Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life and legacy of Francisco ``Frank'' C. Blas. Frank was a proud son of Guam and faithful public servant. He served as a Guam Mayor of the village of Tamuning-Tumon-Harmon from 2005 to 2013. Frank was born on February 17, 1942 and passed away on May 16, 2018 at the age of 76.

Frank was the son of Tomas Leon Gurrero Blas and Maria Castro Blas. He was one of 17 children and a member of Guam's greatest generation who survived the occupation of Guam during World War II. Frank graduated from George Washington High School in 1962 and attended the Guam Community College and the University of Guam. He then graduated from the Navy Apprentice Program in 1969.

In his first term as mayor, Frank established the Tamuning Skate Park. He was instrumental in cleaning up illegal trash dump sites, and putting a stop to illegal dumping throughout the village. Frank led the village of Tamuning-Tumon-Harmon through many community events and cleanups, and refurbished the senior citizens center and gymnasium. Frank was also very involved in the local community and volunteered his time with many organizations. He served as president of the U.S. Navy Moral & Welfare Association, vice president of the Central Little League Baseball, coach and manager for PWC Baseball League, president of Hafa Adai Kiwanis International Club, vice president of Tumon Parish Council Blessed Diego San Vitores Catholic Church, and so many more civic organizations.

I am deeply saddened by the passing of Francisco ``Frank'' C. Blas and I join the people of Guam in celebrating his life. He was a dedicated public servant who worked to improve our village of Tamuning- Tumon-Harmon, and the broader community during his tenure.

I extend my condolences to his children and their families. He will be deeply missed, and his memory will live on in the hearts of the people of Guam.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize and commend Soroptimist International of Guam (SI/Guam) as they celebrate the 40th Charter Anniversary. Soroptimist International of Guam is a global volunteer organization that economically empowers women and girls with more than 110,000 members in 21 countries and territories. Soroptimist members work to improve the lives of women and girls who face obstacles such as poverty, violence and teen pregnancy. Soroptimist clubs receive assistance in their volunteer efforts by participating locally in programs developed and sponsored by the Soroptimist organization. Soroptimist International of Guam advocates for the abolition of human trafficking, for equal access to education, for equality in the workplace and teen dating violence prevention.

I am proud to join Soroptimist International of Guam in celebrating 40 years of improving the lives of women and girls through programs leading to social and economic empowerment. On March 8, 1978, I joined with Former Guam Senator Pilar Lujan, Ann Roth, Grace Low, Doris Flores Brooks, Prudence Denight, Edwina Jose, Ana San Nicolas and others in chartering Soroptimist International of Guam from Soroptimist International of the Americas. For the last 40 years, Soroptimist International of Guam recognizes and honors women of all ages who have made a significant impact on the lives of women, girls and the community as a whole. SI/Guam has done this through various awards programs, scholarships, fundraising efforts, and so much more. Through the organization's various fundraising efforts throughout the years, SI/Guam provides financial support through monetary grants to local charitable organizations such as Island Girl Power, Salvation Army, Rigalu Foundation, Westcare Pacific, Big Brothers Big Sisters and others.

I join the people of Guam in recognizing and celebrating the 40th Charter Anniversary of Soroptimist International of Guam. I extend my sincere gratitude to the forty members of SI/Guam and its leadership. I look forward to their future success and continued contributions to the people of Guam.

Mr. Speaker, today I rise to reintroduce the Coral Reef Conservation Reauthorization Act. This bipartisan, comprehensive bill builds on legislation that I have sponsored in the House since 2009 to reauthorize the Coral Reef Conservation Act of 2000.

I want to thank each of my 13 original cosponsors for their support: Representatives Soto, Wasserman Schultz, Hastings, Crist, Castor, Hanabusa, Gabbard, Radewagen, Gonzalez-Colon, Rutherford, Sablan, Plaskett, and Mast.

Our bill for this 115th Congress makes amendments to update and strengthen the 2000 law and reflects coral reef conservation work governmentwide.

Coral reefs are God-given natural infrastructure that provide real, tangible benefits to our coastal and island communities, as well as the Nation at large.

Healthy, resilient coral reefs safeguard against extreme weather, shoreline erosion, and coastal flooding and serve as natural breakwaters for maritime ports and harbors of refuge. Without the reefs to absorb the blunt force of wave action, many island and coastal communities would simply wash away.

