Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Mr. Benjamin C. Pablo for receiving the U.S. Small Business Administration's 2012 Veteran Small Business Champion of the Year Award. Ben is a United States Army veteran who served for 22 years, and is currently the Vice President and Community Development Officer at the Bank of Guam, where he is fondly referred to as its ``veteran ambassador.''

Ben has worked to create educational opportunities for veterans and servicemembers interested in simplifying their finances or opening up a small business. Most notably, in 2010, he helped establish the Guam Veterans Business Outreach Center, which provides resources and training workshops to veterans. Through the outreach center, Ben consults with local veterans on credit and lending criteria and also shares his expertise in creating and developing a successful business plan. Further, Ben helped secure the Bank of Guam's ability to administer SBA Patriot Express Loans to assist veteran clients and members of the military community in creating or expanding their small business.

Additionally, Ben devotes his time to participating in community service activities and civic organizations. He played an instrumental role in helping the Vietnam Veterans of Guam Chapter 668 in obtaining donations from the bank and other organizations to construct the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Walls, to memorialize the servicemembers from Guam killed during the Vietnam War. He also serves as the treasurer for Catholic Social Services (CSS) on Guam, and has been a board member for seven years. CSS is a nonprofit organization that provides numerous services to Guam's most vulnerable residents, including many veterans.

I commend Mr. Benjamin C. Pablo for working to improve veterans' business opportunities on Guam and for being SBA's Veteran Small Business Champion of the Year for 2012. I join our island in thanking him for his service to our country, and for his dedication to sharing his financial expertise with our veteran community on Guam.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the University of Guam for their 60 years of providing post-secondary education to the island of Guam. UOG was established in June 1952 and has evolved into a highly recognized institution of higher education in the Western Pacific region, and is the only fully accredited, four-year university on Guam.

UOG is one of the premiere institutions for higher learning in the Western Pacific. Under the leadership of UOG President and former Guam Delegate to Congress, Dr. Robert A. Underwood, UOG has continued to prepare students for their professional careers and carry on their mission ``to enlighten, to discover, and to serve.''

UOG's humble beginnings started in the village of Mongmong as the Territorial College of Guam, a two-year teacher training school under the authority of the Guam Department of Education, with an enrollment of about 200 students. In 1960, the then-Territorial College moved to UOG's present location in Mangilao and continued to expand the academic programs for its students. In 1963, the Territorial College was granted its first accreditation as a four-year degree institution and by 1967, it had implemented three new undergraduate schools. On August 12, 1968, the Territorial College was renamed the ``University of Guam'' by the Guam Legislature.

In October of 1979, UOG established its Army Reserve Officers' Training Corps program to prepare future leaders in our nation's armed forces. Since then, UOG's ROTC program has become one of the most respected ROTC programs in the United States and was recognized by the Department of the Army as the Top U.S. Army ROTC program in 2002.

Over the years, UOG has continued to expand its academic programs and now includes a College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences, College of Natural and Applied Sciences, School of Business and Public Administration, School of Education, and a School of Nursing & Health Sciences. UOG is home to the Water and Environmental Research Institute of the Western Pacific (WERI), which has a longstanding history of providing high quality research that addresses the unique challenges facing Guam's water resources. WERI's expertise and research have proved invaluable in studying aquifer sustainability and the military build-up.

UOG has also recently begun efforts to expand its educational services by establishing a School of Engineering. This expansion will bring greater opportunities for students in Guam, and throughout the Micronesia region, to study the engineering field. Further, UOG has endeavored on a $60 million capital improvement campaign, which includes three new buildings on campus, including a Student Services Center, Triton Engagement Center, and a new Fine Arts Building. Further, under Dr. Underwood's leadership, UOG has also established the Center for Island Sustainability. The Center will create an Islands- based model of renewable, sustainable and appropriate technologies focusing on indigenous energy alternatives and replicable research to meet the needs of island communities. The Center is playing a critical role in developing studies that will help inform decision-makers about the impacts of the military build-up on Guam and reasonable mitigations.

