Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I rise to discuss several matters of importance to Azerbaijan. I note that January 20, 2013 marked the 23rd anniversary of an historic and tragic day in the history of the country of Azerbaijan. On the night of January 19, 1990, 26,000 Soviet troops invaded the capital city of Baku and surrounding areas. By the end of the next day, more than 130 people had died, 611 were injured, 841 were arrested and 5 were missing. This event is memorialized as ``Black January,'' and, for the citizens of the Republic of Azerbaijan this event left an indelible mark on the minds of all citizens.

Soviet troops entered Azerbaijan under the pretext of restoring public order, while actually aiming to forcefully end peaceful demonstrations for independence. However, Soviet incursion further incited aspirations of Azerbaijani people to regain their independence after 70 years of Soviet rule.

In the end, Azerbaijan's pro-Moscow regime grew weaker and by 1991, popular pressure resulted in restoration of independence of Azerbaijan. On August 30, 1991, Azerbaijan's Parliament adopted the Declaration on the Restoration of the State Independence of the Republic of Azerbaijan, and on October 18, 1991, the Constitutional Act on the State Independence of the Republic of Azerbaijan was approved. November 1991 marked the beginning of international recognition of Azerbaijan's independence. The United States opened an embassy in Baku in March 1992 and it has remained committed to aiding Azerbaijan in its transition to democracy and its formation of an open market economy.

Some historical observers have noted that the violence inflicted on the citizens of Baku may have been intended to send a message to other Soviet republics that similar aspirations of nationalism would not be tolerated. In the wake of this horrific act and inspired by the strength of the Azerbaijani people's belief in the principles of democracy, the Republic of Azerbaijan has maintained its independence for more than 16 years, despite lingering economic and social problems from the Soviet era. Today, Azerbaijan has developed into a thriving country with double digit growth, in large part due to a freely-elected president and parliament, free market reforms led by the energy sector, and most importantly, no foreign troops on its soil.

The road to independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity for the Azerbaijani people has not come without adversity and sacrifice. Athough Azerbaijan thrives today, the people of Azerbaijan recognize those who lost their lives on Black January in 1990 and honor their sacrifice through their commitment to the ideals of democracy. As we reflect on this terrible tragedy, we who believe in the tenets of freedom and the hope of democracy should recognize the incredible sacrifice made by the people of Azerbaijan and by free people all around the world.

I also rise to commemorate the 21st anniversary of the Khojaly massacre perpetrated by Armenian armed forces on February 25 through February 26, 1992 in the town of Khojaly in the Nagorno-Karabakh region of Azerbaijan. Khojaly, now under the occupation of Armenian armed forces, was the site of the largest killing of ethnic Azerbaijani civilians in the course of the Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict.

Khojaly, once the home to 7,000 people, was completely destroyed. Six hundred thirteen people were killed, of which 106 were women, 83 were children and 56 were purported to have been killed. In addition, 1,275

people were taken hostage, 150 went missing and 487 people became disabled. Also in the records maintained, 76 of the victims were teenagers, 8 families were wiped out and 25 children lost both of their parents while 130 lost one of their parents. According to Human Rights Watch and other international observers, the Armenian Armed forces were reportedly aided by the Russian 366th Motor Rifle Regiment.

At the time, Newsweek magazine reported: ``Azerbaijan was a charnel house again last week: a place of mourning refugees and dozens of mangled corpses dragged to a makeshift morgue behind the mosque. They were ordinary Azerbaijani men, women and children of Khojaly, a small village in war-torn Nagorno-Karabakh overrun by Armenian forces on 25- 26 February. Many were killed at close range while trying to flee; some had their faces mutilated, others were scalped.''

As part of the Khojaly population that tried to escape, they encountered violent ambushes that led to abuses, torture, mutilation and death. The Russian organization, Memorial, stated that 200 Azerbaijani corpses were brought from Khojaly to Agdam within four days.

Time magazine published the following description: ``While the details are argued, this much is plain: something grim and unconscionable happened in the Azerbaijani town of Khojaly 2 weeks ago. So far, some 200 dead Azerbaijanis, many of them mutilated, have been transported out of the town tucked inside the Armenian-dominated enclave of Nagorno-Karabakh for burial in neighboring Azerbaijan. The total number of deaths--the Azerbaijanis claim 1,324 civilians have been slaughtered, most of them women and children--is unknown.''

The extent of the cruelty of this massacre against women, children and the elderly was unfathomable. This anniversary reminds us of the need to redouble efforts to help resolve the Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict. The United States as a Co-Chair of the OSCE Minsk Group should intensify its efforts to reach a resolution of this protracted conflict.

Mr. Speaker, Azerbaijan is a strong ally of the United States in a strategically important and complex region of the world. I ask my colleagues to join me and our Azerbaijani friends in commemorating the tragedy that occurred in the town of Khojaly as well as Black January.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Colonel Edgar J. Yanger on the occasion of his retirement from the United States Army after 32 years of service.