Coral reefs also support countless American tourism jobs and valuable fisheries across the United States. According to the National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration, NOAA, coral reefs support upwards of 12 percent of global fisheries and an estimated 25 percent of all known fish species.

In addition, coral reefs are the world's greatest source of biodiversity, covering less than 1 percent of the ocean floor but home to some 25 percent of all known marine species. U.S. territorial waters in the Pacific support the majority of our Nation's shallow water corals.

Guam, my home, sits adjacent to the western Pacific Ocean's Coral Triangle, one of the most biologically diverse and important marine ecosystems on the planet, and yet the planet's coral reefs are in crisis. 2017 marked a prolonged, unprecedented global coral bleaching event. Guam and the western Pacific, long home to some of the most well-preserved reefs in the world, were impacted severely.

Ocean acidification, warming sea temperatures, coastal pollution, invasive species, and other stressors linked to human activity and global climate change threaten to wipe out these incredibly productive ecosystems. These threats have necessitated special protections and listing under the Endangered Species Act for 25 coral species, to date.

The Coral Reef Conservation Reauthorization Act addresses these challenges head-on, with concrete Federal actions and policy changes that will make a difference by:

First, strengthening the Federal response to coral reef emergencies, including vessel groundings, natural disasters, harmful algae blooms, and unexploded ordnance underwater;

Second, minimizing damage to coral reefs from invasive or nuisance species, vessel impacts, marine debris, and derelict fishing gear;

Third, directing new Federal grant making for local coral reef conservation projects;

Fourth, recognizing the importance of coral reef fisheries and the expertise of local fishery and wildlife management agencies;

Fifth, developing the first-ever national guidelines for environmentally responsible artificial reefs; and

Last, engaging our Nation's marine laboratories, aquariums, Sea Grant colleges, and coral reef institutions in federally funded research on coral biodiversity, propagation, and resiliency.

In particular, our bipartisan bill provides congressional authorization for the U.S. Coral Reef Task Force, codifying Executive Order 13089.

Since 1998, Mr. Speaker, the Coral Reef Task Force has coordinated Federal and local actions to protect coral reefs nationwide. Our bill preserves full voting membership on the task force for the Governors of all five U.S. territories and the States of Florida and Hawaii.

The Coral Reef Conservation Reauthorization Act also authorizes the U.S. Department of the Interior to take action to conserve our coral reefs. Many of our most spectacular coral resources lie within national parks, national wildlife refuges, and marine national monuments.

Congress needs to take action to protect our Nation's irreplaceable coral reef resources, and that starts with reauthorizing the Coral Reef Conservation Act. Mr. Speaker, I urge all Members of our House to join us in cosponsoring the Coral Reef Conservation Reauthorization Act of 2018, and I look forward to working with our House and Senate colleagues to advance this important legislation.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commend and congratulate Mrs. Jonah Mari Gumataotao on being selected as the 2018 Guam Department of Education Teacher of the Year. Mrs. Gumataotao is currently a seventh grade Social Studies teacher and the chief advisor of the National Junior Honor Society at Augeda Johnson Middle School in Ordot, Guam.

Jonah has been a middle school teacher and serving with the Guam Department of Education for eight years. Jonah was chosen through a highly selective process to recognize one of the thousands of public school educators for demonstrating excellence in teaching. She was chosen from over 80 nominees and over 20 applicants by a panel of four judges.

Jonah is passionate about reaching all learners--English language learners, students in the Special Education program, and trying to meet diverse needs and learning styles of her students. She is also interested in discovering new ways to connect the classroom with the local community and instill in her students and NJHS members the importance of serving the island.

Jonah recently led the beautification of two vandalized bus stops in Chalan Pago, and was able to coordinate the help of students, parents, community partners, school staff and the village mayor. The end result was two stunning works of art that helped promote both team work and school spirit.

As a Social Studies, teacher her goals are to encourage students to keep an open mind about different cultures and be inspired to someday travel the world.

Jonah recognizes that all students get a chance and they have to take it. She acknowledges the power of teachers to influence young minds, help shape personalities and contribute directly to future generations. She stresses to her students that success comes from making mistakes and learning from them, sticking by a commitment, and pursuing goals without hesitation.

