Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of House Resolution 828, Recognizing the 800th Anniversary of Mongolian statehood. Mongolia has a strong commitment to democracy and the rule of law. I join the people of Mongolia in celebrating their 800th anniversary of statehood. Mongolia has a rich, storied ancient history. Its modern accomplishments contribute to that history and serve as an inspiration to all countries that struggle to adopt a democratic system of government.

The friendship shared by Mongolia and the United States has grown stronger as a result of Mongolia's strong commitment to democracy and the rule of law at home and internationally. As this resolution notes, since 1990, five parliamentary and four presidential elections have been held in Mongolia, all without violence or disruption. This is a strong indicator that when the will of a nation's people is joined by the will of their government, there becomes a great capacity to achieve good.

Mongolian efforts to develop a free market society and a political democracy serve as an example of responsible government and progress for other developing democracies in the world today. The settlement of an $11 billion debt to Russia in 2004 lifted a heavy burden from Mongolia and has been instrumental in allowing Mongolia to explore new outlets for economic development. There are currently over 30,000 private businesses in or around Mongolia's capital city of Ulaanbaatar. Petroleum, coal, and copper industries continue to be an economic mainstay for the people of Mongolia.

Mongolia is a valued security partner with the United States and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). Mongolia's steadfast commitment and valued contributions to Operation Enduring Freedom, Operation Iraqi Freedom, NATO missions in Kosovo and Sierra Leone, and its broader contribution to the Global War on Terror are evidence of its leadership on international security matters.

Mongolia continues to build upon its solid foundation for a democratic, prosperous and secure future for its people. I congratulate them on the occasion of the 800th anniversary of Mongolian statehood and on their continued political and economic development. Through passage of this resolution we express our confidence in them and our appreciation for the strong partnership enjoyed between the American and Mongolian peoples.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H. Con. Res. 409, Commemorating the 60th anniversary of the ascension to the throne of His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej of Thailand. This resolution honors His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej, his accomplishments toward social justice, growth with equity, human security, democratic governance, and sustainability for his county and people, and the special relationship between the United States and Thailand.

King Adulyadej led Thailand as it adopted a democratic form of government. This is an important accomplishment and one that is greatly valued by the United States. Thailand's commitment to strengthening its democracy is representative of the shared values between the people of our two countries.

Also, Thailand's commitment to fighting terrorism in Asia and its cooperation in the Global War on Terror is further representative of the strong relationship between our governments. Further I commend King Adulyadej's dedication to social justice and human rights. That the United Nations is awarding him the Human Development Lifetime Achievement Award is representative of his leadership on these issues.

The people of Guam join in celebrating the 60th anniversary of the ascension to the throne of His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej of Thailand. We look forward to continued prosperity for both his Majesty and the people of Thailand. And it is my sincerest hope that the special relationship shared by our countries will grow stronger in the years to come.

Mr. Chairman, I rise in support of the amendment offered by the gentleman from American Samoa (Mr. Faleomavaega) to strengthen the Resident Instruction Grants Program for the land-grant institutions in the U.S. territories. This amendment, which is also supported by the gentleman from Puerto Rico (Mr. Fortuno) and the gentlelady from the Virgin Islands (Mrs. Christensen), would increase the amount provided under this bill for this important Program by $200,000 for a total of $700,000.

This Program is a competitively-awarded grants program administered by the Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service, CSREES, of the United States Department of Agriculture. This Program is authorized by Section 7503 of the Farm Security Rural Investment Act of 2002 (P.L. 107-171), and has been funded for the past two consecutive fiscal years.

Resident Instruction Grants promote and develop teaching and education programs within the food and agricultural sciences, and related disciplines, at the landgrant institutions in the U.S. territories. This Program helps these institutions meet unique challenges by strengthening their institutional educational capacities in instruction and curriculum, and by enhancing the quality of teaching and learning. These unique challenges have been documented by CSREES and previously acknowledged by the Committee on Appropriations.

CSREES has awarded two grants this past year with the initial level of funding provided for this program. The land-grant institutions in the territories formed a consortium with the University of Guam as the lead institution for the first year. These eight institutions are working together to increase the quality of their academic programs in the food and agricultural sciences. The consortium is using the first ever awarded Resident Instruction Grant to enhance courses of study and curricula, to explore alternative methods of delivering instruction, and to increase enrollment and retention in their degree programs. Each of these three objectives is being pursued through the development of coordinated and comprehensive five-to-ten year strategic plan. We believe that each member institution will be able to implement this strategic plan with funding awarded through future Resident Instruction Grants.

We also believe that partnerships between faculties at institutions in the territories and on the mainland can be eventually forged as a result of continued and increased funding for this program. Such partnerships will allow for a more efficient use of existing educational funds by the institutions in the territories.

