Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize David D. Tuncap of Tamuning, Guam for his service to our community in four decades of public service and leadership both in government and the private sector. Mr. Tuncap is one of those rare individuals on Guam whose vision and contributions to our visitor industry have benefited our community and made our island a better place to live.

Mr. Tuncap served in the Government of Guam as a Director of the Department of Commerce from 1975 to 1976 and as the first Executive Manager of the Guam Airport Authority from 1976 to 1978. He also served from 1976 to 1978 and from 1981 to 1996 as the Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Guam Visitors Bureau. In addition to his government experience, Mr. Tuncap held several senior management positions in the private sector in businesses related to the visitor industry. Mr. Tuncap was a key player in the development of Guam's visitor industry and in the period of rapid growth and expansion of our island's tourist infrastructure in the 1970s and 1980s. During his tenure at GVB he promoted the Chamorro culture as the foundation of the visitor experience to Guam.

David Tuncap has been a leader on Guam both within the visitor industry and as a community advocate. He is recognized as a visionary who helped to diversify and grow our island's economy. On the occasion of his retirement, I join our island in saluting his impressive accomplishments and in thanking him for his years of service to our community.

I know his wife Dolores, and his daughters, Antoinette Jo Ann, Nora Jean, Tania Paulette, are especially proud of his accomplishments. I also join them in commending David Tuncap for his lifetime of achievements and for the fine example of what it means to be a dedicated public servant and a successful business leader.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H. Res. 357, Honoring Justice Sandra Day O'Connor. Honoring Justice O'Connor's career as a jurist with this resolution is significant as she was a pioneer for women in the legal profession.

Nominated for the Supreme Court by President Reagan and confirmed by the U.S. Senate in 1981, Justice O'Connor became the 102nd Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court, and its first woman member. Justice O'Connor served honorably until her retirement on January 31, 2006. Justice O'Connor retired from the bench and from public service with the same grace and dignity with which she served. Her commitment to the Constitution, to public service, and to the United States will serve as inspiration for young Americans for years to come. Her work while on the Court will continue to provide needed guidance as American law continues to evolve. Her legacy of attacking bias not only against women but against all groups through jurisprudence benefits us all.

Justice O'Connor is the product of humble beginnings. In school, Justice O'Connor worked hard, earning numerous achievements while overcoming many obstacles in her path

to success. Upon graduation, Justice O'Connor found it difficult to obtain a position with any law firm due to her gender despite having earned honors as an undergraduate and a law student at Stanford University. Undaunted, she created her own opportunities, partnering with a colleague and beginning her own firm. Shortly thereafter, Justice O'Connor placed her career on hold to become a mother. During this time, Justice O'Connor devoted herself to volunteer activities with the Arizona State Hospital, the Arizona State Bar, the Salvation Army and several local schools.

Justice O'Connor returned to practicing law after 5 years as a full- time mother and assumed a position with the Arizona Attorney General's office. In 1969, she was appointed to fill a vacancy in the Arizona State Senate and 4 years later was the first woman to serve as the chamber's majority leader. This leadership role, however, only marked the beginning of her groundbreaking professional accomplishments.

In 1974, Justice O'Connor was nominated for a judgeship position in the Maricopa County Superior Court and nominated to the Arizona Court of Appeals 5 years later. As a result of her work on the Arizona Court of Appeals President Reagan nominated her to serve on the Supreme Court. Justice O'Connor's career proves that there is no barrier to large, no challenge to great, and no position to lofty to attain for a woman of integrity, conviction and intelligence.

Justice O'Connor is among the pioneering women of our time. She stands as a testament to what a fearless spirit, a determined heart and a sharp mind can achieve in the face of bias and tradition. Today, only one woman now serves on the Supreme Court, but we now that more will follow in the footsteps of Justice O'Connor.

Although Justice O'Connor is most widely recognized for her 24 years as an Associate Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court, she deserves to be recognized for leading of life of humanity, of dedication to public service, and one of commitment to making our country more fair, tolerant, and a better place to live. Her lifetime of achievements in the field of law and public service will always be remembered. Our country thanks her for the example she has set.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate and commend Ms. Kristal Koga, on being named 2006 Women in Business Champion of the Year by the United States Small Business Administration Guam Branch Office.

Ms. Koga is an accomplished designer and owns the ``Kristal Kollection'' clothing line. Her hard work and keen business sense has made her a well known and well established businesswoman on Guam. Her commitment to use her vast skills and knowledge to foster and mentor young women pursuing careers in business is what makes her especially deserving of this recognition as ``Women in Business Champion.''

Ms. Koga is serving, or has served in numerous organizations dedicated to improving the lives of women around the world, including the Soroptimist International of the Marianas, where she is a current member and served as the immediate past-president; the Federation of Asian Pacific Women's Association, where she is currently serving as treasurer; and the Guam Council of Women's Clubs, where she serves as the vice president.