Colonel Yanger was born and raised on Guam, the eldest son of Felizardo and Cecilia Taitano Yanger. He has served our country with distinction since 1981, when he was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers following his graduation from the University of Hawaii at Manoa. He later earned a Master's of Architecture degree from the University of Hawaii, and was assigned to the Los Angeles District, Army Corps of Engineers, first as the Deputy Resident Engineer of Fort Irwin, California, and then as the Construction Program Manager for projects in California, Arizona and Nevada. His work included the planning and management of numerous military and Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) construction projects.

Colonel Yanger's exemplary service also includes assignments as the Chief of Operations for the Director of Military Support (DOMS) in the Army Operations Center in the Pentagon; in this position, he was the principal action officer for the Department of Defense support to all local, state or federal government emergency or disaster requests, including DoD support for Typhoon Paka in Guam, the 1998 Northeast Ice Storm, Hurricane Bonnie and support for the recovery of the John F. Kennedy Jr. plane crash. He also served as a BRAC Program Manager with the Army's Installation Management Agency in the Pentagon responsible for BRAC construction projects, environmental cleanup and property transfers in California, Alaska and Hawaii. Additionally, he served as the Chief of Staff for the Korea Region Office, Installation Management Agency, as well as the Director of the Army's BRAC Program from 2006 to 2007, and was responsible for executing a $20 billion program of legacy and new 2005 BRAC requirements.

In 2007, Colonel Yanger was chosen to serve as a Board member on the Army's Discharge Review Board, a Secretary of the Army level Board responsible for the review of 3,000 discharge cases annually. He was appointed President of the ADRB in 2008, and in 2010 was as the Director of the Military Review Boards (MRB). Although he retired in 2011, he was recalled to active duty to serve an additional two years on the MRB. During this time, he improved the timeliness and accuracy of case reviews, and personally rendered decisions on more than 13,000 applications to the MRB.

Colonel Yanger's exemplary service earned him numerous awards and military decorations including the Legion of Merit with oak leaf cluster, the Joint Meritorious Unit Award, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Army Meritorious Service Medal with four oak leaf clusters, Army Commendation Medal with two oak leaf clusters, Army Achievement Medal, Humanitarian Service Medal, and Airborne Badge.

On behalf of the people of Guam and a grateful nation, I commend Colonel Edgar J. Yanger for his many years of dedicated service to our country. He has demonstrated exceptional meritorious service during his career with the United States Army and has proved himself to be a distinguished leader. I wish the very best to Colonel Yanger, his wife, Doris, and their two adult children, E. Jonathan and Melina.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commend Petty Officer 2nd Class Juan Taijeron on being named Coast Guard Sector Guam's Reserve Enlisted Person of the Year.

Petty Officer Taijeron is a boatswains mate currently assigned to Station Apra Harbor Guam, and was chosen as the Sector Guam's Reserve Enlisted Person of the Year by the U.S. Coast Guard. He serves as a tactical coxswain and engineer on the 45 ft. Response Boat--Medium (RB- M) and 25 ft. Response Boat--(RB-S). His duties include: boarding team member instructor, boat crew member instructor, and Weapons Petty Officer.

The U.S. Coast Guard awarded Officer Taijeron this distinguished honor for successfully achieving the highest underway hours for certified engineers, executing 385 hours underway, many of which were performed outside of his rating specialty as a boat engineer, through 141 missions.

Born and raised on Guam, Petty Officer Taijeron entered the U.S. Coast Guard Reserves in 2008. After graduating high school in 1997, he attended leadership and management school. He has been a civilian dive boat captain and dive master for 15 years. The knowledge he has of Guam is invaluable when training new members of Station Apra Harbor.

His major awards and decorations include: Coast Guard Commandant Letter of Commendation; Coast Guard Meritorious Team with Bronze Star; Coast Guard Special Operations Service Ribbon; Coast Guard Overseas Ribbon; Coast Guard Reserve Good Conduct; Armed Forces Reserve Medal with Device; National Defense Service Medal; and Coast Guard Pistol Expert Medal.

He is also an active member of our island community, as he volunteered more than 100 hours of liberty time to help set up 12 static displays to provide education to the public about the Coast Guard operations as well as volunteering at the Angel Tree Project for underprivileged children during the holiday season.

Petty Officer Taijeron embodies the Coast Guard's core values: honor, respect, and devotion to duty.

I congratulate Petty Officer 2nd Class Juan Taijeron on being named Coast Guard Sector Guam's Reserve Enlisted Person of the Year. I join the people of Guam in commending him and thanking him for his contributions to our community. I wish him the best of luck as he competes for national honors with his peers from other Coast Guard Districts across the nation.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commend and congratulate Dr. Anita Borja Enriquez on being awarded the 2013 U.S. Small Business Administration's Women in Business Champion Award for Guam. Dr. Anita Borja Enriquez is Dean of the School of Business and Public Administration at the University of Guam.