Jonah has worked diligently to promote excellence in academics and character in her students and she has made a positive influence in the lives of all the students she has taught. I join the people of Guam in congratulating Jonah on this prestigious accomplishment being named the 2018 Guam Department of Education Teacher of the Year. I commend Jonah for her years of service and look forward to many more contributions to our island and nation.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commend and congratulate Nanbo Guam Ltd. (NANBO) on being chosen as the 2018 Guam Chamber of Commerce Hall of Fame Business Laureate. Nanbo Guam Ltd. was established in 1968 and has since engaged in multiple business enterprises as a trading company, a retail operator, investor in industrial laundry business, as well as real property acquisition and development. In its 50 years of doing business on Guam, NANBO has established a reputation as a reliable and trustworthy insurance agent. The business is committed to supporting the community's insurance needs, delivering exceptional customer service and providing quick claims settlement to covering the losses of its customers. NANBO' s commitment to the local community is also evident through its local real estate acquisitions and the 2012 construction of its headquarters in Hagatna, Guam.

NANBO has been able to manage its resources effectively to be able to succeed as a company doing business on Guam for the last 50 years. Nanbo Insurance Underwriters, the central business of NANBO was established in 1969 serving as the exclusive general agent for the Tokio Marine and Fire Insurance Co., Ltd., of Tokyo, Japan since 1969. NANBO has also represented other numerous insurance companies over its years of doing business on Guam. NANBO currently serves as general agent for Tojio Marine Pacific Insurance Limited, Pacific Guardian Life Insurance Company and Sompo Japan Nipponka Insurance Inc., all through NANBO's wholly owned subsidiary, Guahan Insurance Services.

The company has also demonstrated organizational commitment to community service through donations made to various not-for-profit and community organizations. NANBO has additionally supported relief efforts for natural disasters that have affected Guam and the region. NANBO encourages its employees to be active members of the community through various community events and service activities.

Again, I congratulate Nanbo Guam Ltd. on being named the 2018 Guam Chamber of Commerce Hall of Fame Business Laureate. I commend Nanbo Guam Ltd. for their leadership in helping to promote community involvement and support for our local economy. NANBO proudly maintains a knowledgeable and dedicated local staff, is a leader in Guam's insurance industry and support nonprofit organization and events that support the community at large. I join the people of Guam in commending them for their award and thanking them for their many contributions to our island community.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commend and congratulate the Guam Power Authority (GPA) as it celebrates its 50th anniversary of serving the people of Guam. The Guam Power Authority provides electrical services on Guam to residential, commercial, government, and military customers. GPA was created in 1968 as a public corporation and autonomous instrumentality of the Government of Guam, and since that time has maintained and expanded the island wide power system for the island of Guam. In its 50 years of serving the island, GPA has adapted to multiple changing conditions. It has progressed to have enhanced flexibility as a Guam-owned entity with the mission to provide safe, reliable, affordable, and environmentally responsible service to Guam's ratepayers.

GPA adds value to the services it provides through diversifying GPA's energy resources, and conducting maintenance throughout Guam's island wide power system. GPA also offers evolving online services for customers to conduct electric utility business at their convenience, all while continually upgrading its use of technology in all areas.

The agency has grown to meet the economic growth and rapid pace of technological advancements for the island. It has met the challenges of connecting all customers while aiming for superior customer service through accountability, efficiency and responsiveness. GPA has evolved from operating as an isolated power grid system to enhanced reliability with firm Integrated Resource Planning, optimizing energy production costs and forging beneficial public-private partnerships.

GPA has made great strides over the last 50 years to overcome obstacles and continue to grow. Today, the agency employs nearly 500 professional and technical individuals who bring electricity to the homes and businesses of Guam. These employees remain committed to providing energy service and solutions to the 52,000 customers of the Guam Power Authority.

Again, I commend and congratulate the Guam Power Authority (GPA) as it celebrates its 50th anniversary of serving the people of Guam. I commend the Guam Power Authority for their leadership in providing electricity to the local community. I recognize Mr. John M. Benavente, P.E., General Manager, the management team and all employees of the Guam Power Authority for their contributions to the success of GPA. I join the people of Guam in commending them for their service and growth over the last 50 years, and thanking them for their many contributions to our island. I look forward to many more years of success for the Guam Power Authority in support of improving the quality of life for the people of Guam.

Mr. Chairman, first, I commend Chairman Thornberry, Ranking Member Smith, and the committee staff, who have worked many, many long nights on the fiscal year 2019 National Defense Authorization Act, a bill that displays a true example of bipartisan support.

