Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commend and congratulate Major Josephine M.P. Blas on receiving the 2018 Small Business Administration's Veteran Small Business Champion of the Year Award for Guam. Josephine is being honor for fulfilling a commitment to advancing small business opportunities for Veterans of the U.S. Armed Forces. She is currently the State Public Affairs Officer, Joint Forces Headquarters for the Guam National Guard. Josephine is being recognized for being a consistent voice for the Guam National Guard and Reserve community since 2000 with her assignment as a Public Affairs Technician.

Josephine has nurtured and strengthens the relationship between local employers and Guard and Reserve members, building commitment to foster positive relationships to allow service members to serve undeterred or unworried about work status in Guam. The relationship building has allowed Guard and Reserve members to be exposed to business opportunities and initiatives. She continues to amplify the stories of the Guam Guard and Reserve talent, boosting their ability as business starters and owners.

Josephine is responsible for publicizing the work of the Guam National Guard through various social media platforms and generating candid and timely communication counsel and guidance to Guam Guard leadership while ensuring safeguards from foreign threats. She is also tasked with promoting public knowledge, understanding and support of the Guard's missions, organizations and capabilities; and develop and maintain strong working relationships with the media and civilian organizations. Josephine also provides staff assistance, guidance, outreach, and training and mediation concerning employer relations for the National Guard and Reserve Component members, retirees and their employees as it relates to duty.

Josephine is an effective ambassador of goodwill and support, symbolizing the best characteristics of our military forces, both local and global. Josephine has served the leadership of the Guard and Reserve, accompanying and supporting them on critical visits to units away from home and providing unique perspectives for their families. She serves as an invaluable bridge to both families and employers. Josephine is also a Life Member of the Military Officers Association of America, the National Guard Association of the United States, served as the vice president for Air National Guard Association of Guam and currently serves as the Vice Commander of the Women Veterans of America, Guam Chapter. Additionally, Josephine is the mother of an autistic son and serves as the president of Autism Community Together, a nonprofit group raising community awareness to and providing support for families with autistic children and adults.

I congratulate Major Josephine M.P. Blas on receiving the 2018 Small Business Administration's Veteran Small 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.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commend and congratulate Jocelyn B. Miyashita on her selection as the U.S. Small Business Administration's 2018 Financial Services Champion for Guam. This award honors individuals who assist through advocacy efforts to increase the usefulness and availability of accounting or financial services for small businesses.

Joyce Miyashita is the senior vice president/chief credit officer for the Bank of Guam, the largest financial institution in Guam and the Micronesian region. For nearly 40 years, she has worked diligently to support lines of credit and investments for small businesses and entrepreneurs in Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, the Republic of Palau, and the Republic of the Marshall Islands, providing them with much needed capital to start and improve their enterprises. Additionally she has supported and trained hundreds of lending officers who have gone on to assist countless businesses and individuals throughout our region.

Joyce is also an active member of Guam's community, supporting networking and business development events outside of her duties at the Bank of Guam. She has volunteered her time and expertise to counseling business owners on ways to efficiently manage resources, and she is often relied on to provide expert recommendations to Government of Guam executive agencies and the Guam Legislature. She is a recognized leader in Guam's banking and lending industry.

I join the people of Guam in congratulating Jocelyn B. Miyashita on receiving the U.S. Small Business Administration's 2018 Financial Services 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 commend and congratulate Ms. Melanie Mendiola on receiving the 2018 Small Business Administration's Minority Small Business Champion of the Year for Guam. Melanie is being honored for fulfilling a commitment to support and assist minority entrepreneurs and small business owners.

Melanie is the Executive Director of the University of Guam Endowment Foundation and the project director of Farm to Table Guam, a non-profit organization committed to strengthening the agricultural industry on the island of Guam through supporting farmers and agriculture based businesses. These small businesses include food manufacturers, restaurants, and food trucks. Since its formation in 2012, Farm to Table Guam's mission has been to grow the local agricultural community for the good of Guam's long-term sustainability. The organization operates a farm and engages in technical and business planning assistance with farmers and agricultural procedures, assisting in the process of obtaining bank financing, pursuing federal funding, and increasing the profile of local farmers among businesses and consumers.

