President John Adams, First Lady Abigail Adams, President John Quincy Adams, and other prominent members of the Adams family associated with the early history of the United States.

Mr. Speaker, I want to thank Congressman Lynch and the entire Massachusetts delegation for their hard work and commitment to honoring the legacy of one their State's most influential political families.

A permanent memorial in the Nation's capital is a fitting tribute, and I hope that we can work with our Senate colleagues to deliver this bill to the President's desk and finally get it done.

Mr. Speaker, I urge a ``yes'' vote on this bill, and I yield back the balance of my time.

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

Mr. Speaker, this bill extends the Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail by 1,200 miles to include three new segments that correspond to the preparation and return phases of the expedition.

Under the Consolidated Natural Resources Act of 2018, the study of possible additional Eastern Legacy sites to add to the Lewis and Clark Historic Trail identified three nationally significant trail segments.

The first trail identified is a segment of the Ohio River that Meriwether Lewis used as a testing ground for supplies and weapons prior to his epic journey.

Another trail, stretching from the falls of Ohio to the confluence of the Ohio and Mississippi Rivers, recognizes where Lewis and Clark first met.

The last trail that will be included under this bill begins at the confluence of the Ohio and Mississippi River and stretches until the Wood River in Illinois, which is the current starting point of the National Historic Trail.

The Lewis and Clark story is an important part of our collective history, and I hope that we can continue working together to discover and preserve pieces of America's legacy.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting this bill sponsored by Representative Luke Messer.

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

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

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

Mr. Speaker, I am very pleased that the full House will soon vote on my bill, H.R. 5875, supported by all six Members of Congress representing the U.S. territories and the District of Columbia. My bipartisan bill will ensure that Guam, the other U.S. territories, and D.C. receive their fair share of annual funding under the Pittman- Robertson and Dingell-Johnson acts.

This Federal funding supports fish and wildlife conservation and enhances hunting, sport fishing, boating, and other outdoor recreational opportunities at no cost to taxpayers.

Each State and territorial fish and wildlife agency receives a yearly allocation of this Federal funding. However, current Federal law places arbitrary caps on how much funding the five territories and D.C. may receive, forcing us to split the smallest State's share six ways. My bipartisan bill will fix this by providing each territory and D.C. the same funding percentage guaranteed for each State.

My bill will also allow the Secretary of the Interior to exercise his or her full discretion in allocating this funding based on the same criteria applied to the States.

Lastly, H.R. 5875 will make technical changes in the U.S. Code to correct errors in these two Federal laws.

I thank our Natural Resources Committee chairman, Mr. Rob Bishop, for his partnership in bringing my bill to the floor.

I urge a ``yes'' vote on this bipartisan bill.

Mr. Speaker, I want to thank my colleague, Representative McClintock from California, for his very favorable comments on this bill, and I yield back the balance of my time.