Floor Statements

Offered By: Ms. Bordallo

Amendment No. 25: At the end of the bill (before the short

title), insert the following:

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life of Jaime Cardinal Sin, a leader of the Roman Catholic Church of the Philippines. Cardinal Sin was a great man, a strong leader, and a tireless fighter of injustice in his home country of the Philippines and throughout the world for decades. His passing is indeed a significant loss.

Born on August 31, 1928, Sin was ordained a priest in the Archdioceses of Jaro on April 3, 1954. He was appointed Coadjutor Archbishop of Jaro on March 15, 1972, and on October 8, 1972, he assumed the office of Archbishop of Jaro, thus assuming full control of the archdiocese. On January 21, 1974, Sin was appointed Archbishop of Manila, and on May 25, 1976, Sin became the youngest member of the College of Cardinals, a distinction which he held until 1983.

As the spiritual leader of the largest concentration of Catholics In Asia, Cardinal Sin held a great deal of influence over a substantial number of people. Rather than be content to simply influence the spiritual lives of his people, Cardinal Sin worked to affect change in the political and social arenas. Cardinal Sin was the central figure around whom the Philippine people rallied during both the People Power movement which restored democracy to the Philippines and the recent reformist movement. He was an outspoken critic, and his support of democratic reform helped to facilitate peaceful transition.

Despite his retirement on September 15, 2003, Cardinal Sin remained a popular and beloved figure in the Philippines. He was a leading voice against abortion and the death penalty. He was outspoken against inequality and immorality, and his three decades of service to the Philippine people have left an indelible mark in history.

Because of its geographic proximity and its large Filipino population, my district of Guam has traditionally held a very close relationship with the Philippines. I join the millions of Filipinos on Guam, in the Philippines, and throughout the world in mourning the passing of this great man.

Mr. Chairman, I rise today in strong support for the Velazquez amendment to H.R. 2862. This amendment would restore funding for the Small Business Administration's 7(a) loan guarantee program at fiscal year 2004 levels.

Small businesses are the driving force behind job creation and productivity-enhancing technology. The 7(a) loan program has been a worthwhile investment for taxpayers, as statistics demonstrate impressive returns insofar as business growth and job creation, especially, Mr. Chairman, in economically disadvantaged areas like the territory of Guam that I represent.

Perhaps for this reason a similar amendment introduced last year garnered strong support from both sides of the aisle, and therefore, I urge my colleagues to send a strong message that the House continues to value the importance of this program by again voting to restore funding for the 7(a) loan program.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commend Jon Junior Calvo for his service as a congressional page in the United States House of Representatives. Jon is graduating from the congressional page program on June 10, 2005. It is exciting that his parents, Juan and Doris Calvo, and two of his siblings, Jonathan and Joni Ree, were able to come all the way from Guam, 10,000 miles from Washington, D.C., to celebrate this occasion with us. Celebrating with us here in spirit is his sister Krisinda.

The congressional page program brings together a diverse group of outstanding student leaders from around the country to work in Congress and pursue their studies in the Nation's Capital. It fuses classroom learning with real-world work experience, giving students like Jon a front row seat as history unfolds.

I nominated Jon based upon his strong academic record, his demonstrated commitment to public service, and for his character and leadership in the community. He has lived up to and even exceeded my very high expectations for him.

Jon is the kind of young person that lights up a room when he walks into it and makes a lasting impression on everyone he meets. In his first month in the program, Jon was recognized with a citizenship award that is given to one exceptional student in the program each month. Other Members of Congress have even remarked to me on the floor what an outstanding young person Jon is.

Jon has been extremely active in the page program, serving on the yearbook staff and handling the public relations for the 2005 spring page class play, ``The Black Rose.'' While in Washington, D.C., he was also elected incoming president of the National Honor Society chapter at Father Duenas Memorial School in Guam, where he will complete his studies next year.