I congratulate the University of Guam on their 60th anniversary, and I commend them for their years of providing higher education

opportunities to the people of Guam and the Western Pacific region. I also commend the UOG Board of Regents, UOG President Dr. Robert Underwood, and all administrators, faculty, and staff, for their commitment to the mission of the University. I look forward to the continued growth and expansion of UOG for many years to come.

Mr. Speaker, today I reintroduce legislation to strengthen enforcement mechanisms to stop illegal, unreported, and unregulated, IUU, fishing. Illegal fishing threatens the economic and social infrastructure of fishing communities around the world by decreasing opportunities for legitimate and conscientious fishermen. While the United States is recognized for its commitment to domestic fisheries conservation and as an international voice in science-based ocean conservation, the failure of other nations to adopt similar approaches has both economic and conservation implications for U.S. industry and management. Additional action is needed from Congress if we are to be successful in combating IUU fishing and the depletion of fish stocks worldwide. Last Congress, I sponsored similar legislation and it passed the House without opposition by voice vote. This year, I am glad to be joined by Congressman Frank Guinta from New Hampshire as a bipartisan original cosponsor.

Recent reports have documented that IUU fishing accounts for between 10 and 22 percent of the reported global fish catch, or $9 24 billion in gross revenues each year (MRAG, 2009, Sumaila et al., 2006 and Agnew et al., 2009). This undermines the United States' conservation focused approach to fisheries management and the efforts of fishermen, and has implications for sustainable international fisheries that benefit the world's Marine ecosystems. Unsustainable fishing practices by foreign fishing fleets adversely affect stocks that migrate between the U.S. Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) and the high seas. This problem can be particularly acute in places like Guam, where the EEZ is vast, and where the United States Coast Guard, despite its best efforts, will never have sufficient resources to patrol all of our waters.

The ``Illegal, Unreported, Unregulated Fishing Enforcement Enhancement Act of 2011,'' which I introduced today, further enhances the enforcement authority of NOAA and the U.S. Coast Guard to regulate IOU fishing. This bill would amend the High Seas Driftnet Fishing Moratorium Protection Act, HSDFMPA, and other international and regional fishery management organization, RFMO, agreements to incorporate the civil penalties, permit sanctions, criminal offenses, civil forfeitures and enforcement sections of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act. It would strengthen enforcement authority of NOAA and the U.S. Coast Guard to inspect conveyances, facilities, and records involving the storage, processing, transport and trade of fish and fish products, and to detain fish and fish products for up to five days while an investigation is ongoing.

In addition, this bill makes technical adjustments to allow NOAA to more effectively carry out current IUU identification mandates, including extending the duration of time for identification of violators from the preceding two years to the preceding three years. This bill broadens data sharing authority to enable NOAA to share information with foreign governments and clarifies that all information collected may be shared with international organizations and foreign governments for the purpose of conducting enforcement. These amendments promote the conservation and sound management of fish stocks internationally and in a manner consistent with the expectations placed on U.S. fishermen. This bill would establish an international cooperation and assistance program to provide funding and technical expertise to other nations to help them address IUU fishing. This bill, however, does not authorize new funding or appropriations.

Finally, this bill implements the Antigua Convention, an important international agreement that provides critical updates to the principles, functions, and processes of the Inter-American Tropical Tuna Commission, IATTC, to manage fisheries in the eastern Pacific Ocean. The Antigua Convention modernizes the IATTC and increases its capacity to combat IUU fishing and illegal imports of tuna product. Without implementing legislation, the U.S. does not have the authorities necessary to satisfy its commitments under the Antigua Convention, including addressing IUU in the eastern Pacific Ocean.

IUU fishermen are ``free riders'' who benefit unfairly from the sacrifices made by U.S. fishermen and others for the sake of proper fisheries conservation and management. I would like to thank Rep. Guinta, Rep. Farr, Rep. Faleomavaega, Rep. Christensen, Rep. Pierluisi and Rep. Sablan for joining me as original cosponsors and I look forward to working with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to advance this important bill through the legislative process.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Mr. Hayato ``Jack'' Yoshino for his years of leadership and contributions to the people of Guam as the President of P.H.R. Ken Asset Management Inc. (Ken Corporation) on Guam.

