Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 2297, a bill that will significantly improve the quality of benefits offered to Guam's veterans.

In addition to offering enhanced education, disability and home loan benefits to veterans and their families. H.R. recognizes the efforts of veterans of the Philippine Commonwealth Army or new Philippine Scouts by ensuring their right to be buried at Arlington National Cemetery. I am pleased that H.R. 2297 will honor these brave soldiers whose contributions helped secure victory in the Pacific.

Mr. Speaker, it is important that we demonstrate to our men and women in uniform our nation's continued commitment to members of the armed services, past, present and future. I am committed to improve the conditions of veterans in Guam. They need access to affordable housing and vocational training. Disabled veterans need assistance that recognizes the struggle of daily life they must endure for having served their country.

I commend Chairman Smith and Ranking Member Evans for their leadership on this important legislation that will reiterate our nation's commitment to veterans. I look forward to reporting to the people of Guam that this legislation has become law and that we have taken another step in honoring our commitment to veterans.

Mr. REYES, Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 2297, the Veterans Benefits Act of 2003. This bill will provide an overdue expansion of several benefits already available to many veterans.

Mr. Speaker I have long been an advocate for expansion of benefits to those veterans who suffered as a result of environmental exposures during military service. Because we now have the acknowledgment from the Department of Defense that Agent Orange and other similar herbicides were used near the Korean Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) in the late 1960's, this bill will allow the children of veterans who were exposed to herbicides in Korea to receive the same benefits from the Department of Veterans' Affairs (VA) as those provided for children whose parents were exposed in Vietnam.

As you know, the members of the 507th Maintenance Company that were recently interned as prisoners of war in Iraq hailed from the district that I represent. This situation impacted our entire community. I am proud to say that as a member of the House Veterans Affairs Committee, I pushed for the removal of the 30-day internment requirement for former prisoners of war (POWs) with certain presumptive service- connection disabilities. These disabilities suffered by these POWs may have occurred within minutes or hours of their internment. I am glad that this issue will be addressed and included in this legislation. Mr. Speaker, this is merely a small recognition of former POWs who deserve more that what we are providing for them.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank the Chairman and sponsor of this bill, Mr. Chris Smith, as well as Ranking Member Lane Evans for working with me and for the rapid consideration of this important legislation. I strongly urge my colleagues to join me in support of passage of this bill.

Mr. Speaker, as a Member of the House Committee on Armed Services, I have worked to further my understanding of the threats posed to our national security by state sponsors of terrorism and the role of our allies in countering this growing threat; and I am well aware that Guam's neighbor, North Korea, exports missile technology to Iran and other nations that seek to acquire both weapons of mass destruction and the means to deliver them.

The people of Guam have a keen interest, Mr. Speaker, in developments in the Middle East where so many of our sons and daughters are proudly serving. Mr. Speaker, you may be interested to know that Guam is actually the closest American soil to the Middle East region.

I, too, Mr. Speaker had the opportunity to visit Israel with my colleagues, and I thank the gentleman from Indiana (Mr. Hill) for this opportunity to speak tonight.

I was very pleased to join my colleagues on this recent mission to Israel. The State of Israel has come a long way since my last visit there over 20 years ago. The people have maintained the ancient heritage of the Holy Land and its sacred sites, while bringing economic development and opportunity to a very young nation. They have worked at bringing peace with their neighbors, Egypt and Jordan, and stand ready to negotiate a final settlement with the Palestinians.

What I saw in Israel confirmed my belief that our assistance to Israel has been an important investment in regional security, for much has been achieved with our assistance from the leadership of President Carter to President Bush's efforts today.

In prosecuting the war on terrorism globally, we should never forget our steadfast ally Israel and the responsibility we have to engage there. In Israel, I saw a people who share our democratic values in and long for peace being forced to live with the ongoing threat of terrorism. All too often, we focus our attention on CNN footage of a burning bus or a shattered restaurant. We must not forget these people after the cameras have moved on.

For the women and the children that took the number 2 bus in Jerusalem, we must not delay in moving our embassy to Israel's capital. For the families who sat down to lunch at the Maxim Cafe, we must demand accountability from nations such as Syria that sponsor terrorism against Israel. To prevent future victims of terrorism, we must support increased defense cooperation with Israel; and, above all, we should encourage President Bush to continue the U.S.-led effort to facilitate the negotiations between Israel and the Palestinians that are crucial to our peace in the Middle East.

The decisions of the 108th Congress will have a historic impact on our foreign policy and the security of our nation, and I look forward to sharing in those decisions with the understanding that I have gained from visiting Israel.

So, Mr. Speaker, I would like to go on record to thank my colleagues who participated with me on this delegation and especially to the gentleman from Maryland (Mr. Hoyer) who led our group and for providing me with such a valuable opportunity.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the memory of my dear friend, Roman Quichocho Benavente who passed away on September 30, 2003.

Roman was born on February 22, 1922. He was married to the late, Margarita Mendiola Mesa Benavente and father to Frances B. Leon Guerrero, Nora B. ``Lola'' Beck, Barbara B. ``Bobbie'' Vaira, Randolph Mesa ``Randy'' Benavente, Raymond Mesa Benavente, and Bernice B. Batson and the late Danny San Nicholas. He was also grandfather, great- grandfather, brother, uncle, godfather, and friend.

Roman was a shining example of the strength and courage of the Chamorro people. We are proud and grateful of his 50 years of service to his country and his people. He was a 30-year veteran of the United States Navy from which he retired as a Chief Petty Officer in 1970. He went on to serve with the United States Capitol Police, retiring after 20 years in 1991.