The Subcommittee on Readiness' portion of the bill takes important steps to aid readiness recovery and improve our military's readiness.

The bill includes a number of provisions aimed at improving readiness of the surface Navy. This is a priority for the subcommittee, especially following the four incidents that occurred in the Pacific last year. While the Navy has taken steps to address issues identified in the Strategic Readiness Review and Comprehensive Review, additional steps are still necessary.

The bill also includes reporting requirements to improve oversight of key readiness issues and assess readiness over time. We further address military installations and infrastructure by supporting resiliency, force protection, research and development, and improvements to our defense communities.

The bill provides continuing support to our DOD civilian personnel, who are invaluable to military readiness. Their hard work does not go unnoticed.

I especially thank Chairman Thornberry for following through on his commitment to me to include my provision to address the critical workforce shortages on Guam for our construction and healthcare industries.

I also thank Ranking Member Smith and the distinguished Subcommittee on Readiness chair, Joe Wilson, for all of their support.

It is important that we address Guam's workforce challenges to meet requirements of our international agreements and for enhancing our regional security. I look forward to continuing to work together to protect the full intent of this legislation.

This bill also supports American ship repair jobs on Guam and the United States. The bill requires the Navy to treat vessels without a homeport as if they are homeported in the U.S. or Guam. This will ensure that scheduled maintenance of these ships is performed, as intended, at domestic American shipyards rather than in foreign countries.

In addition, the bill prohibits the Navy from redeveloping Guam's former ship repair facility for any purpose other than to support depot-level maintenance, to include the mooring of a floating dry dock. The Navy should maintain depot-level ship repair capability, especially in the Western Pacific.

Mr. Chairman, I look forward to working with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle as this process continues.

Mr. Chairman, I rise to strongly oppose the Roskam amendment which would force a Federal ban on the territories without our consent.

I am sure Congressman Roskam would not want an amendment forced on his constituents without his consent or input. All five members from the territories oppose this amendment, as cockfighting is a culturally significant practice in many of our islands.

As importantly, this amendment dictates to the territories without any opportunity for our constituents or their elected representatives to have any say.

Guam and other territories have enacted local laws to regulate cockfighting. Congress should not force this on more than 4 million Americans. Are you aware we are denied the right of a vote against this amendment on this House floor?

So many issues affecting the territories require Congress' attention: disaster recovery, poverty, healthcare, infrastructure, education, and equal voting rights on this floor. That is what we should be thinking about, and the House should be spending more time addressing these priorities.

I was not consulted on this matter, and neither were any of the other representatives from the territories. This is not fair, Mr. Chairman. This is not fair.

Yes, I agree. We should all be treated equally. Then why aren't the territories allowed to come down on the floor and to vote for final passage? That is the question I want to ask you. Let's be fair all the way.

Mr. Chairman, I ask this sponsor to withdraw this amendment so that we can provide our input and maybe we can work toward an agreement. Otherwise, I urge all Members to oppose the Roskam amendment.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and commend Dr. Robert A. Underwood for his service to the people of Guam as the 10th President of the University of Guam. Robert has served as the longest president of the university and retired on May 4, 2018.

Robert was born in Guam in 1948 and educated in Guam and California. He was my predecessor here in Congress, and represented our island in this House during the 103rd to 107th Congresses from 1993 to 2003.

Robert's career has been one of exceptional service to our island and people. He became the 10th President of the University of Guam on May 19, 2008 and has since implemented numerous initiatives over the past decade. Upon becoming the l0th President, Robert refined the institution's mission to ``Ina, Diskubre, Setbe'', to transform UOG to the age of globalization, sustainability, and performance improvements.

Robert led the University of Guam to receive a record eight years of accreditation in 2008, and resulting in another record 8 years of accreditation in 2016. During his tenure as president, enrollment at the University of Guam increased by 16 percent and graduation rates improved by 5.5 percent. Numerous undergraduate and graduate degree programs were implemented, as well as financial assistance opportunities to attend the University and for off-island travel through student exchange programs or short-term activities to expand and improve the student experience. Robert led the effort to improve financial accountability which resulted in the University being designated as a federal low-risk auditee from 2008 through 2011 and 2015 through 2017.