Mr. Yoshino graduated from Hitotsubashi University of Japan, and, in 1980, began his career at one of Japan's largest trading companies. He later ventured into the real estate profession where he made substantial investments in hotels, offices, and housing in the United States mainland. He joined Ken Corporation in 2002 and moved to Guam where he worked to familiarize himself with the island's unique real estate and tourism markets.

Four years later, Mr. Yoshino was appointed President of Ken Corporation and was entrusted with overseeing several premier hotel brands on Guam and Saipan, including the Hilton Guam Resort & Spa, Hyatt Regency Guam, Hotel Nikko Guam, Pacific Islands Club Guam, Sheraton Laguna Guam Resort, Country Club of the Pacific in Guam, and Aqua Resort Club in Saipan. During his tenure as president, Mr. Yoshino implemented major branding initiatives which introduced hotel guests and tourists to the island's culture, cuisine, and people. And in the midst of economic uncertainty following the March 2011 earthquakes and tsunamis in Japan, Mr. Yoshino worked to sustain the operations at each of the corporation's properties.

Mr. Yoshino devoted his time and expertise to developing Guam's visitor industry and local community. In 2009, Mr. Yoshino became a member of the Guam Visitors Bureau Board of Directors and was elected chairman of the Existing Markets Committee. In this capacity, he worked closely with industry leaders to promote Guam as a world-class destination for visitors traveling from the Philippines, North America, Micronesia, and Taiwan. He is an active member of the Guam Chamber of Commerce, the Chinese Chamber of Commerce, and the SKAL Club of Guam, an international association of tourism professionals. Among other contributions to our community, Mr. Yoshino took an interest in public safety and donated equipment to the Guam Police Department.

I join our community in recognizing Mr. Yoshino for his leadership, his service to our community, and for his work in promoting our island's unique history and culture. On behalf of the people of Guam, I extend my heartfelt appreciation for Mr. Yoshino's generosity, and I wish him the best in his future endeavors.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life and service of Gregorio Acosta Calvo, the former Mayor of Tamuning-Tumon, Guam. Mayor Calvo passed away on February 2, 2012 at the age of 87.

Gregorio Acosta Calvo was born on November 9, 1924 in Hagatna, Guam and is the son of Gregorio Leon Guerrero Calvo and Maria Acosta Calvo. In 1960, he was elected Assistant Commissioner of Tamuning-Tumon and served in that role until 1965. In 1965, the Government of Guam changed the title of the position from Commissioner to Mayor. In 1965, Mr. Calvo was elected Mayor of Tamuning-Tumon and served in this capacity until his retirement on January 14, 1985.

Mayor Calvo began working for the Government of Guam in 1952, where he served as Chairman for Parks and Recreation within the Department of Public Works. During his time at Public Works, Mr. Calvo was instrumental in organizing summer programs for teens. He continued this passion for helping the island's youth during his term as Mayor, where he organized sporting events for baseball and basketball.

Mayor Calvo was strongly involved in the introduction of Little League baseball on Guam. From the early 1950s to the official national chartering of the Little League in 1967, Mayor Calvo was a leading supporter for the development of the sport for our island's youth. In 1983, he proposed to split the Little League Far East region into the Asia region and the Pacific region, in order to give the smaller Pacific nations an opportunity to compete in the Little League World Series. In 2000, the proposal was passed and since then Guam has sent teams to compete in the Little League World Series.

Mayor Calvo was also a strong advocate for the preservation of the Chamorro culture. In 1992, he became a member of the board of the Chamorro Heritage Foundation, a non-profit organization with the mission of preserving, developing, and enhancing the Chamorro culture and heritage of the people of Guam. Mayor Calvo is also a survivor of the Japanese occupation of Guam during World War II. As a teen, he endured forced labor at the hands of Japanese forces and was tasked with digging caves in the northern village of Yigo.