I have enjoyed Jon's frequent visits to our office, and we always try and have a little taste of home for him when he stops by, whether it is guyuria, Chamorro chip cookies or red rice.

I thought that coming from Guam Jon might have a rough time adjusting to Washington, D.C.'s, cold winter weather, but I think he actually enjoyed the snow and the ice.

Jon has been an excellent ambassador for the people of Guam during his time here in Washington, spreading the ``hafa adai'' spirit throughout the halls of Congress. As a native speaker of Guam's indigenous language, Chamorro, Jon is a role model and example to other young people in Guam of the importance of preserving one's culture and one's language.

I always enjoy seeing Jon's friendly face on the House floor, and he calls us to let us know that he is going to be on C-SPAN. He will be truly missed when he returns home to Guam. I am sure that I will still see a lot of Jon, though, considering how active he is in the community through his church and school.

Jon is a young man of many talents, and I am excited to see what he will do in life. Whatever he does, I am sure he will continue making a positive contribution to our island.

Before I close, I would like to say congratulations to all the wonderful pages that have come from all over the States in our Nation. You have been a wonderful group of people.

Jon, you have made your family, your church, your school and the people of Guam proud. Si Yu'os Ma'ase for your service, and God bless you.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commend Midshipman Adrian Anthony Rempillo Evangelista on his graduation from the United States Naval Academy and his commissioning as a Second Lieutenant in the United States Marine Corps on Friday, May 27, 2005. Adrian hails from our sister island to the north, Tinian. He is a young man of character and determination who, if his past success is any indication, has a promising future ahead.

Adrian has distinguished himself during his four years at the Naval Academy, where he will graduate with a Bachelor of Science in Information Technology. Most Marine Corps officers seek positions in the infantry, but for Adrian--who marches to a different beat--Navy familiarization training has convinced him that Marine Corps aviation provides the greatest challenge and fulfillment. Following completion of his training in Quantico, Virginia, Adrian plans on pursuing a career as a Marine pilot and will attend flight school in Pensacola, Florida.

Adrian was an outstanding athlete at the Naval Academy. As the 2005 Brigade Boxing Champion at the 139 pound weight class, Adrian went on to become the 2005 Midwest Regional Champion. He finished his collegiate boxing career by placing third at the National Collegiate Boxing Championship held in Colorado Springs, Colorado earlier this year, earning All-American Collegiate Boxing Team honors from the National Collegiate Boxing Association.

Midshipman Evangelista's parents are Antonio and Evelyn Evangelista and he is the oldest of four children. He is a graduate of Tinian High School. We all share in the pride that the people of Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands have in Adrian Evangelista's accomplishments.

Semper Fidelis!

Mr. Chairman, I rise in support of the Department of Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2006. This bill provides $441 billion in budget authority for the Department of Defense, as well as an additional $49 billion funding bridge for Fiscal Year 2006 costs associated with Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom. Overall I am pleased with the funding authorization level and the major initiatives outlined in this bill, though I do harbor reservations over several more minor provisions which I believe should be more thoroughly reviewed in conference. However, after working diligently with my colleagues on the Armed Services Committee, I am confident that we have produced a Defense Authorization bill that will support the mission of our men and women in uniform who are currently deployed in Iraq and Afghanistan and provide adequate direction for our armed forces to meet future challenges.

One issue that I hope will be revisited in conference is that of allowing members of the National Guard and Reserves to access health benefits under the military's TRICARE program. Despite bi-partisan support for extending this benefit to National Guardsmen and Reservists, this provision was stripped from the Defense Authorization bill without the full consent of members of the Armed Services Committee due to a budget technicality. My colleague, Congressman Gene Taylor of Mississippi, had hoped to offer an amendment to the Defense Authorization bill to restore this provision. Unfortunately, however, the House Rules Committee did not make his amendment in order for consideration, therefore House members were deprived of the opportunity to vote to restore this important initiative.