Dr. Enriquez periodically serves as Acting Senior Vice President, Academic and Student Affairs at the University of Guam. In addition to this role, she is the Executive Director of the Pacific Center for Economic Initiatives and the principal owner of Strategic Organizational Solutions, a project consulting company, which provides research and strategic planning facilitation.

Dr. Enriquez grew up in a large and modest family in the southern village of Agat. She helped support her family by assisting at her mother's small grocery store. Early in her life, she gained independence and worked hard to achieve success. At the young age of 19, Dr. Enriquez established her own bookkeeping business, providing services to businesses on Guam; this was the first business she would establish on her own.

A strong proponent of economic development, Dr. Enriquez established the UOG Pacific Center for Economic Initiatives in 2006, and has secured over $1 million in technical assistance grants from the U.S. Department of Commerce Economic Development Administration. These funds helped to establish the Guam Procurement Technical Assistance Center and the new Guam Veterans Business Outreach Center. In addition, funds from the Department of the Interior Office of Insular Affairs helped to support a community and economic development forum in 2009 and to launch the ``Buy Local Guam'' marketing educational campaign in 2011.

Dr. Enriquez is also an active and passionate member in our island community. She believes that education is the key to sustainable economic success for Guam. She oversees the Women in Business program at the Guam SBDC, mentors the SIGMA Society Soroptimist college club that focuses on ``best for women'' and counsels up-and-coming female entrepreneurs. She is also a member of the International Economic Development Council, the California Association for Local Economic Development, the U.S. Women's Chamber of Commerce, the Guam Procurement Advisory Council, the Career and Technical Education Task Force Committee, and the Guampedia Board of Directors. She previously served as an appointed member of the Guam Education Board, is a founding member of the Guam Museum Foundation Board, and member of the Guam Chamber of Commerce Small Business Focus and Development Committee, Rotary Club of Tumon Bay Board of Directors (RI District 2750), the Economic Development Subcommittee of the Guam Civilian and Military Task Force, and the Junior Achievement Board of Directors. She was also founding Vice President of the Guam Marketing Association in 1997.

In 2011, Dr. Enriquez won the ``2011 GCC Alumna of the Year Award,'' and the Academy of Economics and Economic Education ``Distinguished Research Award'' for her co-authored work on ``The Making of the Pacific Tiger: Lessons from the Celtic Tiger.'' In 2012, she was awarded the ``UOG Administrator of the Year Award'' and ``UOG Unit of the Year Award.''

Ms. Enriquez is married to Noel Enriquez and she has one daughter, Vanessa and two stepsons, Nathan and Nicolas. She earned a B.S. in Management from University of Maryland, a certificate from the Institute for Management and Leadership in Education at Harvard Graduate School of Education, an M.B.A. from the University of Guam, and a Doctor of Business Administration degree in International Business and Marketing from Alliant International University.

I congratulate Dr. Anita Borja Enriquez on receiving the 2013 U.S. Small Business Administration's Women in Business Champion Award for Guam. I join the people of Guam in commending her for her award and thanking her for her many contributions to our island community.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commend and congratulate Mr. Eduardo Ilao on being awarded the 2013 U.S. Small Business Administration's Family-Owned Small Business Award for Guam. Mr. Ilao is the president of Johndel International, Inc. dba JMI-Edison E.R. Ilao & Associates, Inc.

Johndel International, Inc. dba JMI-Edison was founded in 1978 by Mr. Ilao's father Mr. John M. Ilao. Today, Johndel International, Inc. dba JMI-Edison is led by Mr. John Ilao's children: Eduardo, John Jr., and Beth. Johndel Incorporated dba JMI Edison comprises four separate companies offering products and services to the industrial, commercial, and medical industries serving Guam, the Commonwealth of the Northern Marianas, the Federated States of Micronesia, the republic of the Marshall Islands, and the Philippines.

At the young age of 16, Eduardo and his brother John worked at their family's motor rewinding business. Their introduction to their father's business began by sweeping the floor, cutting paper, and performing other necessary tasks associated with and necessary to the motor rewinding business. His father's work ethic and tireless commitment to satisfying his customers became the foundation for Edward's education in successful business practices. He was inspired by his father's work ethic and tireless commitment to satisfying his customers. Edward knew that his father was the ultimate perfectionist and that his business motto was, ``whatever you decide to do, do it right the first time.''

Because of their hard work, the Ilao family's modest motor rewinding business grew into one of Guam's successful family corporations, and, in 1987, when his father retired, Eduardo seamlessly stepped up to the plate. He now leads the JMI Edison group companies with the assistance of his younger siblings, John and Beth, and a dedicated team of loyal, long-time employees.