Mayor Calvo married Felisidad Salas Calvo in 1946 and together they raised 13 children, and have been blessed with numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

I join our community in mourning the loss of Mayor Gregorio Acosta Calvo. His contributions to our community, especially our island's youth, will be remembered by the many citizens he helped throughout his life. On behalf of the people of Guam, I extend my heartfelt condolences to his family, friends, and loved ones. God bless Mayor Calvo. He will be missed.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life and service of retired Superior Court of Guam Judge, Ramon Valero Diaz. Judge Diaz passed away on January 15, 2012 at the age of 93.

Judge Diaz was born on October 13, 1918 in Manila, Philippines and is the son of Dr. Vicente Lozada Diaz and Bibiana Valero Diaz. He came to Guam in 1951 to work and make a living for his family. In 1956, he was admitted to the Guam Bar Association, and in 1958, became a naturalized U.S. citizen.

In 1980, Judge Diaz became the first person of Filipino descent to be appointed as a judge for the Superior Court of Guam. After 15 years of government service, he retired as a family court judge.

Judge Diaz graduated from the University of Santo Tomas in Manila, Philippines. In 1941, in the wake of World War II, he was commissioned as an officer in the Philippine Army and was soon inducted into the United States Armed Forces of the Far East (USAFFE) as an infantry line officer. On April 9, 1942, he was captured by Japanese Forces in the province of Bataan, Philippines, and was held as a prisoner of war in the Capas Concentration Camp. Later that year he was released as a POW and resumed his military duties shortly thereafter. In 1945, he completed studies from the U.S. Army Judge Advocate General School for commissioned officers at University of Michigan in Ann Arbor. Upon his return from JAG school, he assumed the role of Chief of Claims Branch under JAG, Philippine Army, where he was responsible for the adjudication of all types of war claims in favor of heirs.

In 1951, Judge Diaz retired from the Philippine Army as Captain. Throughout his distinguished military career, he received various awards, including the United States and Philippine Presidential Unit Citation and the Philippine Presidential Military Merit Medal.

Judge Diaz was involved in many community organizations throughout his life. He was among the first ordained permanent deacons in the Archdiocese of Agana and was instrumental in organizing the Knights of Columbus, Guam Council and Assembly. Further, he was a founding member of the Catholic Social Services, and was active in the establishment of St. Dominic's senior care home and the Dominican Catholic schools on Guam.

Judge Diaz was also heavily involved in the founding of the Filipino Community of Guam, where he served as President. He also helped establish the Marianas Audubon Society, the UST Alumni Association of Guam, and the Chapter of Bataan-Corregidor Veterans on Guam.

Judge Diaz was married to Josefina de la Concepcion for 66 years and together they raised 10 children: Marilu Martinez, Carl Diaz (deceased), Mariles Benavente, Marilen Artero, Maribel Chandler, Mariann Carr, Maricar Davis, Tony Diaz, Vicente Diaz, and Ramon Diaz Jr., and have been blessed with 19 grandchildren and 13 great grandchildren.

I join our community in mourning the loss of Judge Ramon Diaz. His contributions to the Guam Judiciary and our community will be remembered by the many citizens he helped throughout his life. We extend heartfelt condolences to his many family, friends, and loved ones.

God bless Judge Diaz. He will be missed.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 2055, the Consolidated Appropriations Act for 2012. While this bill is not perfect, it makes critical investments in education, military construction and civilian infrastructure requirements on Guam, Wall Street reform, and clean energy, and it ensures that our government remains funded through the remainder of Fiscal Year 2012. I thank Chairman Hal Rogers and Ranking Member Norm Dicks, and all my colleagues on the Appropriations Committee, for maintaining critical funding that supports our Armed Forces and ensures that Guam and the U.S. Territories receive necessary support from the Federal Government.

