Floor Statements

Mr. Chairman, I was unavoidable detained in a meeting earlier today, May 8, 2008, in the other body regarding legislation I have sponsored, and, therefore, was absent from the Chamber when rollcall votes 296 and 297 were taken. Had I been present for these two votes taken in the Committee of the Whole House on the State of the Union,

I would have voted as follows: ``aye'' to sustain the ruling of the Chair (rollcall vote 296) and ``aye'' on the amendment offered by Mr. Altmire of Pennsylvania to H.R. 5818 (rollcall vote 297).

Madam Speaker, today I have introduced H.R. 5931, the Joint Guam Projects Oversight Act, to ensure appropriate implementation and oversight of the realignment of military installations and the relocation of military personnel on Guam. I am joined by my colleague from Hawaii, Mr. Abercrombie, in introducing this legislation.

The rebasing of military forces from Okinawa, Japan to Guam is a component of the United States-Japan Alliance Transformation and Realignment Agreement signed in May 2006. Additionally, planned for Guam is the reassignment of a significant number of airmen from Korea, the standing-up of a U.S. Army air defense battalion and improvements to Naval Base Guam. These major realignments present significant challenges and opportunities for the community on Guam.

Over the next 6 years the Department of Defense and the Government of Japan plan to spend over $10 billion to support the realignment of units of the III Marine Expeditionary Force from Okinawa to Guam and an additional $3 billion on upgrades and improvements at Andersen Air Force Base. The Government of Japan has pledged to contribute over $6 billion to support the rebasing of units from Okinawa to Guam through direct contributions to the United States Treasury and through Special Purpose Entities (SPEs). Funding of some projects by a foreign government poses significant challenges to Congress's right and responsibility to oversee this realignment. H.R. 5931 creates a new account for the realignment to Guam. The account entitled the ``Guam Defense Policy Review Initiative Account'' would help the Department of Defense manage its expenditures on projects associated with the realignment of military forces on Guam.

This legislation also addresses the unique nature of the SPEs. Department of Defense officials indicate that SPEs are intended to operate in a manner similar to other public-private ventures that currently exist with respect to other projects in the United States. Our legislation expresses a Sense of Congress that the SPEs should operate as publicprivate ventures. It also encourages the Department of Defense to ensure that all construction projects on Guam, operated and maintained by SPEs, should meet U.S. standards. It also encourages the Department of Defense along with the Government of Japan to consider utilizing the SPEs for projects other than military housing and utility infrastructure improvements. Moreover, if the SPEs are utilized to improve utilities on Guam the improvements must be made to the overall grid operated by the Government of Guam and not solely for the benefit of military installations. Improvements to the overall utility infrastructure on Guam will be more cost-effective.

The $13 billion investment by the Department of Defense and the Government of Japan is intended primarily for military infrastructure. However, the Government of Guam estimates that additional funds will be needed to improve civilian infrastructure, including schools, public safety, water, wastewater, utility, and road improvements to accommodate the additional population on the island. As we near the end of the Bush Administration's term it is important that the Federal Government work closely with the Government of Guam to develop Memoranda of Understanding, MOU, to ensure Federal commitments that Guam can rely on. The MOUs can be facilitated by utilizing the Interagency Group on the Insular Areas, IGIA, established by executive order of the President. The legislation includes a Sense of Congress that these MOUs must be developed to ensure that the build-up is a success. In reference to planning, the legislation also authorizes the Office of Economic Adjustment, OEA, within the Department of Defense to provide planning funds to the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana, Islands, CNMI. This will support appropriate planning by the Government of the CNMI for increases in population and military activity resultant from the establishment and utilization of training ranges in the CNMI. Currently, the OEA lacks the authority in law to provide planning funds to the CNMI and this provision would correct this omission in law.

It is important that military construction projects on Guam be energy friendly and meet strong environmental design standards. The legislation requires the Department of Defense to meet Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, LEED, silver rating standards. LEED standards have been developed and

are approved by the U.S. Green Building Council. The legislation also requires the Secretary of Defense to report back to Congress on establishing a goal for energy renewability on Guam. The major construction effort supporting the build-up should be conducted in the most environmentally friendly and energy efficient manner as possible.

