Floor Statements

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

(Ms. BORDALLO asked and was given permission to revise and extend her remarks.)

Mr. Speaker, Representative Lois Capps, the author of this legislation, has been a tireless advocate for conservation of the stunning natural resources found in her district. H.R. 3534 continues her efforts by protecting and interpreting an historic light station and the incredibly rich natural resources surrounding it. We urge our colleagues to support H.R. 3534.

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

Mr. Speaker, lastly, I want to thank my friend, the gentleman from New Mexico (Mr. Pearce), and my friend, the gentleman from Arizona (Mr. Renzi), for their work today. It has been a pleasure to manage these bills with them this afternoon.

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

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of S. 418, a bill that speaks to an issue that has been of concern to Congress for several years now. I believe that the time has come to stop talking about unscrupulous practices that unfairly target U.S. servicemen and women and to act to end them. This bill serves that end.

This bill addresses the issue of deceitful insurance schemes that take advantage of U.S. service men and women by pitching important investment and insurance programs while hiding within them antiquated fee schemes. For those who offer important financial and life planning programs to hide within such plans unfair, this bill removes the ability to hide expansive and outdated fee schedules that bilk vulnerable, young service men and women.

S. 418 protects the financial interests of those who serve. I urge my colleagues to support this legislation and to support our men and women in uniform and their families.

Madam Speaker, today, it is my privilege and honor to welcome His Excellency, the Most Reverend Anthony Sablan Apuron, the Archbishop of Metropolitan Archdiocese of Agana, Guam, to this House.

Archbishop Apuron is a man of great faith, wisdom and inspiration. He has shepherded the faithful on Guam, the Northern Marianas, Micronesia, Palau, and the Marshall Islands for the past 20 years as our archbishop.

The Catholic Church in the Pacific has blossomed under his leadership,

and our communities have greatly benefited from his ministry. This past weekend, Archbishop Apuron led a pilgrimage from Guam to Washington, DC, for the enshrinement of Our Lady of Camarin, the Patroness of the Marianas, in the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception. Many of these pilgrims, Madam Speaker, from Guam are with us today in the gallery.

I thank Archbishop Apuron for his prayer this afternoon and for his guidance and counsel throughout the years. The people of Guam join me in thanking you, Madam Speaker, and our House chaplain, Father Daniel Coughlin, for the invitation to Archbishop Apuron to serve as guest chaplain.

I thank you. Si Yuos Maase. God bless America and God bless Guam.

Madam Speaker, during World War II, the War in the Pacific began with attacks on the United States on December 7, 1941, including the bombing of Pearl Harbor, attacks on the Philippine Islands and the invasion of Guam. Within days of these attacks, our nation and our allies mobilized for war. The United States and the Philippines united behind the cause of democracy and we are proud of the support of the Filipinos during that difficult time. This is why I rise today in support of House Resolution 622, to recognize and honor the Filipino World War II veterans for their defense of democratic ideals and their important contribution to the outcome of World War II.

Ultimate victory belonged to the cause of freedom and therefore to the American and Filipino people. Having suffered a brutal occupation, Filipinos and Guamanians alike were liberated in the march to allied victory in World War II.

Filipino soldiers and civilians fought, sacrificed and died side-by- side with members of the U.S. Armed Forces throughout the course of the World War II. Loyal to the American flag and to the ideals which our country represented, Filipinos fought with notable skill, dedication, and heroism. We honor their commitment to freedom and democracy.

Over sixty years later, we pause today to remember the valor and the commitment to freedom displayed by Filipinos who fought the invading forces alongside their American brothers in arms. With this resolution we also proclaim our deep debt of gratitude for their service and share the disappointment that our nation has not fully honored Filipino World War II veterans as have we have honored our own. It is important that we recognize the Filipino veterans and express our appreciation for their sacrifices, contributions and accomplishments.

I am a proud sponsor of this legislation. I urge my colleagues to honor Filipino veterans by voting in favor of this resolution to honor the Filipino World War II veterans for their defense of freedom and their important contributions to our nation in World War II.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Archbishop Anthony Sablan Apuron and the Roman Catholic Metropolitan Archdiocese of Agana on the occasion of the enshrinement of ``Our Lady of Camarin'' in the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, DC. Our Lady of Camarin, ``Santa Marian Kamalen'' as she is known in the Chamorro language, is the Patroness of the Metropolitan Archdiocese of Agana and of the Mariana Islands. I also congratulate the Guam chapters of the Catholic Daughters of the Americas who have taken an active interest in the cause of enshrinement and who are well represented in Washington for the ceremony on September 17, 2006.