He guided an aggressive fundraising effort for the capital improvements campaign through the UOG Endowment Foundation which currently totals over $3 million. Robert established the Research Corporation of the University of Guam (RCUOG) to create an efficient and effective environment to support management of its federal grants portfolio and today provides support to the 84 different grants and contract projects equating to $12.3 million. He ensured engagement with the Guam Open Research & Education Exchange (GOREX) initiative to expand UOG's technological capabilities and outreach with the Region, Asia, Australia, Hawaii, and mainland United States.

Additionally, Robert established the President Lecture Series as a way for leaders to speak with students regarding unique or highly visible topics, and where students and the island community can dialog and grow from the experience. He reinstituted the Triton Athletics Program through the new Athletics Director to increase student recruitment. Robert also led UOG Green strategic initiatives and conducted nine annual UOG Regional Conferences on Island Sustainability to address local, regional, and global matters in areas of responsible environmental stewardship, strong economic development, and social progress and well-being.

Robert made many indelible contributions to the University of Guam and our community at large. On behalf of the people of Guam, I congratulate Dr. Robert A. Underwood on his vast accomplishments and service to Guam. I extend my sincere gratitude to Robert's five children, two grandchildren and his wife, former Guam Senator Nerissa Bretania Underwood for their support of Robert throughout the years. Again, I thank Robert for his leadership in moving our island forward, and I look forward to many more years of service for the people of Guam.

Mr. Speaker, today I introduce the bipartisan Wildlife Conservation and Anti-Trafficking Act of 2018.

I want to first recognize my good friend and Republican colead on this important legislation, Congressman Don Young from Alaska, dean of the House and a longtime conservation leader. I want to thank him for his support as the original cosponsor.

I also want to thank the leading wildlife and marine conservation, whistleblower, and animal welfare groups that have endorsed the bill to date. The Wildlife Conservation and Anti-Trafficking Act will strengthen enforcement against poachers, traffickers, and the global trade in illegal wildlife and seafood products.

Wildlife trafficking; poaching; and illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing rank among the top global crimes, generating billions in illicit profits each year for transnational criminal organizations and extremist groups. In tackling the global wildlife trafficking trade as our bill does, Congress can help to conserve iconic wildlife and cut off illicit financing for groups responsible for human rights abuses, political corruption, and even terrorism worldwide.

Our bipartisan bill includes enforcement provisions passed by the House in November of 2015, by voice vote, which will empower Federal prosecutors and law enforcement to combat the global wildlife trafficking trade. Importantly, the bill also recognizes the critical role that whistleblowers can play in providing the actionable intelligence needed to prosecute wildlife poachers and take down trafficking rings.

By incentivizing whistleblowers on wildlife trafficking and related crimes to come forward, Congress can increase enforcement and leverage existing Federal agency resources and our legal system at no cost to the taxpayers. Our bill also includes several provisions that will support wildlife conservation worldwide by authorizing a comprehensive international wildlife conservation program within the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service; also, stationing law enforcement and agency personnel in wildlife trafficking-focused countries identified by the State Department; and providing dedicated funding for wildlife, marine mammal, sea turtle, and shark conservation at no expense to the taxpayers.

I am especially pleased that our bill provides for marine wildlife species which often go overlooked but are increasingly targeted by poachers, traffickers, and illegal fishing. The bill also expands the Marine Turtle Conservation Fund to make the U.S. territories eligible for funding and to provide for the conservation of endangered freshwater turtles and tortoises. Many of the world's freshwater turtle and tortoise species could become extinct in the next few decades, and all sea turtles found in our Nation's territorial waters are listed under the Endangered Species Act.

U.S. territories are home to numerous marine turtle species, including the endangered hawksbill and the green sea turtles native to Guam and the western Pacific Ocean. Lastly, the bill builds upon the success of two laws which I sponsored: the Shark Conservation Act of 2010 and the Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated Fishing Enforcement Act of 2015.

Together with Congressman Young, we have put together a comprehensive bill that advances wildlife conservation and continues American leadership in tackling wildlife trafficking and the global trade in illegal wildlife and seafood products. And we do all this with existing Federal resources, at no cost to the taxpayers.

I urge all Members of the House to join me and Congressman Young in cosponsoring the Wildlife Conservation and Anti-Trafficking Act of 2018.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life and legacy of the late Eddie Diego Reyes. Eddie was a proud son of Guam and faithful public servant throughout his life. Eddie served the people of Guam as the Lt. Governor of Guam from 1983 to 1987 alongside my husband, the late Governor Ricky Bordallo.