The legislation also prioritizes the small business community in this military build-up. The bill contains a provision that would limit the Historically Underutilized Business Zone, HUB Zone, preference for work performed in excess of 150 miles from the primary office location of a HUBZone firm. This provision would ensure that construction projects benefit the local businesses and economy. Moreover, the legislation would authorize the establishment of a Procurement Technical Assistance Center, PTAC, on Guam to help local small businesses navigate the complexities and bureaucracy of Department of Defense contracting.

Finally, the legislation will require all contractors to certify their compliance with local tax and licensing requirements. The provision grants the contracting agent within the Department of Defense the ability to withhold final payments on contracts if the contractor is found to be delinquent in paying their local tax obligations. This provision is important to ensuring the Government of Guam will be able to collect revenue from this build-up and apply such revenue to make needed improvements to civilian infrastructure.

The military build-up on Guam presents many opportunities and many challenges. I firmly believe that the legislation I have introduced today with Mr. Abercrombie will help facilitate congressional oversight and accountability of build-up activities as well as provide additional tools for the local government and businesses to make this build-up a success. This legislation addresses issues important to the people of Guam and would help to ensure the success of the military build-up both for the Department of Defense and for the people of Guam.

I thank Chairman Rahall for yielding to me.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of S. 2739, and I urge my colleagues to vote to pass it and send it to the President's desk. I underscore my support for subtitle B of title VII of this comprehensive, important legislation, which provides for the election and the seating of a delegate representing the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands.

Mr. Speaker, the people of Guam and the people of the Northern Marianas are neighbors, and we share a common heritage. This bill is the product of careful deliberation and bipartisan cooperation. Many Members have worked diligently to shape it into the form in which it has arrived on the floor today. And for this reason and for the leadership brought to bear in drafting the CNMI title and responding to the concerns and interests of stakeholders on Guam, I want to thank very much Chairman Nick Rahall and Insular Affairs Subcommittee Chairwoman Donna Christensen.

The CNMI delegate provision represents the beginning of a stronger partnership for this body with the people of the Northern Marianas. I look forward to welcoming a new delegate in this hall and to that day next January when Members will take the oath with a new colleague representing the CNMI.

This House has a strong record of affording U.S. territories representation in Congress. To date, Mr. Speaker, 188 delegates and 32 resident commissioners have served ably in this House over the course of its history. It is a tradition that dates back to 1790, with the Northwest Ordinance areas, and today we continue this tradition by extending a long overdue voice for the people of the Northern Marianas. The CNMI should be afforded the honor and given the responsibility of electing a delegate to represent their interests.

This is about democracy and representation. The compelling case for representation for the CNMI has finally been made. So vote for S. 2739.

Mr. Speaker, as the House prepares to take up H.R. 2830, the Coast Guard Authorization Act, I call attention to Coast Guard policy affecting repairs of its vessels. There is a loophole in current law that I seek to close with an amendment that will come to the floor tomorrow.

The law does not recognize Guam as a U.S. port for the purposes of repairs, overhaul and maintenance of Coast Guard vessels. My amendment would correct this loophole and would not allow the Coast Guard to seek repairs of vessels home ported in Guam at foreign shipyards.

This amendment is needed to protect vital American jobs. Outsourcing repair, overhaul and maintenance of national security vessels is a dangerous proposition. The case in point, the Coast Guard wants to take the cutter Sequoia, home ported in Guam, and one of its newest in the fleet, to have its first major repairs done at a foreign shipyard by foreign workers. This move jeopardizes American jobs and critical ship repair capability on Guam.

It is in our national security interest to maintain a viable ship repair capability on Guam. The Coast Guard's actions are contrary to our national security. And this is even more serious because we have U.S. shipyard workers who are being laid off while the Sequoia leaves Guam.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the life of a fallen Guam son, United States Army SSG Joseph D. Gamboa, 34, from the village of Malesso. Staff Sergeant Gamboa was assigned to B Company, Ist Squadron, 2nd Stryker Cavalry Regiment, in Vilseck, Germany, and was killed in the line of duty on March 25, 2008, in Baghdad, Iraq, in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. Staff Sergeant Gamboa is the 25th serviceman from Micronesia to lose his life in support of Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom. In honoring Staff Sergeant Gamboa, we are reminded of the ultimate sacrifice that so many young people in our Nation have made for our freedom.