I congratulate Kristal for being selected as the 2006 Women in Business Champion of the Year. I join our island community in celebrating her distinction. Kristal, we are all proud of you and we wish you continued prosperity.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate and commend Mr. Alfred K.Y. Lam, affectionately known to everyone on Guam as ``Uncle Alfred,'' on being named the 2006 Minority Small Business Champion of the Year by the United States Small Business Administration Guam Branch Office.

Alfred's entrepreneurial spirit, diligence, and perseverance have made him a successful businessman on Guam, but his commitment to the development and promotion of other minority businesses over the last 30 years makes him deserving of the Minority Small Business Champion of the Year award.

Since coming to Guam in 1972, Alfred has operated his own business, finding a wealth of business opportunity in Guam's burgeoning shipping industry. Even in those early days, Alfred saw the need to nurture other small businesses for the benefit of the entire community.

From 1974 to 1976, he served as the vice president of the United Chinese Association, and was the charter president of the Asian Pacific Lions Club in 1982. During this time, Alfred also helped form the Sea Transport Association, which was created to promote and stabilize the shipping market between Guam and the Far East for the benefit of Chinese merchants and Guam's economy as a whole.

For the last two years, Alfred has also served as president of the Chinese Chamber of Commerce, which has begun to form alliances with other Chinese Chambers of Commerce in Hong Kong, Mainland China, and Los Angeles.

Alfred is a proven business leader, and continues to be an inspiration to the next generation of businessmen on Guam, including the 2005 Small Business Person of the Year, George Lai of Quality Distributors.

I congratulate Alfred for being selected as the 2006 Minority Small Business Champion of the Year for Guam. Our island celebrates his recognition with his wife Kathy and his children. Uncle Alfred, we are all proud of you and we wish you continued prosperity.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the achievements of Mr. Joseph Crisostomo of Guam and to commend him on being honored as the 2006 Small Business Person of the Year. Each year the U.S. Small Business Administration Guam Branch Office solicits nominations from our community for this award. This year Mr. Crisostomo has earned this distinction and his nomination will go forward for national recognition as well.

Mr. Crisostomo, who family, friends, employees, and customers know as ``Joey,'' is widely recognized and well respected within our island community as a formidable and successful business leader. His has an impressive record of experience in the sales and automotive industries and he has built a reputation of hard work and strong leadership.

The son of Jose R. and Rosario Sanchez Crisostomo, Joey grew up in a military family and developed an interest in cars and motorcycles at an early stage in life. He graduated from John F. Kennedy High School in 1977, and began working at a local company on the island stocking auto parts and assembling motorcycles. After spending several years in Idaho and Hawaii in the industry, he returned to his home island of Guam in 1992 to work in car sales and to serve as the sales manager for two local companies. In 1999, the local Chrysler dealership folded but Joey was instrumental in securing the parts and service agreement with Chrysler International to ensure the Chrysler name remained on Guam.

Despite weak economic conditions, Joey successfully took risk and opened Cars Plus, LLC. Joey demonstrated his ability to start up a new business from the bottom. Today, Cars Plus has grown from a service and parts company to a full line car dealership. Joey has guided the company over consecutive years of record growth, and the business has expanded in employees, size, and sales.

Joey is not only a strong and successful business leader on our island. He has contributed to our community in many ways with corporate sponsorships, board memberships, and his personal time. He is an active member of the Guam Chamber of Commerce and the Guam Visitor's Bureau Sports Tourism Committee. In particular, he has devoted his time to youth programs and youth organizations. Among the many organizations that have benefited from his contributions are Guam's Youth Life Program, the Guam Juvenile Drug Court Program, Operation Outreach USA, the Guam Football Association, the Global Young Leaders Conference, the Guam Girls Fast Pitch Softball League, the Boy Scouts of America, the Make-a-Wish Foundation, the American Red Cross, and the American Cancer Society.

As an avid racer, Joey has also promoted Guam internationally having competed in many races. Today we take this occasion to recognize Joey's achievements and his contributions to our community. I join his wife, Joyce, his daughters, Lenora and Jennifer, and his son, Joey, in honoring his accomplishments and in commending him as the Small Business Person of the Year for 2006. Our community wishes him the best of success as he pursues future endeavors.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the lifetime of accomplishments of Mr. Wu Jia Chi, affectionately known to us on Guam as ``Chuck Wu'' and to recognize his humanitarianism. Mr. Wu was born in Taipei, Taiwan on February 21, 1921. He immigrated to Guam in 1971 and opened a small business in Harmon. His business was the first of many successful enterprises he has established on Guam during the last quarter century. Today Mr. Wu is a well respected resident on our island of Guam and in the Pacific Region. His entrepreneurial spirit, his commitment to his family, and his dedication to our community inspires us all.