Eduardo is a 1983 graduate of the Illinois Institute of Technology where he earned a B.S. in electrical engineering. In 1986, the Illinois Institute of Technology awarded Eduardo a Master of Science degree in electrical engineering. Returning to Guam and his family business, Eduardo passed the Professional Engineer examination and was issued his license as a professional electrical engineer in Guam, the CNMI, and California. Eduardo and his wife Genilie Ilao have been married for over 24 years and they have five children: Geneveive, George, Gerilyn, John Edward, and Gemilie.

Like his father, Eduardo is an active member in our island community, participating in philanthropic organizations, government service, business associations, and professional societies. He previously served as the Chairman of the American Red Cross from 2004 to 2007. He has been a board member of the American Red Cross since 2002 and served as its Chairman from 2004 to 2007. He is the President of the Batangas and Southern Tagalog Association (BASTA), a board member of the Guam Girl Scouts, a member of the Filipino Community of Guam, and helped in fundraising efforts for the Ajuda Foundation. He is also active in numerous government service agencies. He was previously the Vice Chairman of the Board of the Guam Power Authority, he was on the Board of Trustee for the Guam Community College (GCC), he is a board member of the GCC Endowment Foundation and he is a board member of the Port Authority of Guam. Eduardo is also a member of Guam's business associations, specifically, the Guam Chamber of Commerce, the Guam Contractors Association, and the Guam Hotel and Restaurant Association. His participation in professional societies include: National Society of Professional Engineers (NSPE), Guam Society of Professional Engineers (GSPE), Association of Energy Engineers (AEE), American Solar Energy Society (ASES), National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), and the American Association of Radon Scientists and Technologists.

Eduardo has extensive experience in the design, construction, management, financing, operation, maintenance, troubleshooting, and repairs of a wide array of Electrical Engineering projects and systems. He has expertise in Power, Computer Engineering, Control Systems, and most especially, Electro-Mechanical Machines. He is a Professional Electrical Engineer, a Certified Energy Manager, a Certified Energy Auditor, and a Licensed General and Specialty Contractor.

I congratulate Eduardo Ilao on receiving the 2013 U.S. Small Business Administration's Family-Owned Small Business Award for Guam. I join the people of Guam in commending him for his award and thanking him for his contributions to our community.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commend and congratulate Mr. Frederick J. Horecky on being awarded the 2013 U.S. Small Business Administration's Minority Small Business Champion Award for Guam. Mr. Horecky is the proprietor and managing attorney of his law firm, the Law Offices of Horecky & Associates. Fred has been practicing law in Guam almost immediately after earning his juris doctor degree from the University of Virginia School of Law.

Quick to learn the dynamics of a successful legal practice, Fred opened Horecky & Associates in 1983, a general practice law firm. Horecky & Associates quickly grew from sole practitioner to six attorneys specializing in a several areas of jurisprudence.

Currently, Fred practices law as a sole practitioner specializing in corporate law and the incorporation of Guam Business Corporations and Limited Liability Companies. He provides legal advice to numerous minority-owned, women-owned, and veteran-owned businesses on corporate issues. Additionally, he serves as Legal Counsel to the Guam Public Utilities Commission and Administrative Law Judge for power, telecommunications, and solid waste matters. He is the owner and Chief Executive Officer of two businesses, Buena Vista Realty LLC and Buena Vista Environmental LLC.

Fred was born in Washington D.C. and spent the majority of his formative years in Alexandria, Virginia. He was the only child born to parents who both were career employees at the Library of Congress in Washington D.C.

He attended Groveton High School south of Alexandria, Virginia graduating in 1970. In 1974 he graduated from Grinnell College, Iowa where he obtained a bachelors of arts in American History and Political Science. From 1974 to 1975 he attended one year of graduate study in Public Administration at the University of Virginia Graduate Department of Government just before pursuing a degree in law. In 1978, he became a juris doctor from the University of Virginia School of Law. Ten years later he married his wife Mary Louise Wheeler.

Fred is also an active member in our island community. He previously served as a member of the Guam Election Commission from 1996-2000 and Chairman of the Election Commission from 2002 to 2007. He also served as the Chairman of the Legislative and Government Relations Committee. Since 1980, he has been a member in Hafa Adai Kiwanis Club of Guam as well as member of Toastmasters Club of Guam from 1983 to 1987. His corporate legal service expertise was instrumental in renaming and reorganizing the Chinese Chamber of Commerce of Guam (CCCG) enabling the CCCG to become a prominent organization on Guam. Fred also provided volunteer legal services to the Guam Association of Realtors from 2008- 2010 and he currently serves as a director of the Board of Committee Chair of the Legislative Committee. He is also a licensed real estate broker and the Director of the Guam Association of Realtors.