I thank the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Bonilla), the Chairman of the Subcommittee, and the gentlewoman from Connecticut (Ms. DeLauro), for recognizing the unique needs of the land-grant institutions in the U.S. territories and for their support of the Resident Instruction Grants Program. We ask for their support of this amendment and for their support for funding this Program at the highest level possible in conference with the other body.

Offered By: Ms. Bordallo of Guam

Amendment No. 11: Page 13, line 19, after the dollar

amount, insert ``(decreased by $1,000,000)''.

Page 15, line 2, after the dollar amount, insert

``(increased by $1,000,000)''.

Mr. Chairman, I rise today in strong support of H.R. 5122, the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2007. As my colleagues have stated, this bill includes so many provisions important to our national security and to the fighting men and women who serve our great nation in uniform. Many of them are deployed in combat zones around the world today. I have visited servicemembers in Iraq seven times now and my commitment, like the commitment of this Congress, remains to do everything necessary to provide the heroes sacrificing for our country with the resources they need to fight, to win, and to survive. We continue our important commitment to their quality of life including to their families with this bill.

I take this opportunity to thank Chairman Hunter and Ranking Member Skelton for the work that they and their staff members have done to include within this bill provisions important to the people of Guam and to servicemembers who serve on Guam.

For many years leaders on Guam have worked to grow the capability and capacity of the Guam Shipyard, an asset recognized to be of ``vital strategic importance'' to the Pacific Fleet. We learned over the past year that twice as many vessels in support of our Navy are repaired in foreign shipyards in the Pacific, particularly in Singapore, than are repaired in Guam. We also learned that Apra Harbor in Guam is treated as a foreign harbor although Guam and its shipyard are properly treated as a U.S. location. This bill includes important language to remedy these conflicts. I am deeply grateful to members of the committee staff who traveled to Guam and Hawaii in January of this year to review this issue. I am also grateful to the many members of this committee who have visited Guam, including our colleague from Maryland, Roscoe Bartlett, and our colleague from Mississippi, Gene Taylor. Both Members visited the Guam Shipyard in March of this year and learned first-hand of the value the facility offers to the U.S. Navy.

In rewriting Section 7310 of Title 10, the Committee on Armed Services has made clear that Guam, including Apra Harbor, is fully and properly a U.S. location, and has further made clear that foreign ship repair for reasons of cost alone is unacceptable, particularly when shipyards like the Guam Shipyard are underutilized. Our first commitment must be to sustaining and growing the ship repair industry in America even if such endeavor costs slightly more money. We cannot depend on foreign yards or harbors in time of war for safety, security, reliability and availability. We must therefore remain committed to America's ship repair industry by ensuring stable work, and by extension, the stability of skilled workforce that is the backbone of the ship repair industry. On Guam this is especially true given that the Guam Shipyard represents a particularly important asset because of its strategic forward location. This bill makes a commitment to the Guam Shipyard and its skilled workers whom the people of Guam are so proud. This is a reflection of the great value these workers offer to the Pacific Fleet and to our national security. It is also a reflection of this Congress' unwillingness to outsource our national security. Finally, the language in this bill regarding ship repair is a reflection of the recently released Quadrennial Defense Review which indicates the growing strategic importance of the Pacific with increased Naval activity in the Pacific and therefore the likelihood of increased demands on facilities like the Guam Shipyard.

Mr. Chairman, I would also like to note that this bill requires a comprehensive study on the future of the Guam Shipyard. It is important that the Navy fully evaluate, during this time of change, how best to utilize, manage and grow the asset that is the Guam Shipyard. The report required by this bill is a responsible measure that ensures that the future of the Guam Shipyard is coordinated with the future of our Navy's national security needs in the Pacific.

Also included within this bill is an important provision that makes a commitment to our active duty servicemembers and their families. I worked closely with the committee and with military advocacy groups to secure inclusion of a measure to authorize servicemembers assigned to non-foreign areas outside the continental United States, areas that include Guam and Alaska, to ship a second personally owned vehicle to and from these locations upon assignment. This measure has long been sought by our active duty servicemembers. In an era when we say that we retain the family not just the servicemember, we have now passed a provision focused on the family. With military spouses pursuing their own careers and families venturing off bases for community activities, school commitments, and so much more, one car families are simply impractical--they are a thing of the past. Servicemembers assigned to non-foreign overseas areas, unlike their CONUS counterparts, are permitted to bring only one vehicle with them to their new duty station at DOD expense. This created a situation in which many servicemembers had to hastily sell a car prior to reassignment, usually at a loss, only to buy a new car on arrival at their new duty location, again at a loss. This activity as repeated upon assignment back to a CONUS location. This practice placed an unacceptable burden on military families. I am pleased that this Congress has made a commitment to end this inequity. I know this provision is broadly supported by active duty servicemembers and further has the support of The Military Coalition. I hope that this provision will be accepted in conference and remain in the final bill.