Farm to Table, through its project beneficiaries have created 18 direct jobs and 50 indirect employment opportunities with restaurants, farms, and other business. Farm to Table has also assisted farmers in Guam and Saipan through their ``Leafy Green Farming'' project to give farmers training in areas of business development, diversification, and planning for expansion.

Farm to Table has also given the community greater access to fresh farm produce through projects such as Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) boxes of produce for delivery or pickup. Farm to Table also heavily focuses on improving access to fresh farm produce through person to person outreach such as ``pop-up'' shops, bringing the produce of over 35 local farmers out into the community. This has positively contributed to the local economy by putting thousands of dollars into the pockets of local farmers. Melanie's ``Tanom, Fa'tinas, Yan Sustansia'' project has assisted island farmers through services such as creating business plans, budgeting, record keeping, and facilitating farmer certification. Additionally, under Melanie's leadership, Farm to Table entered a partnership with the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation to provide training to individuals with disabilities and has trained multiple individuals in areas of farming, marketing produce, and building the farm from the ground up.

Melanie has demonstrated that she is an effective advocate for minority small business interests and has been recognized for these efforts multiple times. Melanie was the 2017 Businesswoman of the Year Nominee for Guam, the 2017 Guam Young Professional of the Year Winner, 2014 KUAM Careforce, Environment & Sustainability Category Winner, and the 2013 Financial Planning Association Diversity Scholar. Melanie also dedicates her time and service to civic organizations such as the Guam Girl Scouts, the Guam Young Professionals, and the Young Men's League of Guam.

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

Mr. Speaker, hello--hafa adai and aloha.

I rise today to honor the life and the legacy of the late Senator Daniel Akaka.

Senator Akaka was a very dear friend and a champion for the people of Hawaii and all Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders. His tireless advocacy for 22 years in the Senate and 14 years in this House before that led to better Federal policies for and a recognition of the unique needs of Pacific Islander communities.

As the first Native Hawaiian Senator, Senator Akaka fought for the advancement of Native Hawaiians and the rights of all native people, including Guam's Chamorro people.

He understood the need to support minority Americans and was a passionate voice for native people. He understood the need to support minority Americans, and Senator Akaka was a true friend of Guam, working diligently to ensure that our issues were prioritized.

He gave Guam a voice in the United States Senate, and I was very proud to work closely with him to ease the burdens of the Compacts of Free Association on our islands, to promote better education for Pacific Islanders, and to fight for veterans services for those who sacrificed for our Nation.

I could always count on Senator Akaka among Guam's strong advocates in the United States Senate. Our concerns and, indeed, the concerns of all territories were always his concerns as well.

I am deeply saddened by the passing of this great statesman, friend of Guam, and treasured colleague. I will miss Senator Akaka's kindness, his aloha spirit, and his shared love for the islands and all of our peoples. During his tenure in the Congress, he was a voice for peace, tolerance, and equality.

So on behalf of Guam, I extend our deepest sympathies to his lovely wife, Millie, my friend; his children; his grandchildren; his great- grandchildren; and the people of Hawaii.

Our country has lost a great man, but his legacy will endure through the lives of the countless Americans he helped during his storied life, and his career.

Senator Akaka, thank you--si yu'os ma'ase, and mahalo.

Mr. Speaker, today I introduce the Guam Land Return Act of 2018. For decades, the people of Guam have worked to see their ancestral lands returned.

In Congress, I have made returning land from the Federal Government to our territorial government of Guam and Guam families a top priority. Since 2003, I have secured return of more than 1,000 acres from the Federal Government to the people of Guam.

My Guam Land Return Act of 2018 would reduce Federal landownership on Guam and return those lands to GovGuam and, ultimately, our people. This important legislation builds upon the work of my predecessors, former Congressman Robert A. Underwood, in particular.