I congratulate Frederick J. Horecky on receiving the 2013 U.S. Small Business Administration's Minority Small Business Champion Award for Guam. I join the people of Guam in commending him for his award and thanking him for his contributions to our community.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commend and congratulate Ms. Patricia B. Salas on being awarded the 2013 U.S. Small Business Administration's Financial Services Champion Award for Guam. Ms. Patricia B. Salas is the Vice President, Business Development Manager for Bank of Guam.

Ms. Salas started her banking career in 1989 as a Personal Banking Officer with the Wells Fargo Bank in San Diego, California. She was later promoted to the San Francisco branch on Market Street as the Business Banking Officer of Wells Fargo's Business Banking Group, where she managed a commercial portfolio with more than $150 million on deposit.

Ms. Salas was born and raised on Guam and is the daughter of Ricardo P. Benito and Carmen Martinez Benito. She graduated from Academy of Our Lady of Guam in May 1983.

In 1998, Patricia moved back home to Guam and worked in a commercial loan officer position with a community bank on Guam. Within a year Patricia was promoted to Assistant Vice President and Relationship Manager responsible for developing strategies and managing a $30 million commercial loan portfolio. In 2010, she joined Bank of Guam as a Vice President and Business Development Manager.

In addition to her professional career, Ms. Salas is an active member of our local community. She is involved in community outreach and financial literacy programs and is a member of the Rotary Club of Tumon Bay, where she has served in various leadership positions. Additionally, she is a board member and treasurer of the Guam Business Partners for Recycling.

Ms. Salas is married to Edwin ``Bob'' Salas and they have two daughters, Taylor and Chloe. She earned a bachelor's in Business Administration from the University of San Diego in May of 1987.

I congratulate Ms. Patricia B. Salas on receiving the 2013 U.S. Small Business Administration's Financial Services Champion Award for Guam. I join the people of Guam in commending her for her award and thanking her for her many contributions to our island and people.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commend and congratulate Mr. Ronald M. Young on being awarded the 2013 U.S. Small Business Administration's Entrepreneurial Success Award for Guam. Ron is the Co- founder and Secretary/Treasurer of Security Title, Inc.

Ron owns Security Title Inc. along with his wife Kim Anderson Young. Together they started the company in 1999. Security Title Inc. provided professional title and escrow services of the highest quality to Guam, Saipan, Tinian, and Rota. Security Title Inc. is the general agent for Stewart Title Insurance Company, one of the world's largest title insurance underwriters. Because of Security Title Inc.'s expert regional knowledge it has developed into the dominant title company in the Mariana Islands as it provides services that are crucial to any real estate transaction.

Ron was raised in northern California by his parents, George and Winnie. His father owned his own dental lab, which taught Ron at an early age the value of owning his own business. Ron earned a bachelor of arts degree in sociology from San Jose State University. He later earned a master of arts from Goddard College in sociology and education. Ron and his wife have five children together: Ryan, Jason, Carter, Lars, and Erika.

Ron is also an active member of our island community. He serves as the current liaison between the Guam Chamber of Commerce and the Chinese Chamber of Commerce, which are two of Guam's largest business organizations. He is an ongoing supporter of many non-profits and organizations such as the Guam Association of Realtors, International Council of Shopping Centers, American Management Association, NAIOP, Guam Economic Development Authority, Guam Tourist Attraction Fund, and the Guam Beautification Task Force.

I congratulate Ronald Young on receiving the 2013 U.S. Small Business Administration's Entrepreneurial Success Award for Guam. I join the people of Guam in commending him for his award and thanking him for his contributions to our community.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commend and congratulate Mr. Christopher Bejado on being awarded the 2013 U.S. Small Business Administration's Person of the Year Award for Guam. Mr. Bejado is the president and director of hospitality of Marianas Slingstone, Inc. dba Proa.

PROA is true to the philosophy of ``garden to table,'' meaning PROA hires its employees from Guam and sources its ingredients from local farmers. The restaurant remains committed to the Hafa Adai spirit and to being locally sustainable.

Chris was pursuing a master's degree in education from the University of Guam when he and his childhood friend, Geoffrey D. Perez, opened PROA Restaurant in Tumon. In 2007, the restaurant opened a complementary business, Sweet Relief Pastry Shop, featuring unique local flavors in delectable sweets. PROA opened a second location in November 2012, in the heart of Hagatna, to cater to the island's southern patrons.

Born and raised on Guam in the village of Tamuning, Chris is the son of Catalino Marilag Bejado, a Filipino migrant from the province of Bicol in the Philippines, and Maria Martinez Flores, a Chamorro islander. He is the youngest of six siblings.

Chris is a 1988 graduate of John F. Kennedy High School and earned a bachelor's degree in travel industry management from Hawaii Pacific University. He is married to Cora Yanger Bejado and has three daughters: Natalie, Camille, and Kathleen.