Mr. Wu is a pioneer in the business community on Guam and is a leader within his own Chinese community. His vision and determination have contributed to his success, and he has used this success to help many nonprofit organizations and worthwhile causes. He is one who has given back to the community through his involvement and his time. He is a dynamic force and his efforts and volunteerism have helped civic organizations on our island on many occasions.

Mr. Wu has never lost his firm belief in the importance of preserving cultural traditions and customs. He established the Chinese School of Guam in 1978 and served as the school's principal for 7 years. He continues to advocate for the improvement of our schools and the development of our young students, both within the Chinese community and throughout our island.

Mr. Wu's commitment to serving and leading the Chinese community was recognized in his appointment as a commissioner for Overseas Chinese Affairs since 1991. He was also the president of the Chinese School Foundation of Guam from 1989 to 1993. Moreover, from 1985 to 1989, Mr. Wu was the president of the United Chinese Association of Guam. Mr. Wu also served as president of the Sea Transport Association of Guam from 1982 to 1985. In 1993 he was honored as the U.S. Small Business Advocate of the Year.

Mr. Wu has made a lasting impression on our island of Guam and his leadership in our community has improved our island significantly. I join his wife Shiu-Fong Lai-Wu, his sons, Fong, Albert, John, and Thomas, his daughters-in-law, Shaina, Sandra, and Janet, and his grandchildren, Vera, Valerie, Stefanie, Alexander, Sophia, Shaun, Chucky, Kaile, and Tommy, and all the people of Guam, in commending Chuck Wu for his lifetime of accomplishments.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to today in support of House Concurrent Resolution 322 to recognize the outstanding contributions of the United Service Organization (USO) to the morale and welfare of our servicemen and women in the U.S. Armed Forces and their families. I also take this occasion to commend the USO upon their 65th anniversary.

The USO has served as a source of support, entertainment, and morale for American troops since its chartering in 1941. Established at the request of President Franklin Delano Roosevelt, the USO has served our Nation's

servicemen and women ever since. I commend the efforts of those six civilian agencies--the Salvation Army, Young Men's Christian Association, Young Women's Christian Association, National Catholic Community Service, National Travelers Aid Association and the National Jewish Welfare Board--that came together in support of our troops in creating the USO, bringing about its official incorporation in New York on February 4, 1941.

The USO has strong ties to Guam. Burgeoning with U.S. military personnel following the liberation of the island, the USO first came to Guam in the early 1950s. Delivering entertainment and laughs to those serving on Guam, the USO's work on Guam was but a small glimpse of its work lifting the morale of servicemen and women around the world.

The combat zones of the past included Korea, Vietnam and Kuwait. Today the USO brings entertainment to our men and women serving in Iraq, Afghanistan and the Horn of Africa among many other places. For 65 years, wherever you found America's military, you found the USO, no matter the location or the danger.

The USO not only brings entertainment, a piece of home and a smile to troops deployed abroad through its shows, but serves as a ``home away from home'' for servicemen and women in 124 centers around the world. I am pleased to state that this proud tradition will soon be resurrected on Guam. The USO will re-open its Guam branch on March 23, 2006. With the military presence on Guam steadily growing, the USO has once more answered the call to service. With growing unease in Asia, the strategic location of Guam is increasingly valued. The men and women who serve on the island provide stability to the region and security to our Nation. The USO will once again ensure that these men and women, their families and their guests nonetheless always have the support they need. No doubt this branch will also bring to Guam many of the USO's trademark shows.

Let me take this chance to say, on behalf of the people of Guam, welcome back to the USO. As we say on Guam, Hafa Adai and Si Yu'os Ma'ase (thank you) for their work.

Our Nation enjoys a spirit of brotherhood, of service and of charity that is a reflection of a national value of selfless service. The USO embodies this national value. And the people who are the USO live this national value. Over 12,000 volunteers donate over 450,000 hours annually thereby allowing the USO to serve our Nation's greatest servants. Not to be forgotten are the celebrities and entertainers that often headline USO tours, lending their time and talents to honor those people who provide them the very opportunity to live the American dream they have realized. And providing the foundation upon which the USO can operate are countless thousands of U.S. donors, both private and corporate, who make giving a centerpiece of their lives.

I join my colleagues in commending the USO and all of the men and women who over time and who now make up this great organization for the service they provide to those who serve our Nation in uniform. Like our military men and women, you too are heroes. You are what makes America great. God Bless the USO, God Bless our men and women serving around the world today and God Bless America.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H. Res. 657. This resolution honors the contributions that Catholic schools make to our communities and, in particular, recognizes the annual Catholic Schools Week, celebrated from January 29-February 4 this year. I thank Mr. Kennedy of Minnesota for introducing H. Res. 657, for recognizing Catholic Schools Week, and for his ongoing support for Catholic schools nationwide.