The Guam Land Return Act would authorize the General Services Administration to transfer Federal land, buildings, vehicles, and other heavy equipment designated as surplus to GovGuam at no cost to the taxpayers. This would provide another avenue for the Federal Government to compensate GovGuam for expenses that our territorial government is required to bear in serving migrants under the Compact of Free Association, known as Compact Impact. It would also ask Federal agencies to return more Federal land to GovGuam more quickly.

The Federal Government must finally live up to its commitment to Guam and other affected U.S. jurisdictions with Compact migrant residents. I continue working to secure full Federal reimbursements for GovGuam's costs in providing local services to Compact migrants.

Indeed, I have sponsored the Compact Impact Relief Act, H.R. 4761, this year.

I have also championed legislation to reimburse GovGuam for Compact Impact at the mandatory $180 million annual level recommended by the Government Accountability Office.

Transfers of valuable surplus Federal property under my Guam Land Return Act provide yet another way to increase Federal reimbursement to GovGuam for Compact Impact expenses, and these transfers of surplus property would occur at no cost to the Federal Government or the taxpayers.

Our island of Guam hosts a substantial U.S. military presence and is a strategic forward-facing domestic military base in the important Asia-Pacific region. In January of 2011, the U.S. military made a commitment to the people of Guam to reduce Federal landownership and the military's footprint on Guam. Importantly, the commitment coincides with the buildup of American military personnel and base resources on Guam, part of the relocation of U.S. Marines from Okinawa, Japan.

U.S. military and Defense Department leadership under the Trump administration have reaffirmed this net-negative commitment to our people and to me, personally. Since January of 2011, the Defense Department has returned approximately 686 acres to GovGuam.

My Guam Land Return Act holds the Defense Department accountable for meeting the net-negative commitment in full. This legislation would require the Secretary of Defense to maintain a public inventory of all land parcels the Defense Department expects to ultimately transfer to GovGuam under the net-negative commitment.

My legislation outlines 17 specific Federal land parcels, totalling 476 acres that should be transferred to GovGuam. The Guam Land Reform Act would also provide a public mechanism for the Governor of Guam to petition the Defense Department to consider transferring additional land parcels to GovGuam under the net-negative commitment.

Lastly, my legislation includes several provisions relating to current and former Federal land on Guam. Two provisions ensure that no- cost transfers of surplus Federal land and other valuable property do not create additional liabilities or public safety concerns for the Federal Government relating to environmental cleanup or flight paths for air traffic control. One section removes an antiquated Federal restriction on 927 acres on Guam's Cabras Island, which GovGuam has owned since 1981.

The people of Guam are patriotic Americans and support our military servicemembers and their families and the Nation's veterans, and at the same time, the people of Guam want to see their ancestral lands returned, and rightfully so.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and commend Casey Jeszenka for his service to the people of Guam. Casey made Guam his home and joined the Pacific Islands Small Business Development Center in 2000. He has served as the director of the Pacific Islands Small Business Development Center Network for the last 16 years and will retire on March 2, 2018. Throughout his tenure, Casey has been an invaluable advocate and resource for many in our community in Guam to develop successful businesses and contribute to the local economy. I have worked closely with Casey throughout my time in Congress, and he has been a trusted advisor in the development of small businesses on Guam.

As the Network Director, Casey has been responsible for the overall management and implementation of the service functions associated with the University of Guam Pacific Islands Small Business Development Center Network (PISBDCN). His leadership at PISBDCN was instrumental to assisting clients and providing information, resources, education, technical support, and professional counseling and consultant services to local entrepreneurs and business owners. Casey worked closely with both the public and private sectors and a system of island sub-centers, overseeing their organization, program implementation, management and evaluation processes in order to further develop and enhance a comprehensive network on Guam and throughout Micronesia. Casey nurtured partnerships between PISBDCN, and the Guam Small Business Administration (SBA), the Guam Economic Development Authority (GEDA), and the University of Guam College of Agriculture's Extension Programs to make the programs of the Pacific Islands Small Business Development successful.