At age 23, after graduating from college Chris returned home to Guam and opened his first restaurant called De Niro's Pasta Kitchen in the village of Dededo which remained open for just 2 years. Chris has also held positions with the Hyatt Regency Guam as Assistant Manager for the Al Dente Restaurant, as well as Stewarding Manager. He also held the position of Concessions Manager for LSG Lufthansa Sky Chefs, opening 12 food and beverage outlets in the New Guam International Airport in 1995.

Chris had a passion for sharing his work experience with Guam's young students, this led him to accept a position at the University of Guam (UOG) as Outreach Coordinator for the International Tourism and Hospitality Industry. He later worked as Marketing Specialist for the Office of University and Community Engagement, spending nearly ten years at UOG.

Chris is also an active member in our island community. Chris has always believed that giving back to the community is his civic duty. He has years of experience and commitment to community organizations, serving as Chairman for the Hagatna Foundation, Chairman and Board Member for the Guam Humanities Council, and the Guam Educational Radio Foundation, KPRG 89.3. He has also contributed much time and resources to the American Cancer Society.

I congratulate Christopher Bejado on receiving the 2013 U.S. Small Business Administration's Person of the Year Award for Guam. I join the people of Guam in commending him for his award and thanking him for his contributions to our community.

Mr. Speaker, I have introduced a bill to amend the Sikes Act to promote the use of cooperative agreements for land management related to the Department of Defense (DoD) readiness activities and to facilitate interagency cooperation in conservation programs to avoid or reduce adverse impacts on military readiness activities. The bill provides common sense reforms to the Sikes Act and DoD Readiness Environmental Protection Initiative (REPI). These reforms afford both programs with greater flexibility to leverage cooperative agreements and other federal funds to meet program requirements.

In particular, section 1 of the bill would provide additional enhancements to the authorities provided to DoD under the Sikes Act and parallels a similar amendment made in the FY 2012 National Defense Authorization Act to the REPI program. Specifically, the provision would authorize DoD, pursuant to a cooperative agreement under the Sikes Act, to provide funds for the long term maintenance and improvement of natural resources on non-DoD lands without first having to protect such lands through acquisition of easements. This will greatly enhance the ability of DoD to take action to relieve or eliminate current or anticipated challenges that could restrict, impede, or otherwise interfere with, whether directly or indirectly, current or anticipated military activities. For example, this provision would help DoD meet its obligations under the Endangered Species Act and other applicable statutory and regulatory requirements through actions on non-DoD lands pursuant to a cooperative agreement with a state or local agency or a private landowner. This authority would help avoid or reduce the need to restrict training and testing activities on DoD lands.

Section 2 of the bill would help DoD better protect military installations and ranges from encroachment under REPI and the Sikes Act by enhancing cooperation with the Departments of Agriculture and the Interior. Sustainability and the long-term viability of many DoD installations and ranges continue to be threatened by incompatible development and loss of habitat in areas in the vicinity of, or ecologically related to, those installations and ranges. Current law allows funds from non-DoD federal programs to be used by REPI partners as contributions under a REPI agreement. Greater partnership and cooperation is enhanced under this provision by allowing funds provided by the DoD to protect bases from encroachment to qualify as match or cost share in the conservation programs of the Departments of Agriculture and Interior. For example, prior to the 2008 Farm Bill enactment, DoD, through the REPI program, was able to protect installations in Oklahoma, Kansas, and South Carolina from encroachment while at the same time assisting state and local governments and willing landowners in meeting the matching funds requirements of the Farm and Ranchland Protection Program (FRPP, now the Farmland Protection Program (FRP)). However, technical changes to this program in the 2008 Farm Bill had the unintended result of terminating the authority for DoD funds to be used as matching or cost-share requirements for that program. The provision reverses that unintended consequence and addresses the broader issue of allowing the DoD funds to be used as a match to other federal programs to help address encroachment issues at military installations. This provision is important to improving the readiness of our forces and ensuring their installations and ranges can be sustained.

Again, the bill is a common sense approach to better enabling DoD to meet its conservation goals and requirements while protecting its ability to meet readiness requirements. In a time of fiscal austerity, it is important for Congress to provide the Administration with the tools and authorities to be flexible and adaptable to challenges with innovative thinking and minimal investment. I urge my colleagues to support this measure.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and memorialize the life and achievements of Antonio Manibusan Palomo, who passed away on February 3, 2013. Antonio, best known as Tony, was an accomplished journalist and author, as well as a fervent public servant, and a dedicated community leader.