The Santa Marian Kamalen is an important historic symbol of faith to the people of Guam and the Mariana Islands. The Santa Marian Kamalen statue, which arrived on Guam in the 17th century, was a significant part of the Spanish introduction of the Catholic faith on Guam and has been an enduring symbol of the growth of the Catholic Church in the Mariana Islands for the past three centuries. The Santa Marian Kamalen statue is representative of the resilience of the Chamorro people

who have turned to the Patroness in times of distress to receive her comfort. This religious symbol has survived fires, earthquakes, and typhoons and inspires the faithful who seek her intercession for protection from famine, earthquakes, typhoons and tsunamis.

During the occupation of Guam in World War II, believers turned to Santa Marian Kamalen for help and some risked their own safety by saving the statue from confiscation and destruction by the occupiers. Today, Santa Marian Kamalen continues to inspire the Catholic faithful on Guam and throughout the Marianas. She holds an exalted position above the altar in the Dulce Nombre de Maria Cathedral-Basilica in Hagatna, Guam. As the Patroness of Guam and the Mariana Islands, her feast day is celebrated each year on December 8th, the Feast of the Immaculate Conception, with a procession of thousands of the faithful in Hagatna.

On Sunday, September 17, 2006, a replica of the Santa Marian Kamalen will be enshrined at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, DC. Hundreds of followers from Guam, the Northern Marianas, and throughout the nation have converged in a pilgrimage to honor Our Lady of Camarin.

The enshrinement of Santa Marian Kamalen is recognition by the Church of the deep faith of the Chamorro people and a distinct honor for the Metropolitan Archdiocese of Agana. The ceremony will celebrate the love of the devotees of the Patroness of the Mariana Islands.

The enshrinement of Our Lady of Camarin would not have been possible without the tireless efforts of many people, most notably the Most Reverend Anthony Sablan Apuron, OFM Cap., DD, the Metropolitan Archbishop of Agana, the clergy and religious on Guam and the Mariana Islands, officers of the Catholic Daughters of the Americas in the Metropolitan Archdiocese of Agana, and all of the faithful. Biba Santa Marian Kamalen!

Mr. Speaker, I rise today upon the 5th anniversary of September 11, 2001, in solemn remembrance of those who lost their lives as a result of the terrorist attacks that befell our beloved country on that tragic day. Americans awoke that day to witness sudden, deliberate, unconventional and planned attacks on our country and on the ideals of freedom and democracy that we cherish and hold dear to our hearts. On Guam, we were ending our day due to the time zone difference. We tuned to the live television news coverage of the attacks and watched in disbelief as the events unfolded.

The scenes from the attacks on the World Trade Center in New York City and on the Pentagon in Arlington, Virginia, and the crash of United Airlines Flight 93 in the fields of Shanksville, Pennsylvania, are etched into our memories. Many of us remember where we were that day when we first learned of the attacks, who we were with, where we first sought refuge and consolation, and where we turned in the days that followed to offer our support to those that lost loved ones, to donate blood, or to simply lend a helping hand in a remembrance project.

On this anniversary we recall the 3,031 innocent individuals whose lives were lost as a result of these terrorist attacks. We remember the valor of those who came face-to-face with the terrorists on the hijacked commercial airplanes, the courage of those trapped inside the targeted buildings, and the bravery of the first responders who came to their rescue. We remember the dedication of the personnel from the Port Authority of New York and the Federal Aviation Administration who worked under extreme pressure that day to safeguard our transportation networks and to protect the lives of passengers, pilots, and flight crews en route and in the air. Their professionalism brought control and command in an environment threatened with chaos and distress.

On Monday, September 11, 2006, the people of Guam will join the rest of the country in remembering and mourning the innocent victims of the terrorist attacks, as well as the brave men and women who gave of their lives trying to save others in the aftermath.

The events of September 11, 2001, have helped strengthen our country. Today, we are more resilient, stronger, and especially proud of our first responders and law enforcement community. Our commercial aviation industry has rebounded and commercial flight today inside the United States is safe as a result of the professionalism and dedication of airport and airline employees.

We must continue to denounce those who would do evil against our country, and to our allies around the world, and we must continue to support our men and women, sons and daughters, brothers and sisters, who fight terror abroad today.