Prior to serving as Network Director, Casey served as Special Projects Director and Counselor from 2000 to 2002 for the Pacific Islands Small Business Development Center. Casey was responsible for planning, directing and organizing the establishment and operations of new and established Small Business Development Center (SBDC) Subcenter and Satellite programs throughout the network. He provided training to new SBDC Subcenter and Satellite personnel in accordance with the PISBDCN Standard Operating Procedures. Casey, additionally directed and supervised the SBDC Subcenter and Satellite counseling services and training programs, and trained SBDC personnel to handle these duties. He assisted in the development and tracking of goals in line with the PISBDCN mission, strategic plan and directives. also provided a comprehensive range of small business based assistance to established and prospective small business owners and other qualified clients including one-to-one client counseling. Casey implemented SBDC orientation and training sessions and developed and implemented new workshops.

In addition to his roles with the Pacific Islands Small Business Development Center, Casey has also been actively involved as a member of the Pacific Asia Travel Association Micronesia Chapter's Executive Committee, a member of the Pacific Asia Travel Association Micronesia Chapter's Education Committee, as secretary of the Pacific Islands Small Business Development Center Network's Advisory Board, and as a member of the Guam Chamber of Commerce Small Business Committee.

Casey has worked diligently throughout his 18 years of service on Guam. He will be missed as a valued member of the Pacific Islands Small Business Development Center, but through his leadership and guidance, he has positioned the PISBDCN to continue its exceptional service to the people of Guam. I extend my sincere congratulations to Casey, and I join the people of Guam in commending him for his service and thanking him for his many contributions to our island community.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life and legacy of Francisco C. Meno. Francisco was a proud son of Guam, faithful public servant, and a dear friend. He was born on November 28, 1939 to Felipe Q. and Fidela Chargualaf Meno, and he passed away on February 6, 2018 at the age of 78.

Francisco graduated from George Washington High School and went on to marry the love of his life, Rosa Rivera Meno. Together with Rosa, Francisco cared for his children and provided for his family. He was a member of Guam's greatest generation who survived the occupation of Guam during World War II. Francisco went on to serve our local community as a fire fighter with the Guam Fire Department. He was fondly known as ``Chief,'' served in the Guam Fire Department for thirty years, retiring in 1988 as the department's Fire Chief.

In addition to his career as a fire fighter, Francisco was a skilled carpenter, mason, and fisherman. He was recognized by the Guam Council on the Arts and Humanities Agency as a Master of Chamorro Tradition as a ``Master Kakahat Sagualle'' or ``Master Hut Builder.'' Francisco's huts were a part of many special celebrations throughout the island. He also graciously passed on his knowledge of hut building to all those who were willing to learn. Francisco was a firm believer of the need to pass down the traditions and culture of the Chamorro people. He also gave his time and talent to build many things for his village parish of St. Joseph Catholic Church in Inarajan.

Francisco's true passion in life was fishing. Francisco was known as a skilled fisherman and always shared his catch with family and friends. His involvement in village events and service in public safety were testaments of his leadership and commitment to the community of Guam.

I am deeply saddened by the passing of Francisco C. Meno, and my thoughts and prayers are with his family, loved ones and friends. I join the people of Guam in celebrating his life and remembering his many contributions to our island and his village of Inarajan. I extend my condolences to his wife Rosa, their children Frank, Joseph, Rosanne, Kurt, Brian, Dorinda, Melanie, Roderick, Vanessa, and numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He will be deeply missed, and his memory will live on in the hearts of the people of Guam.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life and legacy of Jaime D.S. Paulino. Jaime was a proud son of Guam and faithful public servant. He served as the commissioner of the village of Inarajan from 1981 to 1989. Jaime was born on December 8, 1935 and passed away on February 6, 2018 at the age of 82.

