Floor Statements

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the service and sacrifice of

United States Army Sergeant Joshua Akoni Sablan Lukeala. SGT Lukeala served in the 101st Airborne Division's Air Assault team based out of Fort Campbell, Kentucky, and on June 9, 2010, SGT Lukeala passed away in support of Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan. He was 23 years old.

SGT Lukeala was born on February 19, 1987, to Anthony and Dorothy Lukeala of Yigo, Guam. The son of a retired Army veteran and Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps instructor, SGT Lukeala's career began with the JROTC at Simon Sanchez High School where he excelled as an expert marksman. In 2005, he enlisted in the U.S. Army soon after his high school graduation. He was deployed to Iraq under the Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division in 2007, and during his deployment, SGT Lukeala was wounded by an improvised explosive device that detonated nearby while on foot patrol. The force of the blast caused SGT Lukeala to suffer partial hearing loss, and he was later awarded the Purple Heart in recognition of his service in Iraq.

Although he sustained injuries during his previous tour in Iraq, SGT Lukeala continued his service to our nation with the 101st Airborne Division in support of operations in Afghanistan. His commitment to the cause of freedom and to serving our nation on multiple tours of duty is to be commended. On June 9, 2010, SGT Lukeala paid the ultimate sacrifice in answering the call of duty, and I join our community in mourning the loss of SGT Lukeala and, on behalf of a grateful nation, I offer condolences to his wife, Deniece Nave Lukeala; his daughter; his parents, Anthony and Dorothy Lukeala; his brother, Anthony Keoni Lukeala; and to his many family and friends. We will never forget the sacrifice SGT Lukeala made for our freedom.

May God bless the family and friends of SGT Joshua Akoni Sablan Lukeala, God bless Guam, and God bless the United States of America.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of House Resolution 1330, introduced by my colleague Mr. Sam Farr of California. The Resolution calls upon the United States to recognize World Oceans Day, where we pay tribute to the oceans for what it provides and recognize our duty to protect, conserve, maintain, and rebuild our ocean and its resources so it may continue to be enjoyed by future generations.

As the Chairwoman of the Subcommittee on Insular Affairs, Oceans and Wildlife, I fully support House Resolution 1330, which brings attention to the importance of our world's oceans in our cultural, social, economic and scientific life. Since 1992, the world has celebrated World Oceans Day, with the first celebrated at the Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro. This year's theme, ``Oceans of Life,'' is fitting as our oceans contain great biodiversity that sustain our human population.

The people in my home district of Guam fully understand the significance of our oceans. As an island community in the Western Pacific, our economy relies on the natural beauty of our beaches to support our tourism industry. Understanding that our beaches

allow both residents and tourists to engage in recreational activities, the people of Guam remain responsible environmental stewards. The oceans surrounding Guam, which continue to sustain life on the island, are a central part of Chamorro culture. This appreciation of the ocean by all of Guam's residents is rooted in an understanding that it is important to protect our natural resources, which include our coral reefs, fish and marine life.

Unfortunately, the health of our oceans is threatened at all levels. From climate change affecting our ocean's biodiversity to the most recent oil disaster in the Gulf Coast, we must continue to work to address these issues so that future generations are able to experience the educational, recreational and economic benefits of our world's oceans.

With that, I ask all my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to support House Resolution 1330, recognizing World Ocean Day.

Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 1061) to transfer certain land to the United States to be held in trust for the Hoh Indian Tribe, to place land into trust for the Hoh Indian Tribe, and for other purposes, as amended.

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.

Madam Speaker, H.R. 1061 would transfer certain Federal and non-Federal land in the State

of Washington to the Hoh Indian Tribe to be held in trust by the United States for the benefit of the tribe.

The Hoh Indian Tribe is located on the coast of Washington. Its coastline is situated such that it is subject to frequent flooding and is located in a tsunami zone. The tribe has acquired approximately 420 acres of land from private sources to relocate its government offices and tribal members. The bill would place this newly acquired 420 acres of land into trust for the tribe.

H.R. 1061 would also transfer approximately 37 acres of land from the Olympic National Park into trust for the tribe in order to connect the tribes's newly acquired lands to its current lands. The National Park Service has no objection to this transfer. No gaming may be conducted on any lands placed into trust pursuant to this act. In addition, there are several restrictions on the land being transferred to the tribe from the Olympic National Park.