Staff Sergeant Gamboa's dedication to serving our Nation and defending our freedom will be forever remembered. He now joins the brotherhood of heroes, a long line of soldiers, sailors, airmen, marines and coast guardsmen who have put their country before themselves and who have lost their lives in combat. We owe a debt of gratitude to these men and women that can never truly be repaid.

Staff Sergeant Gamboa was a loving husband, father, son, and brother. He was a dedicated family man who adored his family and would do anything for them. He joined the Army to provide a good life for his children and out of a sense of duty to his country. He is also remembered by his fellow soldiers as a wonderful friend who had a great sense of humor and who loved to sing.

I join our Guam community in mourning and in prayer for Staff Sergeant Gamboa. I offer my condolences to his wife Michelle, their children Krystianna Mychailla, Austin Joseph, Ashton Joseph, Savannah Joelle, Avery Joseph, and Isabella Jomia, his parents Francisco and Cecilia Gamboa, his brothers, sisters, and extended family and friends.

God bless the Gamboa family, God bless our men and women in uniform, God bless Guam, and God bless our country, the United States of America.

Madam Speaker, today I have introduced a bill to amend the High Seas Driftnet Fishing Moratorium Protection Act and the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act to improve the conservation of sharks.

Sharks are long-lived apex predators with comparatively small populations, making it difficult for them to breed rapidly enough to maintain populations under fishing pressure. Sharks have been increasingly exploited in recent decades, both as bycatch in the pelagic longline fisheries from the 1960s onward, and as targets in direct fisheries that expanded rapidly in the 1980s. The rising demand for shark fins over past decades has also led to increases in the particularly exploitive practice of shark finning, where fins of sharks are removed and the carcass is discarded at sea.

According to scientists, scalloped hammerhead, white, and thresher shark populations are each estimated to have declined by over 75 percent in the past 15 years due in large part to these fishing pressures. Removing these top predators drastically changes the food web structure, and marine diversity and ecosystem health. Addressing the practice of shark finning is an imperative step toward the conservation of sharks and marine ecosystems.

Congress recognized shark finning as an inherently wasteful practice in enacting the Shark Finning Prohibition Act of 2000 (Public Law 106- 557). This Act prohibits U.S. fishermen from removing the fins of sharks and discarding the carcass at sea, and from landing or transporting shark fins without the corresponding carcass.

The Shark Conservation Act of 2008, which I have introduced today, includes several measures to strengthen the implementation and enforcement of that prohibition and would ensure that the intent of Congress is achieved. First, the bill eliminates an unexpected enforcement loophole related to the transport of shark fins by prohibiting vessels from having custody, control, or possession of shark fins without the corresponding carcass. This is intended to ensure that U.S.-flagged vessels are not traveling to the high seas and purchasing fins from fishermen engaged in shark finning and bringing them into U.S. waters in an attempt to skirt the finning prohibition.

Second, the Shark Conservation Act of 2008 addresses the difficulty apparent in enforcing the statute's percentage-based standard. Existing law contains a rebuttable presumption that any shark fins landed were taken, held, or landed in violation of the Shark Finning Prohibition Act if the total weight of shark fins landed or found on board exceeds five percent of the total weight of shark carcasses landed or found on board. This ``fin to carcass'' ratio was intended to provide a mechanism for enforcing the finning prohibition by ensuring that the amount of fins landed is proportional to the amount of carcasses landed. It has proven virtually impossible, however, to determine whether a given set of fins belong to a particular dressed carcass. As a result, there are reports of fishermen mixing fins and carcasses for maximum profit, continuing to discard less desirable, finned sharks at sea. Therefore, the Shark Conservation Act of 2008 strikes the rebuttable presumption to improve enforcement of the prohibition on finning that has existed in statute now for nearly eight years.

Finally, the Shark Conservation Act of 2008 amends the High Seas Driftnet Fishing Moratorium Protection Act to allow the Secretary of Commerce to identify and list nations that have not adopted a regulatory program for the conservation of sharks comparable to the United States. This amendment promotes the conservation of sharks internationally and in a manner that is consistent with the expectations placed on U.S. fishermen.

The Shark Conservation Act of 2008 reestablishes the intended protections for sharks under U.S. law. I look forward to working with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to advance this timely and important bill.