Jaime was the son of Jesus D. and Josefina S. Paulino. He was a member of Guam's greatest generation who survived the occupation of Guam during World War II. He went on to serve our country in the United States Navy.

Jaime graduated from George Washington High School in Guam in 1955, and from Navy Leadership School in 1964. Jaime served in the Vietnam War and later retired as Navy Chief in 1976. Additionally, Jaime served on several boards and commissions, and as a close advisor of my late husband, Governor Bordallo.

Jaime took an active role in different community organizations. He was a member of the Young Men's League of Guam, the Fleet Reserve Association, Veterans of Foreign Wars, and the Knights of Columbus. Jaime was a long time member of the Democratic Party of Guam. He served as vice chairman of the party from 2008 to 2012, and was a Super Delegate to the 2008 Democratic National Convention.

I am deeply saddened by the passing of Jaime D.S. Paulino and I join the people of Guam in celebrating his life. He was a dedicated public servant who worked to improve the quality of life in his village of Inarajan and the broader community during his time in office. My thoughts and prayers are with his family, loved ones and friends.

I extend my condolences to his children, Jaime Jr. and Rachel, Glenn and Eliza, Gerald, and Joel, and his grandchildren and great- grandchildren. He will be deeply missed, and his memory will live on in the hearts of the people of Guam.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life and legacy of the late John Camacho Salas, Ph.D. John was a proud son of Guam and faithful public servant throughout his life. John served the people of Guam as a senator in the 24th and 25th Guam Legislatures.

He was born on January 21, 1948 and passed away on Friday, January 26, 2018.

John was the son of Juan Chargualaf Salas and Ofra Camacho Salas. He was the eldest of nine children, and together the family traveled the world to various duty stations before returning to Guam in 1958. He graduated from Father Duenas Memorial School in 1965 and went on to graduate from Northern Colorado State College in 1969. John went on to receive his master's of arts degree in educational supervision from the University of Connecticut, and then a doctor of philosophy degree in industrial and technical management in 1974.

John spent most of his career serving in different capacities in the field of education. He was a Curriculum Specialist with the Connecticut State Department of Education and was also the Deputy Superintendent of Public Instruction for the Guam Public School System. John also served as a consultant to the Eastern Region U.S. Navy Recruiting Command.

John's passion and commitment to education was evident through his service as a professor for the Universities of Connecticut and Bridgeport. Most notably, John was the founding president of the Guam Community College and served as the 7th president of the University of Guam.

John's contributions to the community spanned wider than the field of education. He was a talk show host on K57 AM radio and served as the first executive director of the Guam Hotel and Restaurant Association. He worked in private business and owned a consulting firm specializing in human resources and tourism.

He gave his time freely to charitable and civic organizations. He was a district governor of the Guam Lions Club and was involved with the Guam Red Cross, Guam Special Olympics, and the Chamorro District of the Boy Scouts of America. John was also a member of the College of Micronesia Board of Trustees and served as the chairman of the Guam Community College Board of Trustees.

I will always remember John for his passion and tireless commitment to improving the livelihood of the people of Guam and his advocacy in education. 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, Leslie and their children Jason and Stacy. He will be missed, and his memory will live on in the hearts of the people of Guam.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life and legacy of Concepcion ``Connie'' B. Duenas. Connie was a proud daughter of Guam and faithful public servant. She served as a Guam Mayor of the village of Tamuning-Tumon-Harmon from 2001 to 2005, and as the Vice Mayor of the village from 1998 to 2000. Connie was born on December 29, 1933 and passed away on January 4, 2018 at the age of 84.

Connie was the daughter of Juan Guerrero Balijadia and Anuncia Quitugua Reyes. She was married to Juan S.A. Duenas and together had four children. Connie was a member of Guam's greatest generation who survived the occupation of Guam during World War II.

Connie graduated from George Washington High School in 1954 and attended the Guam Territorial College and the University of Guam. She joined the Guam Police Department in 1956 and advanced to the rank of sergeant in 1971. Connie was the first female in the Guam police Department to achieve this rank. Connie worked in different capacities while at the Guam Police Department as an administrative and record specialist, and did field work in traffic control, vice squad and juvenile delinquency. She retired at the rank of lieutenant in 1978.