I want to commend our colleague, Madam Speaker, Mr. Dicks of Washington, for his hard work and dedication to this legislation, and I ask my colleagues to support its passage.

I reserve the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from Washington (Mr. Dicks).

(Mr. DICKS asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

Madam 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.

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

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 518) honoring the life of Jacques-Yves Cousteau, explorer, researcher, and pioneer in the field of marine conservation, 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 resolution under consideration.

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

I rise in support of House Resolution 518. It's a resolution to honor the life and achievements of Jacques-Yves Cousteau, introduced by my good friend from Florida, Ileana Ros-Lehtinen.

Mr. Cousteau spent his lifetime as a researcher, explorer, and pioneer in the field of marine conservation. He produced more than 120 films, wrote more than 50 books, and was the first diver to take color footage at a depth over 150 feet. Mr. Cousteau's work brought the colorful, exotic, and unknown world of undersea life to the homes of people around the world and, in doing so, sparked a generation of conservation-minded ocean activists.

The Cousteau Society for the Protection of Ocean Life, founded by Cousteau in 1973, today boasts more than 360,000 members globally. House Resolution 518 would officially honor the brilliant and inspirational work of Jacques-Yves Cousteau and recognize his invaluable contributions to our understanding of the world's oceans. It is most fitting that we honor him today, Mr. Speaker, because today is World Oceans Day.

With that, I ask Members on both sides of the aisle to support the passage of this resolution.

I reserve the balance of my time.

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

Mr. Speaker, in closing, I want to go on record to say that I agree with the gentlewoman from Florida that this oil spill is a tragedy. I will work very closely with our chairman, Mr. Nick Rahall, to ensure that the laws are changed to prevent such a disaster in the future.

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

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

Mr. Chair, today I rise in strong support of H.R. 5136, the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2011. The bill continues a strong tradition under the leadership of Chairman Ike Skelton of Missouri of providing our men and women in uniform with the training, equipment and authorities that they need to protect our country. In particular, I rise in strong support of subtitle C of title 28 of this bill which includes several provisions that further strengthen Congressional oversight of the military build-up on Guam and directly address concerns raised in the draft environmental impact statement on the military build-up.

Of significant importance is Section 2822 which grants authority to the Secretary of Defense to assist the Government of Guam in

providing funding for civilian infrastructure improvements required as a result of the realignment of military installations and the relocation of military personnel on Guam. Congress has granted this authority before, most recently during the realignment of forces to Bangor, Washington. The authority granted to the Secretary addresses concerns raised by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and our community in regards to mitigating the impact of the buildup on our local infrastructure. The authority granted in Section 2822 also expands on President Obama's request for $50 million in transfer authority to modernize infrastructure at the Port of Guam. To accommodate the influx of servicemembers and their dependents, our island will have to modernize aging infrastructure, build and repair roads, improve water and wastewater capacity, and increase capacity at the Port of Guam among many other preparations. This authority will assist our island in preparing for the realignment of forces to Guam and mitigate impact to our community.

Section 2824 is also important as it allows the Secretary of Defense to transfer rights and management authority of Navy's water and wastewater system to the Guam Waterworks Authority. This provision will create one single water and wastewater system on the island, create economies of scale, and will remove redundancies in our current system.

Most importantly, I worked to include an amendment that incorporated the full text of H.R. 44, ``The Guam World War II Loyalty Recognition Act,'' to the National Defense Authority Act for Fiscal Year 2011. This provision would recognize the people of Guam for their sacrifices during World War II when Guam was occupied by enemy forces. With the realignment of forces to Guam, it is important that this longstanding issue be resolved so that the military build-up on Guam is implemented with community support. The Guam World War II Loyalty Recognition Act was adopted by the House as an amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2010, but was subsequently removed during conference with the Senate. I thank my colleagues for voting to adopt this provision once again.

I want to thank Chairman Ike Skelton of the House Armed Services for his leadership on issues affecting the readiness of our military forces. I look forward to working with my colleagues toward passage of H.R. 5136 by the full House of Representatives.

Mr. Chair, I was absent from the Chamber today, Friday, May 28, 2010, due to the travel schedule for my return to my district on account of official business. Had I been present for the one rollcall vote taken today in the Committee of the Whole House on the State of the Union on the amendments that were offered to H.R. 5136-- National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2011, I would have voted as follows: ``aye'' on the En Bloc Amendments, as modified, No. 9 offered by Chairman Skelton of Missouri (rollcall vote 333).

