Floor Statements

Madam Chair, I rise today to express my concern with the reduction in military construction funding to Guam for the realignment of U.S. Marines from Okinawa, Japan to Guam. I appreciate the Committee's recognition of the strategic importance of this realignment as well as their general support for these efforts. However, I remain concerned that these cuts send the wrong message at the wrong time. It is unfortunate that my counterparts in the Subcommittee on Military Construction and Veterans Affairs did not follow the funding levels for Guam military construction that were agreed to in H.R. 5136, the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2011. Given the recent reluctance by the Government of Japan to reaffirm the Guam International Agreement, I believe it is important to collectively move forward with a unified position.

However, these cuts do make one point clear to my constituents. Congress holds the power of the purse. There are concerns on Guam and with certain federal agencies that the pace of construction during the military build-up could place an undue burden on our civilian infrastructure. However, I have made it clear that if construction was outpacing the local community's ability to handle the additional people we could put our foot on the brakes. Given the concerns raised by our local government this reduction in funding highlights how Congress can ensure that we get this build-up done right.

Finally, I would like to rise in support of amendment #8 introduced by my colleague from Georgia, Congressman Phil Gingrey. His amendment would restrict funds authorized by this bill to be used for the purposes of eminent domain without providing payment of just compensation. This amendment highlights our concern that eminent domain is not a preferred method through which the Federal Government should obtain private or other government lands. I support this amendment because there is concern that the Department of the Navy would use the powers of eminent domain to obtain private and Government of Guam land to build a new training range. This amendment would demonstrate that I am opposed to any such action on Guam in the future.

Madam Speaker, I rise in strong support of H.R. 4899, the Supplemental Appropriations Act of 2010. This legislation provides crucial funding to our servicemen and women who are serving in harm's way and protecting our Nation.

In addition, this legislation will provide funding to maintain America's strategic posture in the Pacific region. H.R. 4899 includes $50 million in funding for the Port of Guam. Specifically, the legislation authorizes the Department of Defense to transfer $50 million of operations and maintenance funds to the Port of Guam Improvement Enterprise Fund within the Maritime Administration. The $50 million in funding is critical to begin necessary infrastructure improvements and modernization projects at the Port of Guam.

The 110th Congress took positive action when it authorized the Port of Guam Improvement Enterprise Fund as section 3512 of the Duncan Hunter National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2009 (Public Law 110-417). This provision, which I sponsored, codified an important relationship between the Maritime Administration and the Port Authority of Guam. The provision was critical to ensuring that the Federal Government would bring its expertise to assist the Port of Guam in beginning necessary improvements.

The Port of Guam has repeatedly been identified as a potential chokepoint for the delivery of materials, supplies and personnel to support the realignment of military forces to Guam. Further, the Port's operational capabilities are critical to maintaining civilian economic development on the island. If these improvements are not made, the realignment of military forces to Guam would be severely delayed, add additional costs to future military construction and could hinder the island's economy. Furthermore, in September 2009 the United States Transportation Command designated Guam as the 16th strategic port in the United States. Strategic port designation indicated the importance of the Port of Guam to our economic and military posture in the Asia- Pacific region.

The $50 million in transfer authority for the Port of Guam in H.R. 4899 marks an important step toward ensuring the success of the military build-up on Guam and the future economic development of the island. After the Port of Guam was denied critical Recovery Act funding, the Obama Administration took quick action and requested the transfer authority. This demonstrates the Administration's commitment to address our island's longstanding infrastructure needs and I appreciate its support and leadership on this matter. I would also like to thank my colleagues in Congress for their support, in particular Congressman David Obey, Chairman of the House Committee on Appropriations; Congressman Norm Dicks, Chairman of the Subcommittee on Defense and Congressman John Olver, Chairman of the Subcommittee on Transportation, Housing and Urban Development and Related Agencies.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 3923) to provide for the exchange of certain land located in the Arapaho-Roosevelt National Forests in the State of Colorado, and for other purposes, as amended.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on the bill under consideration.

I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Mr. Speaker, H.R. 3923 was introduced by our colleague from Colorado, Congressman Jared Polis. Since 1967, the Forest Service has issued two special use permits to the Sugar Loaf Fire Protection District to own and operate two fire stations on National Forest System land.

The District would like to own the parcels of land on which the fire stations sit in order to build an area for firefighter training and bathroom facilities. Currently, the fire stations do not have running water because State and county regulations prohibit well and septic systems on public lands for private use.

The District would receive approximately 5 acres of Federal land on which the fire stations sit, and the Forest Service would receive land of equal value from the District. A specific in-holding owned by the District has been identified for the exchange.