If passed, H.R. 2055 would appropriate $33 million for civilian infrastructure improvements on Guam through the Department of Defense Office of Economic Adjustment in response to the realignment of U.S. Marine Corps forces to Guam. The bill would provide the necessary appropriation and sufficient authorization for the Secretary of Defense to utilize these funds specifically to address the need for vehicles and supplies for civilian student transportation, the construction of a cultural repository for cultural artifacts unearthed during current and future military construction, and the construction of a mental health and substance abuse facility in Guam. The funding for this infrastructure was done through a validated process and in accordance with the Economic Adjustment Committee criteria. These infrastructure improvements are critical to ensuring that Guam is able to sustain the additional military presence anticipated from the build-up, and the funds fulfill an agreement made between the Administration and the Government of Guam.

I am, however, very concerned with cuts that were made to the Department of the Navy for military construction projects directly relating to the U.S.-Japan Roadmap for Realignment Implementation. The bill removes approximately $155 million in military construction projects that support the Marine Corps requirements for the realignment of forces from Okinawa to Guam. The removal of these funds ignores the Administration's efforts to improve our military posture in Asia, and it further delays inevitable investments that will be necessary to support the realignment. Further, I am concerned that cutting funds for increment 2 of the North Ramp Utilities project wastes nearly $20 million in previously appropriated funds. However, I do appreciate the support for the Guam Strike requirements at Andersen Air Force Base. Guam Strike is an important program that helps to provide necessary ISR and Strike capabilities at Andersen Air Force Base. I appreciate the Committee's continued support of this program.

This bill also includes much needed support for Guam, and the U.S. Territories. Specifically, it provides more than a million dollars for infrastructure on Guam to support sustainable energy projects. The people of Guam currently face some of the highest energy costs in the Nation, and funding will help alleviate those costs and reduce our dependence on imported oil. The bill also increases funding for the Assistance to Territories program by nearly $5 million above the President's Budget request. However, I am concerned about the reduction in funds to the Empowering Insular Communities fund. This new account would strengthen the foundations of economic development in the territories by addressing challenges preventing reliable delivery of critical services needed to attract investment. I hope that the additional funds in the Assistance to Territories fund can be used to meet this new program's needs.

In addition, once passed, this bill will significantly improve the implementation of the Compacts of Free Association. The Compacts are an important national security arrangement for our Nation; however, the impacts of Compact migration have placed a significant financial strain on the Government of Guam and similarly affected jurisdictions, in the form of education and health care costs, and other social services.

This bill funds a new position within the Department of the Interior's Office of Insular Affairs (OIA) dedicated to working on Compact impact issues. It will direct the Department to work with the Freely Associated States to develop a comprehensive plan to mitigate the costs of Compact migration. The plan seeks to better inform potential Compact migrants of the original intent of the migration provision of the Compacts, which is to provide educational and employment opportunities to FAS citizens and to avoid reliance on social services. The plan also seeks to improve access to health care, specifically dialysis treatment in the FAS. Over time, OIA's improved coordination with the FAS will reduce the need for FAS migrants to seek medical treatment in Guam or other jurisdictions. Finally, the plan would improve screening procedures for potential migrants with communicable diseases, or a criminal history.

Earlier this year, I cosigned a letter to the Department of the Interior requesting it begin working with the FAS on these issues. I commend the Committee for including these provisions in this legislation. I expect these policies will significantly improve the implementation of the Compacts, and ease the financial burdens currently placed on the local governments in affected jurisdictions.

Mr. Speaker, H.R. 2055 sets critical spending priorities for the Federal Government and fulfills Congress' most fundamental duty to provide the resources necessary to keep our government running. Given the difficult budget environment, the bill makes difficult choices in a responsible manner. Moreover, the bill ultimately provides critical support for Guam and the U.S. territories, and I urge my colleagues to support this bill.

I thank the gentleman very much.

Section 2207 of the recently passed FY12 Defense authorization bill restricts transfer of funding from the Department of Defense to support civilian infrastructure requirements on Guam, except funding specifically authorized in law.

Does the language of section 8110 of division A of this bill require any further authorization?

I thank the gentleman for the clarification.

