Floor Statements

Madam Speaker, I was absent from the chamber late last night. Had I been present for the seven rollcall votes that were taken on amendments to H.R. 2764, the Department of State, Foreign Operations and Related Programs Appropriations Act for Fiscal Year 2008, I would have voted ``no'' on rollcall No. 535, ``no'' on rollcall No. 536, ``no'' on rollcall No. 537, ``no'' on rollcall No. 538, ``no'' on rollcall No. 539, ``yes'' on rollcall No. 540, and ``no'' on rollcall No. 541.

Madam Speaker, I was unavoidably delayed in arriving to the chamber for the series of five recorded votes taken during the evening of Tuesday, June 12, 2007, on amendments to H.R. 2638, the Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act for fiscal year 2008. I was therefore unable to cast my vote during the first vote in that series which was on the amendment offered by the gentleman from New York, Mr. Crowley. Had I been able to record my vote on this amendment, rollcall No. 453, I would have voted ``no''.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H.R. 2359, the SBA Entrepreneurial Development Programs Act of 2007. I commend our colleague from Pennsylvania (Mr. Sestak) for sponsoring this legislation. I also commend our colleague from New York (Ms. Velazquez), Chairwoman of the Committee on Small Business, and the members of the Committee on Small Business for their initiatives to strengthen America's small businesses and for bringing to the House chamber today four important bills aimed at improving programs and services administered by the U.S. Small Business Administration.

H.R. 2359 would reauthorize certain entrepreneurial development programs and aid small businesses across our country in receiving enhanced assistance from Small Business Development Centers (SBDCs). H.R. 2359 would also expand the services available through SBDCs to include assistance aimed to help businesses prepare for and respond to economic disruptions caused by natural and manmade disasters, regulatory burdens, and increased costs. By ensuring that the SBDC core programs remain robust and authorizing new programs that are designed specifically to meet evolving needs of small business owners and operators, this bill will help SBDCs sustain a reputation as trusted and valued sources of technical assistance for our country's entrepreneurs.

This legislation would further make important changes to the Small Business Administration Service Corps of Retired Executives (SCORE) Program. These changes will help ensure that SBA clients from socially and economically disadvantaged backgrounds can benefit from advice, counseling and mentoring from executives from similar, disadvantaged backgrounds. This bill would require the SBA to increase its efforts to recruit such executives to participate in the SCORE Program.

The SBDC and SCORE programs have been remarkably successful. This bill will help ensure that those excellent programs are as responsive as possible to the evolving needs of our country's small businesses. I urge my colleagues' support for this bill.

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

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 2366, the Small Business Administration Veterans' Programs Act of 2007. I commend my colleague from Florida (Mr. Buchanan) for introducing this legislation.

This bill would authorize the Small Business Administration (SBA) to award grants to Small Business Development Centers (SBDCs) for the establishment of programs that would improve outreach to veterans and veterans service organizations. Specifically, this bill would authorize SBDCs to use such grant funds to create a marketing campaign to promote awareness of the services made available to veterans through that SBDC, and to target the campaign toward veterans, disabled veterans, military units, federal agencies, and veterans service organizations. The bill would also authorize SBDCs to utilize grant funds to develop and expand technology-assisted counseling and distance learning services designed to help veterans and members of the United States Armed Forces overcome barriers to entrepreneurship. This bill would further authorize SBDCs to facilitate and increase coordination among organizations that assist veterans, including through the integration of service providers and offerings into a one-stop point of contact for veterans who are entrepreneurs or small business owners.

This bill would further require that Veterans Business Outreach Centers (VBOCs) participate in the U.S. Department of Labor Technical Assistance Program (TAP). The Technical Assistance Program is offered in 173 locations throughout the United States and 53 locations internationally. H.R. 2366 would authorize VBOCs to provide grants to eligible entities located in TAP locations to make presentations on the opportunities available from the SBA for recently separated veterans. According to this bill such presentations must include, at a minimum, the entrepreneurial and business training resources available from the SBA. This bill would increase the number of authorized VBOCs by two in each of fiscal years 2008 and 2009.