Madam Speaker, today I have introduced a bill to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to extend eligibility under the new markets tax credit for community development entities created or organized in American Samoa, Guam, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands. This bill would make a technical correction to existing law governing the new markets tax credit program and specifically authorize the Secretary of the Treasury to certify corporations or partnerships organized in one of the five U.S. territories as entities qualified to participate in the new markets tax credit program.

The Community Renewal Tax Relief Act of 2000 (Public Law 106-554) authorizes the new markets tax credit program for the purpose of increasing incentives for investment in low-income communities across the country. Under the program, qualified community development entities (CDEs) are eligible to be allocated credits from the Community Development Financial Institutions Fund at the Department of the Treasury. Taxpayers who then invest in the CDE are allocated some of those credits in return for their investment. The CDE must invest those funds in low-income communities, and the taxpayers are able to claim, over a 7-year period, credits equal to 39 percent of their investment. CDEs act as intermediaries for the provision of loans, investment funding, or financial counseling in low-income communities and are able to legally operate anywhere in the United States, including in the territories.

Despite the ability of a CDE under current law to legally and practically operate in a U.S. territory, a corporation or partnership that is created or organized in a U.S. territory applying for CDE certification cannot qualify for such certification under the current law. This ineligibility stems from such organizations being deemed ``foreign'' and not ``domestic'' under other provisions of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986. This nuance in law effectively prevents local CDEs in the territories, that is entities who would otherwise be recognized as such by the Department of the Treasury, from investing in their own communities.

The bill I have introduced today would rectify this situation which I believe is an oversight in the Community Renewal Tax Relief Act of 2000. The bill would allow for the certification of CDEs created or organized in a U.S. territory thereby enabling them, to operate and invest in their own communities. CDEs organized and operating in any one of the several States or the District of Columbia could continue to invest in low-income communities in the territories under this arrangement.

I am joined by Mr. Faleomavaega of American Samoa, Mrs. Christensen of the Virgin Islands, and Mr. Fortuno of Puerto Rico, in introducing this bill. We look forward to working with the Chairman and Ranking Member of the Committee on Ways and Means to advance this bill and to support increased investment opportunities for our own communities. Ultimately, this bill is about making the new markets tax credit program work for the territories and ensuring Congressional intent behind the new markets tax credit is fully realized and fulfilled in our communities.

Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 265) honoring military children during ``National Month of the Military Child,'' as amended.

Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks on the resolution under consideration.

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

Madam Speaker, I stand before you in support of House Resolution 265, honoring military children for their personal sacrifice and recognizing the month of April as the National Month of the Military Child.

Currently, 2.75 million Americans are serving in the Armed Forces of the United States. Of that number, 1.7 million who have served or who are currently serving have been deployed, nearly 600,000 members have deployed more than once, and close to 260,000 are currently deployed.

These are important points for us to take note of and reflect upon today because today there are nearly 1.2 million military children in families whose parents proudly serve in the uniform.

Unfortunately, 50 percent of the servicemembers who are currently deployed away from their duty stations are separated from their spouses and their children.

Long-term and multiple deployments have shown undesirable effects on both servicemembers, their families and their children. They sometimes experience severe emotional, psychological and fiscal problems over the course of these deployments. Over extended periods of time, anxiety and strain become a part of the daily lives of both spouses and children who sacrifice unduly.

Approximately 3,400 military children have lost a parent serving in the Armed Forces during the preceding 5 years. Military children are making personal sacrifices in support of this Nation.

During National Month of the Military Child, we need to ensure that we support all the American children who faithfully share their family in order to protect our way of life.

House Resolution 265 encourages public and private sector support for both military children and their families through direct contributions to scholarships, grants and donations, action which promotes family readiness.

So it is appropriate to celebrate the children who are loved by these brave men and women in uniform. The health and the well-being of these children is important to the overall readiness of our forces.

We therefore appreciate the leadership shown by our distinguished colleague from Northern Virginia (Mr. Moran) in sponsoring this important resolution.

Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support House Resolution 265, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to my friend and colleague, the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Moran) who is the original sponsor of this important measure.

Madam Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Edwards), the chairman of the Appropriations Subcommittee on Military Construction.

Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the joint resolution (H.J. Res. 70) congratulating the Army Reserve on its centennial, which will be formally celebrated on April 23, 2008, and commemorating the historic contributions of its veterans and continuing contributions of its soldiers to the vital national security interests and homeland defense missions of the United States, as amended.

Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks on the resolution now under consideration.

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

I rise today in support of H.J. Res. 70, which commemorates 2008 as the centennial of the United States Army Reserve, celebrating the historic contributions of its veterans and continuing contributions of its soldiers to operations at home and abroad. I thank my colleague, Mr. Bishop of Georgia, for introducing this important resolution.

On January 9, 1905, the 26th President of the United States, Theodore Roosevelt, dispatched a special message to the Senate and the House of Representatives recommending passage of legislation to establish a Federal Reserve force of trained personnel to bring our Army to its highest point of efficiency.

Beginning as a supplementary unit at the turn of the 20th century, our Army Reserve soldiers have shown immeasurable dedication and valor through the broadening of their inceptive purpose. The Army Reserve has developed from a few support troops during World War I into a vital and sustained operational force for current and future operations. This Federal force has been deployed in different capacities, serving in eight wars and defending the interests of the United States and its allies in World War I, World War II, Korea, Vietnam, Russia, Berlin, Panama, the Persian Gulf, Somalia, Haiti, Bosnia, Kosovo, Kenya, Iraq and numerous humanitarian missions in other countries during its first 100 years. Involvement in operations Desert Storm, Desert Shield, Joint Endeavor, Joint Guard, Enduring Freedom, Noble Eagle, and Iraqi Freedom shows the Army is incomplete without the skilled and trained personnel of its Reserve.

The Army Reserve has grown from 160 medical officers to virtually 200,000 soldiers who play a major role in the defense of our Nation and who continue in the furtherance of the United States defense interests.

At this moment approximately 50,000 of our Nation's Army Reserve soldiers are serving on active duty around the world. These men and women voluntarily put their civilian careers and family lives on hold. And in most cases, they do so for over a year which is a testament to their selflessness, patriotism, and willingness to sacrifice for the good of our country.

Indeed, I am extremely proud of all of our Armed Forces: the Army, the Navy, the Air Force, the Marine Corps and the National Guard. Our entire military continues to work diligently in a time of conflict, and deserves the highest respect for their courage in the face of adversity.

H.J. Res. 70 is our way, as the United States Congress, of recognizing the centennial of our Army Reserve, a force that our institution played a role in creating 100 years ago. This resolution honors the sacrifice and tremendous distinction of the millions of American men and women who have served as Army soldiers since April 23, 1908.

Madam Speaker, I again thank our colleague from Georgia (Mr. Bishop) for his initiative in bringing us together today to recognize and honor the Army Reserve on the occasion of its 100th anniversary, and I urge my colleagues to support the resolution.

Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, I yield 5 minutes to my friend and colleague, the gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Bishop), the original sponsor of this joint resolution.

Madam Speaker, at this time 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.

Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 1020) recognizing the tremendous service that members of the Armed Forces have given to the Nation, especially those who have been wounded in combat, as amended.

Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks on the resolution now under consideration.

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

I rise today in support of House Resolution 1020, recognizing the tremendous service that members of our Armed Forces have provided to the country, especially those who have been wounded in combat. I thank our colleague from Vermont (Mr. Welch) for introducing this resolution.

Soldiers, sailors, airmen, marines and their families are making extraordinary sacrifices in service to our country. Over 4,500 servicemembers have made the ultimate sacrifice in Operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom. Nearly 32,000 servicemembers have been wounded, of which a little over 17,000 have returned to duty.

Today, servicemembers have an unprecedented chance of survival, unlike those who had similar wounds in Vietnam and the Second World War. The medical advances that have taken place on the current battlefield have made these significant achievements possible.

However, while members are surviving their injuries and wounds at an unprecedented rate, they are coming home with more complex psychological injuries. These individuals who have honorably served our Nation may need medical care and assistance for the rest of their lives.

House Resolution 1020 commits this Congress to ensuring that these brave, wounded warriors receive the best medical care available, and commends all Americans who volunteer to support these wounded warriors and their families.

So, Madam Speaker, I again commend our colleague from Vermont (Mr. Welch) for his introduction of this resolution, and I urge my colleagues to support its passage.