I wish to thank Ranking Member Smith for his support for Guam, and I thank the gentleman from New York (Mr. Nadler) for yielding.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong opposition to H.R. 1540, the conference report accompanying the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2012. If I were able to vote on the final passage of this legislation, I would vote against this bill.

The bill completely ignores the important efforts that this administration has taken to better posture our military forces in the Pacific. Furthermore, we undercut efforts, significant efforts, by Prime Minister Noda, in Japan, in trying to achieve progress with the development of a Futenma replacement facility.

I am deeply concerned about this bill because there is constant talk in this Chamber about recognizing the importance of the Asia-Pacific region, and now we are going in the opposite direction. People discuss their concerns about the potential threats posed by both China and North Korea. Yet when this country and this administration ask the Congress to act in our best national interest to realign forces in the Pacific, we blink. We are all talk and no action on this very important issue. I understand the budget realities that we currently face; but we must make the necessary hard choices and investments now, or it will cost more money and time in the long run.

That said, it is important for our partners in Japan to continue the progress they are making to begin the construction of a replacement facility for Futenma in northern Okinawa. It is important for Prime Minister Noda to continue to show leadership and present an environmental impact statement to the Governor of Okinawa by the end of this year. In addition, we must have further progress toward the permitting of a landfill so that we can finally move forward with this realignment. Right or wrong, the patience of those in the Senate has run out, and it is important to have more action and less rhetoric in Okinawa.

The cuts to infrastructure funding on Guam are simply punitive, and they fly in the face of the unified action by both the House and Senate appropriators. This Congress has uniformly stated that infrastructure improvements are needed on Guam to sustain any type of additional military presence. Yet once again, our rhetoric does not match our words.

I will continue to work to make sure that we get funding to address critical infrastructure needs. As such, I urge all of my colleagues to vote ``no'' on this legislation.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in opposition to H.R. 1540, the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2012. Although I have serious concerns about this legislation because of its lack of commitment to forces in the Asia-Pacific region, there are portions of the bill that are good for our national defense.

Chief among those provisions is section 512, which provides the Chief of the National Guard Bureau with a seat on the Joint Chiefs of Staff. Including section 512 brings to a conclusion more than seven years of work to align the roles and responsibilities of the Chief of the National Guard Bureau appropriately for an operational reserve force. The provision recognizes the unique and important role our National Guard has played in our Nation's defenses throughout history, particularly since the attacks of September 11. This year, on the 10th anniversary of these tragedies, the National Guard will finally have the recognition and appropriate responsibilities to ensure the requirements and capabilities of the National Guard are fully integrated into our national security infrastructure. Section 511 also establishes the position of Vice Chief of the National Guard Bureau which is necessary if the Chief of the National Guard Bureau is to sit on the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

I also strongly support inclusion of section 621, which provides a one-year extension of authority to reimburse travel expenses for inactive-duty training outside of normal commuting distances. This authority is critical to the Guam National Guard as well as units in Hawaii and Alaska. Section 621 is an important recruiting and retention tool for our National Guard.

Finally, the bill also maintains our committee's longstanding support for the C-27J Joint Cargo Aircraft program by providing authorization of appropriation for nine additional aircraft in Fiscal Year 2013. The C-27J is a critical tactical airlift asset for our Air Force and Air National Guard. I regret that language restricting the retirement of C- 23 Sherpa aircraft was not maintained in the final bill, but I hope that the Department can clarify how it intends to meet airlift mission requirements given the reduction in aircraft procurement over the last several years.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the invasion of Guam and the beginning of the Pacific theater of World War II. In the early morning of December 10, 1941, two days after the aerial attacks on Pearl Harbor and Sumay Village, soldiers of the Imperial Japanese Army invaded the shores of Guam.

The Japanese invasion faced resistance at the Plaza de Espata in Hagota by the members of the Guam Insular Guard, who were recruited by the Navy eight months prior to the invasion of Guam. With limited military training, and lightly armed, the Insular Guard was all that stood between the invaders and our people. The Guam Insular Guard fought with great courage in defense of our island but they were overwhelmed in a short time by the superior numbers and arms of the invasion force. This encounter marked the only ground battle against the invading Japanese force on Guam. Shortly thereafter that early morning, U.S. Naval Captain George J. McMillin, Naval Governor of Guam, and a handful of U.S. sailors, surrendered the island to the Japanese Army.