Additionally, H.R. 2366 would direct the SBA to establish a Women Veterans Business Training Resource Program. This program would compile information on resources available to women veterans for business training, including resources for vocational and technical education, the development of general business skills, and business assistance programs. H.R. 2366 would direct that the SBA disseminate such information through VBOCs and women business centers.

Support for this legislation will help Congress fulfill its commitment to ensuring that our veterans and servicemembers receive the support they need upon separation from service. I support this legislation on behalf of all veterans and servicemembers, in particular those veterans and servicemembers from Guam. I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 2366.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 2284, a bill to amend the Small Business Act to expand and improve the assistance provided by Small Business Development Centers to Indian tribe members, Alaska Natives, and Native Hawaiians. I commend the gentleman from New Mexico (Mr. Udall) for introducing this important legislation to address poverty and unemployment amongst these disadvantaged and underserved communities. I also thank my colleague from New York (Ms. Velazquez), Chairwoman of the Committee on Small Business, and the members of the Committee on Small Business for their continued leadership toward helping strengthen our country's small businesses and in addressing the socioeconomic challenges faced by our indigenous communities.

H.R. 2284 will enable small business development centers to assist Native American communities in the areas of job creation and economic growth. This bill helps individuals to utilize their own valuable business skills so that their small businesses, and in turn their community, may prosper.

This is a strong bill. But I believe that it can strengthened by expanding the eligible grant recipients to include small business development centers that work with the indigenous populations of the territories, particularly in Guam, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, and American Samoa. Pacific Islanders from the territories endure economic adversity similar to that experienced by Native Americans, Alaska Natives, and Native Hawaiians. I look forward to working with my colleagues to ensure that either in conference on this legislation, or on a similar proposal, that we take action to address the small business development needs of the indigenous peoples of the U.S. territories.

This bill, if enacted, would provide for valuable federal assistance for Native Americans, and I urge my colleagues to support its passage and to support economic development for all indigenous communities throughout the United States.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H.R. 2397, the Small Business Administration Women's Business Programs Act of 2007. I commend my colleague from Oklahoma (Ms. Fallin) for introducing this important legislation to reauthorize the women's entrepreneurial development programs of the Small Business Administration (SBA).

Most notably H.R. 2397 would authorize the SBA Administrator to provide financial assistance to private nonprofit organizations to conduct projects for the benefit of small businesses owned and operated by women. The bill notes that such projects shall provide, among other things, financial assistance, including training and counseling on how to apply for and secure business credit and investment capital, preparing and presenting financial statements, and managing cash flow and other financial operations of a business concern; management assistance, including training and counseling in how to plan, organize, staff, direct, and control each major activity and function of a small business; and marketing assistance, including training and counseling in identifying and segmenting domestic and international market opportunities, preparing and executing marketing plans, developing pricing strategies, locating contract opportunities, negotiating contracts, and utilizing varying public relations and advertising techniques.

H.R. 2397 would also direct that the National Women's Business Council (NWBC) conduct at least one study per year that evaluates the challenges hindering the success of women entrepreneurs, and mandates that NWBC select the topic for the study in consultation with the Committee on Small Business of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship of the Senate.

Support for this legislation will help Congress fulfill its commitment to ensuring that women owned and operated small businesses are able to access the resources and training they may require in order to achieve success. I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 2397.

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

Mr. Chairman, I rise today in support of H.R. 2642, the Fiscal Year 2008 Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Appropriations Act. This bill includes many provisions critical to improving the quality of life for our fighting men and women as well as providing long-awaited and substantial increases in funding for veterans services. We continue our important commitment to veterans and servicemembers in this bill.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank Chairman Edwards and Ranking Member Wicker for the work that they and their staff members have done to include within this bill provisions important to the people of Guam; to servicemembers who serve on Guam, and veterans living on Guam. The work of committee leadership ensures that this Congress will make a meaningful positive impact on our Armed Forces.

The appropriations bill continues Congress's strong support of the military build-up on Guam. The strategic importance of Guam cannot be understated. Guam allows the United States Armed Forces to maintain a strong presence in the Pacific region. The bill goes a

long way to improving critical infrastructure on Guam that is necessary for the build-up to be successful.