Mr. Chairman, a third provision in this bill is important to Guam and to a recently reached agreement between the United States and Japan. This bill repeals a measure added in law some years ago to prohibit the hiring of foreign labor to work on military construction projects on Guam. Next year $209 million in military construction projects are authorized by this bill to take place on Guam. Over the next ten years $10.3 billion in military construction will be undertaken on Guam. The concern is now whether Guam can deliver the workforce necessary to accomplish these goals on this short timeline, not whether Guam's workforce is being supplanted or bypassed by foreign labor. Therefore, this authorization bill offers the opportunity to repeal this restrictive provision. Its inclusion will ensure contractors on Guam will be able to access the labor market needed for them to compete for and complete government contracts for military construction in the future. Additionally, without the ability to meet the upcoming workforce demands, there is some concern that agreements recently made with the Government of Japan for relocating Marines from Okinawa to Guam on a set timeline would not be able to be realized according to the envisioned, desired, and agreed upon schedule. Ensuring the availability of a workforce necessary to accomplish the construction required for Marines to move to Guam from Okinawa is an important part of meeting both the workforce demand on Guam and United States international commitments.

I have also worked to provide relief to military retirees residing on Guam whom have been disadvantaged by a Department of Defense interpretation of standing law. Retirees on Guam are only able to participate in TRICARE Standard due to the unavailability of TRICARE Prime on Guam. Retirees on Guam were previously reimbursed for travel they were required to make to Hawaii or elsewhere for specialty medical care otherwise available on Guam. Now, in light of a change in policy some 16 months ago and unfavorable DOD interpretation of TRICARE laws, when a retiree is referred by their TRICARE health provider off-island to receive specialty care that is unavailable on Guam a retiree must pay ``out of pocket'' for their travel expenses. Travel from Guam to Hawaii is costly and this creates a large and unfair burden on Guam's retirees. Additionally, this situation results in inequitable treatment for the veteran communities on Guam. A retiree, having served at least 20 years in the military, cannot receive reimbursement for travel necessary to receive medical care available only off of Guam. However, a veteran receiving care from the Department of Veterans Affairs referred for off-island care is reimbursed for his or her travel expenses.

I have raised this issue with the Department of Defense several times and continue to work with DOD for an equitable solution. Retirees on Guam deserve some relief. While this bill contains provisions important to the TRICARE system for members of the military community, it does not specifically address the outstanding issue for retirees on Guam. I will continue to work to resolve this issue. I filed an amendment to this bill with the Committee on Rules that would have provided some relief to retirees. This amendment was unfortunately not made in order and cannot be considered on the floor today. This amendment sought to provide an interim solution. It proposed to give retirees the ability to travel on military aircraft on a space available basis to and from the location of their referred healthcare at an increased priority level. Retirees are currently in the lowest priority category for space available travel. I will continue to work with the Department of Defense on this issue.

Finally, the island of Guam has a robust military recruiting program and many Chamorros and Guam residents join the Armed Services. In fact, Guam has a higher per capita service rate in the Guard and Reserve than any other U.S. location. However, for quite some time, these men and women have had to travel to Hawaii to process their enlistments at a Military Entrance Processing Station (MEPS). Included in this bill is language requiring the USMEPCOM to study the feasibility of establishing a MEPS station on Guam. The burden of processing each recruit through Hawaii significantly extends the time period for processing a recruit and adds additional cost for travel expenses. It is my hope that this review will lead to the re-establishment of a MEPS station on Guam responsive to Guam's Guard and Reserve and to U.S. active duty recruiters. I believe this would also reduce costs of processing a recruit and expedite enlistment.

I was pleased to work with the committee leadership to amend a current requirement in this legislation in such a way to require the Department of Defense to more closely evaluate the transformation it is undertaking of the National Guard and Reserve. It is important that the Department of Defense study closely how it will execute and fund Guard and Reserve transformation, including evaluating budgeting of the costs for equipment repair, transfer and procurement as well as an evaluation of the timeline the transformation will prove achievable. I have long advocated for full parity between active duty and Guard and Reserve forces. Transformation is an aggressive plan to achieve this parity although with significant reorganization of brigades and units within the reserve elements. The task, the cost and the risks must be fully evaluated to ensure transformation is achieved and that it is done in a way that makes our Guard and Reserve forces, who have shouldered so much of the burden in the war on terror, a better force. This transformation promise cannot be yet another in a long line of unfulfilled promises by the active duty components to their reserve counterparts.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I urge adoption of H.R. 5122.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in honor of Asian Pacific American Heritage Month and to recognize the role that Asian and Pacific Islander

Americans play in our nation. I want to thank Mr. Honda, the Chairman, and Mr. Faleomavaega, the Vice Chairman, of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus for their commitment to and leadership of the Caucus and their efforts on behalf of our communities.