Catholic Schools Week is an event co-sponsored by the National Catholic Educational Association and the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. Honored during the Week are Catholic schools, students, parents, and teachers across the Nation for their ongoing contributions to education. The Catholic schools community has a significant role in promoting and ensuring a brighter, stronger future for our communities, our country and, most of all, for our children.

Guam's association with the Roman Catholic Church dates back to Ferdinand Magellan's arrival on our island in 1521. Guam became an important port-of-call along trade routes through the Pacific sailed by Spanish Galleons. Padre Diego Luis de San Vitores, a Spanish Jesuit missionary, arrived in Guam in 1662 during his journey from Mexico to the Philippines. Padre San Vitores vowed to return to Guam upon leaving the island.

Three years later, through his close ties to the royal court, he persuaded King Philip IV of Spain and Queen Maria Ana of Austria to order the establishment of a Catholic mission in Guam. Padre San Vitores established a mission in the village of Agana which later became the site of the island's first Catholic Church. It is now the seat of the Metropolitan Archdiocese of Agana, canonically erected in 1911, elevated to a Diocese in 1965--300 years after Padre Diego Luis de San Vitores kept his promise to return to the island. The Diocese was further elevated in 1984 to a Metropolitan Diocese. Today it enjoys a congregation of 101,000 strong throughout Oceania.

The Roman Catholic faith grew strong on Guam over the years. This strength is represented in the quality of Catholic school education on the island. Our island has four nursery schools, six elementary and middle schools, and three high schools that teach the Catholic faith in addition to academic curriculum.

The Catholic school tradition on Guam began with Bishop Appollinaris Baumgartner. He recognized our island's need for quality education inspired by the Catholic faith. In 1946, he invited the Three Sisters of Mercy from North Carolina to Guam. They established The Academy of Our Lady, the first all girls' Catholic high school on Guam. This school remains in operation today. Also, Bishop Baumgartner invited the School Sisters of Notre Dame of La Crosse, Wisconsin to come to Guam in 1949. Soon after arriving on the island the Sisters founded Notre Dame High School, a Catholic co-educational high school. Notre Dame High School also remains operational today. Father Duenas Memorial High School is the third Catholic high school on Guam. Its namesake, Father Jesus Baza Duenas, was executed on July 11, 1944, by the Japanese forces occupying Guam. Father Duenas, a resistance figure on the island, was executed along with his nephew because he would not betray the location of an American sailor hiding on the island. Father Duenas Memorial High School continues his legacy of courage and integrity. All three schools offer rigorous curricula to prepare students for college while instilling strong moral values and an understanding of the Catholic faith.

Bishop Baumgartner initiated a strong tradition of Catholic elementary and middle school education on Guam, as well as providing advanced theological study opportunities for the island's faithful in minor seminary.

Bishop Baumgartner's legacy of shaping the character of Guam's faithful by promoting Catholic education opportunities on the island was continued by Archbishop Felixberto Camacho Flores, Guam's first Chamorro Bishop, when he became Titular Bishop of Stonj in 1970. The number of Catholic schools on Guam increased under his leadership. He expanded their programs and improved school facilities.

Today, the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Agana remains committed to serving the people of Guam. Under the direction of the Most Reverend Anthony Sablan Apuron, OFM Cap, DD, Metropolitan Archbishop of Agana, Catholic educational institutions on Guam provide quality academic instruction to students. The contributions of the Catholic school system to the people of Guam are reflected in our local leaders in the clergy, government, and private-sector who are alumni of the Catholic schools. The dedication shown by the Archdiocese of Agana to the quality of Catholic school education on our island strongly reflects the theme for Catholic Schools Week: Character. Compassion. Values.

Guam has a long history of Catholicism and enjoys a strong tradition of educational institutions grounded in the teachings of the Catholic Church. I recognize and commend the Catholic schools in Guam for their commitment to instilling the principles of academic rigor, sound moral values, and respect and understanding for the Catholic faith in our children's daily lives. In honor of Catholic Schools Week, I want to recognize dedication and achievements made by the students, parents, teachers and administrators of Catholic schools in Guam and across the Nation. Their contributions to our society, both inside and outside of the classroom are significant. It is my hope that the tradition of Catholic schools education on Guam and around the United States will remain strong for generations to come.

Mr. Speaker, it is with a heavy heart and profound sadness that I rise today to honor the life and public service of Mrs. Mae Cruz Tenorio. Mae managed my District Office in Guam with humor, courtesy and professionalism for 3 years, which marked a continuation of almost 8 years of service as the Special Assistant and Special Projects Director for my predecessor, Representative Robert Underwood. Mae possessed the qualities of commitment to good government, selfless service to her community, and integrity that are valued so highly by our congressional community.