These events marked the beginning of the Japanese occupation on Guam for the next thirty two months. The occupation of Guam was marked by abuse and violence against the people of Guam including forced labor, forced marches, tnternment in camps, injuries and executions. Throughout the occupation, the people of Guam remained patriotic to America and never lost faith that U.S. forces would return to liberate our island. While we can never truly comprehend the suffering endured by our manamko' (elders) during the Japanese occupation, we continue to honor them for who they are, what they have endured, and how they have impacted our lives and our community.

As we commemorate this solemn anniversary, we pay tribute to these Insular Guardsmen for their courage and bravery. We also acknowledge Guam's greatest generation, those who endured the war and survived. Lastly, we pray for the civilians who died during the war and the members of the U.S. armed forces who fought to liberate our island. We must never forget their suffering and their sacrifices during the brutal occupation and liberation. God bless Guam and God bless the United States of America.

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

(Ms. BORDALLO asked and was given permission to revise and extend her remarks.)

I rise in support of H.R. 588, which would redesignate the Noxubee National Wildlife Refuge as the Sam D. Hamilton Noxubee National Wildlife Refuge.

Madam Speaker, it is abundantly clear that everyone who worked with Director Hamilton during his three-plus decades of public service had the utmost respect and admiration for him. His lifelong commitment to conservation and restoration of some of the Nation's most important species and ecosystems started at Noxubee National Wildlife Refuge, and so it is fitting that this place is memorialized in his honor.

I commend my colleague, Congressman Harper from Mississippi, for introducing this bill.

I reserve the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, again I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 588, which is a bill that would rename the Noxubee National Wildlife Refuge as the Sam D. Hamilton Noxubee National Wildlife Refuge.

I yield back the balance of my time.

I rise today in support of the amendment offered by my colleague from California, Grace Napolitano.

While I am sympathetic to and recognize the concerns of my friend and colleague from American Samoa, I have received significant support from my constituents to include Guam as an eligible port of call for annual safety inspections only to the U.S. distant water tuna fleet. Permitting the fleet to call on Guam in addition to American Samoa will create additional economic opportunities for my constituents.

The fleet can utilize Guam's Coast Guard sector, our port, our ship repair facilities, and can service their helicopters. It is a commonsense approach to enforce the safety inspection requirements for the U.S. flag vessels.

I want it to be very clear, Mr. Chairman, that I would like better assurance from the administration, industry, and stakeholders that this will not harm the tuna industry in American Samoa. That industry is critically important to their economy, and its competitive advantages must not be undermined.

I am committed to working with my friend to ensure that the American Samoa tuna industry remains strong. In fact, I am staunchly opposed to the distant water tuna fleet fishing in Guam's waters. The fleet is, in fact, prohibited from fishing in Guam's economic zone, and if it were to do so, it would threaten the livelihoods of our own local fishermen.

If this amendment passes, I would strongly urge the Coast Guard, the National Marine Fishery Services, and all relevant agencies to aggressively enforce existing regulations and to prevent any illegal opportunist harvest in Guam's waters.

Again, I support this amendment.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Mr. Daniel G. Moffat, former President and Chief Executive Officer of GTA TeleGuam, and commend him on his contributions to transforming the Guam Telephone Authority from a government operation to an effective, successful and thriving telecommunications enterprise on Guam.

Dan Moffat became the President and Chief Executive Officer of GTA TeleGuam in January 2007. He arrived on Guam when GTA TeleGuam was in the process of transforming from a government owned and operated telephone system to a privately owned communications service in a rapidly developing and competitive market.