Asian Pacific Islanders are leaders in academia, in the arts, in all levels of government and the military, and in the private sector. They contribute to all aspects of American life and, in doing so they enrich the lives of Americans and make this country stronger. This month is set aside to honor their successes and contributions.

As we celebrate Asian Pacific Islander traditions this month, we must remember those pioneers who forged the path on which we walk today. Their work, their sacrifices, and the impacts they made on America provided the foundation of understanding of Asian and Pacific Islander cultures, traditions, and heritage, all of which have opened doors for current and future generations. True to this record, Asian Pacific Islander American achievements today will inspire and support future generations of Asian Pacific Islanders to excel tomorrow.

This year's theme is ``Dreams and Challenges of Asian Pacific Americans.'' It is through these strong dreams that the Asian Pacific Islander community has progressed. As we come together to celebrate another Asian Pacific American Heritage Month, I am reminded of the many contributions and successes of our community. The importance of our community has been recognized by the White House. On May 13, 2004, President Bush signed Executive Order 13339, which created the President's Advisory Commission on the White House Initiative on Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders. This was a significant step in voicing the special needs of the APA community through the Executive branch of government. One of Guam's very own was chosen to serve on this Commission.

Martha Cruz Ruth is one of fourteen APAs appointed by the President to serve on the President's Advisory Commission for the White House Initiative on Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders. The Commission was chosen based on their history of involvement with the APA community and for their expertise in a specific field. Mrs. Cruz's specialties range from media affairs and marketing to local politics, having served a term in Guam's Legislature in 1987, and she brings a unique voice to this Commission.

Asian Pacific Americans have demonstrated a long and distinguished history of service to this country. Many have served in our armed forces. On Guam, our men and women volunteer for military service at higher rates per capita than any state in the union. We owe each and every one of these servicemen and women a debt of gratitude for their service and sacrifice.

Through hard work and dedication, Asian-Pacific Americans have risen through the ranks to the top levels of military leadership. General Eric K. Shinseki, holds the distinction of being the highest-ranking APA in the U.S. Army. Major General Antonio Taguba, who served as the chief investigator during the Abu Ghraib prison scandal, is only the second Filipino American to rise to the position of General in the U.S. Army. Brigadier General Vicente Tomas (Ben) Blaz, of Guam, had a distinguished career with the U.S. Marine Corps, and he made our island proud when he was promoted to Brigadier General in 1977. In 1984, after retiring from the Marines, General Blaz came here to our nation's capital to serve as Guam's Delegate to the U.S. House of Representatives and served in that capacity for eight years.

Among those who have served in the military, I especially want to remember those who have given their lives to protect our freedom, including those who lost their lives in the Global War on Terrorism. Specialist Christopher Jude Rivera Wesley, Lieutenant Michael Aguon Vega, Specialist Jonathan Pangelinan Santos, Specialist Richard DeGracia Naputi, Jr., and Specialist Kasper Alan Camacho Dudkiewicz are five of Guam's sons who were killed in Iraq. In addition, the Micronesian region has lost six of its own sons. Though their deaths sadden us, their courage reminds us that freedom is never free.

The Asian Pacific American communities have embraced America as our home and have thrived through the limitless opportunities this country has to offer.

Today, as we go forward celebrating ``Dreams and Challenges of Asian Pacific Americans,'' let us celebrate the unique histories and stories of our people.

This year the people of Guam will commemorate the 62nd anniversary of our liberation from enemy occupation by U.S. armed forces during World War II. As the only American territory with a civilian population occupied by the enemy during World War II, the people of Guam risked their lives to protect American servicemen from capture and endured great hardships and suffering. I want to recognize the people of Guam for their steadfast loyalty during these trying times.

Guam continues to play an important role in our nation's relations with Asian countries. Recently, Secretary Donald Rumsfeld announced the re-location of marines from Okinawa to Guam as part of a major realignment of forces in Japan. With the impending arrival of 8,000 Marines from Okinawa, our island is planning for a period of tremendous growth. We look forward to making a significant contribution to peace and security in the western Pacific and Asia, and we hope that the realignment of forces will strengthen the U.S.-Japan alliance.