It is important that we recognize the hardship encountered by National Guardsmen and Reservists when they are called up for duty. In addition to placing their lives in the line of fire and separating themselves from their families for extended periods of time, these individuals must bear additional personal financial costs. One way to recognize their courage and sacrifice and to mitigate against the economic hardships that they must endure is to allow these men and women to enroll in TRICARE. TRICARE offers high quality coverage at a reasonable cost to members of the armed forces and their families. Allowing National Guardsmen and Reservists to enroll in TRICARE would serve as an additional incentive and help strengthen morale.

At a time when the military is facing unprecedented difficulties insofar as personnel recruitment and retention, it is important that we do everything we can to demonstrate to our men and women of the National Guard and Reserves that we recognize their sacrifice and the hardship that they and their families endure. National Guardsmen and Reservists have played a vital and integral role as soldiers on the front lines of Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom. National Guardsmen and Reservists have been required to extend their tours of duty in Iraq and Afghanistan to a point where their level of involvement in this conflict is virtually indistinguishable from that of active duty members of the armed services. It is also clear that their efforts will be required indefinitely.

We must take this opportunity to recognize the heroic efforts and the vital role played by our National Guardsmen and Reservists in securing freedom for the people of Iraq and Afghanistan. We must also recognize the evolving nature of the role of National Guardsmen and Reservists and how much our armed services now depend upon their service, a trend that one can only assume will continue in the future. These men and women have labored well beyond traditional tours of duty in order to help maintain security for the new democracies. They are soldiers and they deserve to be treated as such. I hope that conferees will revisit this bi-partisan proposal and that it will ultimately be included in the final version of the Defense Authorization Act.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and commend Vince P. Diego for the completion of his Doctor of Philosophy in Anthropology from the State University of New York at Binghamton. I had the privilege of attending Dr. Diego's Doctoral degree presentation on May 14, 2005, and was extremely impressed by the accomplishments of this promising man who hails from the village of Inarajan and completed his undergraduate studies in biology at the University of Guam. Vince is an outstanding role model for young Chamorros in Guam and a shining example that perseverance, dedication and excellence will be recognized and rewarded.

One of Dr. Diego's primary research interests is the rare neurodegenerative disease amyotrophic lateral sclerosis/Parkinsons- dementia complex, which has a historically high prevalence in Guam where it is known as lytico-bodig. Dr. Diego's ongoing research with his dissertation advisor Dr. Ralph M. Garruto seeks to provide a greater understanding of this disease, which is one of the most compelling unresolved mysteries of modem medicine. He would like to return to Guam after he completes his training to carry out his own research on the biomedical problems of Chamorros, the indigenous people of Guam, and other Micronesians.

His research interests also include diseases that are described as ``metabolic syndromes,'' which include heart disease, diabetes, hypertension and obesity. Chamorros, Filipinos, and other Asian and Pacific Islander American groups in Guam suffer disproportionately from these diseases. As the Chair of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus's Health Task Force, I have called for the need to better understand how our communities are affected by these devastating diseases. Dr. Diego is one of the scientists who is on the front line of learning more about these diseases and how they can be prevented and treated in our communities. His current research activities as a post- doctoral scientist at the Southwest Foundation for Biomedical Research's Department of Genetics include the statistical genetics of the metabolic syndrome in American Indians, Alaskan Natives, and Mexican Americans of San Antonio and on theoretical modeling in statistical genetics.

Dr. Diego's parents are Frank Paulino Diego and Teresita Taitague Diego of Inarajan and he is the youngest of six children. He graduated from Guam's Father Duenas Memorial School in 1990.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 2520, an act that will provide for a nationwide umbilical stem cell transplantation system. Not only does the implementation of such a system pave the way for numerous potentially life saving medical advances, but it builds on an area of study that has a demonstrated track record of success. Additionally, this legislation reauthorizes the national bone marrow transplant system, which has been a great success.