Mr. Speaker, we commend Congressman Polis for his work on this bill, and we support passage of this measure.

I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from Colorado (Mr. Polis).

Mr. Speaker, I would like again to urge Members to support the bill.

I have no further requests for time, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 3967) to amend the National Great Black Americans Commemoration Act of 2004 to authorize appropriations through fiscal year 2015.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on the bill under consideration.

I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Mr. Speaker, H.R. 3967, introduced in October of 2009 by our colleague Representative Elijah Cummings, helps tell the story of the African American struggle for equality.

For the last quarter century, Doctors Joanne and Elmer Martin have worked tirelessly to create a safe, nurturing environment for Baltimore's youth. Through their work to build and fund the National Great Blacks in Wax Museum and the Justice Learning Center, they have created a unique opportunity to teach and connect with young people to tell the story of great African American leaders in the history of our United States of America.

H.R. 3967 amends the National Great Black Americans Commemoration Act of 2004 to extend authorization for Federal grant funding. Representative Cummings is to be commended for his work on behalf of this outstanding education and outreach program.

Mr. Speaker, we support this legislation.

I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I again urge Members to support this bill.

I have no further requests for time, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 4514) to authorize the Secretary of the Interior to conduct a special resource study to determine the suitability and feasibility of designating the Colonel Charles Young Home in Xenia, Ohio as a unit of the National Park System, and for other purposes, as amended.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on the bill under consideration.

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

Mr. Speaker, H.R. 4514, introduced by Congressman Lacy Clay of Missouri, directs the National Park Service to study the suitability and feasibility of designating the Colonel Charles Young Home in Xenia, Ohio, as a unit of the National Park System. Colonel Charles Young was a distinguished African American officer in the U.S. Army during the late 1800s and early 1900s and the first African American to hold the rank of colonel. Young is also credited with being the first African American national park superintendent, when, as commander of the 10th Calvary, he was sent to protect the newly established Sequoia National Park and General Grant National Park in California.

Through this study, the Park Service will thoroughly review the cultural and historical resources associated with the remarkable story of Colonel Young and determine how best to interpret his role in American history.

So, Mr. Speaker, I commend Congressman Clay for his efforts to highlight the story of this great American, and I urge the House to support H.R. 4514.

I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I again urge Members to support the bill, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 4686) to authorize the Secretary of Interior to study the suitability and feasibility of designating prehistoric, historic, and limestone forest sites on Rota, Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, as a unit of the National Park System, as amended.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on the bill under consideration.

Mr. Speaker, H.R. 4686, introduced by Congressman Sablan, directs the National Park Service to study the cultural and natural resources of the island of Rota in

the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands. The study will determine if those resources are suitable and feasible for addition to the National Park System.

Mr. Speaker, the NPS has already done a preliminary survey of the island and found some wonderful cultural resources and important natural features. The study authorized by H.R. 4686 will allow for a more complete examination of these resources and, just as importantly, provide for full public participation as the agency considers whether to recommend establishment of a park on Rota.

Mr. Speaker, I commend Congressman Sablan for his diligence in pursuing this matter, and I urge the House to support H.R. 4686.

I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I yield 4 minutes to the gentleman from the CNMI, Congressman Sablan.

I again urge the Members of Congress to support the bill.

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

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 4438) to authorize the Secretary of the Interior to enter into an agreement to lease space from a nonprofit group or other government entity for a park headquarters at San Antonio Missions National Historical Park, to expand the boundary of the Park, to conduct a study of potential land acquisitions, and for other purposes, as amended.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on the bill under consideration.

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

Mr. Speaker, H.R. 4438 was introduced by Representative Ciro Rodriguez from San Antonio, Texas. The bill would expand the boundaries of the San Antonio Missions National Historical Park and require a study of possible further additions.

San Antonio Missions National Historical Park was established in 1978 to preserve, restore, and interpret four Spanish missions along the San Antonio River. H.R. 4438 would expand the current boundaries of the park to include 151 acres of land that has already been found suitable for addition to the park. The bill also would direct the NPS to study other lands that might be suitable for inclusion in the park boundaries in Bexar and Wilson Counties.

The version before the House today does not include language that would have authorized the park to lease space outside the park for headquarters offices and an educational center. We have removed that provision to address PAYGO concerns.

Mr. Speaker, Representative Rodriguez has been an excellent advocate for the many people in his district who hope to see this important and historic park grow and flourish. I commend his efforts, and I urge the House to support this excellent bill.

I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Rodriguez), the author of the bill.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself 1 minute.