As we celebrate Asian Pacific American Heritage Month, let us honor the contributions of all Asian and Pacific Islander Americans. Let us ensure that their stories are known to the younger generation. Let us celebrate the beauty of our cultures and the richness of our heritage. And let us celebrate how we help make America the great country it is.

Dangkulo na Si Yu'os Ma'ase.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the contributions of a dedicated public servant and a true daughter of Guam, Senator Lou Leon Guerrero. The daughter of the late Jesus Sablan and Eugenia Aflague Leon Guerrero, Lou was born and raised on Guam along with her brothers Jesse and Tony Leon Guerrero. She graduated from the Academy of Our Lady of Guam High School and earned her Bachelor's Degree in Nursing from the California State University at Los Angeles in 1973. Lou began her career as a healthcare professional, working as a staff nurse at the Santa Monica Hospital. She was also attending graduate courses at UCLA, at this time. She earned her Master of Arts degree in Public Health in 1979.

Lou returned home to work at the Guam Memorial Hospital in 1980. She quickly rose through the ranks of Guam Memorial Hospital, serving as the hospital's Assistant Director of Nursing 1982 to 1983. Lou then worked for next 10 years at the Family Health Plan (FHP), a private health clinic on Guam. Lou became the FHP's Director of Operations in 1990. She served in that capacity until she entered politics in 1994.

Lou is a four-term senator in the Guam Legislature. She has served in a number of leadership roles during her 8 years in the Legislature. Lou became the Chairwoman of the Committee on Rules and Health in 2003. She was also a candidate for Lieutenant Governor during the 1998 election cycle.

Lou's career as a nurse laid the foundation for her commitment to serving Guam and the public. Lou's caring nature, her humanity, and her commitment to improving not only the quality of the healthcare available on this island, but the island as a whole was clear to see to those who worked closely with her over the years. It is my hope that her legacy of professionalism, service to the island, and community leadership will serve as a lasting inspiration for her family, friends, and associates as she leaves the Legislature for a new chapter in her professional life.

Lou forges an exciting a new path for herself and her family as she transitions to the position of President, Chief Executive Officer, and Chairwoman of the Board of Directors of the Bank of Guam. Her brother Tony also served in this capacity. Her father Jesus founded the bank. Her service at the Bank of Guam is continuing the family tradition.

I have had the honor and privilege to work very closely with Lou over the years. She is both a colleague and a friend. I admire her tenacity, her love for the island of Guam and its people, and her commitment to do what she believes is best for them. Her determination to improve the lives of residents of Guam, her commitment to forming good public policy, and her persistence in seeing the needed carried out is commendable. Her presence in the Legislature will be greatly missed.

On behalf of a grateful island, I join her husband, Attorney Jeff Cook, her children Joaquin and Mariana, and all the people of Guam, in extending Senator Lou Leon Guerrero my most heartfelt appreciation for all the good work she has done for Guam. Additionally, I wish her success and prosperity in her new leadership roles at the Bank of Guam.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Black Construction Corporation of Guam on the occasion of it being awarded the Dwight D. Eisenhower Award for Excellence in the construction category by the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA). Named for the president under whom the SBA was founded, the Dwight D. Eisenhower Award for Excellence honors large federal contractors nationwide with the most outstanding small business subcontracting programs.

Each year, the SBA awards those businesses and federal agencies that have excelled in various aspects of federal procurement. To be eligible for consideration for the Dwight D. Eisenhower Award for Excellence a company must first be the recipient of the SBA Award of Distinction. The SBA has twice honored Black Construction Corporation for its record of support for small business on Guam and throughout Micronesia, following a nationwide review of construction companies that are awarded federal contracts. It is my hope that companies that are prime contractors for federal construction projects heed the example set by Black Construction Corporation and will continue to subcontract with local small businesses.

The vast majority of American companies are small businesses. They are the largest creator of private sector jobs. American small businesses have also established a strong record of innovation and are routinely implementing cutting edge technologies. Furthermore, the success of local economies is dependant upon the strength of small businesses. As local small businesses grow stronger, so do the communities in which they serve. Black Construction Corporation fulfills an essential role in that process on Guam and throughout Micronesia by utilizing small businesses to complete federal construction projects.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H. Con. Res. 320 which calls for the immediate and unconditional release of Dr. Pham Hong Son and other political prisoners in Vietnam. The Socialist Republic of Vietnam has been holding prisoners because of their exercise of basic human rights including freedom of speech, religion, movement, and association.