I reserve the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to my friend and colleague, the gentleman from New York (Mr. Higgins).

Madam Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to my friend and colleague, the gentleman from Vermont (Mr. Welch), the original sponsor of this very important resolution.

Madam Speaker, at this time I have no further requests for time. I am prepared to close after my colleague has yielded back his time. I continue to reserve the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, at this time I have no further speakers, and I would like to extend my sincerest thanks to my colleague on the House Committee on Armed Services and Natural Resources, Mr. Wittman. I've enjoyed working with him on the floor this afternoon.

Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize and honor the life and public service of Herminia Duenas Dierking, a distinguished leader from Guam who passed away on March 24, 2008. Herminia served the people of Guam in leadership positions in our community including as a Senator in the Guam Legislature, a professor at the University of Guam, and as a cabinet officer in the Government of Guam.

Herminia Duenas Dierking, daughter of the late Maria Pangelinan Guzman and Jose Cruz Duenas, was born on August 17, 1939 in the capital village of Hagatna. She grew up aware of the hardships endured by our people during the occupation of Guam and she later used that knowledge and compassion to work for justice for our people as a member of the Guam War Reparations Commission.

Herminia is a fine example of how education can open doors to new opportunities. She received her high school diploma from the Academy of Our Lady of Guam and pursued college degrees from the University of Missouri at Kansas City and later from the University of Guam where she earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business. She continued to work toward an advanced degree from Emporia State University, Kansas and successfully obtained a Masters of Science in Business Administration.

Herminia began her professional career as an assistant professor at the University of Guam and rose to become the chairperson of the Accounting Department, serving thirteen years in the College of Business and Public Administration. Governor Ricardo J. Bordallo, my late husband, recognized her expertise in management and appointed her as the Director of the Bureau of Budget and Management Research in 1983. She was also appointed as the Chairperson of the Fiscal Policy Committee of the Government of Guam. Herminia's leadership helped to restore the fiscal health of the Government of Guam, leading to an economic recovery.

Herminia was urged by Governor Bordallo and other local leaders who recognized her leadership potential to run for a seat in the 18th Guam Legislature. She was successful in her first run for elected office and was subsequently reelected to the 19th, 20th, 21st, and 22nd Guam Legislatures. During her tenure as a Senator, she served as Chairwoman of the Committee on Ways and Means, Chairwoman of the Committee on Rules, Chairwoman of the Committee on Health, Welfare, & Ecology, and Vice Chair of the Committee on General Governmental Operations. In addition to her leadership positions in the Guam Legislature, Herminia also served on the Legislative Management Committee on the Assembly of the Legislature of the National Conference of State Legislatures, the Executive Committee of the Western Legislative Conference, and the Committee on Suggested State Legislation on the Council of State Governments. She was appointed to represent Guam in the Association of Pacific Island Legislatures.

Herminia contributed her time and effort to community improvement by volunteer work and service in several community organizations. She served as president of the Association of Government Accountants, the Guam Business Education Association, and the Guam Business and Professional Women's Club. She was also appointed to serve in leadership roles for the Western Business Education Association, Manukai Swim Club, Far East Swim League, Beauty World Guam, Tamuning Elementary School PTA, Guam Beauty Association, Father Duenas Memorial High School Parents Guild, American Heart Association, and Guam Memorial Board of Trustees. She was a member of the Soroptomist International, the Guam Lytico and Bodig Association and the Guam Memorial Hospital Volunteers Association.

My thoughts and prayers are with Herminia's husband, Deacon John C. Dierking, their five children, Cliff, Kurt, Steven, Anna Maria, and John Paul, their grandchildren, and the many family and friends whose lives she touched. We honor her life's work as an educator and community leader. Most of all, she will always be remembered as a gentle woman who always had a kind word and a warm smile. She lived a full life and we are grateful for her public service. We will all miss her dearly.

Madam Speaker, I was absent from the chamber today, Thursday, March 13, 2008, due to the travel schedule for my return to my district on account of official business. Had I been present for the three rollcall votes taken today in the Committee of the Whole House on the State of the Union on the amendments that were offered in the nature of a substitute to House Concurrent Resolution 312, the Concurrent Resolution on the Budget for Fiscal Year 2009, I would have voted as follows: ``aye'' on the amendment offered by Ms. Kilpatrick of Michigan and Mr. Scott of Virginia (rollcall vote 137); ``no'' on the amendment offered by Ms. Lee of California (rollcall vote 138); and ``no'' on the amendment offered by Mr. Ryan of Wisconsin (rollcall vote 140).