Mr. Speaker, I would note that the gentlelady from Wyoming has expressed concerns over the pending measure and the one we considered prior to it, which was a National Park Study bill. The next bill we will consider is also a National Park Study bill, and I will be pleased to support it, noting that the gentlelady from Wyoming is that bill's sponsor.

Mr. Speaker, I again urge Members to support the bill.

I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 3989) to authorize the Secretary of the Interior to conduct a special resource study to determine the suitability and feasibility of adding the Heart Mountain Relocation Center, in the State of Wyoming, as a unit of the National Park System.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on the bill under consideration.

Mr. Speaker, H.R. 3989 was introduced by Congresswoman Cynthia Lummis in November of 2009.

Heart Mountain Relocation Center was one of 10 Japanese internment camps set up during World War II when anti-Japanese sentiment was running rampant following the attack on Pearl Harbor. At its peak, nearly 11,000 Japanese Americans who were forced from their communities in California, Washington and Oregon, were detained in Heart Mountain's tar-paper barracks.

H.R. 3989 would direct the National Park Service to construct a special resource study to determine the national significance of Heart Mountain and the suitability and feasibility of designating it as a unit of the National Park System.

Mr. Speaker, we support the passage of H.R. 3989.

I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I again urge Members to support the bill.

I have no further requests for time, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 4773) to authorize the Secretary of the Interior to lease certain lands within Fort Pulaski National Monument, and for other purposes.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on the bill under consideration.

Mr. Speaker, H.R. 4773, introduced by Representative Jack Kingston of Georgia, would allow the National Park Service to lease a small facility at Fort Pulaski National Monument to the Savannah Bar Pilots Association.

The pilots perform a vital public service, keeping the Savannah River and the harbor safe, and they have used this facility at Fort Pulaski for more

than 40 years under a special use permit. H.R. 4773 would regularize that arrangement under a lease.

Mr. Speaker, we urge support of H.R. 4773.

I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I again urge all Members to support the bill.

I have no further requests for time, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and concur in the Senate amendment to the bill (H.R. 689) to interchange the administrative jurisdiction of certain Federal lands between the Forest Service and the Bureau of Land Management, and for other purposes.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on the bill under consideration.

Mr. Speaker, H.R. 689 was introduced by our colleague from California, Representative Herger. The bill authorizes an interchange of land between the Forest Service and the Bureau of Land Management. The specific lands are located within the Shasta-Trinity National Forest and on adjacent public lands in northern California. The purpose of the interchange is to ease problems that off-highway vehicle users are having with permitting. The administration supports this legislation.

H.R. 689 originally passed the House by voice vote on June 2, 2009. The Senate has amended the House-passed version of the bill to clarify the hazardous substance cleanup responsibilities of each agency.

Mr. Speaker, we support passage of this measure with the Senate amendment.

I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I again urge Members to support the bill.

I have no further requests for time, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 4973) to amend the Fish and Wildlife Act of 1956 to reauthorize volunteer programs and community partnerships for national wildlife refuges, and for other purposes, as amended.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on the bill under consideration.

Mr. Speaker, H.R. 4973, the National Wildlife Refuge Volunteer Improvement Act, was introduced by our colleague from Maryland, Representative Frank Kratovil.

The National Wildlife Refuge System encompasses a national network of public lands and waters set aside to conserve habitat and protect natural resources and, consequently, plays an integral role in our national network of Federal public lands.

During these difficult economic times, the government has looked for efficient and practical solutions to lower costs while maintaining critical refuge systems services. The National Wildlife Refuge Volunteer Program serves this purpose. Last year, volunteers contributed to more than 1.5 million hours of support, the equivalent of nearly 750 full-time employees. This is better than $7 returned on each dollar invested.

The pending measure would make the volunteer program permanent, establish a volunteer coordination strategy, and formalize a reporting schedule to ensure oversight and accountability.

I commend Mr. Kratovil for his important work on behalf of this initiative, and I ask Members on both sides to support passage of this bill.

I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I again urge Members to support the bill, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 2864) to amend the Hydrographic Services Improvement Act of 1998 to authorize funds to acquire hydrographic data and provide hydrographic services specific to the Arctic for safe navigation, delineating the United States extended continental shelf, and the monitoring and description of coastal changes, as amended.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on the bill under consideration.

I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Mr. Speaker, recent scientific findings have shown that the Arctic sea ice is shrinking with significantly smaller amounts of summer sea ice cover. Consequently, more open water space in the Arctic Ocean will be available for ship travel, which will present a changed landscape for international marine commerce and national security interests and greater accessibility to natural resources. These activities are likely to create substantial new demands on the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to provide hydrographic data and hydrographic services in the near term.