The Twenty-First Century witnessed many great scientific achievements and medical advances. These advances have helped to cure or mitigate against a number of formerly terminal conditions and diseases. One can only imagine the possibilities that modern technology and modern research offer, which will yield even greater achievements in the near and distant future. However, we must also be cognizant of ethical standards to ensure that new technology does not compete with the moral standards of our society. H.R. 2520 is a good start.

Studies have demonstrated that stem cells found in umbilical cords may be used to regenerate human nerve, blood, cartilage, skin and muscle cells. Research also demonstrates that conditions such as leukemia and sickle cell disease could be cured by more advanced umbilical cord stem cell research. Cord blood cells are already being used to treat over 67 diseases. We need to support this research, and creating a nationwide umbilical stem cell transplantation system is an important first step to providing scientists with the resources they need to make advances in this field of study. This database can also be used to allow potential donors to patients in need of various types of transplants.

H.R. 2520 provides a vehicle for promoting and enhancing promising scientific research in the field of umbilical stem cell transplantation. It certainly meets the highest standards of bioethics and has a track record of scientific evidence suggesting that investing taxpayer resources to promote this field of study will result in positive dividends for the health of our communities. I strongly support H.R. 2520, and I encourage my colleagues to vote yes for this important legislation.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in honor of Asian Pacific American Heritage Month. I welcome this opportunity to highlight the contributions of Asian and Pacific Islander American communities to our nation.

Asian Pacific American Heritage Month celebrates the contributions that Asian Pacific Islander Americans make in their daily lives. By sharing with us their heritage they bring us a greater understanding and appreciation for what it means to be Asian and Pacific Islanders and proud Americans.

Asian and Pacific Islander Americans have embraced America while honoring their heritage and passing their traditions on to their children. Asian and Pacific Islander Americans also serve our country with pride and distinction in the Armed Forces. I would especially like to honor the uniformed men from Guam who have given their lives to protect our freedom. Army Specialist Christopher Wesley, Lieutenant Michael Vega, Sergeant Eddie Chen, Corporal Jaygee Meluat, Specialist Jonathan Santos, and Officer Ferdinand Ibabao all paid the ultimate sacrifice while serving in Iraq.

We honor the way the experience of Asian and Pacific Islanders contributes to our national identity because while most of us understand words like freedom and oppression in the abstract, a Vietnamese-American can tell you how the dream of freedom can keep you alive while fleeing oppression on a boat in the high seas. A Chamorro or a Filipino-American who lived through enemy occupation during World War II can help you understand what freedom and liberty means because they had it taken away. If you have never experienced the immediate threat of war to your personal safety, a Korean-American can help you appreciate just how precious peace is. A Chinese-American or a Japanese-American can inspire you with their stories of making good on the American Dream after arriving in the United States without money, friends, or a strong understanding of the English language.

Asians and Pacific Islanders have powerful stories to tell. Their contribution to America is not just the varied foods and diverse cultures they have introduced to this land, it is also the stories of their incredible journeys to freedom.

As we celebrate Asian Pacific American Heritage Month, let us honor the contributions of all Asian and Pacific Islander Americans. Let us appreciate the cultural diversity, the patriotism, and the communities that make America great.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of the First Annual Asian Pacific American HIV/AIDS Awareness Day. As Chair of the Health Task Force for the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus, and as the Delegate from Guam, which ranks fourth in the Pacific Region in the number of HIV/AIDS cases, I am deeply concerned about the impact of HIV/AIDS in the Asian American and Pacific Islander community.

While Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders together with Native Americans reportedly account for approximately 1 percent of new AIDS cases, the true impact of HIV/AIDS on the AAPI community is not fully understood because of the lack of data and information as well as a common misperception among the health professions that AAPls are a healthier population than other minority groups.