He was born on January 24, 1930 and lived a full and admirable life, passing away on Sunday, April 15, 2018 in Honolulu, Hawaii at the age of 88.

Eddie was the eldest of 9 brothers and sisters of Juan Guevara Reyes and Ana San Nicolas Diego. As the eldest, he carried much of the family responsibility and worked for his father in their liquor stores in Asan and Mangilao. He graduated from George Washington High School in 1950 and sparked his military career in the ROTC Program at the University of St. Thomas in Minnesota where he graduated with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Sociology in 1954. In 1965, he also received his Master of Business Administration in management from George Washington University.

Eddie served in the United States Air Force from 1954 to 1982 when he moved to Guam to run for Lt. Governor. In 1972 Eddie Reyes attained the rank of full Colonel and retired after serving in the U.S. Air Force for nearly 29 years with primary specialty in Director of Personnel Management.

He served his country as a Vietnam War Veteran with service awards in Meritorious Service Medal with Two Oak Leaf Clusters, Air Force Commendation Medal with One Oak Leaf Cluster and Outstanding Unit Award Republic of Vietnam Service Medal. Eddie also served at the Pentagon's Office of Joint Chiefs of Staff, five Major Command Headquarters and was Management Advisor to the Royal Thai Air Force.

Though he was not a politician, Ricky and I saw something special in Eddie, and knew he was the man to serve as Lt. Governor alongside him. Eddie served as Lt. Governor with my late husband Governor Ricardo Bordallo from 1983 to 1987. He was responsible for the day-to-day operations of Executive Branch including the management of the Washington D.C. Liaison Office. He chaired the Governor's Committees on Fiscal Policy, Legislative Review and the White Collar Crime Task Force on Fraud and Abuse.

After completing his term as Lt. Governor, Eddie also served as an instructor at the University of Guam and later served the people of Guam as a senator in the 20th and 22nd Guam Legislature.

Eddie was also involved in the community and served as the Vice President of St. Anthony Parish Council, and as a member of the Air Force Retiree Association, the Air Force Association and the Air Force Institute of Technology Association and the National Conference of Lieutenant Governors.

I will always remember Eddie for his loyalty and service to our island and our nation. I am deeply saddened by his death, and I join the people of Guam in celebrating his life, and recognizing and remembering his dedicated service to Guam. My thoughts and prayers are with his wife of 63 years, Guadalupe C. Reyes and their family.

He will be missed, and his memory will live on in the hearts of the people of Guam.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate the crew of the USS Frank Cable, a submarine tender homeported at Naval Base Guam.

The Frank Cable and her crew were selected for the 2018 Secretary of the Navy's Environmental Award for large deck combatants in recognition of the crew's efforts. The Frank Cable crew have worked diligently to minimize waste aboard and helped to clean up local communities, both on Guam and where they are deployed abroad. Caring for our island and conserving Guam's natural resources are among my top priorities, and I am immensely proud of the Frank Cable crew's achievement.

The Secretary of the Navy's award this year, plus a second award to the USS Frank Cable, the 2017 Chief of Naval Operations Environmental Excellence Award, are examples of the partnership between the U.S. military and the people of Guam that we need.

I, again, applaud the USS Frank Cable crew on their awards, and I hope that the military will continue to act as responsible stewards of our island.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commend and congratulate Beaudy Marea Gogue Camacho on her selection as the U.S. Small Business Administration's 2018 Home-Based Business Champion for Guam. This award honors individuals who have experienced the rewards and difficulties and owning a home-based business and have worked voluntarily to improve the climate for other home-based businesses.

Beaudy Camacho is the owner and operator of Fundforte, a professional product and service provider on Guam specializing in fundraisers, special events and party planning. For over a decade, Fundforte has provided local families and businesses with the full spectrum of event planning coordination from concept development to execution. She and her team provide high quality, customized, and on-budget products and services to clients, and her business has expanded to include an effective children's entertainment division. She also develops digital and online content, creating an entrepreneurial children's book series and contributing self-help columns in widely circulated newspapers on Guam.

In addition to being a successful home-based business owner, Beaudy is also an active member of Guam's community, contributing her time and expertise to supporting

local charities and philanthropic endeavors. She has help organize numerous community events that promote Guam's native Chamorro culture as well as women empowerment and business ownership.