To that end, the bill fully funds $345 million in military construction projects. The bill provides for full funding of several key infrastructure projects for the Navy from improving electrical system security to repairing and upgrading a wastewater treatment plant. The bill also fully funds the critical Kilo Wharf upgrade project. The $101 million project is strategically critical to United States Naval forces as it is the only dedicated ammunition wharf in the Western Pacific Region.

Important quality of life issues for servicemembers on Guam are also included. The bill fully funds $45 million for upgrades to the Naval Base Fitness Center. Funds for this project meet Chief of Naval Forces Admiral Mike Mullen's commitment to improving the quality of life for all Naval forces. It also fully funds $57 million in upgrades to degraded housing on Naval Base Guam. The need for adequate housing facilities is more prescient, as more and more Naval vessels use the base as maintenance and supply center.

I also applaud the Committee's efforts in including report language that directs the Department of Veterans Affairs to report on its plans for activation of 29 previously funded Community-Based Outpatient Clinics. Guam is one of the 29 clinics that is awaiting activation. I am deeply concerned that the Department of Veterans Affairs is not providing the veterans on Guam with the quality care that they deserve for their sacrifices to our great nation. The report language answers the concerns that I have expressed to the Department on multiple occasions. I look forward to hearing the Department's plan for activation of the clinic on Guam.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H. Res. 295, a resolution that recognizes the strong alliance between the Republic of Korea and the United States and further expresses appreciation to the Republic of Korea for its efforts in the global war against terrorism. The dynamic and strong relations that exist between the United States and Republic of Korea serve as a model for partnerships the United States must continue to seek to establish and cultivate with other countries within the Asia-Pacific region and throughout the world.

The contributions made by the government of the Republic of Korea toward helping battle terrorism are vital to providing for safety and security throughout the world. The efforts on the part of the Republic of Korea to help fight terrorists in Afghanistan and Iraq and help develop democratic governance, strengthen civil society, and establish stronger economies in those countries are of particular importance to the United States and our allies. These missions are challenging ones. Their eventual, positive outcomes are less than certain at this point. The commitment to achieving success in Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom displayed by the Republic of Korea is commendable and an important component of the Coalition force structure.

Efforts on the part of South Korea to encourage the government of North Korea to act in a responsible manner with respect to its misguided pursuit of nuclear weapons and ballistic missile technology are also of paramount importance at this time to the United States and our allies. I am encouraged by the strong partnership that has been formed between the United States and South Korea and other countries with respect to this issue.

I welcome the opportunity to continue to work with our South Korean allies toward ensuring a more peaceful, stable, and prosperous Asia- Pacific region and world. I am confident that the United States and South Korea will develop even stronger political, economic, and security ties in the years ahead. I urge my colleagues to support this resolution.

Madam Speaker, some men become heroes on the battlefield; some are heroes in their communities, even before they go off to battle. With much sadness, I rise to say that Guam and the island of Chuuk in the Federated States of Micronesia have lost such a hero. Army SGT Iosiwo Uruo, who died on May 24, 2007 in Buhriz, Iraq, in support of

Operation Iraq Freedom, was well known and well liked in his home village of Agana Heights for his friendly but quiet, and humble nature.

Fondly known to family and friends as ``Siwo,'' Sergeant Uruo was born in Chuuk on November 29, 1979. His family moved to Guam in 1987 and they were befriended by Agana Heights Mayor Paul McDonald and his family, and the two families became close friends. Siwo's passing deeply grieves both families.

Sergeant Uruo attended Agana Heights Elementary School and Agueda Johnston Middle School. He graduated from George Washington High School in 2000, the first in his family to earn a diploma. Siwo was involved in the high school's ROTC Program and played football for GWHS for several years. In Agana Heights, Iosiwo participated in sporting events such as baseball and softball; he was part of the Mayor's Youth for Hire Program, to help village youths earn money by doing yard work or general cleaning, and the Agana Heights ``Fun In The Sun'' Summer Program, as youth worker. He also was a member of Troop 22 of the Boy Scouts of America, Agana Heights.