Many view the Asian American and Pacific Islander population as the ``model minority,'' a stereotype that feeds the mistaken belief that AAPls are less at-risk for HIV/AIDS as other ethnic minorities. The reality is that AAPls are as much at-risk as other ethnic groups and in fact, have higher rates of many preventable diseases that are co- factors to HIV infection such as tuberculosis and Hepatitis B. In addition, the reported number of HIV/AIDS cases among AAPls is misleading due to a lack of detailed HIV surveillance, underreporting and misclassification of cases. Yet, the little data that does exist, points to increasing HIV rates within the AAPI population.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention indicate a 25 percent increase in the number of AAPI AIDS cases from 1999 through 2002. As one of the fastest growing ethnic groups, made up of over 49 ethnicities and 100 languages and with annual growth rates among Asian ethnicities as high as 115 percent, effective HIV prevention and education programs which utilize culturally and linguistically appropriate strategies are urgently needed. These programs must also be supported at the federal level through changes in funding guidelines and requirements that take these factors into account.

Pacific Island jurisdictions such as my district of Guam face additional challenges due to their remote location. These communities lack the infrastructure, capacity, equipment and training to deliver HIV/AIDS services. In addition, these jurisdictions lack community- based services and support found on the mainland. Prevention, testing, treatment and care depends on the local public health departments, many of which do not have the staff or funding resources to provide more than basic services. As a result, a diagnosis of AIDS usually means the patient will need to leave the island in order to receive proper care. Yet some choose to remain because of cultural and familial ties, sacrificing proper health care. No one should have to make such a choice.

Today, as we observe Asian Pacific American HIV/AIDS Awareness Day, we must take this opportunity to educate and motivate our communities to advocate for resources to support initiatives that address these issues. I look forward to working with the Asian American and Pacific Islander community in support of these efforts.

Mr. Chairman, I move to strike the last work for the purpose of entering into a colloquy with the gentleman from North Carolina (Chairman Taylor) regarding urgent construction and maintenance needs for the War in the Pacific National Historically Park in Guam.

Mr. Chairman, my district, Guam, is home to a unique national park. The War in the Pacific National Historical Park was established by an act of Congress in 1978. It is the only site in the National Park System that honors the bravery and sacrifices of all of those who participated in the Pacific theater of World War II.

Among the seven units of park and its features is a memorial wall at the

Asan Bay Overlook as that preserves and honors for perpetuity the 1,642 names of Chamorro and American casualties who suffered or died during the war in Guam.

The memorial wall was authorized by an act of Congress in 1993 and today is in dire need of repair and restoration. Mr. Chairman, my home island of Guam, as many of my colleagues know, is vulnerable to tropical intense weather conditions.

In December of 2003, one of the most powerful typhoons to ever strike hit Guam with over 200-mile per hour wind gusts. Many elements of the park were casualties of this storm. In the aftermath of Supertyhpoon Pongsona, the service was forced to close the Park Visitors Center, which had been leased for several years and which has not yet been reopened or replaced. The memorial wall, in particular, has suffered since it was originally constructed and has deteriorated to unacceptable conditions.

We are now commemorating the 60th anniversary of the War in the Pacific, and the need to repair and restore this memorial wall deserves the support of the service and this Congress. Of a more long term but just as deserving a need is the construction of an appropriate contact facility for the park to provide for the visitor experience and the interpretation of the war.

Mr. Chairman, I am extremely disappointed that the service's budget request failed again this year to adequately take into account these needs. It is my hope that these projects, particularly the memorial wall, will receive greater attention and higher priority from the service as they allocate discretionary funds in fiscal year 2006 as they prepare the fiscal year 2007 and future budget requests.

I would appreciate the help of the gentleman from North Carolina (Chairman Taylor) and the gentleman from Washington (Mr. Dicks) in ensuring that the service budgets appropriately for the needs of the War in the Pacific National Historic Park.

I yield to the distinguished gentleman from North Carolina.

Mr. Chairman, I thank the gentleman for his commitment to the National Park Service and for his comments and concerns regarding the War in the Pacific National Historical Park in Guam. I look forward to continuing to work with the gentleman from North Carolina (Mr. Taylor) and the gentleman from Washington (Mr. Dicks) to address this serious situation.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to commend the Marine Corps officers of the 11th Special Basic Course who are celebrating the 54th anniversary of their commissioning with a reunion during the week of May 12-15, 2005.