I support this noncontroversial legislation to amend the Hydrographic Services Improvement Act to give NOAA specific authorization to conduct hydrographic surveys and to provide other hydrographic services in the Arctic, and I urge Members on both sides to do likewise.

I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, we should take this time to congratulate my colleague, Mr. Young, for his work on this legislation. Also, I would like to thank the gentlelady from Wyoming. I've enjoyed managing the bills this afternoon with her.

Mr. Speaker, I urge Members to support the bill, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of the Senate amendments to H.R. 4899, the Supplemental Appropriations Act for 2010. This legislation is critically important to providing funding to our men and women in uniform who are serving in harm's way.

However, this legislation also provides funding that is important to maintaining our strategic posture in the Pacific. The legislation contains $50 million in transfer authority of Department of Defense operation and maintenance funding to the Guam Port Improvement Enterprise Fund at the Maritime Administration. The $50 million in funding is critical for the Port of Guam, in consultation with the Maritime Administration, to begin necessary infrastructure improvements and modernization.

The Port of Guam, on many occasions, has been identified as a potential chokepoint for the delivery of materials and supplies to support the realignment of military forces to Guam and sustain economic development on the island. Without these improvements the realignment of military forces to Guam would be severely delayed, add additional costs to future military construction and potentially harm our civilian economic development. Moreover, these improvements are needed to facilitate the requirements of being designated a strategic port, in fact America's most forward located strategic port in the Western Pacific.

The funding for the Port of Guam in this bill marks an important and very positive step forward for the military build-up on Guam. I thank the Obama administration for their support and leadership on this matter. After Guam was overlooked for important Recovery Act funding, the administration acted after repeated calls by our office for funding for critical civilian infrastructure projects and requested the transfer authority. I also thank Congressman David Obey, Chairman of the House Committee on Appropriations; Congressman Norm Dicks, Chairman of the Subcommittee on Defense, and Congressman John Olver, Chairman of the Subcommittee on Transportation, Housing and Urban Development and Related Agencies, for their support of this provision.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to address the House regarding S.J. Res. 33, which the other body passed on June 17, 2010, and which relates to a proposed Constitution of the Virgin Islands of the United States adopted by the Fifth Constitutional Convention in the territory on May 26, 2009. This particular proposed Constitution was received by the House from the President of the United States with his comments earlier this year, and was read and referred to the Committee on Natural Resources. On March 17, 2010, I chaired an oversight hearing of the Subcommittee on Insular Affairs, Oceans and Wildlife for the purpose of receiving testimony about the proposed Constitution. Testimony was received from a representative of the United States Department of Justice and from leaders in the Virgin Islands, including the Governor and the President of and five other Delegates seated to the Fifth Constitutional Convention. Witnesses addressed both the drafting and review process for the proposed Constitution as well as its substance. Most importantly, witnesses emphasized the meaning that the drafting and adoption of a constitution by and for the people of the Virgin Islands holds for our democracy and for an increased level of self-government for them.

An Act of the 94th Congress codified in Title 48 of the United States Code provides for a Congressional review process for any proposed and locally drafted Constitution for either the Virgin Islands or Guam. Both territories are the only organized jurisdictions presently under the U.S. Flag for which local government is not organized pursuant to a locally

drafted and adopted Constitution. Indeed, a principal purpose of the Act of the 94th Congress, U.S. Public Law 94-584, which governs this process, was to enable the people of both territories to organize a government pursuant to a Constitution of their own adoption and structured in accordance with their vision.

Absent such a locally adopted Constitution, the governments of the Virgin Islands and Guam have been organized by and derive legitimacy from separate Acts of Congress, which for all intents and purposes serve as de facto Constitutions for the respective territories. These statutes are the Revised Organic Act of 1954 for the Virgin Islands, which superseded the Organic Act of 1936, and the Organic Act of 1950 for Guam.

The people of the Virgin Islands have duly elected five Constitutional Conventions since the enactment of the Revised Organic Act of 1954. Two Conventions in the Virgin Islands were convened prior to the enactment of U.S. Public Law 94-584--in 1964 and 1972, respectively--and three since--in 1978, 1980, and the most recent, the fifth such Convention convened in 2007. Positive steps toward increased self-government for the people of the Virgin Islands were realized as a result of the work of the 1964 and 1972 conventions, including an amendment by Congress to the Revised Organic Act that allowed for the Governor of the Virgin Islands to be chosen by popular election beginning in 1965. The work of the third and fourth conventions resulted in transmittals of whole proposed Constitutions to the Congress, and similarly served as a continued exercise of and toward greater self-government for the people of the Virgin Islands.