Mae's commitment to her community, to the United States and to public service began in 1971, at the Tulare County Credit Bureau in Visalia, California, where she worked as a part-time secretary and credit reporter. Mae returned to Guam in June 1978, to work for the Office of the Governor. She remained in public service to Guam for 35 years.

Mae's work as a dedicated public servant and community leader has many highlights. Three themes throughout it are prominent: the advancement and empowerment of women; the strengthening of the family; and the improvement of our island. Her leadership on these issues spanned her work with the Government of Guam Office of the Comptroller, the Commission on Self-Determination, Office of the Governor of Guam, the Office of Congressman Robert Underwood, and in my office.

Her reputation for thoroughness and high quality staff work, earned as a result of her tenure on the Commission on Self-Determination beginning in 1984, is of particular note. She provided the staff support for the Commission's initial public hearings under then

Governor Ricky Bordallo. Governor Joseph Ada's decision to retain Mae's services when he became the Commission's Chairman is a testament to her dedicated service and unique abilities. Mae served as the Commission's senior Professional Staff Member until 1992.

Equally notable was her work with the Office of the Governor promoting awareness of women and family issues on Guam from 1992 to 1995. Mae continued her work to promote women and family issues as a leader of important community organizations on Guam. She was a founding member of the Guam Single Parents Network, established in 1977. Additionally, Mae became the first female president of the Pacific Jaycees in 1987, ably representing the Jaycees and Guam throughout the Pacific region and the world promoting community service and volunteerism.

Mae's commitment to improving Guam and promoting the issues important to our island and its people continued when she joined the Office of Congressman Robert Underwood in 1995. As a respected and active member of that office she helped attract funding for The War in the Pacific National Historical Park Asan Bay Overlook Memorial Wall Project, while compiling the list of names for the memorial at the park, educating on and off-island Chamorro groups about the project, and helping to plan the official dedication of the wall. Mae's other contributions included providing timely and responsive constituent services and providing staff support to Congressman Underwood's War Restitution, Philippine Visa Waiver, and Economic Task Forces. Mae also organized Guam's Centennial Exhibit in Washington, DC, a pictorial review of Guam's history aimed to educate visitors to our Nation's Capital about our island and the issues that are important to us.

Mae will be remembered not only for the excellent work she did on behalf of her beloved island and the United States of America, but for her grace, humanity, and humility. Her good humor, mentorship, and friendship were appreciated by all who had the pleasure of knowing her. Her efforts touched the lives of countless members of our island's community and Guam's friends in the United States and around the world. The influence of her work will remain strong for years to come.

But Mae was not a woman that can be defined solely by her work; she was so much more to so many.

Mae, a caring mother to Christina, Nick and Andrew, a loving wife to Joseph Tenorio, a trusted friend for many, a daughter of Guam, and a faithful servant to her island and her country, was called her home by her Heavenly Father on January 10, 2006. The call home relieved her from her suffering. But it left a definite void in my life and in the lives of those who knew and loved her. Mae's full and rewarding life and our memories of her gentle demeanor will serve as inspiration for us all for years to come. Mae was a kind soul. She will be dearly missed.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today with the solemn charge of paying tribute to SPC Kasper Alan Camacho Dudkiewicz, 22, U.S. Army, of Guam. SPC Dudkiewicz was Killed in Action on January 15, 2006, in Mosul, Iraq. The United States and the U.S. Army have lost a proud and able soldier, and Guam and a loving family have lost a son, brother, and husband.

SPC Dudkiewicz was assigned to the 511th Military Police Company, 91st Military Police Battalion, 10th Mountain Division, Fort Drum, New York. He was dedicated to the mission in Iraq and he personified his unit's motto: ``strike fear.'' SPC Dudkiewicz is one of three Dudkiewicz brothers to serve in Iraq, continuing Guam's strong commitment to service in the United States military. SPC Dudkiewicz was posthumously promoted from Private First Class to Specialist in recognition of his distinguished service.

My thoughts and prayers are with the Dudkiewicz and Camacho families during this time of loss. SPC Dudkiewicz is survived by his wife Katie, who is a soldier serving in Korea, and their sons, Alexander W. Parker and Zane Nicolas BIas Cruz. Additionally, SPC Dudkiewicz is survived by his parents, Kasper Dudkiewicz and Maria Margaret Crisostomo Camacho and his stepmother Connie Fergurgur Dudkiewicz. SPC Dudkiewicz' brothers and sisters, Kevin and Ty, Korey, Kollin, Kris, Kurt, Corina, Jereco, Elijah, and Regina and Jeremy also cherish his memory. My deepest sympathies are with them during this difficult time. I join them in mourning his loss.