The officers of the 11th Special Basic Course (11th SBC) at Quantico, Virginia, started training in the fall of 1951 and completed their training in March 1952. Although the class was a relatively small one, with just over two hundred officer candidates, they represented one hundred and eight different colleges and universities. Candidates from 36 States, the District of Columbia and Guam were in this class, making it one of the most representational Marine Corps basic officers' courses.

During the Korean War the class had its share of officers who distinguished themselves in combat. Rod Skinner, Harvard '51, was awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor posthumously for valor. John Word received the Navy Cross, the second highest award that our Nation can bestow for courage. Others were awarded the Silver Star, the Bronze Star, and the Purple Heart. The class also had its share of men wounded and killed in combat action.

Although only a comparatively few members became regular officers, many served and retired from the Reserves while pursuing careers in law, education, religious ministry, athletics, engineering, business, and politics. Among those who were career officers of the Corps was a former Member of Congress, the Honorable Ben Blaz, Notre Dame '51. Ben served 30 years in the Marine Corps and achieved the rank of Brigadier General before retiring and subsequently embarking on a political career. He was one of my predecessors as the Congressional representative from Guam in this, the House of the People.

It is a great honor for me to memorialize the visit of these Marine veterans, their families and friends, to the capital of our Nation for whom they carried their swords in her defense.

Our Nation owes a debt of gratitude to those who have served and to those who currently wear the uniform of our armed forces. We therefore welcome the Marine Corps officers of 11th Special Basic Course (11th SBC) on their reunion and we recognize their contributions to our Nation.

The Marine veterans and their families include: Robert Altick, Leslie Altick, Al Bailey, Mary Bailey, Charles Bentzen, Constance Bentzen, John Bickley, Anne Bickley, V. Ben Blaz, Ted Brothers, Charles Clifford, David Curry, Natalie Curry, Frank Delaney, Martha Delaney, Thomas Fallon, Mary Fallon, Marshall Figgatt, Alan Figgatt, Benis Frank, Marylou Frank, Tina Cooper, Erika Helgeson, William Keating, Robert Land, Joan Land, Thomas Land, James Land, John Lussenhop, Kay Lussenhop, Gene Moyers, Fern Moyers, Herbert Oxnam, Betty Oxnam, Richard Paschal, Len Paschal, Jordan Peck, Henry Pruitt, Mary Pruitt, Thomas Qualls, Chayne Stinemetz, Larue Stinemetz, Spatz Thomaidis, Virginia Swisher, Stanley Wilson, and Barbara Wilson.

To the Marine Corps officers of the 11th SBC and their families, may you always know that our Nation appreciates the sacrifices that you have made and that your patriotism continues to inspire the generations of Marines who follow in your footsteps. Semper Fidelis.

Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of H. Res. 142, a resolution commending the goals and ideals of Rotary International as it celebrates its 100th anniversary. Rotary International is a network of professionals who have pooled their talents in pursuit of improving the communities in which they live. I also commend the four Rotary International clubs on Guam that have provided leadership and set a high standard for service that is very much appreciated by our community.

As America's first service organization, Rotary International embraces the ideal of providing for the wellbeing of the community before self. Today, Rotary International continues to expand its reach across continents to foster international understanding, and is now active in one hundred sixty-seven countries. One of Rotary International's current initiatives, the Polio Plus program, will immunize children throughout the world against polio. Since the

implementation of Polio Plus, the Rotary International has, in cooperation with other multinational organizations such as the United Nations World Health Organization, managed to reduce the number of polio cases worldwide by ninety-nine percent. Other successful humanitarian endeavors include bringing treatment for preventing blindness to indigent patients in the Philippines, building schools in Turkey, and providing educational fellowships and grants for young people.