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the service of Jesus Dias Perez, a resident of Guam who on Sunday, May 16, 2010, celebrated his 90th birthday.

Jesus was born on May 16, 1920, in the village of Agana to Felix Flores Perez and Josefa Diaz. In 1941, Jesus enlisted in the U.S. Navy where he would go on to serve in World War II and the Korean War. He retired in 1961, having attained the rank of Chief Petty Officer.

He continued his commitment to public service after his retirement from the Navy, going to work for the County of San Diego, California. There, he supervised the County's Juvenile Ranch Facility, a correction and rehabilitation center for troubled youth. Jesus was committed to helping young adults get a second chance and a fresh start in life. Jesus also was an active member of the San Diego Elk's Lodge and participated in the Elks Club's chapter in Chula Vista. Jesus completed numerous community service projects on behalf of our nation's veterans.

Despite living thousands of miles from his home on Guam, Jesus continued to contribute to the Guam community, opening his home to family, friends, fellow veterans, and patients from Guam receiving care at San Diego medical facilities.

Jesus was married to the late Margaret Chamberlain and has one daughter, two grandchildren, and four great-grandchildren.

Today, I commend Jesus Perez for his lifetime of service to Guam, our community, our veterans, our youth, and our nation. I also join with his family and friends in congratulating him on his 90th birthday. We appreciate his contributions to our nation and our community.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the life and service of John Vincent Pangelinan Gerber, a lifetime resident of the village of Ordot, Guam. John Gerber passed away on May 4, 2010 at the age of 58.

Born on May 31, 1951, in Guam, John is the eldest son of Martin and Dolores Gerber. He attended Barrigada Junior High School, Father Duenas Memorial School, and after graduating from George Washington High School, he enlisted in the United States Marine Corps on June 4, 1969. After completing basic training at Marine Corps Recruit Depot in San Diego, John was deployed to Vietnam where he served with the Fleet Logistics Command in support of the 1st and 3rd Marine Divisions. Following his tour of duty in Vietnam, John was assigned to Bravo Company at Marine Barracks Guam. John Gerber was honorably discharged from the U.S. Marine Corps on June 3, 1975.

John Gerber began his civilian career as a young radio disc jockey on the Wireless Rock Show and later established a record store in Guam's capital of Hagatna called the Wireless Rock Music Box. John also started a charter boat tour company that took visitors around Guam's southern shores.

In 1992, John joined the Guam Chapter of the 3rd Marine Division Association, and as a member of this service organization, he devoted his time to helping his fellow Marines, service members, and veterans. John invited individuals or groups associated with the 3rd Marine Division visiting Guam to one of the famous Gerber fiestas at his home in Ordot, and while there, Marine Corps veterans groups and service members would be treated to an evening of Chamorro hospitality. Throughout his lifetime, John and the 3rd Marine Division Association hosted over 16,000 service members on Guam.

In 2004, John Gerber led a petition to rename Route 1 on Guam from Marine Drive to Marine Corps Drive. John argued that the intent of the original authorization for the highway was to recognize the U.S. service members who liberated Guam. That same year,

John walked from Andersen Air Force Base to Naval Base Guam, 27 miles in total, while pulling a cart the entire length. His campaign was successful, and Route l in Guam is now officially named Marine Corps Drive. Every year, John also loaned his restored World War II-era vehicles as part of Guam's Liberation Day Parade.

On July 21, 2008, the 64th anniversary of the Liberation of Guam, John opened the Pacific War Museum on Guam. This non-profit museum was built by John to showcase his World War II-era memorabilia and to educate the public on the War in the Pacific.

I join our community in mourning the loss of John Gerber, and I offer my sincere condolences to his wife, Mela Gomez Gerber; his siblings, Martin, Joyce, Wanda, Debra and Janet; his children, Ryan, Christiana, Storm and Rio; and to his many family, friends and fellow Marines. He will be missed.

Madam Speaker, I also request that two additional items be entered into the Congressional Record. The first is a tribute to John Gerber from Brigadier General Ben Blaz, the former Member of Congress from Guam. General Blaz was a good friend of John Gerber, and he composed this tribute in his memory.

My Friend

His name was John. He was exceedingly proud of his Chamorro

heritage. He was the personification of a United States

Marine. He was unabashedly loyal to America.