I join the people of Guam in congratulating Beaudy Marea Gogue Camacho on receiving the U.S. Small Business Administration's 2018 Home-Based Business Champion of the Year Award for Guam. I commend her for her many contributions to our island and look forward to her continued success in the future.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Guam's Autism Community Together (ACT) as they celebrate the 11th annual Autism Awareness Fair, appropriately themed ``Learn, Accept, Support Autism.'' As we celebrate Autism Awareness Month, ACT and organizations across the country work to provide every individual with Autism Spectrum Disorder with the opportunity to achieve the highest possible quality of life. This year ACT and their partners want to go beyond simply promoting autism awareness to encouraging friends and collaborators to become partners in movement toward acceptance and appreciation.

There is still so much to be done to raise awareness of the issues surrounding people, particularly children with autism worldwide. Autism Community Together is one of Guam's local organizations leading the efforts to increase autism awareness across our community. Autism Community Together is an organization based in Guam as a support group for families with autistic children. Though we have made great progress as a nation to improve services and opportunities with peoples with disabilities, there are still improvement that can be made. ACT is dedicated to helping individuals and parents find resources, support, and training while making diligent strides to increase the awareness of autism spectrum disorders and advocating for effective services and the unique needs of individuals with autism and their families.

I commend Autism Community Together as it hosts the 11th Annual Autism Awareness Fair World Autism Day. The Autism Awareness Fair is the largest outreach event hosted by ACT throughout the year and brings together government agencies, non-profits organizations, service providers, support vendors with the intent to provide information and resources on the various disability related programs and services available on Guam.

On behalf of the people of Guam, I thank the Autism Community Together organization and all government agencies and community partners for their assistance to spread autism awareness and acceptance. I look forward to future contributions by Guam's Autism Community Together in opening more opportunities to those in our community living with autism.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commend and congratulate Ms. Kristine Lujan on receiving the 2018 Small Business Administration's Women in Business Champion of the Year Award for Guam. Kristine is being honored for her work as an advocate for women entrepreneurs and for having fulfilled a commitment to the advancement of women's business ownership. Kristine is a self-made and self-taught business leader who is a compelling presence in the local community.

Kristine is the Vice President of Marketing and Public Relations at Triple J Enterprises, which holds many familiar brands such as Suzuki, Ford, Mazda, Kia, Honda and Acura. Triple J Enterprises has grown significantly in its scope and geographic coverage, and has also acquired franchise rights for Hertz Rent A Car in Micronesia and several popular restaurants. Triple J Enterprises has acknowledged Kristine for her positive attitude and contributions that have been invaluable to their organization. The leadership of Triple J Enterprises has recognized Kristine for her innovative thinking and vision will continue to enhance the strategic direction and probability of Triple J Enterprises' group of companies.

Kristine has been a champion for women in small business and has served as a founding member and the chairwoman of the Guam Chamber of Commerce Business Women's Network. She has been an integral part of organizing and sponsoring networking events and annual job fairs. She has helped initiate many other programs to benefit women in business and our youth through the teaching of life skills and improving job opportunities. The group has been able to identify, nurture and encourage growth among women-owned businesses.

Kristine has demonstrated effectiveness in improving the environment for the creation and expansion of businesses owned and operated by women through her involvement in Junior Achievement Guam. Kristine works with preparing young people to succeed and provides real world business practices to bridge theory with challenges of real time operations. She has assisted with the organization of Professional Development Symposium to showcase learning skills for young women and men while framing their experience with professional development networking.

Additionally, Kristine is actively involved in many non-profit and charitable organizations, including the Guam Red Cross, the Guam Memorial Hospital Volunteers Association, the Guam Peace Council, Youth for Youth Live Guam, Guam Young Professionals, Asia Pacific Association for Fiduciary Studies, Boy Scouts of America, UOG Endowment Foundation, American Cancer Society, Duk Duk Goose, Inc., Inetnon Gef Pago Cultural Arts Program and the Filipino Community of Guam. Kristine's assistance and involvement in these organizations provides mentorship to women and the opportunity for them to lead.

I congratulate Ms. Kristine Lujan on receiving the 2018 Small Business Administration's Women in Business Champion of the Year Award for Guam. I join the people of Guam in commending her for her award and thanking her for her many contributions to our island community.