Tony was born on June 13, 1931 to Vicente Gogo Palomo and Delores Mendiola Manibusan. As a boy, Tony attended the Padre Palomo and Agana Elementary Schools. At the young age of 10, Tony's education was interrupted by the outbreak of World War II. Surviving the invasion and occupation of Guam by the Japanese Imperial Army, Tony continued his schooling at George Washington High School, Belmont Abbey Preparatory School in Belmont, North Carolina, and Marquette University, Milwaukee Wisconsin, where he studied Journalism. While continuing his education at Marquette, Tony worked as an editorial aide for the Milwaukee Sentinel, sharpening his journalistic skills. Tony graduated from Marquette University in 1954.

After graduation, Tony returned to Guam to work for the Guam Daily News, then as publisher/editor of the Pacific Profile, as editor of the Pacific Journal, and as editor/publisher of the The Pacifican. During this time, Tony gathered as much information as he could interviewing and speaking to survivors of the Second World War. In 1984, Tony's book, An Island in Agony, was published. Tony never hesitated to share his vast knowledge and love of Guam history with many people, speaking on many occasions at different venues, and teaching at the University of Guam.

Tony's ever-expanding knowledge of Guam and its government and his public speaking skills led him into public service in the political arena. Recruited by the Republican Party of Guam, Tony was elected into the 12th, 14th, and 15th Guam Legislatures where he chaired the Committee on Rules. He chaired the 15th Guam Legislature's Committee on Federal-Territorial Relations and was also a member of the Commission on Self-Determination. Always interested in federal-territorial relations, Tony was elected as president of Guam's First Constitutional Convention, tasked with the development of a constitution for Guam, which would also strengthen the island's relations with the Federal government. With all of this experience, Tony was well qualified to serve as the U.S. Department of the Interior's Guam Field Representative until his retirement in 1994.

I am deeply saddened by Tony's death and know that many people on Guam and throughout the Pacific are mourning the loss of this statesman, diplomat, and friend. My thoughts and prayers are with his wife Margarita Balajadia Palomo, their ten children, Antonio Rafael, Viviana Margarita (deceased), Victoria Maria, Roman Vicente, Juan Pedro, Simeon Francisco, Jose Geraldo, Verona Dolores, Eloy Benigno, and Nicholas Sylvestre; 16 grandchildren; one great grandchild; and one great grandchild on the way, family, and friends. Tony will be missed by all who knew him and his legacy will live on through his family, his work, and his cultural contributions to our community.

Mr. Speaker, today I have introduced the National Guard State Partnership Program, SPP, Enhancement Act which strengthens and expands this critical capacity building program. The National Guard provides unique capacity building capabilities to Combatant Commanders and U.S. Ambassadors via 65 comprehensive partnerships between National Guard units across the United States and partner nations. The SPP directly supports the broad national interests and security cooperation goals of the United States by engaging partner nations via military, sociopolitical, and economic conduits at the local, state, and national levels. The program's public diplomacy effectiveness lies in its ability to leverage the full breadth and depth of U.S. defense and interagency capabilities from within the state-country relationship.

The goals of the program reflect an evolving international affairs mission for the National Guard emphasizing its unique state-federal and civil-military characteristics to interact with both the active and reserve forces of foreign nations, interagency partners, and international nongovernmental organizations. The value of the SPP lies in its ability to concentrate a small component of the U.S. defense structure--a state's National Guard--on a single country or region in support of U.S. Government policies and objectives. This concentrated focus supports the development of long term personal relationships and interagency coordination mechanisms that would not otherwise exist.

The SPP has the potential of being increasingly more important tool for Combatant Commanders and U.S. Ambassadors in achieving long-term US objectives. The program has developed from assistance and partnership with primarily Eastern European nations to a program that supports all the non-CONUS combatant commanders. Of particular interest to me are the opportunities that SPP poses for our rebalance to the Asia-Pacific region. I believe the SPP brings unique capabilities to US Pacific Command in expanding and strengthening bilateral relations with many Asian and Pacific nations. The program can help to demonstrate the U.S. commitment to the region and our allies.

The bill I introduce today helps the SPP by codifying the program's use of funding and spells out the roles that National Guard units can play in their capacity building. The legislation is needed to ensure the program meets its intended goals. The legislation first establishes the process through which funds appropriated to the National Guard may be used to support the program's goals. This is merely a codification of Department of Defense guidance and National Guard Bureau process. Additionally, the legislation outlines the mechanism through which partnerships may be requested and approved. The bill ensures that Department of Defense, a state National Guard and Department of State's equities are considered in the context of broader program goals. Finally, the legislation expands the roles that a National Guard may perform when in support of the State Partnership Program. The capabilities and missions outlined in this legislation leverage the very unique capabilities inherit in the National Guard which would strengthen our relations with allies and nations across the globe. The dual role of the National Guard provides them a unique opportunity to support Combatant Commander as well as an Ambassadors needs in a given country. I believe this legislation is necessary to codify current practices and enhance the program's positive impact.