We hailed from the same village, metro Ordot, as he would

say on occasion. His effervescent presence was always felt;

sometimes quietly, other times not. His devotion to his

friends was profound; his tolerance for those with whom he

disagreed was noteworthy, at times!

It is said that in life, there is a time to grow and a time

to glow. John did both in tandem. He was endowed with a

natural ability to rally and to lead those with him to reach

their goal. Many of his accomplishments were in keeping with

a vow he made to a dying friend that he would strive to do

well the rest of his life. His intense commitment to fulfill

that vow resulted, among others, in the establishment of a

remarkable museum to remind all of us how dearly the

liberators and the liberated paid for the freedom we enjoy

today.

In acknowledgement of his many accomplishments, I invited

John and his wife to join me as Guest of Honor on the

reviewing stand for the performance of the Marine Corps

Battle Colors Detachment at Asan Park in March. He would not

accept the invitation. I asked him a second time and he

declined once more because he would prefer to be with his

comrades--veterans of all the Services. I approached him a

third time and threatened not to attend the ceremony unless

he and his wife joined me. Reluctantly, he accepted for which

I was so grateful for no other guest present that day was

more deserving than he to be honored.

My friend's full name was John Vincent Pangelinan Gerber.

He was shorter than I, but I looked up to him for he was an

extraordinary man from whom I learned to be a better person.

John did not seek fame; it sought him!

Semper Fidelis, Marine!

The second item is the eulogy offered by Colonel Robert Loynd of the U.S. Marine Corps at John Gerber's memorial service. Colonel Loynd is with Marine Forces Pacific and was asked to deliver the eulogy at the request of John Gerber's family.

Eulogy to John Gerber--Fellow Marine

Let me begin by saying what a distinct honor it is to stand

before you on this altar today in the presence of this

beloved and storied Marine, and represent with this eulogy

the memories, sorrow, gratitudes and condolences of all

United States Marines around the globe who have had the

privilege of knowing John Gerber. And I use the past tense

loosely here, because there are many United States Marines

yet to come who will also undoubtedly have the privilege of

getting to know John and his legacy while visiting his

Pacific War Museum--an unyielding and enduring structure of

steel and iron, lovingly filled with artifacts of sacrifice

and recollections of wartime faithful devotion--built by John

Gerber's hands, to withstand the rigors of time. In many

ways, John and the Museum itself are one in the same--

steadfast, lasting, loyal, engaging, welcoming, enlightening,

forgiving, hallowed, and revered. Timeless qualities that

transcend any earthly existence.

I first heard the name ``John Gerber'' about four years ago

in 2006 in an unlikely place. I was sitting in the Incheon

International Airport in Seoul, Korea awaiting a late-night

flight to Guam for Alliance talks between senior U.S. and

Korean military leaders. The mere fact that I remember that

moment speaks volumes about John, in and of itself. I wasn't

part of the specific conversation at the airport, and like

most staff officers who carry the laptops and briefing books

for the senior officers, I was only pretending to be

attentive as I sat on the periphery of two general officers,

one couch over in the airport terminal, who were engaged in

what appeared to me to be largely irrelevant banter. Amidst

the sleep-inducing drone I suddenly heard a sentence that

leaped-out at me with alarming clarity and purpose:

``Nobody's done more for the Marine Corps' legacy on Guam

than John Gerber.'' Needless to say, I was intrigued and

leaned-in to see if I could hear more. With frustration,

however, I leaned back in my chair as the sentence ended

right there, with the two Generals nodding to each other in

stern, solemn agreement. My intrigue would have to remain

unsolved--one of the unfortunate aspects of ``experience''

in the Marine Corps--for I had learned many years before

that it would not have been wise at that moment for the

LtCol--one couch over--to interrupt two Generals engaged

in a private conversation by asking: ``Excuse me, Sir--Who

is John Gerber?''

2nd Lieutenant Loynd might have asked. . . .

But the sentence stayed with me, and it wouldn't be until

April of last year in 2009 that I would finally gain the

honor of meeting The Man. Since then, I have found myself

often repeating the same sentence, in my own conversations,

with the same clarity, distinction and purpose that I heard

it with four years ago: ``Nobody's done more for the Marine

Corps' legacy on Guam than John Gerber.'' Truer words were

never spoken.