In 1977, one year following the enactment of U.S. Public Law 94-584, a Constitutional Convention was convened in Guam and composed of Delegates elected by the people of Guam. The particular proposed Constitution drafted by that Convention was not ultimately adopted by the people of Guam. Discussion arose then among the voters and leaders of Guam about whether approval of local constitutional government in Guam might preclude or be prejudicial to the exercise of their right to self-determination, and efforts in subsequent years were concentrated predominately on resolving the territory's ultimate political status.

The Fifth Constitutional Convention of the Virgin Islands marks another point in the continued journey of the people of the Virgin Islands toward increased self-governance and their commitment to a democratic form of government. The President noted such in his comments to Congress on this most recent, proposed Constitution. While certain legal questions have been raised regarding several of its features that are noted in the President's comments, the proposed Constitution in and of itself represents significant effort and work undertaken by leaders in the Virgin Islands dedicated to their community and to our democracy.

I commend the leadership that our colleague, Mrs. Christensen, has brought to bear in this process and in all issues pertaining to governance in the territories. This body is now considering a measure that the Senate has sent to us. I would be remiss if I did not note the implications for my district, Guam. As leaders in Guam may in the future decide to again take up the work to draft and adopt a Constitution locally, it is important that Congress remain cognizant of and open to such opportunity.

S.J. Res. 33 proposes to amend the underlying statutory scheme governing such a process to allow for formal revision of a proposed Constitution after it has been initially transmitted to the President and Congress. In doing so, it requires a reconvened Constitutional Convention to resubmit a proposed Constitution in any form it may so revise it to the Governor of the Virgin Islands and the President. In amending Section 5 of U.S. Public Law 94-584 for this purpose, S.J. Res. 33 would separate and designate as separate subsections the existing four sentences of such Section. Additionally, it would insert a new subsection (c) in the middle of the existing language to provide for the resubmitting requirement. However, the proposed amendment of the Senate would only insert a reference to the Governor of the Virgin Islands in this instance despite the fact the underlying statute is structured such that the process is to apply both to the Virgin Islands and Guam, respectively. Revisiting this language may become important should leaders in Guam at any point in the future again convene a Constitutional Convention.

Ultimately, it is important for Congress to remain responsive to and supportive of leaders in both territories as they work to advance local self-government and provide for the rule of law.

Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of H. Res. 1464, recognizing the 50th anniversary of the conclusion of the United States-Japan Treaty of Mutual Cooperation and Security and expressing appreciation to the Government of Japan and the Japanese people for enhancing peace, prosperity, and security in the Asia-Pacific region. I thank Chairman Eni Faleomavaega and Chairwoman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen for their leadership in developing this legislation. The treaty ushered in an era of greater political and economic cooperation between our two great nations. The treaty's signing in 1960 transformed the alliance between the United States and Japan and has allowed both nations to enjoy 50 years of increased economic prosperity and promoted mutual security interests for the Asia-Pacific region.

Since the enactment of the Treaty, the United States and Japan have become two of the world's largest and most productive economies as both nations have benefited from their trade relationship. Further, the longstanding forward presence of the U.S. Armed Forces in Japan has provided the deterrence capabilities necessary to ensure regional stability. Increased exchanges between our countries like the U.S.- Japan Legislative Exchange Program have fostered a greater understanding and respect between our two legislative bodies.

In the 21st century, this strong partnership with Japan will continue to evolve. Most evident is our security relationship which is undergoing change. The 2006 United States-Japan Roadmap for Realignment Implementation outlines major realignment of military forces in Japan. The establishment of a new Futenma Replacement Facility is the lynchpin to realigning 8,600 Marines and their dependents from Okinawa, Japan to Guam. The commitments of the Roadmap have since been reaffirmed by U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton and former Japanese Foreign Minister Hirofumi Nakasone. The realignment of military forces underscores the continuing importance of the security relationship between our two nations. It also symbolizes the importance of more strategically aligning our forces in the Asia-Pacific region to meet current and emerging threats. The relationship between our two nations will only continue to grow. Beyond the realignment of forces I believe our two nations can partner to provide greater leadership in the region, more opportunities for green technology in the Pacific islands, jointly combat piracy on the high-seas, and continue to invest in this important part of the world.

For those reasons and more, I believe H. Res. 1464 recognizes and encourages these important aspects of U.S.-Japanese relations and will assist in continuing our mutually beneficial relationship for decades to come.