God Bless the families who lost loved ones to the heinous attacks on our country on September 11, 2001, God Bless those who lost their lives fighting terror on foreign shores and those who continue to fight, and God Bless Guam, and God Bless our great country, the United States of America.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the achievements of Dr. Ernesto Mercader Espaldon who passed away on August 4, 2006. Dr. Espaldon was a devoted husband and father, an accomplished physician, a dedicated public servant, and community leader.

Born on November 11, 1926, to Cipriano Acuna Espaldon and Claudia Cadag Mercader in Simunul, Sulu Province, Philippines, young

Ernesto Espaldon, established himself as a true Filipino and American patriot. Joining the Sulu Guerrilla Organization as a freedom fighter, the 16-year-old soldier quickly proved his abilities as a soldier and leader. On January 12, 1945, Ernesto and two fellow soldiers fended off a contingent of Imperial Japanese soldiers attempting to take the village of Banaran, Tawi-Tawi. For their heroism, the grateful people of Banaran erected a monument memorializing the battle and the three soldiers.

Spoken in his own words, Dr. Espaldon was a humanitarian who firmly believed that ``God gives us gifts that we might share them, not hold them for our own.'' For 36 years, Dr. Espaldon fulfilled those very words, having made biennial medical relief missions to islands throughout Micronesia. He founded the Guam Balikbayan Medical Mission and pioneered teams of local and national experts on journeys to isolated provinces in the Philippines. Committed to meeting the medical needs of others, in particular children and young adults, his efforts were entirely voluntary. These medical missions set an example of community service for others.

He served six terms in the Guam Legislature. Dr. Espaldon was a dedicated public servant of the people of Guam. His political career was one marked by courage. He sponsored and steered to passage the island's first smoking ban legislation and he did so under the threat of losing his bid for re-election. He was a man who worked hard for the good of the people and the island of Guam.

Having served with Dr. Espaldon in the Guam Legislature, I recall that he was a model citizen-senator. His service was marked by dedication and advocacy for health issues. His devotion to his family and to the people of Guam is an inspiration to our island. His keen attention to detail and thoroughness was a reflection of his medical training. I will always remember Ernie for his spirit, his community involvement, his humanitarianism and his compassion to the condition of those less fortunate.

I am deeply saddened by this loss and know that many people on Guam, in the Philippines, and throughout the Pacific are mourning as well. My thoughts and prayers are with his wife Leticia Virata Espaldon, M.D., and their six children: Arlene, Vivian, James Albert, Diane Marie, Karl Patrick, and Ernesto Jr. Although he will be missed by his family and friends throughout the Pacific, his legacy of service will live on in our community.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the life and achievements of Mayor Rita Aflleje Tainatongo who passed away on August 13, 2006. Mayor Tainatongo was a caring and devoted public servant who was dedicated to her family and loved by her village of Malesso and all the people of Guam.

Rita was born on January 7, 1949 to Antonio Taitano Aflleje and Rosa Tedpahago-Champaco in the village of Malesso. She was raised in a loving and caring home that included her parents, her brother John, and two sisters, Rosita and Regina. Rita credits Felipe Duenas and Josefina Acfalle Candaso as important role models during her formative teen years who helped her develop the character and poise that she was known for as a young adult.

Rita attended Mount Carmel School, in Agat, and graduated from the Academy of Our Lady of Guam in 1967. Her public service career began in 1985 when she was appointed as a Municipal Clerk in the Malesso's Mayor's Office. She later became the Administrative Assistant to the Mayor. Her reputation as a ``can-do'' person and her experience led to her own successful run for the Mayor's Office in 2000. She was reelected to a second term in 2004.

During her two terms she re-invigorated the sister village relationship between the Coast Guard and Malesso, improved services for senior citizens and successfully organized the Malesso Fiestan Tasi annual celebrations.

A lifelong Democrat, Rita was a village leader for the party in the gubernatorial campaigns of 1982, 1986 and 1990. Her politics were motivated by a deep sense of purpose and a vision of what government can do to make lives better.

Throughout her public life, Rita gave back to the community through her support of the American Cancer Society and American Red Cross and other civic organizations.