Knowing what I know now about John and what he means to the

Marine Corps and our heritage, I should have interrupted the

generals four years ago with my question. Instead of the

expected steely-eyed glare for interrupting, I'm certain that

I would have been educated in a heartfelt way about the Man

and his incredible legacy. The General's response most likely

would have been something like: ``Well Bob, let me tell you

about my friend John Gerber. . . .''

What he would have told me would have been a reverent tale

about a man who devotes every waking moment of his life to

serving others, to honoring the legacy of sacrifice and

commitment by those veterans who demonstrated the full

measure of devotion to their country and their comrades, and

about a man who loves the Marine Corps and his fellow Marines

with every fiber of his being.

When I did finally meet John in April of 2009 at his

museum, I immediately sensed something unique--that I was in

the presence of a man so humble and modest, but yet so

commanding and persuasive at the same time. I was on an

advanced visit to Guam a couple of months prior to moving

here from my assignment at Headquarters Marine Corps. My

predecessor on Guam, Col. Paul Brier, made sure to bring me

to the Museum to meet John on the very first day of my visit.

We were immediately greeted by John around the back, his

Marine Corps ball cap tilted back on his head, his gray

``Marines'' t-shirt soaked through with sweat and covered

with twigs, mulch, and sawdust. I was meeting a man of the

earth, imbued with an ethic of labor and hard work. Shaking

his hand, the roughness of his palm immediately told me the

story. But I was also meeting a man of tremendous intellect,

as I learned more in the first five minutes about Guam's

cross-cultural history and conflicts than my jet-lagged brain

could absorb. We went through the museum and I was machine-

gunned by John with not only Marine history about the 3rd

Marine Division at Asan and the 1st Marine Provisional

Brigade at Agat, but very personal tales of courage, heroism,

love and devotion. Of men like Medal of Honor recipient Capt.

Louis Wilson, and Catholic Priest Father Duenas; about

hometown Chamorro Marine Corps officers and leaders such as

Capt. Peter Siguenza and BGen Ben Blaz, about Underwood and

Puller and about the 1,548 United States Marines who

gallantly gave their lives in the Liberation of Guam. And

true to his character, John presented a balanced and open-

minded perspective, as we transitioned to the other wing of

the museum where I was overwhelmed with his equally in-depth

knowledge of the Japanese perspectives of the war.

Our relationship would grow over the next year and I would

routinely turn to John for help in ensuring that our visiting

Marines--his Marines--were well taken care of.

Two months ago, I was asked to write a letter of

recommendation to support the nomination of John to receive

the prestigious ``Colonel John H. Magruder III Award'' from

the Marine Corps Heritage Foundation in Quantico, Virginia.

Once again, I found myself using that famous sentence from

Korea. And I quote the final paragraph of my letter of

recommendation:

``Over the course of the past two decades, no person has

done more to honor the history and reputation of the United

States Marine Corps on Guam than John Gerber. His Pacific War

Museum remains a sole outpost of Marine Corps heritage in the

vast Mid-Pacific. Visited by commandants, generals,

congressmen, Marines, history enthusiasts, tourists, children

and citizens of various nations alike, John's museum both

inspires and brings contemplative reflection. For his

tireless devotion to depicting the legacy, service and

history of the United States Marine Corps in the Pacific, I

can think of no finer recipient of the ``Colonel John H.

Magruder III Award'' than John Gerber.''

I have high hopes that this award will come true. But in my

mind, there was no greater local recognition of John's

devotion than to see him and Mel sitting next to BGen Ben

Blaz as Guests of Honor for the performance of the storied

Marine Corps Battle Color Detachment at Asan Beach this past

March--a first ever performance on Guam that could not have

been a success, without, once again, John Gerber's legendary

passion, love, devotion and work-ethic. John singlehandedly

prepared the Asan Park for a performance befitting the

Marines from 8th and I. And because of that --they will be

back. And I know they will be playing a tune for John.

Rudyard Kipling once wrote:

``If you can fill the unforgiving minute

With sixty seconds' worth of distance run

Yours is the Earth and everything that's in it,

And--which is more--you'll be a Man my son!''

Well, from May 3Ist, 1951 until May 4th 2010, the Man--John

Vincent Pangelinan Gerber--ran the distance everyday and

filled every unforgiving, unyielding minute of his life with

action, passion and commitment. John nurtured his earth and

everyone who was in it, and today we Marines extend our

collective devotion and gratitude to John for having been one

of us--our friend, our standard-bearer and Guam's most

devoted Marine.