Sergeant Uruo was the proverbial `good son,' hardworking, respectful, and obedient. He enlisted in the Army after graduating from high school because he wanted to serve his country.

On behalf of the People of Guam and a grateful nation, I extend heartfelt condolences and profound sympathy to Sergeant Uruo's parents, Isaoshy and Iosita; his sisters, Isabel and Josephine; his brothers, Iosiro, Joshua, Alanser, and Ivan; his sisters-in-law, Fatima and Jonea; and nephew Iverson; as well as to his all of his extended family and friends, especially Mayor Paul and Elaine McDonald and their family. Siwo was a caring son, a loving brother, and a proud American patriot.

Mr. Speaker, House Concurrent Resolution 94 expresses our support for ending the fishing subsidies given to foreign fishermen. I appreciate the chairman of the House Natural Resources Committee, Nick Rahall, and the Ranking Republican, Don Young, for their assistance in moving this legislation.

Foreign governments' subsidies to fishermen are common in many countries around the world. Too little of these subsidies go toward beneficial purposes, such as improving fisheries management and science. Instead, they typically are used to offset fishing costs, for example, by providing support for fuel consumption and vessel construction.

The subsidies artificially decrease the cost of fishing for foreign fishermen, making fishing a profitable trade when it would not be otherwise. The subsidies increase the rate of overfishing worldwide. Current estimates reveal that the sheer number of vessels actively fishing around the world today is up to 250 percent greater than is sustainable, according to the World Wildlife Fund.

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations has found that 75 percent of the world's fisheries are fully exploited, over exploited, depleted, or recovering from depletion. There is clearly no need to expand the world's fishing fleets beyond their current capacity. Quite the contrary. By eliminating the subsidies that lead to fleet expansion, we can reduce some of this pressure.

The United States--like other countries--reserves to American fishermen and women the exclusive right to fish within 200 nautical mile of the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). Hundreds of foreign vessels each year, however, are intercepted while fishing illegally in U.S. waters. This rise in illegal fishing, most certainly contributed to by the overcapacity in the world's fleets, is placing additional pressure on our already exploited resources, damaging our marine ecosystems, and taking away potential revenue from our domestic fishing industry. In 2006 alone, the United States Coast Guard intercepted 164 vessels fishing in our EEZ.

In my home district of Guam the problem of illegal fishing is significant. The Western Central Pacific area is considered one of the Coast Guard's three highest threat areas for illegal foreign fishing. In 2006, the Coast Guard recorded 11 incidents of illegal foreign fishing in the Western Central Pacific area. Since 2000, the Coast Guard has intercepted an average of 34 vessels per year. And this only represents the vessels that are being caught.

The countries whose vessels are the most likely to be found illegally fishing in the U.S. EEZ are also countries that provide large capacity- increasing subsidies to their fishing fleets. Because enforcement is so difficult, it is even more important that we attack the issue at its root by encouraging worldwide capacity reduction and by discouraging other countries from making it economically feasible for their vessels to travel into our waters to fish.

While we have no direct control over the actions of foreign governments, the Doha Round of the current World Trade Organization (WTO) negotiations have placed the United States in a unique position to influence the future use of harmful fisheries subsidies by other countries. Through these negotiations the United States has an opportunity to exercise its leadership internationally in encouraging the elimination of subsidies that increase fishing capacity and that promote overfishing. By passing this concurrent resolution, Congress can demonstrate to the world its support for our government as they move forward with these negotiations.

I strongly urge my colleagues to take a strong stance against harmful foreign fishing subsidies by supporting this House Concurrent Resolution 94.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to commend Dianna M.N. Le, a young woman from Guam who will serve our Nation as a commissioned officer in the United States Army. She has made her parents, Phat V. Le and Lylan T. Nguyen of Mangilao, Guam, and the people of Guam immensely proud. Dianna attended Wettengel Elementary School and Santa Barbara Middle School in Dededo, and graduated from St. John's College Preparatory School in Tumon, with a performance record that earned her a nomination to the United States Military Academy (USMA) at West Point. Having successfully maintained an outstanding academic record, Dianna M.N. Le will graduate from West Point and will be commissioned as a second lieutenant on May 26, 2007. She will soon begin an important and challenging career as a soldier and leader serving our country with distinction.