The island of Guam has lost a leader, a humanitarian, and a friend. Our thoughts and prayers are with Rita's husband, Ramon Baza Tainatongo, her children, and grandchildren. We are saddened and at the same time we are inspired by how much one person can accomplish for her community. She has touched many lives and made the island a better place to live for many people, most especially her beloved people of Malesso.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life of Mr. Deanne Ignacio Tajalle, who passed away on Sunday, July 23, 2006, at the National Naval Medical Center in Bethesda, Maryland, Deanne sustained severe injuries as a result of an explosion that occurred in March while he was servicing a military vehicle as a civilian contractor supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom. Deanne was born February 27, 1969, to Benjamin S. and Doris Quitugua Tajalle of Columbia, South Carolina, formerly residents of Guam.

I join with our local leaders on behalf of our community on Guam in offering our sincerest condolences to the family of Deanne Tajalle, especially his wife Faapepele Hunkin Tajalle, who is a Staff Sergeant in the United States Army and also an Operation Iraqi Freedom Veteran, and their three children, Nicole, Victoria, and Dean Junior. Our thoughts and prayers are also with his brother, Benjamin S. Tajalle, Jr., his sisters, Yvonne T. Decker, Candy T. Muna, and Pamela T. Ibanez, and his father-and-mother-in-law, Fuatau and Miriama Hunkin of Nuuuli, American Samoa.

Our community on Guam appreciates Deanne's service to our country. I join our Pacific island family in honoring his service and his sacrifice. We honor Deanne's commitment to his children, his devotion to his wife, and his dedication to his parents.

The people of Guam extend to the Tajalle and Hunkin families their most heartfelt gratitude and respect during this time of loss. We take this occasion to reflect upon Deanne's character, his service, and his commitment to the United States Army and to his country. May God Bless his family and friends and those whose lives he touched. And may God Bless America.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of providing American workers a living wage with which to support and improve their families' livelihoods. Those in America who receive the minimum wage for their labors are particularly vulnerable to experiencing greater financial pressures and a lower overall quality of life.

The national minimum wage has not been increased in 9 years and has not kept pace with household expenses. Raising the minimum wage will help lift many families on Guam out of poverty. An increase in the Federal minimum wage is long overdue, as evidenced by the recent actions taken by the Guam Legislature and the Governor to increase the local minimum wage.

Living wages help families ensure that their children receive proper nutrition, quality education, and good health care. These are essential to ensuring that children have happy, productive and healthy childhoods. Living wages earned by American workers also help American families realize important financial goals as well as improving, long- term financial well-being. Eliminating high-interest debt, achieving home ownership, and investing now for a child's future higher education costs and a parents' retirement, for instance, are goals more easily realized by workers who earn a living wage.

Americans have proven to be productive, innovative, and resourceful workers. Their wages should reflect this reality. A worker's wage represents his or her worth to an employer. But it also represents much more. Wages and salaries are the foundations upon which families are begun. Living wages and salaries provide the financial security under which those families can grow. A worker's wage or salary helps ensure his or her financial future. Receiving a living wage is well deserved by American workers.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of S. 3525, The Improving Outcomes for Children Affected by Methamphetamine Act of 2006. This legislation would amend the Social Security Act to better serve the special needs of children in families affected by methamphetamine abuse and addiction.

It is never cliche to reiterate the fact that children are our future. Children in our homes and in our families too often suffer the tragic ills of methamphetamine abuse. S. 3525 serves to protect children who suffer at the hands of methamphetamine abuse.

I believe that this legislation will improve the lives of at-risk children in our nation. This legislation will continue our nation's commitment to at-risk families through the reauthorization of the Promoting Safe and Stable Families Programs.

Moreover, this legislation notably improves support to children affected by methamphetamine within their families by placing increased emphasis on counseling and assistance to children affected by methamphetamine abuse, especially children placed into foster care.

The use of methamphetamine in the United States is increasing at an alarming rate. Methamphetamine abuse has attacked communities across America and has also affected our community on Guam. It is important that we continue our work to aggressively combat methamphetamine abuse and its terrible effects on American families and our children.

I strongly support S. 3525 because it aids our fight against methamphetamine abuse and because it also serves to protect our nation's greatest resource and one of most vulnerable communities, our children. I urge my colleagues' support for S. 3525.

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

(Ms. BORDALLO asked and was given permission to revise and extend her remarks.)

Mr. Speaker, as the majority explained, H.R. 5025 designates approximately 77,216 acres of National Forest System lands in the Mount Hood National Forest as wilderness.