SPC Dudkiewicz now joins the honored company of other fallen heroes who have put the ideals of duty, honor, and country before themselves and made the ultimate sacrifice. It is my hope that SPC Dudkiewicz' commitment to creating a bright future for his children, his devotion to his wife, and his dedication to his parents and siblings will remain strong and guiding influences from which his family, friends, and neighbors can draw strength for years to come.

The people of Guam take this time to extend to the Dudkiewicz and Camacho families their most heartfelt wishes of hope during this difficult time. We take this time to reflect upon the sacrifices made by the men and women like SPC Dudkiewicz who shoulder the responsibility of protecting our homeland, our families and the American way of life. The debt of gratitude we owe to these individuals, although un-payable, is worthy of our most sincere appreciation. God bless our men and women in uniform and God bless America.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life of one of Guam's sons, SPC Richard Junior De Gracia Naputi, 24, U.S. Army, of Talofofo, Guam. Sadly, on December 20, 2005, our nation lost SPC Naputi. SPC Naputi was killed in action while serving in Taji, Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. Born and raised in Guam, he left the only home he knew to serve and defend his country. Assigned to the 1st Battalion, 15th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Infantry Division in Fort Benning, Georgia, SPC Naputi embodied the proud history and traditions of his unit whose motto was ``Can Do'' and whose lineage traces back to the Civil War.

My thoughts and prayers are with the Naputi family during this time of loss. I join his parents, Richard and Naputi, his wife Brianne, and all of Richard's extended family and friends, in mourning the loss of Richard and in honoring the dignity of his life. While the loss of SPC Naputi is painful for our entire island and our nation, he now joins that solemn fraternity of heroes who have put their country before themselves and made the greatest sacrifice. Heeding the Christmas message of ``Peace on earth,'' Richard's loss leads us to reflect upon the sacrifices made by the men and women who shoulder the responsibility of protecting our liberties and our freedoms. To these men and women, we owe a debt of gratitude that is simply unpayable.

During this difficult time, the people of Guam and I are keeping the Naputi family in our thoughts and prayers. I also extend my prayers to the many men and women continuing to serve around the world in the cause of freedom. God bless the Naputi family, God bless our men and women in uniform and God bless America.

Mr. Speaker, I rise this morning to address a particular provision included in Title VI of S. 1932, the Deficit Reduction Act of 2005. This provision, Section 6055, is very important to my district, to my constituency, and to the Members of this body who represent one of the U.S. territories. Over the past two years, since arriving in Congress, I have worked to address the serious concern relating to the application of the Medicaid program to Guam and the other U.S. territories vis-a-vis the application to the 50 States.

In the 50 States, Medicaid is an individual entitlement. There are no limits on the Federal payments for Medicaid in the 50 States as long as the state is able to contribute its share of matching funds. However, annual Federal Medicaid payments in Guam and in the other U.S. territories are subject to different rules and may not exceed a certain amount specified in law. These limitations are set under Section 1108 of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1308(g)).

The reality is that Medicaid claims and expenditures in Guam and in the other U.S. territories exceed the limited amounts or ceilings set in U.S. law. Even if the Government of Guam is financially prepared, able and willing to meet its share of the matching requirement, U.S. law will not allow for Federal Medicaid payments to be made beyond the specified limit. Fortunately, to account for inflation, the law was previously amended to provide for increases beginning in 1999 to the ceilings based on the annual percentage change in the medical care component of the Consumer Price Index. Indexing the ceilings for inflation was a needed and important improvement in the Medicaid program for the U.S. territories. However, even with the inflation indexing, the ceilings provided for in current law fall far short of meeting actual Medicaid-eligible claims in the territories.

Apart from the fundamental and more inherent issues associated with the disparate treatment of the territories in this entitlement program, are the practical and public health problems caused by the seemingly arbitrary and budget-driven federal funding limitations placed on the territories. Medicaid is an important Federal safety net and it is essential that the program be operated efficiently and to the fullest extent needed in the territories.

I am pleased that the Senate receded to the House position and accepted Section 3141 of H.R. 4241, the House version of this budget reconciliation legislation, in the conference committee. This provision will provide for adjustments to the Medicaid payments for the U.S. territories under Section 1108 of the Social Security Act. These Medicaid adjustments address critical health care needs in the territories.

Specifically, Section 6055, as included in the conference report, will provide annual increases for Fiscal Years 2006 and 2007 in the ceilings placed on Federal funding for the Medicaid program in Guam, the Virgin Islands, American Samoa, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, and Puerto Rico. The total adjustment for all territories in Fiscal Year 2006 is $20 million and in Fiscal Year 2007 the adjustment is $28 million. For Fiscal Year 2008 and subsequent fiscal years, the funding for the Medicaid program in the territories will be calculated by increasing the Fiscal Year 2007 amount by the percentage change in the medical care component of the Consumer Price Index, in the same manner as currently provided in law. The Congressional Budget Office has estimated that these adjustments will amount to additional $140 million in Medicaid payments for the territories over the next five years, and $323 million over the next ten years.