Throughout her 4 years at West Point, Cadet Le was recognized for her military skill and athleticism, as well as for her academic achievement. She earned the Recondo badge for military proficiency, the Army Physical Fitness Badge, the Indoor Obstacle Course Badge, and the Master of the Sword Badge. She was elected as team captain of the nationally ranked USMA Women's Army rugby team. She was twice selected as a 2nd Team All-American for her skill as a rugby player. She twice earned recognition on the Dean's list. Additionally, a paper which she co-authored was published in Applied Optics Journal.

As a second lieutenant, Dianna will serve as a Military Police officer. Following graduation, she will attend a 6-week Basic Officer Leadership Course (BOLC) in Fort Benning, Georgia. Upon completion of training at Fort Benning, she will receive additional training at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri, after which she will report for duty with the 173rd Airborne Brigade in Bamberg, Germany.

In line with the USMA's mission to train military leaders, Dianna Le consistently upheld the Academy's principles, traditions, and values of ``Duty, Honor, Country'' throughout the

course of her education, and has proven that she has become a military leader, ready to take her place in the service of our Nation. The people of Guam are proud of Dianna's achievements and grateful for her service to our country. We commend her for her accomplishments and extend our best wishes to her as she begins her military career.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to congratulate and commend Midshipman Jonathan Thomas Aguon Duenas who will graduate from the United States Naval Academy with a bachelor of science in history and who will be commissioned as an Ensign in the United States Navy on May 25, 2007.

Jonathan is a graduate of Father Duenas Memorial School on Guam, where he acquired outstanding leadership qualities and a desire to strive for excellence. Jonathan credits two other Chamorro Naval Academy graduates for inspiring his decision to become an Academy- trained naval officer: Retired Navy Captain and former Guam Senator Eulogio ``Eloy'' Bermudes, was the first Chamorro graduate of the Naval Academy in 1970, and Captain Peter A. Gumataotao, who graduated the Academy in 1981, and who was the first Chamorro selected as commanding officer of a Navy warship, the U.S.S. Decatur, which made a port visit to Guam during his command. Captain Gumataotao also is a product of Father Duenas Memorial School, having graduated from the school in 1976. Jonathan's brothers who are currently serving in the Air National Guard also are a source of inspiration.

Jonathan entered the United States Naval Academy as a plebe in 2003 and worked hard to become a naval officer. He was one of only 36 midshipmen selected to attend the prestigious Nuclear Surface Warfare Officer Program. Jonathan will report aboard the destroyer, U.S.S. Curtis Wilbur, home-ported in Yokosuka, Japan. Upon completion of his first tour, he will report to Nuclear Power School in South Carolina.

Jonathan was raised on Guam, the youngest of eight children born to Ricardo Camacho Duenas and the late Ruth Aguon Duenas of Tamuning. He was steeped in his Chamorro culture and a strong sense of responsibility, volunteering his time and effort in support of Habitat for Humanity projects in the greater Washington, DC area.

Today we share the pride of the Duenas family and the people of Guam in Ensign Jonathan Duenas' achievements. As evidenced by his performance in school, Jonathan promises to truly become the naval officer as honorable as those who inspired him and those who preceded him.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the life and service of Captain Peter Charles Siguenza, United States Marine Corps (Retired), who passed away on May 17, 2007, just two days after his 87th birthday. He was the first Chamorro to be commissioned as an officer in the Marine Corps. Peter was also a well known public figure on Guam, and a genuinely fine and honest man who consistently gave of himself in service to his community and his fellow Marines. The outpouring of public condolences and accolades in my home district following the news of Peter's passing is indicative of the respect, admiration, and affection the people of Guam had for Peter and his service to his country.