Connie was also very involved in the local community and volunteered her time with many organizations. She was a founding member and served as president for Victims Advocate Reaching Out, an organization which assists victims of crimes such as rape, abuse, and other traumatic experiences. She served as the treasurer for Guma Mami, Inc., a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing services to people with disabilities. She served as the president of the parent teacher associations of various schools in the village of Tamuning. Connie additionally served the parish of St. Anthony Catholic Church in Tamuning faithfully for many years as a leader in the church and Confraternity of Christian Doctrine teacher.

I am deeply saddened by the passing of Concepcion ``Connie'' B. Duenas and I join the people of Guam in celebrating her life. She was a dedicated public servant who worked to improve our village of Tamuning- Tumon-Harmon, and the broader community during her tenure. Her involvement in village events and service in public safety were testaments of her leadership and commitment to the people she served. My thoughts and prayers are with her family, loved ones and friends.

I extend my condolences to her husband Juan and their children Kathy, Eleanor, Yvonne and John and their numerous grandchildren and family members. She will be deeply missed, and her memory will live on in the hearts of the people of Guam.

Mr. Speaker, I reintroduce the Compact Impact Relief Act to address the costs of providing local public services to migrants under the Compacts of Free Association.

I am very pleased to have the support of our colleagues from Hawai'i and the Northern Mariana Islands, as original cosponsors.

Under the Compacts, an unlimited number of citizens from three Freely Associated States (FAS)--the Marshall Islands, the Federated States of Micronesia, and Palau--may live and work in the United States.

Compact migrants effectively enjoy the same freedoms of movement and to work as lawful permanent residents, like green card holders, in our country do.

As such, our bill seeks to allow Compact migrants to participate in select federal programs, if they meet the program criteria, the same way that green card holders can under current law.

Importantly, our bill ensures that federal resources are not diverted from U.S. citizens and nationals in order to accommodate Compact migrants.

Economic conditions and the reality of climate change for Pacific island nations have driven more and more Compact migrants to the United States.

Guam remains the primary destination for Compact migrants, followed closely by Hawai'i.

According to the most recent Census Bureau figures, more than 76,000 FAS citizens reside in the United States, including nearly 18,000 on Guam.

I appreciate that the Compacts remain important to American strategic interests in the Asia-Pacific region, including Guam's security.

I also know--firsthand--the significant contributions that Compact migrants make to

Guam and other communities as far away as Springdale, Arkansas.

Many citizens of the Freely Associated States serve proudly in the United States military.

However, insufficient support from the federal government causes serious strain on local jurisdictions with significant Compact migrant communities.

The costs borne by GovGuam and other local governments are simply unsustainable.

Congress must act to provide federal relief to Guam and other jurisdictions required to serve these underprivileged Compact migrant communities.

Mr. Speaker, that is exactly what the Compact Impact Relief Act would do.

Our bill includes novel policy changes that would provide additional federal resources for Guam, Hawai'i, and other states and territories.

In particular, the Compact Impact Relief Act ensures that Guam--and other territories--can utilize fully important federal programs including: Job Corps centers funded by the U.S. Department of Labor; national and community service programs like AmeriCorps and the Youth Conservation Corps; and an accurate 10-year census that counts Compact migrant residents.

Our bill would permit Guam and other affected jurisdictions to apply costs spent providing public services to Compact migrants toward the non-federal portion required to provide Medicaid to Americans.

The bill also classifies Compact migrant schoolchildren as ``federally connected students'' to make local schools serving them eligible for impact aid funding from the U.S. Department of Education.

Importantly, our bill authorizes additional funding so that Compact migrant students do not take resources away from school districts receiving federal impact aid currently.