Dr. Pham Hong Son was indicted and imprisoned for translating an article on the Web site of the U.S. Embassy in Vietnam entitled ``What is Democracy?'' and circulating the article among friends and senior party officials. He was subsequently sentenced to 13 years imprisonment and 3 years of house arrest on espionage charges after a half-day closed trial that deprived him of due process. The Vietnamese Constitution and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), of which Vietnam is a state party, both protect the rights to freedom of opinion and speech. The government of Vietnam should uphold their obligations under the ICCPR and honor other internationally recognized standards for basic freedoms and human rights before their accession into the World Trade Organization.

The fall of the Republic of Vietnam displaced approximately three million Vietnamese. My late husband Ricardo J. Bordallo was Governor of Guam at the time of Operation New Life. I vividly remember how the Guam community came together in solidarity with the Vietnamese people and worked hard to help comfort these brave individuals who had left all their worldly possessions behind in the name of freedom. The people of Guam empathized with the Vietnamese refugees, and we opened our hearts as well as our island to them. One of my assignments as First Lady was to organize the care for the hundreds of orphan babies that arrived in Operation Baby Lift. This was a moving experience that has remained one of my fondest memories of my husband's first term as Governor of Guam.

Of the 150,000 Vietnamese who arrived on Guam in April 1975, many decided to return to Vietnam to help rebuild their motherland. Unfortunately, those who remained in Vietnam now face a Socialist government that denies them basic human rights of freedom of speech, religion, movement, and association. They deserve the right to a fair trial and due process.

Today, Congress calls on Vietnamese authorities to end all forms of repression against small religious sects and for the release of all Vietnamese political prisoners who have legitimately and peacefully exercised their rights. I urge passage of H. Con. Res. 320.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H. Res. 556. This resolution supports the establishment of a National Methamphetamine Prevention Week to increase public awareness throughout the country of the harmful effects of methamphetamine and to educate local communities on ways to effectively prevent and curb methamphetamine use.

The production, trafficking, and use of methamphetamine are growing and significant substance abuse and public health issues for the United States. Methamphetamine has

emerged in recent years as a leading national drug control policy challenge. Coordination between all levels of government is needed if the challenge of curbing methamphetamine use is to be met and fulfilled. Public awareness and involvement is also important to effectively preventing the use of methamphetamine within our local communities.

Guam is no exception to the alarming trends in methamphetamine use. The trafficking and use of methamphetamine on Guam has risen in recent years and directly affected the youth of our island. Today methamphetamine-related arrests on average constitute three quarters of the adult drug-related arrests on Guam each year. The Guam Department of Customs and Quarantine has seized more grams of amphetamines than any other illegal narcotic over the past several years. Additionally, more than half of the individuals admitted for substance abuse treatment on Guam are methamphetamine users.

The increase in the abuse of the drug spans all ethnic, cultural, and age groups. There are currently no national observances or coordinated programs dedicated to the fight against methamphetamine despite the alarming national and local trends. A ``National Meth Prevention Week'' would be the first of its kind. I strongly support H. Res. 556 for this reason and know that such an undertaking would facilitate a national dialogue for communities to share information on what programs, methods and initiatives work best for combating methamphetamine use.

I look forward to promoting National Meth Prevention Week on Guam. I thank our colleague from Washington, Mr. Baird, and our colleague from Indiana, Mr. Souder, for their leadership on national drug control policy and in particular for the efforts in promoting national awareness of the dangers associated with methamphetamine abuse.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate my dear friend, Dr. John Ray Taitano on the occasion of his retirement from the Guam Army National Guard after twenty three years of service as a patriot and to express the gratitude and appreciation of the people of Guam and America for his accomplishments and his dedication to his country and the freedoms all Americans enjoy.

Dr. Taitano, even as he completed his college education at the University of Guam in 1968, was ever mindful of his duty to country, and continued his pursuit of a military career through the U.S. Army Engineer's Officer Candidate School at Fort Belvoir, VA, from where he was commissioned a Second Lieutenant and then soon after deployed to Viet Nam where he served from 1971 to 1972. After that deployment and service, Dr. Taitano pursued his lifelong desire to continue serving his people as a doctor of medicine through the University of Hawaii's School of Medicine from where he was the first Chamorro graduate. He soon after returned to Guam to establish, with three fellow Chamorro doctors, the Family Medical Clinic, which eventually became The Doctors' Clinic, one of Guam's premier private medical clinics serving over 15,000 island patients. Today, John Ray Taitano continues to serve The Doctors' Clinic as a staff physician, stockholder and member of its Board of Directors.

Despite his busy schedule at The Doctors' Clinic, Dr. John Ray Taitano continued to serve his community through the years in many ways. As President of the Guam Memorial Hospital Medical Staff and Chairman of the Hospital's Medical Executive Committee; as President of the Guam Medical Society; as President of the Government of Guam's Commission on Licensure; as President of the Guam Heart Association; and as his latest adventure; as President of the Guam Veterans' Advisory Council. But his love for his country, and the men and women who proudly wear its uniforms, continued to motivate him to even greater personal accomplishments.