Now, it's a tragic misunderstanding that some may think

that Marines aren't prone to poetry (and don't worry--I

didn't write one), but John Gerber was a fan of poetry--his

favorite poem being one of the greatest ever written--``The

Marines Hymn.'' And we Marines will be coming to attention

for that later today in John's honor. But I do want to end

with a beautiful sonnet written by the Anglo-American Poet

John Gillespie Magee that eulogized the laying to rest of the

famous World War I English poet Rupert Brooke, who died on

his way to the Battle of Gallipoli. As I read it, please

think of John Gerber, all that he is, and all that he has

achieved in his wonderfully productive life on earth.

``We laid him in a cool and shadowed grove

One evening in the dreamy scent of thyme

Where leaves were green, and whispered high above--

A grave as humble as it was sublime;

There, dreaming in the fading deeps of light--

The hands that thrilled to touch a woman's hair;

Brown eyes, that loved the Day, and looked on Night,

A soul that found at last its answered Prayer. . .

There daylight, as a dust, slips through the trees.

And drifting, gilds the fern around his grave--

Where even now, perhaps, the evening breeze

Steals shyly past the tomb of him who gave

New sight to blinded eyes; who sometimes wept--

A short time dearly loved; and after,--slept.''

Rest in Peace, John. Mission Accomplished.

Semper Fidelis Marine.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 4491) to authorize the Secretary of the Interior to conduct a study of alternatives for commemorating and interpreting the role of the Buffalo Soldiers in the early years of the National Parks, 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. 4491, introduced by Representative Jackie Speier of California, would authorize the National Park Service to conduct a special resource study to determine appropriate and feasible ways to commemorate the African American cavalrymen known as the Buffalo Soldiers and the important role that they played in the early years of the national parks. These soldiers played a critical role in protecting Yosemite and Sequoia National Parks and served as the Nation's first park rangers.

Under the proposed legislation, the National Park Service would evaluate alternatives to commemorate and interpret the roles of the Buffalo Soldiers. They would also evaluate the suitability and feasibility of establishing a national historic trail along the route used by the Buffalo Soldiers from their post in the Presidio of San Francisco to the Sierra Nevada Mountains.

Representative Speier is to be commended for her work to highlight this important chapter in African American history and in the history of our national parks.

Mr. Speaker, H.R. 4491 received broad bipartisan support in committee, and I urge its adoption by the House today.

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.

Madam Speaker, today I have introduced a bill to amend the Sikes Act to improve natural resources management planning for State-owned installations used for the national defense. I have introduced this bill after working with appropriate officials at the Department of Defense (DOD). The amendments proposed by DOD will improve coordination between DOD, the Department of the Interior and State, Territorial and local partners for the protection of fish and wildlife resources on DOD lands and State-owned installations used for the national defense.

As the Chairwoman of the Subcommittee on Insular Affairs, Oceans and Wildlife and as a member of the Committee on Armed Services, this bill that I have introduced today is appropriate as the 111th Congress moves forward with an agenda promoting responsible environmental stewardship. DOD controls nearly 25 million acres of valuable fish and wildlife habitat at approximately 400 military installations nationwide. These lands contain a wealth of plant and animal life, vital wetlands for migratory birds and habitat for nearly 300 federally listed threatened and endangered species. For 50 years, the Sikes Act has helped the commanders of these installations balance their use of air, land and water resources for military training and testing with the need to conserve and rehabilitate these important ecosystems. In past National Defense Authorization Acts, Congress has made improvements to the Sikes Act and my bill, the Sikes Act Amendments Act of 2010, continues this progress by proposing three significant improvements to the law.

First, my bill clarifies the scope of the Sikes Act by extending its provisions to State-owned National Guard installations, including the requirement to develop and implement Integrated Natural Resources Management Plans, INRMP, that are already required for federally owned military installations. Another provision in this bill would make permanent the successful invasive species management pilot program on Guam, authorized into law in 2004, and expand its score to all military installations. Finally, the bill makes several technical and clarifying changes to the U.S. Code to make it consistent with other subheadings and titles.