Utilizing twenty five years of experience in the telecommunications industry, Dan guided GTA TeleGuam in recruiting, training and developing a highly motivated team using local talent. He improved Guam's telephone services, and developed high speed broadband Internet access and wireless systems. He brought emerging technologies to our island and built a world class communications infrastructure serving our region. Dan's leadership and spirit of entrepreneurship brought the latest innovative products and services to his customers. His efforts and contributions in telecommunications transformed services on Guam with digital technology. Under his leadership, many opportunities were realized for the people of Guam in international communications and networking.

Dan Moffat promoted Chamorro values as part of GTA TeleGuam's corporate culture. He challenged his management team to incorporate the principles of local values and traditions in GTA's business practices. He became

a part of our island family and he ensured that GTA TeleGuam employees gave back to our community through public service. GTA TeleGuam participated in many community causes such as the Relay for Life, Strides for a Cure, the American Cancer Society, the Make-a-Wish Foundation, the United Service Organization (USO), the American Red Cross, the UOG Endowment Foundation, the Salvation Army, Habitat for Humanity, the Guam Special Olympics, the Guam Humanities Council, and many other events supporting non-profits on Guam.

The people of Guam will miss a community leader, businessman, and friend. The continuing success of GTA TeleGuam will always be a reminder of Dan's leadership and vision. I wish Dan, his wife Jane, and his family the very best on their departure from Guam, and I join the people of Guam in commending him for his service to our community.

Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 358, a resolution which seeks to enhance current law to modify special rules relating to abortion services and provides protections for those who object to abortion. As a staunch supporter of pro-life principles, I strongly urge this House to pass H.R. 358 the Protect Life Act.

It is important for Congress to remember that our work in pursuing healthcare reform is to move our society toward accessible medical coverage across the nation, especially for the poor and marginalized. H.R. 358 builds off these tenets and enhances the compromise language that was developed by former Congressman Bart Stupak of Michigan, and other pro-life members of Congress, to restrict federal funds from being used for abortion coverage under the health reform Act passed in the last Congress. Although the Stupak language upheld the key tenets of the Hyde Amendment, H.R. 358 provides further clarification on that matter. The Protect Life Act provides clearer conscience protection for institutions and individual health care providers.

I commend the gentlemen from Pennsylvania, Mr. Joe Pitts, for his work on this bill and for his persistence in seeing this through our legislative process. I urge members of the House of Representatives to vote yes on H.R. 358 and to continue to work toward a society that upholds the total respect of the human person and the commitment to the right to life.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H.R. 3080, the United States-Korea Free Trade Agreement Implementation Act. The United States-Korea Free Trade Agreement, or KORUS, is the most significant trade agreement our country has entered into since NAFTA sixteen years ago, and it would help stimulate the U.S. economy at no cost to the American taxpayers.

Trade liberalization is a consistent precursor to global economic growth, and when done with a fair and close trading partner, could prove critical to American economic recovery. The current fiscal environment facing the federal government requires that we pursue all available options to create jobs and spur economic growth. Currently, the Republic of Korea is the world's twelfth largest economy and our seventh largest trading partner. This trade agreement will remove nearly 95 percent of tariffs on consumer and industrial goods within three years, create approximately 70,000 jobs nationwide, and increase U.S. GDP by an estimated $10 to $12 billion.

Further, Korea's strong record on labor rights and environmental protection ensures that American firms will compete on a level playing field with their Korean counterparts. By increasing trade with Korea, American businesses will have greater access to a nearly $1.5 trillion economy. The provisions included in the agreement will improve intellectual property rights protections and benefit businesses across all sectors of the American economy.

KORUS would also strengthen our relationship with a critical democratic ally and reaffirm our nation's commitment to the Asia- Pacific region. As the first trade agreement between the United States and a North Asian country, KORUS underscores this strategic alliance and may serve as a model for future agreements across the region. Moreover, the benefits of this longstanding partnership are evident on Guam, where Korea was first accepted into the Guam Visa Waiver Program. To date, Korean visitors remain the second largest group to visit Guam annually.

The United States-Korea Free Trade Agreement would stimulate the U.S. economy, create jobs, and increase economic competitiveness of the United States in East Asia. I strongly support the passage of H.R. 3080, and I urge my colleagues to vote in favor of this bill.