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize and congratulate Ms. Laura-Lynn Viegas Dacanay on being named the U.S. Small Business Administration's 2008 Financial Services Champion of the Year for Guam.

Laura is a leader in the financial services industry of the region and is a committed member of our island community. She has a rewarding career in the banking profession dating back to the 1970s, when she began with an entry level position at Chase Manhattan Bank as a telephone switchboard and telex operator and cashier. In 1984, she became a loan officer and later was promoted to loan manager. In 1986, she joined the First Hawaiian Bank as an assistant branch manager.

In just over 10 years, Laura has been promoted from manager to assistant vice president, and today, to senior vice president of the Guam and Northern Marianas region. Under her leadership, First Hawaiian Bank has had outstanding performance ratings. She has increased residential funding to over $8 million, managed the acquisition of accounts and employees of Union Bank of California on Guam and Saipan, and paved the way for the opening of the Tamuning branch and off-site ATMs.

Laura is active in our community and she is the current chairwoman of the Guam Chamber of Commerce. In addition, she chairs the Family Selection Committee of Habitat for Humanity. She serves as an advisor to the Guam Visitors' Bureau 5-Year Strategic Plan Task Force, Strategic Economic Development Council in Saipan, the USO Advisory Council, and Andersen Civilian Advisory Council. She is also a member of the Guam Hotel and Restaurant Association and Guam Board of Realtors Association.

Laura's expert knowledge of banking and finance has resulted in business success for her banks and quality financial services for our community. I commend her commitment to serving our people, and I congratulate her as the U.S. Small Business Administration's 2008 Financial Services Champion of the Year for Guam.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the dedication and commitment of Dr. Jason Biggs to our community of Guam. Dr. Biggs' scholarly achievements and his commitment to youth outreach and educational programs are appreciated by educators and students on Guam. Today he serves as an assistant professor in the University of Guam's Marine Laboratory and is the first Chamorro to hold a tenure-track position within the Marine Lab. He is the son of Joel G. Biggs and Anita R. Cruz.

Dr. Biggs is a graduate of George Washington High School and the University of Guam (UOG), both located in the village of Mangilao, Guam. He obtained his bachelor's and master's degrees in biology from UOG. This academic foundation prepared him to pursue an advanced degree at the University of Utah, and in 2005 he successfully earned his doctor of philosophy in pharmacology and toxicology. Dr. Biggs brings his knowledge and love of learning to our university and our schools. He is a superb role model to our young people.

Dr. Biggs works to promote science and scientific careers to youth through outreach programs. He has authored a textbook designed to introduce concepts in chemistry, biology, and biodiversity to elementary school students to encourage learning through interactive experiments.

Dr. Biggs served in various professional capacities as he pursued his doctorate. He participated in important research as a Molluscan DNA- Barcoder and Specialist of Chemical Ecology of Conidae for the Museum of Natural History in Paris. This research project brought him to the South Pacific country of Vanuatu where he worked with 50 other marine scientists. Dr. Biggs also worked as a forensics consultant for the office of Forensic Science, New Jersey State Police and he now brings these forensic skills to assist in local police efforts.

On behalf of the people of Guam, I commend and congratulate Dr. Jason Biggs for his achievements and his service to our island community. I look forward to hearing of his future academic successes at the University of Guam and his future contributions to our island.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize and congratulate Gary K. Sung on being named the U.S. Small Business Administration 2008 Small Business Young Entrepreneur Champion of the Year for Guam.

Gary Sung is the sole proprietor of Ideal Advertising. With his knowledge of technology and web development, combined with his determination and business sense, Gary transformed Ideal Advertising from a home-based business to a successful advertising agency with nine full-time employees.

Gary was also named Regional Young Entrepreneur Champion of the Year in 2007 from a pool of young business owners from California, Nevada, Arizona, and Hawaii.

I congratulate Gary K. Sung on his business success, and I join our island in celebrating his regional and national recognition as the U.S. Small Business Administration 2008 Small Business Young Entrepreneur Champion of the Year for Guam.