Rotary International has dedicated significant resources to funding its fellowship and scholarship programs for citizens interested in studying abroad and pursuing scholarly work in global conflict resolution. Educational and community outreach to young citizens are examples of Rotary International's commitment to fostering international understanding and its belief that the virtue of volunteerism will provide positive change in the world at-large.

I would like to commend Rotary International for its service to the international community and continued efforts to assist underserved populations of the world. Its vision of global understanding and commitment to service are truly noble core values. I also want to specifically congratulate the Rotary International clubs established in Guam, as well as their respective club presidents, for the hard work and commitment to community service that they have demonstrated over the years. They are: Dr. Ron McNinch, Tumon Bay; Mr. Mike Perrin, Guam; Mr. Curtis Dancoe, Guam Sunrise; and Mr. Lee Yudin, Northern Guam. I also want to extend my appreciation to the Assistant District Governor for the Pacific Basin Group, George Benoit.

Today we honor the Rotary International organization, which embodies the principle that we must, as individuals, strive for goals greater than our own self interest. Through community service, we can help form a world that is a better place to live for all of us. Congratulations to Rotary International. To the Rotary Club of Guam, the Rotary Club of Tumon Bay, the Rotary Club of Guam Sunrise and the Rotary Club of Northern Guam, thank you very much for all you have done to promote community values in Guam.

Madam Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H. Res. 228 which recognizes the 30th anniversary of the tragic fall of the Republic of Vietnam and honors the 1.5 million Vietnamese-Americans who have settled in the U.S. and worked to promote democracy and prosperity in the U.S. as well as back in their homeland.

As this Congress is aware, the tragedy of the fall of the Republic of Vietnam displaced approximately 3 million Vietnamese. Many of these individuals sought refuge in the United States. The people of Guam have a special relationship with these Vietnamese-Americans, 150,000 of whom arrived in Guam as refugees after the fall of Saigon in April 1975. To give you some perspective on the impact of this refugee crisis and the magnitude of Operation New Life, the current population of Guam today is 157,000. At the time of Operation New Life, Guam grew by 150 percent in a matter of days.

My late husband Ricardo J. Bordallo was Governor of Guam at the time of Operation New Life, and I 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 home to them. Schools were closed because the buses and classrooms were needed to respond to this human emergency. The Asian refugee camp became our largest village overnight. 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.

Today, many of the Vietnamese refugees who landed in Guam continue to live and prosper in the Guam community and throughout the United States. They have had families, opened businesses and contributed to our national life. They represent the finest ideals of political freedom.

Many of the Vietnamese refugees have used their skills to create new businesses and to improve their lives and the lives of their fellow refugees. I am proud to call attention to one example of how Vietnamese-Americans have become an American success story. I recently learned of a new business venture in southern California called the First Vietnamese American Bank, which, when fully operational, will serve the Vietnamese-American community as well as prime the economic pumps for business relationships between Vietnam and the United States. The visionary board of the First Vietnamese American Bank gives us all hope that economic ties will lead the way towards stronger relationships between the Vietnamese people and the American people. I congratulate them on this bold endeavor and I wish them success in serving their community as well as building bridges to their former homeland. I commend the Chairman of the Board, Dr. Chan Q. Kieu, and the Directors, Mr. Pedro (Sonny) P. Ada, Mr. Arthur B. Birtcher, Mr.Walter L. Hannen Sr., Mr. Alex L. Hoang, Mr. Joe Keleman, Dr. Hieu T. Nguyen, Ms. Loan (Lynn) T. Nguyen, and Mr. Masao Tsuzura. I also commend the President and Chief Executive Officer Dr. Hieu T. Nguyen, and senior managers Mr. Binh S. Hoang, Mr. John A. Podlesni and Mr. Douglas M. Shearer.

We reflect today on the long road from the fall of Saigon to a new world that seeks peace and prosperity. The Vietnamese-Americans who inspire us also remind us of the cost of the freedom we enjoy. We hope that Vietnam will continue on its own political journey so that one day the freedom that Vietnamese-Americans enjoy in America can be shared by their families in Vietnam. That is a vision worth pursuing and in supporting H. Res. 228, Congress can express its solidarity with all those who share this vision for Vietnam.