In 1983, Dr. Taitano was commissioned as a Captain of the Guam Army National Guard and became its first, and only, State Surgeon. He served as the chief advisor to eight (8) Adjutant Generals on all command medical matters and has ensured that all 800 plus personnel are medically qualified for deployment worldwide. He became the Senior Medical Officer of the Command, a position and responsibility he has held since 1997.

In pursuit of the best health for the soldiers under his watch, Dr. Taitano championed elimination of smoking inside all buildings of the Guam National Guard and established the first unit physical training program for MEDCOM, in addition to and apart from the Command PT program.

While serving as the Senior Medical Officer of the Guam Guard, Colonel Taitano attended

the U.S. Army War College where he graduated in June 2001 with a Master of Strategic Studies. The War College has honed to an even keener edge, Colonel Taitano's strategic planning and leadership skills in preparation for assuming positions as a general officer.

Despite already serving his country in the Viet Nam Conflict, for which he received numerous awards and commendations, Dr. Taitano did not shy away from the call to again serve his country in battle. In 2005, Colonel Taitano again responded to the call of duty with service in Operation Iraqi Freedom, fighting alongside our country's soldiers and attending to their medical needs as a Medical Corp Officer with the 199th Troop Medical Clinic of the 256 Brigade Combat Team of the Louisiana Army National Guard. Upon his retirement, many of our island people will look on John Ray Taitano's distinguished career with justified pride. Many of those who call him DOCTOR will be relieved at his retirement from the Guard; and many in the Guard will be saddened that a fellow soldier who championed their health causes has chosen to retire. But in the minds of all of these will always abide that knowledge that John Ray Taitano will forever be an outstanding doctor of medicine and always an untiring and unwavering patriot, soldier and defender of the American way of life. May God Bless Dr. Taitano as we all wish him the best upon retirement with a heartfelt, Si Yu'os Ma'ase.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of House Resolution 692 which commends the people of the Republic of the Marshall Islands for their contributions and sacrifices associated with the United States nuclear testing program. The first nuclear detonation was made on the Bikini Atoll in the Marshall Islands on March 1, 1954. This test, and the subsequent testing program, established the nuclear deterrent that has served to ensure the security of our Nation and our allies throughout the Cold War. The people of the Marshall Islands sacrificed in a particularly unique way for our security, one that is both immense and somber. Today we continue to honor their contribution.

Further, Mr. Speaker, the contributions of the people of the Republic of the Marshall Islands have continued to this very day. Today we can find Marshallese serving in the United States Armed Forces around the world. Some are serving in Iraq and Afghanistan as we speak and many others are contributing to the well being of the United States in other new and unique ways throughout the Global War on Terror.

The Republic of the Marshall Islands stands today with America as one of the Freely Associated States in the Pacific, and our strong bonds of friendship are a testament to our mutual commitment to freedom and democracy.

To my friends and neighbors, the Marshallese, I extend the thanks of a grateful Nation. To borrow from your beautiful language, ``kommol tata,'' or thank you very much.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to introduce legislation that would strengthen third-party lobbying disclosure requirements contained in the Lobbying Disclosure Act, P.L. 104-65. Specifically, the legislation I have introduced today would amend Section 5(b) of the Lobbying Disclosure Act of 1995, 2 U.S.C. 1604(b), by first making a series of technical corrections and then by adding new language to require that specific information be disclosed when a registrant is retained to engage in lobbying activities on behalf of a third party. This legislation would require that the identity of, the contact information for, and the amounts paid by that third party for the registrant's services be disclosed on the registrant's semiannual financial disclosure reports filed with the Clerk of the House and the Secretary of the Senate pursuant to Section 5 of the Lobbying Disclosure Act. The intent of this legislation is to enhance current law by making the practice of third-party lobbying activities more transparent.

Section 4 of the Lobbying Disclosure Act requires that a lobbyist list the name, address, and principal place of business of any organization, other than the client, that contributes more than $10,000 toward the registrant's lobbying activities in a semiannual period, or and in whole or in major part plans, supervises, or controls such lobbying activities. The changes to the Lobbying Disclosure Act proposed by my legislation would reinforce existing Section 4 disclosure provisions. These changes would require the reporting of a third, or subsequent degree, contractual relationship between a lobbyist and a client pursuant to Section 5 of the Lobbying Disclosure Act.