A person's record of military and community service can be extensive and very impressive, but records do not convey the admiration or depth of emotion of the recipients of the service. Peter C. Siguenza was born on May 15, 1920, the second of nine children born to the late Jose and Consolacion Mendiola Siguenza. He attended Seaton Schroeder Junior High School in Hagatna and graduated from Coronado High School in Coronado, California. He attended San Diego State College for 2 years, from 1940- 1942. After the attack on Pearl Harbor plunged the United States into war, Peter, like thousands of young men, enlisted in the Armed Forces. Peter volunteered for the Marine Corps. After completing boot camp, he was assigned to the Third Marine Division. He saw action in New Zealand, Guadacanal, and Bougainville. The division was then ordered to the Marianas to recapture Guam.

Peter was on board the USS Dupage, where he and his fellow Marines watched the intense pre-invasion bombardment of the island. He often spoke about how difficult it was to witness the bombing knowing his family was somewhere on the island, but not knowing whether they were safe.

Peter was among those destined to hit the beach at Asan, Guam, and begin the retaking of the island from the Imperial Army of Japan. But he was ordered away from the battle to attend Officer Candidate School before the landing occurred. Peter returned to Guam as a second lieutenant and participated in post-invasion operations to secure the island. He remained on Guam at the end of the war and was assigned to Island Command in 1946.

Peter joined the Marine Corps Reserves and was assigned to the 12th Reserve District in San Francisco after his discharge from active duty. Upon returning to civilian life, Peter returned and completed college, earning a bachelor's degree from St. Mary's College in Moraga, California, in 1949. He then earned a Master of Science degree in Public Administration from the University of Southern California at Los Angeles in 1955. In 2005, he was awarded an honorary doctorate from the University of Guam.

On September 2, 1950, Peter married his sweetheart, Barbara Bordallo. They had three children: Peter, Monica, and Donna.

After retiring as a captain from the Marine Corps Reserves, Peter went to work for the Government of Guam, serving as director of Labor and Personnel under Governors Carlton S. Skinner, Ford Q. Elvidge and Richard B. Lowe. He then entered into federal service and worked at posts throughout the United States. He also served as a personnel management specialist and appeals and grievance examiner with the Department of Defense Dependents Schools in Europe and the Pacific, and as a personnel management and labor relations specialist on the director's staff. After retiring from federal service, Peter went to work as personnel director for Jones and Guerrero Company, Inc., from 1980-1986.

In addition to his military, government, and private sector careers, Peter always found time to serve his community. He served as chairman of the University of Guam's Board of Regents; was on the Board of Trustees of the Guam Community College; was a member and past president of the Guam Chapter of the Third Marine Division Association, the National Association of Federal Employees, the Guam Territorial Society of Washington, D.C., a member and past vice president of the Young Men's League of Guam, and member of the St. Jude Assembly of the Knights of Columbus.

Peter C. Siguenza passed away just 5 days after the passing of former Senator Paul J. Bordallo on May 12, 2007. Both men were my brothers-in- law. The entire Bordallo family mourns the passing of two of its finest members. Peter was a proud and life long Marine, a war hero, a diligent public servant at both the federal and local government levels, a valued professional in the private sector, a devoted Catholic, and an upstanding citizen.

My prayers and condolences are with his wife, Bobbie; his son, Peter C. Siguenza, Jr., the retired chief justice of the Supreme Court of Guam; his daughters and sons-in-law, Monica and Michael Sphar and Donna and Joel Rigler; his grandchildren, Dawn, David, Isaac, and Nathaniel; his siblings, Olivia S. Guerrero, Eduardo C. Siguenza, and Antonio C. Siguenza, and with his other Bordallo brothers- and sisters-in-law.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 67, the Veterans Outreach Improvement Act of 2007. This bill directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to establish, maintain, and modify as necessary procedures for ensuring the effective coordination of outreach activities of the Department of Veterans Affairs, the Office of the Secretary, the Office of Public Affairs, the Veterans Health Administration, the Veterans Benefits Administration, and the National Cemetery Administration. The bill would also direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to ensure that state, territorial and local outreach assistance is provided in locations that have relatively large concentrations of veterans or are experiencing growth in veteran populations. Additionally, this bill would authorize the Secretary to make grants to state veterans agencies for state and local outreach services. This legislation is supported by the Veterans of Foreign Wars, Paralyzed Veterans of America, Military Officers Association of America, and Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America. It represents another step in our effort to fulfill our promises in the GI Bill of Rights for the 21st Century.