Mr. Speaker, as the congressional representative from Guam, it is my honor to join my colleagues in commemorating Asian Pacific American Heritage Month. I want to thank our chairman, the gentleman from California (Mr. Honda), the chairman of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus, for his outstanding leadership and for organizing this Special Order to recognize the contributions of Asians and Pacific Islander Americans to our Nation.

Today as we celebrate ``Liberty and Freedom For All,'' and as thousands of American servicemen and -women continue to fight the global war on terrorism in Iraq and Afghanistan, we are reminded of the sacrifices made to ensure our freedom. We reflect on the thousands of Asian and Pacific Islanders who are serving this country with honor and distinction in very dangerous circumstances.

Mr. Speaker, I especially want to honor those who have given their lives to protect our freedom, including Guam's Army Specialist Christopher Wesley, Lieutenant Michael Vega, Sergeant Eddie Chan, Corporal Jaygee Meluat, and Specialist Jonathan Santoes, all servicemen from Guam who were killed in Iraq.

I mention these heroes as a reminder that Americans in the territories stand shoulder to shoulder with their citizens when our Nation calls, and that we willing share the burdens and the sacrifices to preserve our freedom.

We remember prominent Asian and Pacific Islander Americans who dedicated their lives to public service, doing their part to promote justice, not just for Asian and Pacific Islander Americans, but for all Americans. Tonight I would like to make special mention of two of our colleagues, the late Congressman Robert Matsui of California who was a staunch advocate for the cause of the disadvantaged, the elderly, and young Americans; and the late Congresswoman Patsy Mink of Hawaii, who was a champion of women's rights and for the poor. Each has left a legacy that lives on in those whose lives they have touched and improved.

Asian Pacific American Heritage Month is an opportunity to educate our fellow citizens about the history and culture of Asian Pacific Island Americans. Their contribution to America is not just the diverse cultures that they have introduced to this land; it is also their stories of incredible journeys to freedom.

Historically, Asians and Pacific Islanders have known war and strife. They have survived and thrived to the benefit of America. They have a powerful story to tell, and they have a love for this Nation that many of us today take for granted.

This year, the people of Guam will commemorate the 61st anniversary of our islands's liberation by the United States Armed Forces during World War II. As the only American territory with a civilian population occupied by the enemy during World War II, Guamanians risked their lives due to their loyalty to America, and endured great hardship and brutality. During this dark period in Guam's history, our people experienced beheadings, executions, massacres, beatings, torture, rape, forced labor, forced marches, and internment in concentration camps. I want to recognize the survivors of the occupation of Guam for their courage, their sacrifice and steadfast loyalty to our great Nation.

Mr. Speaker, 2 years ago, a Federal commission was tasked by Congress to examine whether the people of Guam received equal treatment in the handling of war claims as compared to their fellow citizens.

The Guam War Claims Review Commission reported in June 2004 that there was indeed a lack of parity and

that Congress should enact legislation to remedy this injustice. The report stated, ``The Review Commission affirms that there is a moral obligation on the part of our national government to pay compensation for war damages, in order to ensure that to the extent possible, that no single individual or group of individuals bears more than a just part of the overall burden of war.''

With the support of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus, I have introduced legislation, H.R. 1595, the Guam World War II Loyalty Recognition Act, with 75 sponsors, to implement the recommendations of the Review Commission. I urge my colleagues to help us bring closure to this issue for the people of Guam. Let us finally grant recognition to some of the finest patriots America has ever produced, and let us commend the people of Guam for their sacrifices for our Nation during the wartime occupation of our island.

As we commend Asian Pacific American Heritage Month, let us honor the contributions of all Asian and Pacific Islander Americans. Let us celebrate the cultural diversity, the patriotism, and the Asian and Pacific Islander communities that make America so great.