The authors of the Lobbying Disclosure Act understood that accurate reporting of the identity of participants in third-party lobbying activities is important to transparency. In fact, the Committee on the Judiciary expressed its views on Section 4(b)(3) in House Report 104- 339, describing that current law ``is intended to preclude evasion of the disclosure requirements of the Act through the creation of ad hoc lobbying coalitions behind which real parties in interest can hide.'' Recent media reports reveal that third-party lobbying activities have been arranged to evade the Lobbying Disclosure Act.

The registration and financial disclosure reports required by Sections 4 and 5 of the Lobbying Disclosure Act should both capture the contractual lobbying relationships entered into by registrants and their clients. Current law requires that registrants declare third- party contractual lobbying relationships on their Section 4 registration reports. However, Section 5 of the Lobbying Disclosure Act does not specifically require the disclosure of the details of third- party contractual lobbying activities. The legislation I have introduced today would close this loophole. This legislation enhances current law and will bring further transparency and accountability to lobbying activities.

I urge my colleagues to support the Full Disclosure in Lobbying Act. It is my hope that this legislation will be enacted, and its merits will be reviewed as the House considers lobbying reform legislation.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of House Resolution 698, offered by the gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Knollenberg) to express the sense of this body that all Americans should participate in a moment of silence to reflect upon the service and the sacrifice of the members of the United States Armed Forces, both at home and abroad. Our Nation is unified in support of our men and women who sacrifice to keep us free.

This past year, Mr. Speaker, the U.S. Territory of Guam lost several servicemembers in combat. The toll seems unbearable to those who have lost loved ones, and in many ways it is. But the price that these men and women were willing to pay and ultimately did can be understood when one takes a simple moment to stop and notice what our way of life provides for us: liberty, freedom, and democracy.

Our Nation's fallen heroes know that freedom is not free. They died to protect our liberty so that we can remain

free. In many cases, they gave so others could also have a chance to live as we do, because we believe freedom-loving democracies will live at peace with us.

So as we honor all who serve with this resolution, I especially honor those who have made the greatest sacrifice. A moment of silence is especially appropriate for these fallen heroes, men and women, to whom we owe a debt of gratitude that is simply unpayable.

It allows us to reflect on our freedom; but mostly, Mr. Speaker, it captures the enormity of their individual sacrifices. Forever, each has fallen silent. For those who love them, there is consolation in knowing that our Nation will remember their sacrifice.

So let us take a moment to reflect upon and honor their memory. Today, as I read off the names of Guam's fallen heroes in the war on terror, I ask, Mr. Speaker, that we observe a brief moment of silence here today in this House on this floor to honor these men and women who sacrificed and continue to sacrifice like they did:

Specialist Christopher Wesley; First Lieutenant Michael Aguon Vega; Sergeant Yihjyh Lang Chen; Corporal JayGee Meluat; Sergeant Skipper Soram; Specialist Jonathon Pangelinan Santos; Staff Sergeant Steven Bayow; Specialist Derence Jack; Sergeant Wilgene Lieto; Specialist Richard Naputi; and Specialist Kasper Dudkiewicz.

Now for a brief moment of silence.

God bless our service men and women, and God bless our great country, the United States of America.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Dr. Tan Siu Lin for his service to our community and his civic involvement on Guam. Dr. Tan, an entrepreneur and philanthropist, has supported many community projects and initiatives since he and his family first established a business on Guam in 1972. His civic contributions have spanned the fields of education, journalism, information technology and business. Today, Dr. Tan continues to fill important leadership roles on our island and remains involved in many notable community and philanthropic projects that benefit the Western Pacific Region.

The preservation of culture has always been an important goal of Dr. Tan, who was born in Quanzhou, China in 1930. He founded the Chinese School of Guam, the Chinese Park of Guam, and Gee How Oak Tin Association of Guam. He served as the chairman of the United Chinese Association of Guam during its early stages and successfully led the organization through a period of sustained growth and activity. Today, he continues to serve the United Chinese Association of Guam as their Honorary Chairman.

He has endowed a scholarship at the University of Guam in support of academic excellence. He established ``The Overseas Chinese Newspaper of Guam'' to share news among the Chinese community of Guam and to promote and highlight accomplishments of their community.

His entrepreneurial success has not overshadowed his humanity and his community service. His personal motto is: ``deliver to the community with what you have earned from it.'' He has been recognized by the governments of Malaysia and the Philippines for his philanthropic contributions. Organizations in Hong Kong and Micronesia have also honored him for his work in support of charitable causes.

As he marks another milestone this week with the opening of a new business venture on Guam, I take this occasion to recognize his achievements and his community service. I

join his wife Lam Pek Kim and his children Henry, Willie, Lilly, Jerry, Raymond and Sunny in recognizing his many professional accomplishments and his service to our community.