Finally, I would note that a version of this legislation passed by voice vote, last year, during consideration of amendments to the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2013. The program has broad support in Congress and I urge my colleagues to support this measure.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life and service of Vicente Ignacio Aguon, the former Mayor of the village of Chalan Pago-Ordot, Guam. Vicente was born on July 6, 1939, to the late Jose Manglona Aguon and Emperatriz Cruz Ignacio Aguon. He married Pacita Baza Aguon and had seven children. Vicente passed away on January 21, 2013, at the age of 73.

Vicente attended Chalan Pago Elementary and graduated from George Washington Senior High School. He then went on to graduate from the National Technical School in Inglewood, California and the Harcourt Learning Direct in Hotel Management. Additionally Vicente studied Electrical Engineering at Guam Community College and he completed seminars from Chicago Technical College in Building Construction.

Vicente was a dedicated public servant. From 1965-1985 he worked for the Guam Department of Public Works as an Electrical and Refrigeration Technician, Construction Inspector, Construction Inspector supervisor, construction Project Manager, and Acting Engineer. In 1986, he moved to the Guam Legislature and was a Legislative Consultant for the

18th and 19th Guam Legislature under the Rules Committee. He also served as the manager of the Tumon Village Complex from 1991-1995.

In 2000, Vicente was elected Mayor of Chalan Pago-Ordot. He paid particular attention to the wellbeing of the people of Chalan Pago- Ordot by voicing their concerns. When Vicente was not serving the people of Chalan Pago-Ordot he volunteered his free time as a Parish Council Member of Our Lady of Peace and Safe Journey Catholic Church. He also volunteered as Assistant State Commissioner for Guam Babe Ruth Baseball, and he was a Municipal Planning Council Member at the Chalan Pago-Ordot Community.

Vicente will be missed by all who knew and loved him. I extend my condolences to his wife Pacita Baza Aguon, his family and loved ones, including his children, Peter, Frances, Vicente, Raymond, Anthony, Josephine, and Beatrice.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life and service of Dean D. Sanchez, former Mayor of the village of Umatac, Guam. Dean was born on June 21, 1961, and was one of the seven children of a former village Chief Commissioner, Vincente Q. Sanchez, and his wife Priscilla Q. Sanchez. Dean married Jennifer Aguon Sanchez and have two sons, Alexander Dean and Chance Theo. Dean passed away on January 14, 2013, at the age of 51.

Before Dean was appointed Mayor of Umatac by former Governor Joseph F. Ada in 1991 he served as the Administrative Assistant to late former Mayor T. Topasna. Dean served as Mayor of Umatac until January 1993, after which he returned to his position as Administrative Assistant for former Mayor Daniel Q. Sanchez. In 2008, Dean ran for the position of Mayor and was elected by the residents of Umatac.

As Mayor of Umatac, Dean dedicated his life to serving the residents of his village. He paid particular attention to the wellbeing of the people of Umatac by voicing their concerns, such as the closing of F.Q. Sanchez Elementary and increasing cultural awareness in his participation in hosting Discovery Day festivities in Umatac. In addition to his elected role as Mayor of Umatac, Dean wore many hats and served the entire community of Guam as a member of the Commission on Self Determination; the Guam Product 19 Seal Task Force; the Department of Agriculture Aquatic & Wildlife 20 Resources--Fisheries; Civilian/Military Task Force; Association of Mariana Islands Mayors (AMIM), Vice Mayors, and Elected 22 Municipal Council Members.

Dean will be missed by all who knew and loved him. I extend my condolences to wife Jennifer, his family and loved ones, including his children, Alexander and Chance.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life and service of Jose Salucnamnam San Nicolas, former Commissioner of the village of Agat, Guam; he was fondly known as ``Joe Pineda'' by his family and closest friends. Born on December 15, 1945, Joe dedicated more than 40 years of his life as a public servant to the people of Guam, beginning as a youth and church leader in Agat, Guam's largest southern village. His desire to serve and his spirit of community paved the way for his election in 1970. He became one of Guam's youngest public officials at the age of 25. In 1974, after serving only one term as Assistant Commissioner, Joe was elected as the Commissioner of Agat. He passed away on December 27, 2012, at the age of 67.

As Commissioner of Agat, Joe paid particular attention to helping young people find constructive and productive activities, such as village clean-up and beautification projects. He also encouraged participation in the celebration of Guam's Liberation Day festivities, intramural sports, and involvement in church functions and religious education.

As a devout Catholic, Joe served as a ``Techa'', or traditional prayer leader, of rosaries and novenas. He volunteered his skills in leading prayers for families throughout Guam, as well as in California, Hawaii, Washington state and Germany. After his term as Commissioner of Agat, Joe continued to serve his community as a techa; he also held several different government posts, working for the Guam Legislature and Governor Carl T.C. Gutierrez as a Special Assistant for community outreach.

Joe will be missed by all who knew and loved him. I extend my condolences to his family and loved ones, including his children, Dwayne and Charmaine.