It is a important that we act in manner that will help ensure that our government sponsors quality programs and provides quality services to our veterans. It is also important that we act in a manner that will help ensure, to the extent possible, that our veterans are able to take full advantage of the programs and services offered by Department of Veterans Affairs facilities across the country. To achieve these

goals we must, among other things, improve the outreach capabilities and capacities of the Department of Veterans Affairs while also improving its coordination with state, territorial and local authorities. This will help greatly in our ongoing efforts to disseminate information regarding veterans programs and services and also help improve the quality of claims for benefits submitted by our veterans.

I remain committed to facilitating communication between federal authorities, veteran service organizations, and veterans on Guam. We have achieved some success in this regard. But more must be done. I am routinely informed by federal officials that the quality of claims received from Guam veterans, in particular, needs to be improved. Efforts to improve and enhance outreach, communication, and information sharing between federal and local officials and veterans embodied in this bill will help the situation on Guam. But I also want to take this opportunity to again urge the veterans service organizations and veterans themselves to be vigorous and proactive in seeking out information and training on veterans programs and benefit claims submissions. Many veterans already are, and in many ways, we are witnesses to veterans helping veterans. Continued information sharing and collaboration among and within the greater veterans community across the country will continue to result in stronger programs and services for them.

This legislation is timely and important. On Guam, indeed across the country, our population of veterans grows each month. We have a moral obligation to serve, in the best way possible, those who have served to protect us and to defend our freedom and liberty. Support for this legislation is one way to help fulfill that obligation. I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting H.R. 67.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of S. 1104, a bill to increase the number of Iraqi and Afghan translators and interpreters who may be admitted to the United States as special immigrants. The bill improves upon an earlier effort made by Congress to address this matter. The intent that underwrites this bill is a noble one, and the improvements it makes to current law are needed. I am concerned, however, by the limited scope of the authorities provided by the bill before us and that is under consideration.

Section 1059 of P.L. 109-163 allows for 50 Iraqi and Afghan translators or interpreters who work in support of United States Armed Forces in those countries to petition the United States Government and be approved for entry into the United States under special immigrant status. The opportunity to immigrate to the United States has proved to be very popular among translators who work with the United States Armed Forces in Iraq and Afghanistan. These individuals are generally the targets of incidences of violence or threats of violence from certain individuals or groups due to their close association with the United States Armed Forces. Reportedly, there is a six year waiting list for the 50 slots authorized by Section 1059 of P.L. 109-163. Unfortunately, Section 1059 of P.L. 109-163 did not provide similar opportunities for translators and interpreters who work with civilian departments and agencies in Iraq and Afghanistan who, like their colleagues who serve alongside the United States Armed Forces, are subject to incidences of violence or threats of violence from insurgents, militias, criminals, and terrorists operating in those countries. S. 1104, the legislation before us today, would expand existing law to authorize 500 special immigrant visas annually for the next two years, and expand eligibility for the visas to include both translators and interpreters working for the Chief of Mission or the United States Armed Forces in Iraq or Afghanistan.

This bill would make useful and important changes to current law. The House Committee on the Judiciary notes in House Report 110-158 that accompanies S. 1104, ``that there are potentially dire consequences in delay'' of this legislation and that ``the Committee chose to consider the Senate-passed legislation in the interest of expediting its enactment.'' I commend my colleague from Michigan and the Chairman of the House of Representatives' Committee on the Judiciary (Mr. Conyers), my colleague from Texas and the Committee's Ranking Member (Mr. Smith), and the members of the Committee for their prompt work toward reporting this legislation for consideration by the full House. Simply put, their efforts on this bill in Committee, and our favorable consideration of this bill on the floor, will directly result in the saving of the lives of some incredibly brave individuals.