The legislation also designates about 25 miles of waterways as part of the National Wild and Scenic River System, creates a system for fee retention on the Mount Hood National Forest, requires the Secretary to prepare a 10-year forest stewardship assessment, and sets up three land exchanges.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to recognize my colleagues from Oregon, Representatives Earl Blumenauer, Peter DeFazio and Darlene Hooley, who are all cosponsors of H.R. 5025.

In particular, Mr. Blumenauer has worked tirelessly over the past several years to craft and advance this legislation. Mr. Speaker, we support the pending measure.

Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from Oregon (Mr. Blumenauer).

Mr. Speaker, I wish to thank Mr. Walden and Mr. Blumenauer from Oregon for their support of this legislation. We support this legislation.

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

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

(Ms. BORDALLO asked and was given permission to revise and extend her remarks.)

Mr. Speaker, the majority has adequately explained this legislation, H.R. 854, and we have no objections to it.

MR. McKEON. Mr. Speaker, I rIse today in strong support of H.R. 854 and urge my colleagues to join me in supporting its adoption. I introduced H.R. 854 on February 16, 2005, to transfer 240 acres of excess Bureau of Land Management, BLM, lands into trust for the Utu Utu Gwaitu Paiute Tribe of the Benton Paiute Reservation, Tribe.

The Benton Paiute Reservation is located in Mono County, approximately 40 miles northeast of Bishop, CA, in one of the most remote and isolated areas of my congressional district. The 240 acres proposed for transfer under H.R. 854 are immediately adjacent to the existing 160-acre Benton Paiute reservation and have been classified by the BLM as ``suitable for disposal'' for more than a decade.

In fact, legislation facilitating this transfer goes as far back as the 104th Congress. We have come a long way to get to this day and I'd like to thank Chairman Pombo for his help in making it possible. I would also like to praise the committee staff, particularly Tom Brierton, Chris Fluhr and Jim Hall.

Mr. Speaker, the lands taken into trust under H.R. 854 are of vital importance to the Utu Utu Gwaitu Paiute Tribe in its quest for self- sufficiency and to enhance its potential for economic development. The land in question will be put to good use, including the construction of much needed tribal housing units, a health station, wellness center, fire station, police station and an industrial park for manufacturing businesses.

Additionally, because of the Utu Utu Gwaitu's strong commitment to a solid economic future based on growth and hard work, the tribe has passed a tribal government resolution to prohibit gaming on the 240- acre parcel. This makes it clear that the tribe will not carry out gaming activities on the lands proposed for transfer. To reflect this, H.R. 854 includes a specific prohibition on gaming.

Because of this, I am pleased to say that H.R. 854 has strong support in my district, with backing from the Mono County government and local community, as well as from numerous California Indian tribal governments and organizations.

Finally, I am pleased to be able to say that no Federal funds will be necessary to accomplish the proposed land transfer in this legislation. In short, Mr. Speaker, this bill is an example of that bird we see too rarely around here these days: A ``win-win'' proposition.

In closing, Mr. Speaker, I'd like to commend the efforts of all the members of the Utu Utu Gwaitu Paiute Tribe, and in particular, I'd like to praise Chairman Joseph Saulque.

Chairman Saulque has been an advocate for Indian people for more than three decades and is one of the most long-serving tribal leaders in California. His outstanding work, particularly in the fields of Indian health and education, has made a tremendous difference in improving the lives of generations of California Indians.

It has been my pleasure to work with Chairman Saulque and the Utu Utu Gwaitu Paiute Tribe over the last 4 years and I want to thank them for their part in helping to make this bill possible.

With that, Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 854.

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

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

(Ms. BORDALLO asked and was given permission to revise and extend her remarks.)

Mr. Speaker, the majority has already explained the purpose of H.R. 1307, which was introduced by the gentleman from New Jersey, Representative Scott Garrett. We support H.R. 1307, and have no objection to the adoption of the legislation by the House today.

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

Mr. Speaker, I have no further speakers, we support the measure, and I yield back the balance of my time.

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

(Ms. BORDALLO asked and was given permission to revise and extend her remarks.)

Mr. Speaker, we support this legislation that would authorize the 3,600-acre expansion of the Cahaba River National Wildlife Refuge located in Alabama. Witness testimony received during the May 10, 2006, Fisheries Subcommittee hearing on the bill demonstrated that the expansion of this refuge is essential towards ensuring the long-term protection of threatened forested bottom-land habitat and preservation of the river's unrivaled aquatic biodiversity.

Mr. Speaker, I urge Members to support this worthy bill.

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