I want to thank Chairman Solomon Ortiz of the House Armed Services Subcommittee on Readiness for his leadership on issues affecting management of military installations and the readiness of our military forces. I also thank Chairman Nick Rahall of the House Natural Resources Committee for his leadership in providing for seamless protection for our fish and wildlife resources, a national treasure, across all public lands. I look forward to working with my colleagues in both the Natural Resources Committee and the Armed Services Committee in receiving testimony, support and views on the Sikes Act Amendments Act of 2010.

Mr. Chairman, I rise in support of H.R. 2499, the Puerto Rico Democracy Act of 2009, introduced by our colleague Congressman Pedro Pierluisi. As the chairwoman of the Subcommittee on Insular Affairs, Oceans and Wildlife, I fully support this bill, which the full Natural Resources committee reported out favorably on July 22nd of last year.

H.R. 2499 is an important bill for both Puerto Rico and the other U.S. Territories. As the delegate from Guam, I understand the desire of residents in the territories to decide their future and make a determination about their political future. Guam and Puerto Rico were both ceded to the United States after the Spanish American War in 1898. The communities in Guam and Puerto Rico have long traditions of patriotism and loyalty to the United States. In fact, both Guam and Puerto Rico boast some of the highest per-capita rates of military service in the United States. But while we are proud and fortunate to be Americans, we must be given an opportunity to decide our future political status. H.R. 2499 will provide the people of Puerto Rico a congressionally-sanctioned process to express their preferences regarding their political status. The bill's broad, bipartisan base of cosponsors as well as the unified support it enjoys among Puerto Rico's elected and governing leaders should not be overlooked, and in fact, should prompt us today to decisively pass this bill. Appropriate deference on questions about ballot format and process should be given to Governor Fortuno, the legislature leaders of Puerto Rico, and our colleague, Congressman Pierluisi of Puerto Rico. They are the democratically elected leaders of the people desiring Congress to sanction a process for them to exercise their fundamental right to self-determination.

Mr. Chairman, Article 4, Section 3 of the Constitution makes it clear that Congress has the power to make needful rules and regulations governing the territories. Passing the Puerto Rico Democracy Act will fulfill the responsibility this body has to over 4 million American citizens.

Each territory is on a different path toward self-determination, and what is appropriate for Puerto Rico may not be suitable for the other territories. But I firmly believe that the process established by H.R. 2499 is the best way for the people of Puerto Rico to exercise their right to self-determination and express their desires to Congress to ultimately resolve their political status. I urge my colleagues to vote yes on this important and needed legislation.

Madam Speaker, today I have introduced a resolution to support the goals and ideas of the International Year of Biodiversity and to recognize the importance of biodiversity to ecosystems and human well-being. As our understanding of the interactions between humans and the environment grows, it has never been more evident and is highly dependent on our natural resources for the ecological goods, services and raw materials that underpin our economies, provide for our well- being, and are functional to many cultures. And accordingly, many of the goods and services on which we depend, both directly and indirectly, are supported by Earth's rich biodiversity.

Biodiversity describes the variety of plant and animal life on earth, the places they inhabit, and the interactions between them. Today scientists have identified over 1.7 million species and have estimated that at least 13 million are in existence. Biodiversity allows ecosystems to be resilient in the face of change, which is critical to consider as we move toward a world where increasing population, economic growth, and unpredictable climate will place additional pressures on our natural resources.

This resolution to support the goals and ideals of the International Year of biodiversity which I have introduced today, recognizes the environmental and societal value of diversity and the urgent need to protect this precious global heritage.

Globally, 35 percent of mangrove swamps have been removed, 40 percent of been cut down, 50 percent of freshwater wetlands have been lost, and 20 percent of coral reefs have been destroyed. While some of these losses might be restored in the future, regrettably many species and habitats, once lost, are gone forever. Moreover, the current pace of habitat loss is rapid, as more natural areas are altered or removed to provide for agriculture and aquaculture production, housing and urban industry and recreation. In my home territory of Guam, we are particularly vulnerable to climate change impacts, including increasing sea temperature, ocean acidification, and sea level rise, which threaten biodiversity within marine habitats. International and domestic conservation strategies are necessary to prevent the unfettered loss of critical areas of biodiversity, in Guam and globally, to ensure that ecosystem goods and services--such as shore protection and sustainable fisheries--are provided future generations.

I look forward to working with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to advance this important resolution to reaffirm the United States' global leadership and longstanding commitment to the preservation and conservation of Earth's biodiversity, and to raise awareness about biodiversity's important role in supporting ecological and human well-being across the world.