Next, our bill requires comprehensive assessments of: the Compacts and their implementation; the economies of jurisdiction affected by the Compacts and the three Freely Associated States; and the unique health needs of Pacific Islanders.

As the United States looks to renew the Compacts ahead of their expiration in fiscal year 2023, the federal government cannot continue to force local jurisdictions to shoulder the substantial costs of accommodating Compact migrants.

Guam and other states and territories affected by Compact migrants need to be reimbursed fairly for the costs of serving these underprivileged communities.

Congress must increase mandatory funding for Compact impact to the level recommended by the Government Accountability Office (GAO), as I have called for consistently.

In the meantime, I urge this House to pass the practical policy changes included in my Compact Impact Relief Act into law.

Mr. Speaker, today I am proud to reintroduce my Compact Impact Relief Act with my colleagues from Hawaii and the Northern Marianas as original cosponsors. Our bill would provide relief to Guam and other States and territories required by the Federal Government to provide local public services to more than 76,000 migrants under the Compacts of Free Association.

Guam remains the top destination for Compact migrants from the three freely associated States. Our island accommodates nearly 18,000 out of a population of just 175,000.

As the United States looks to renew the Compacts after 2023, Congress must increase mandatory Compact impact funding to affected jurisdictions like Guam. Congress should provide the funding level recommended by the Government Accountability Office, as I have called for repeatedly.

In the meantime, I hope this House will act on the practical policy changes included in my Compact Impact Relief Act.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to express my opposition to H.R. 1, the Republican tax plan, and the negative impacts it would have on my constituents in Guam.

This bill is an attack on the middle class and would do very little to help those who most need tax relief. I am especially concerned that H.R. 1 does not take into account the unique application of the Federal Tax Code to Guam and the other U.S. territories.

Unlike the 50 States who have control of their tax system, Guam is required to mirror the income tax portion of the Federal Internal Revenue Code, and any changes to the IRC would have a direct impact not only on taxes paid by my constituents, but also on the general fund revenues collected by the government of Guam.

Under the current framework, it is the United States Congress, not the Guam Legislature or any other elected body on Guam, that sets the income tax provisions for our territory. Any changes to the Internal Revenue Code are automatically mirrored and adopted as changes to Guam's local tax structure.

This does not give Guam the ability to decide for itself the best tax structure for the people of Guam. It applies decisions made for the Nation as a whole, with more than 320 million citizens, to significantly different demographics on our island of just 170,000 Americans.

Even more outrageous, Mr. Speaker, is that Republicans will have brought this bill to the floor without any opportunity for the Delegates from the territories to affect it or express our support or opposition through a recorded vote.

As the Speaker knows, as a Delegate from a territory, along with the other four territories and D.C., we are not able to vote on amendments on the floor of this House, nor are we able to cast a vote on the final passage of a bill.

Some on the other side will argue, especially since H.R. 1 is a tax bill, that the Delegates--therefore, the more than 4 million American citizens who live in the territories--should not be able to vote on the bills considered by this House because our constituents do not pay taxes to the Federal Treasury.

But this ignores the sacrifices that the sons and daughters of Guam and the other territories make to defend our country through military service, as well as the fact that my constituents pay other Federal taxes that support Federal programs like Social Security and Medicare.

Importantly, Mr. Speaker, H.R. 1 will have a direct impact on my constituents because of the Federal Government's requirement for the government of Guam to mirror the Internal Revenue Code. This will directly impact the rates, deductions, and credits paid by Guam tax filers and, unlike the States, will also directly correspond to the revenues collected by our territorial government.

This, Mr. Speaker, is the very definition of taxation without representation.

So I cannot support the Republican tax plan because it ignores the impacts it would have on my constituents in Guam and the other territories, and it prevents the people of Guam from having a say, through their own representative in both the House and the Senate, in its development.

I oppose, Mr. Speaker, H.R. 1, and I urge my colleagues to defeat it. Vote ``no.''

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of the conference report to accompany the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2018.