But the United States Government can and must do more. We have a moral obligation to do all that we can to protect all of those individuals and their family members who are targeted for death or are subject of acts of intimidation or violence as a result of their employment by, or close association with, United States and Coalition military and civilian personnel operating in Iraq and Afghanistan.

While this bill represents progress in this regard, it alone will not completely fulfill this moral obligation.

The Committee notes in House Report 110-158 that, ``[i]n approving this bill for expedited consideration, the Committee acknowledges the issues that are left unaddressed.'' The Committee, in its report accompanying this legislation, comments that, ``[t]here appears to be little reason to limit this relief to those serving with our Missions in Iraq and Afghanistan as a translator or interpreter. Iraqis and Afghans are serving in many different functions in aid of our Missions there, and as their lives come under threat as a result, they would seem similarly deserving of our help in delivering them from harm's way.'' House Report 110-158, furthermore, notes that, ``[t]here is also the question of whether these would-be refugees should be granted access to refugee assistance programs promptly once they arrive in the United States.'' I fully understand and recognize that this is a complicated issue. But it is my hope that comprehensive Iraqi and Afghan refugee legislation can be considered and agreed to by this body in the near future.

I would hope that such comprehensive Iraq and Afghan refugee legislation, at a minimum, would provide the authority for at-risk Iraqi and Afghan individuals and their family members--who serve in any capacity--alongside, in support of, or in close coordination with United States or Coalition military and civilian personnel--to be eligible to petition the United States Government and be approved for entry into the United States under special immigrant status. Specifically, I would hope that such comprehensive refugee legislation would, at a minimum, provide petition authority and approval eligibility for at-risk Iraqis and Afghans who are direct hires of United States Government or Coalition country departments, agencies, and military services; Iraqis and Afghans who work as contractors for, or in support of, United States Government or Coalition country departments, agencies, and military services; Iraqi and Afghan public sector employees or elected members of government who work alongside, or who are closely or commonly associated with, United States and Coalition country military and civilian personnel; and Iraqi and Afghan business owners and operators and laborers who have performed work on construction, service, or other contacts financed by United States Government or Coalition government funds.

Success achieved by United States and Coalition military and civilian personnel in Iraq and Afghanistan to date can be, in part, attributed to the efforts of the local nationals in those countries. Those Iraqis and Afghans, for the most part, believe in democratic, peaceful and prosperous futures for their countries and their families. That is why they choose to stand for election to public office, why they serve alongside United States and Coalition personnel, whether as translators, cultural advisors, or the myriad other roles that these brave individuals perform in support of our missions in those countries, and why they perform work on reconstruction projects financed by the United States Government and the governments of Coalition countries. By doing so, however, they and their family members are exposed to extreme risks.

Here in Washington, DC it is all too easy for us to distinguish between the roles and responsibilities of Iraqis or Afghans who are direct hires of the United States Government and the governments of Coalition countries, Iraqis and Afghans who work on contract in support of United States and Coalition personnel, and Iraqis and Afghans who are employees of their governments. Each has a distinct role and relationship with the United States and Coalition governments and the missions pursued by their personnel. But these distinctions are not similarly considered by insurgents, militias, criminals, and terrorists who wish to do these individuals harm. That is, the enemy does not first review their employment situations and statuses of Iraqis and Afghans, draw distinctions, and then issue threats or conduct acts of intimidation or violence accordingly. The enemy kills, kidnaps, and intimidates ``enablers'' without discrimination. The Iraqis and Afghans who work alongside our personnel know this reality all too well. Comprehensive legislation to address this issue should, to the best of our ability, not draw distinctions or discriminate either.

S. 1104, as noted by the Committee in its report to accompany this bill, is not a comprehensive response to the problem before our country with respect to Iraqis and Afghans who are at-risk of violence and intimidation as a result of their association with United States and Coalition country departments, agencies, and military services' operating in Iraq and Afghanistan. Nevertheless, I recognize the urgency of enacting the limited reforms to current law contained in the language of this bill; and, therefore, I support its passage. I urge my colleagues to vote ``yes'' on this bill and to continue to work in support of comprehensive refugee legislation with respect to the service of Iraqi and Afghan nationals.