Mr. Chairman, I rise in support of H.R. 2499, the Puerto Rico Democracy Act of 2009, introduced by my colleague, Congressman Pedro Pierluisi.

As the chairwoman of the Subcommittee on Insular Affairs, Oceans and Wildlife, I fully support this bill which the full Natural Resources Committee reported out favorably on July 22 last year.

H.R. 2499 is an important bill for Puerto Rico and the other U.S. territories. As the delegate from Guam, I understand the desire of residents in the territories to decide their future and make a determination about their political future. Unlike other speakers here this afternoon, we on Guam are also in this same process of trying to determine our status. H.R. 2499 will provide the people of Puerto Rico a congressionally sanctioned process to express their preference regarding their political status.

Each territory, Mr. Chairman, is on a different path towards self- determination, and what is appropriate for Puerto Rico may not be suitable for other territories. But I firmly believe that the process established by H.R. 2499 is the best way, and I urge my colleagues to vote ``yes.''

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize Ms. Shana Guzman Pangelinan for her entrepreneurial spirit in growing her family- owned business on Guam and her dedication to our community. Ms. Pangelinan is the President of International Distributors, Inc. (IDI) and has been named the U.S. Small Business Administration's Jeffrey Butland Family-Owned Business of the Year for 2010.

A native daughter of Guam, Shana is the second oldest of five children of Frank C. and Annie P. Guzman. Shana graduated from the Academy of Our Lady of Guam High School and attended the University of San Francisco in California as a Business Management major. She returned home to Guam in 1993 and worked with her father, Frank, who established IDI, and learned from him the best practices which allowed Shana to take over management when he passed away in 2000. Under Shana's direction and leadership, IDI continues to thrive.

With the same passion and conviction Shana demonstrates for her business, she dedicates her time and talents to her three children and their school activities. She has served as the Finance Committee Co- Chair for Mercy Heights Nursery School and contributes to the community as a member of the Board of Trustees for the Department of Chamorro Affairs and through organizations such as Hurao, Inc., a non-profit organization whose mission is to perpetuate the Chamorro language and culture. To assist & promote Hurao, Shana has developed her own Chamorro immersion program. With her leadership, IDI continues to support our community by donating produce to various charitable organizations, including Catholic Social Services, Guma' San Jose, Alee Shelter, Department of Youth Affairs, and the Tamuning Senior Citizens Center. Shana also continues her father's legacy by ensuring IDI remains an active member & supporter of the Micronesian Chefs' Association, an organization of which her late father was a founding member, supporting the education and talents of young local chefs.

It is on the occasion of her recognition by the U.S. Small Business Administration as their Jeffrey Butland Family-Owned Business of the Year for 2010, that I join the people of Guam in acknowledging her service and outstanding leadership in our business community.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize Mr. Jack Chan for his leadership and advocacy in support of minority small business owners. Mr. Chan is the Vice President of Kwong Hwa Trading Co. and is the U.S. Small Business Administration's ``Minority Champion of the Year'' for 2010.

Jack was born in Hong Kong in 1972 to Ping Chan and King Ng. He attended elementary school in Hong Kong before relocating with his parents and five siblings to Guam in 1985. He attended John F. Kennedy High School and completed a one year Tourism Vocational Program at Guam Community College during his final year of high school. Jack continued his educational pursuits at the University of Guam, graduating with a Bachelor's degree in Business Administration in Marketing in 1997 while helping to maintain his family's business and working at a local tour agency.

Jack serves as Vice President of Kwong Hwa Trading, and under his leadership, the company continues to work closely with other businesses, suppliers and local government agencies and non-profit organizations to support the local community.

Jack's hard work, dedication and industrious nature have earned him the respect of business leaders in our community and in the western Pacific region. His efforts on the Board of Directors of the Chinese Chamber of Commerce of Guam (CCCG) have made a difference in the participation of other minority business owners and associates as CCCG members. A CCCG Member since the organization's inception, Jack is actively involved in its annual events and activities. Jack's participation in CCCG has helped to raise support and awareness for local organizations such as the Big Brothers and Big Sisters Club of Guam and the American Red Cross Guam Chapter.

It is on the occasion of his recognition by the U.S. Small Business Administration as Minority Champion of the Year for 2010, that I join the people of Guam to acknowledge his service and outstanding leadership in our community.