This provision has been included in this conference report as a result of bipartisan negotiations. On September 8 and 9, 2004, in the 108th Congress, I offered an amendment to H.R. 5006, the Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act for Fiscal Year 2005 that would have provided an additional $8 million in Medicaid funding that year for Guam, the Virgin Islands, American Samoa, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands. A point of order was raised and sustained on the amendment the first time it was offered. However, a modified and second amendment filed to the bill for the same purpose, was debated the following day. This amendment led to a serious and direct discussion for the first time on the House floor on the issue of Medicaid payments to the territories. Ultimately, I withdrew the amendment at the request of the gentleman from Texas, Mr. Barton, who pledged to work with me, my colleagues from the territories, and the gentleman from Indiana, Mr. Burton, on this issue. The gentleman from Texas, Mr. Barton, the Chairman of the House Committee on Energy and Commerce, kept his word. The gentleman and his professional staff and counsel have worked patiently and diligently with us to address this issue.

The language included in Section 6055 of S. 1932 is a result of this close collaboration and cooperation. I want to thank the gentleman from Texas, Mr. Barton, the gentleman from Indiana, Mr. Burton, who has been an ally and leader on this issue, and the leadership of the budget committees, for their work on this provision.

In the case of Guam, the adjustment made to the ceiling by this bill will bring the Federal Government, closer to meeting the actual amount of recent annual Medicaid costs. This is especially the case when factoring in Federal grants received under mandatory appropriations made for annual Compact-impact assistance. Guam currently receives $14.2 million every year from the Department of the Interior to defray costs incurred as a result of increased demands placed on health and social services due to the residence in Guam of citizens of the Freely Associated States. This funding was authorized by the Compact of Free Association Amendments Act of 2003 (Public Law 108-188).

However, despite the adjustments made to the ceilings set under Section 1108 of the Social Security Act by this bill, a significant and outstanding issue remains with respect to the application of the Medicaid program in Guam and the other U.S. territories. The Federal Medicaid matching rate, which determines the share of Medicaid expenditures paid for by the Federal Government, is statutorily set at 50 percent for the territories (42 U.S.C. 1396d(b)(2)). However, a formula is used to determine the matching rate for the States. If qualified for the formula the territories would receive rates as high as 77 percent. I hope that at some point in the future the rate for the territories could be set by the same formula as used for the states or at minimum adjusted to be on par with the rate statutorily set for the District of Columbia.

With the increase in Medicaid payment authorization provided by this legislation, the territories can more effectively address health care needs within the fiscal constraints of the Medicaid program. As has been stated, the Medicaid program in the territories is significantly different from the program in the states, and these differences present unique challenges to the territorial governments.

I thank the conferees for their attention to and acceptance of this important provision for the territories. This adjustment to Federal funding for Medicaid in the territories will have a significant impact in helping to address health care disparities between the states and the territories. I look forward to continuing to work with my colleagues from the territories, and the leadership of both chambers, to effectively address and eliminate disparities in federal health care financing between the states and the territories.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to introduce legislation that will require rate integration for wireless interstate toll charges. Specifically, this legislation would amend Section 254(g) of the Communications Act of 1934, as amended by the Telecommunications Act of 1996, to provide for rate integration of wireless long distance service within the United States, including the territories. With this legislation I intend to require uniformity in rates charged by cellular phone and other wireless service providers for calls and communications to and from Guam within the United States.

Section 254(g) directs the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) ``to adopt rules to require that the rates charged by providers of interexchange telecommunication services to subscribers in rural and high cost areas shall be no higher than the rates charged by each such provider to its subscribers in urban areas.''

Pursuant to Section 254(g), the FCC promulgated a regulation (FCC Order 98-347) to cover Commercial Mobile Radio Services (CMRS) as an interexchange service. CMRS includes Personal Communications Service (PCS) and cellular services. In defense of their Order, the FCC noted that ``if Congress had intended to exempt CMRS providers, it presumably would have done so expressly as it had done in other sections of the [1996 Telecommunications] Act.''

Subsequent to its issuance, the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit vacated FCC Order 98-347, by ruling that interexchange telecommunication services do not encompass CMRS. In its ruling, the Court cited the phrase ``interexchange telecommunications service'' contained in Section 254(g). Since wireless telecommunications do not use exchanges, the Court held that ``it is by no means obvious that the Congress, when it used a phrase in which the word `interexchange' is an essential term, was referring to

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 4519, the State High Risk Pool Funding Extension Act of 2005. I do so mainly because this bill would not only extend the authorization for Federal support for State high risk health insurance pools until 2010, but also because it provides, for the first time, authorization for the U.S. territories to receive this Federal support. With this Federal support, the U.S. territories will be able to establish and operate high risk health insurance pools like those already successfully operating in several States.