I commend Chairman Thornberry, Ranking Member Smith, and I would also like to thank the gentleman from South Carolina (Mr. Wilson), the Readiness Subcommittee chairman, and the committee staff who worked many, many long nights on this bill. I am especially thankful for the spirit of cooperation that enables us to pass an act that directly impacts the young men and women who defend our country.

The conference report authorizes $3.6 billion in additional operations and maintenance funds to increase training, spare parts, facility and equipment maintenance, and other readiness enablers. This is a very important step to support the recovery of readiness in areas that have been adversely impacted by high operational tempos and made worse by numerous continuing resolutions and the effects of sequestration. However, Congress must go further and provide the Department with budget stability by repealing sequestration so that we can continue to support the training, the maintenance, and the modernization needs of our forces.

The conference agreement also includes a number of provisions to support military readiness, such as providing authorities and flexibility for investments in infrastructure, extending direct hiring authorities, protecting training ranges from encroachment, and continuing to support the Asia-Pacific Rebalance.

The Rebalance is critical to security and stability in the Indo-Asia- Pacific region and a matter of most importance to me because of the recent threats against the United States and, specifically, my home district of Guam.

Critically, for my constituents, this agreement provides authority for U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services to approve H-2B visas for Guam that support construction projects directly connected to, as well as those associated with, the realignment of military forces to Guam. Additionally, the agreement authorizes $354.6 million for military construction projects in Guam.

As Guam's representative, I will continue to work with the DOD and the USCIS to provide relief for healthcare and other industries that support our military on Guam. While I support the progress that we made in this bill, without further relief, our inadequate workforce will negatively impact our national security.

So again, Mr. Speaker, I reiterate my appreciation for the work by our committees and our exceptional staff. The FY18 NDAA provides the resources that our military requires for its missions in this very, very dangerous world, so I urge support for the bill.

Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding and wish to engage the gentleman from Texas, the chairman of the Armed Services Committee, in a colloquy.

Let me first start by thanking Chairman Thornberry, Ranking Member Smith, and the committee staff for working diligently with us to address the workforce issues impacting the military realignment on Guam.

The conference agreement includes a provision to remedy the H-2B visa denial issue, particularly affecting construction projects on Guam, by granting USCIS the authority to approve temporary workers for construction work directly connected to or associated with the military realignment occurring on Guam through 2023.

Providing for this small, temporary workforce is very important, given the strategic importance of Guam as the sole U.S. territory in the western Pacific capable of basing significant joint force capabilities and the reality that exceedingly few U.S. mainland workers are willing to travel to Guam to perform this temporary work.

My understanding is that the intent behind the inclusion of the phrase ``associated with'' is to allow for approval of visas for individuals performing work not only on military-funded facilities and infrastructure, but also for civilian infrastructure projects outside the gate, for example, infrastructure projects funded by the Federal Government, the government of Guam, or nongovernmental sources that are being done, in part, because of the increased number of military personnel and military families moving to Guam.

Is that the chairman's understanding of the intent behind the provision?

I yield to the gentleman from Texas.

I yield to the gentleman from Texas.

Mr. Speaker, I thank the chairman very much and appreciate his great support and look forward to continuing to work with him on the implementation of this provision and to address future workforce needs on Guam in support of the military realignment.

Mr. Speaker, I am proud to introduce the LWCF Parity for Territories and DC Act, with the support of all 6 Members of the House representing our U.S. territories and the District of Columbia as original cosponsors.

This bipartisan bill gives parity to Guam, the other territories, and DC in annual funding from the federal Land and Water Conservation Fund.

Current law requires the territories and DC to split--6 ways--a single state's annual LWCF allocation. Our bill fixes this disparity by providing a full, state-equivalent share of LWCF funding for each territory and DC, every year.

This additional funding is needed to improve public parks, outdoor sports fields, and community open spaces on Guam and the other territories, especially as Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands rebuild from recent hurricanes.

Mr. Speaker, I encourage our colleagues to cosponsor this bipartisan legislation and support LWCF parity for the territories and DC.