The costs of providing health care in the U.S. territories are very high due to the number of uninsured individuals, the prevalence of chronic diseases among residents, significant transportation expenses, and small risk pools over which to spread the cost of health insurance. Additionally, the vast majority of employers in the U.S. territories are small businesses. Like most small businesses nationwide, Guam's small businesses are limited in their financial ability to offer affordable health coverage to their employees.

The State high risk pool model is an innovative method to address the need for health insurance for high risk populations. To date, 31 States have established high risk health insurance pools. However, section 201(b) of the Trade Act of 2002 (Public Law 107-210), which authorized Federal funding for the creation and initial operation of high risk pools in the States did not include the U.S. territories among those eligible to receive this funding. The ineligibility of the U.S. territories for this assistance remains a concern. Previous versions of this bill being considered today to reauthorize this Federal program did not include the U.S. territories among those to be qualified to receive seed funding and additional grants to initiate and operate high risk pools.

However, the bill before us today, the product of negotiations over the last several months, does include the U.S. territories. H.R. 4519 will enable Guam and the other U.S. territories to form high risk insurance pools. The establishment of such pools will save the Federal Government Medicaid resources, because individuals with chronic illnesses will have another alternative to utilize to pay for expensive healthcare services. Assisting the U.S. territories in operating high risk pools will help the local treasuries with insuring high risk individuals. The establishment of high risk pools will reduce the risk of the general pool of health insurance consumers in the U.S. territories. This will allow for greater competition in the health insurance market, reduced costs for consumers, and will result in more economically manageable and affordable employee health plans for small businesses.

I came to this floor on July 27 of this year to highlight the need to include the U.S. territories in this Federal program, when this House debated H.R. 3204, the precursor to the bill before us today. The gentleman from Arizona, Mr. Shadegg, the author of this bill, recognized this need. The gentleman from Georgia, Mr. Deal, and the gentleman from Ohio, Mr. Brown, supported this request. I thank them for their leadership and for their attention to and understanding of the needs of the U.S. territories. Additionally, I want to thank the gentleman from Texas, Mr. Barton, and the gentleman from Michigan, Mr. Dingell, the chairman and the ranking Democratic member of the House Committee on Energy and Commerce, respectively, and their staffs, for their attention to this issue. I thank all of these gentlemen for their cooperation and assistance on this important issue. Together, with my colleagues from the Virgin Islands, Mrs. Christensen, American Samoa, Mr. Faleomavaega, and Puerto Rico, Mr. Fortuno, we were able to improve the legislation to take into account the needs of the U.S. territories. I look forward to working with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the Government of Guam in establishing a high risk pool in Guam with Federal seed money.

I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 4519.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of House Resolution 487, which recognizes the goals and ideals of a Korean American Day and which honors the contributions that Korean Americans have made in the United States.

On January 13, 1903, 102 Korean immigrants arrived in the United States. They arrived on the SS Gaelic in Honolulu in the U.S. Territory of Hawaii where they established residence and labored on Hawaiian sugar plantations. These immigrants pioneered the migration of Koreans to America. Today this movement continues and remains strong. The island of Guam is home to many Korean immigrants and Korean Americans alike.

In the 1960s, President John F. Kennedy lifted the United States security clearance requirement for travel to and from Guam. This was an important-step with respect to the future growth and development of Guam's economy and trade with Asian nations. The removal of the security clearance requirement was followed by an influx of new immigrants to Guam, the westernmost territory of the United States. Koreans began to establish communities on Guam as early as in the 1970s, and in 1980s many new Korean families arrived on island to establish a beginning in America. Many Korean immigrants opened new businesses and several have risen to assume important leadership roles in advocating for the small business community.

The contributions of Korean Americans are not only found in Guam, but in every community across the United States. Korean Americans are key contributors in the economic, medical, academic and religious fields. Notably, at least 4,000 Korean Americans are currently serving in the U.S. Armed Forces, with 25 percent serving in Iraq. Whether they are serving as leaders in their communities or fighting alongside their fellow Americans in defense of our country, Korean Americans have demonstrated their significant presence in and contributions to the United States.

I wish to express my heartfelt support in recognizing the 103rd anniversary of the arrival of the first Korean immigrants to the United States. On this occasion, I also take the opportunity to recognize the growth and contributions of the Korean Association of Guam. The Korean Association of Guam was established to advance the professional and civic interests of Korean Americans in Guam. Today, the Association serves as an important welcoming support group for new immigrants from Korea. Through the continued efforts and contributions of Korean Americans, our nation's ties with Korea will be strengthened in the years to come. I urge passage of House

Resolution 487 in honor of the story and contributions of Korean Americans.