Although Roman and his family remained in the states after his retirement, his love for the island of Guam and his Chamorro heritage was constant. Together he and Margarita raised their children with a deep appreciation of their Chamorro heritage and a love of their island home. As a founding member of the Guam Territorial Society, now known as the Guam Society of America, Inc., he was an active member, planning and participating in all activities. More importantly, Roman has helped bring those of us residing in the area together to continue our local traditions and to help pass these traditions on to our children.

Roman was known for his kindness, generosity and his sense of humor. He was known for his love for God, his family and friends, his island and his country. He was known for his love of cooking, singing and dancing. Yet for the many things for which Roman will be remembered, I will especially remember Roman for his steadfast loyalty, support and friendship to me and my family throughout the years. Roman would open his home to us whenever we visited Washington, D.C. and I could count on his presence and participation at all my events. In fact, on the day I was sworn in as Guam's Delegate, he was the first person to arrive for the ceremony. He came early to offer his assistance. This was typical of Roman. Whenever anything needed to be done, he was the first to arrive and the last to leave, doing what needed to be done and having a great time doing it.

We have much to learn from Roman and the way he lived his life. He taught us to love, to laugh and to celebrate and to be there for each other. Though we mourn his death, we honor his life in living by his example. On behalf of the people of Guam, I extend our deepest sympathies and prayers to the family and friends of Roman Quichocho Benavente.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 3034 which reauthorizes the National Bone Marrow Donor Registry. I commend Chairman Young for his leadership in this critical program. Through his efforts in establishing the National Bone Marrow Donor Registry he has given countless people another chance at life.

Through the recruitment of the National Marrow Donor Program (NMDP), which manages the Registry, patients there are over 5 million potential donors. Through NMDP outreach efforts in 19 countries, patients have access to an additional 2.5 million potential donors. In fact, approximately 40 percent of transplants facilitated by NMDP involves a U.S. patient receiving stem cells from an international donor or an international donor receiving stems cells from a U.S. donor.

The importance of the Registry cannot be overstated and I commend and fully support the efforts of the National Marrow Donor Program for their recruitment efforts, especially for their efforts to recruit potential donors from diverse racial or ethnic groups.

The critical need for donors of African-American, Asian/Pacific Islander, Hispanic, American Indian/Alaska Native descent was made clear to me by the story of a five-year-old little girl from Guam whose life was cut short by leukemia.

Her name was Justice Taitague. Her best chance for life was a marrow transplant from a member of her ethnic group. The donor list at the time could not provide a match, but everyone involved in her care would not give up. Through the efforts of Dr. Thomas Shieh, the Guam Medical Society, and the National and Hawaiian Marrow Donor Programs, the first ever marrow drive on Guam was held on her behalf. This ``Drive for Justice'' registered thirty-four hundred volunteers in just three days.

Tragically, she passed away less than a week after the drive. But her life has given hope to others of Asian/Pacific Island descent needing a stem-cell transplant and helped us to understand the importance of the National Marrow Donor Program.

Mr. Speaker, I fully support H.R. 3034 to reauthorize the National Marrow Donor Registry. There is still a critical need for donors from the Asian, Pacific Islander and other minority communities to give the gift of life. Join the Registry.

Madam Speaker, I have on my desk a small card which has the words of my predecessor Congressman Ben Blaz. It says ``I am a Member of Congress, but not one of its Members.'' I read those words today, Madam Speaker, because I had them reinforced to me when I tried to sign the discharge petition here in Congress to give the veterans concurrent receipt that they deserve. We have veterans on Guam, 15,000 of them, in fact, but I was told as a Delegate, I cannot put my name on that discharge petition. More soldiers from Guam have died, per capita, in foreign wars than any other State in the Nation. But Madam Speaker, I cannot put my name on that discharge petition. Pacific Islander veterans suffer disproportionately from posttraumatic stress disorder, but I cannot put my name on that discharge petition. I am a cosponsor of H.R. 303, but I cannot put my name on that discharge petition.

What can I do? I have decided to come to the floor today to appeal to my colleagues. I urge them to sign the discharge petition, Republican or Democrat; it does not matter. Do it for the veterans in their district. Do it for the veterans of Guam. Do it for their colleague who has been denied that right. I appeal to my colleagues on behalf of the disabled veterans of America. I see them at town hall meetings in my district all the time, and it breaks my heart. Veterans like Mr. Victor Pangelinan Tabios, who is 100 percent disabled.

Madam Speaker, the people of Guam are shy people. It takes a lot of courage for them to stand up in public and to speak out their mind. So when Victor spoke to me about concurrent receipt, I listened. He served our country with duty and honor and pride, and now it is time for us to step up and do the same. If just one of my colleagues will sign that discharge petition today, they will have the deepest thanks from the people of Guam and a very grateful Delegate who cannot sign the petition.

I yield to the gentleman from California.

Parliamentary Inquiry

Madam Speaker, I thank the gentleman for his interest and concern.

Mr. Speaker, I thank the ranking member, the gentlewoman from New York (Ms. Velazquez), for yielding me time.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor America's small business community during national Small Business Week and recognize those small businesses on Guam that are the backbone of our island economy.

I would also like to take this time to thank Mr. Kenneth Lujan, the director of Small Business Administration District Office in Hagatna, Guam, for his continued hard work to provide important services to assist small businesses on Guam to grow and thrive. I want to wish Mr. Lujan and the entire SBA office on Guam a happy 50th birthday.

Mr. Speaker, 90 percent of businesses on Guam are small operations. I guess you could call Guam the SBA community of the United States. I am grateful for the continued hard work and the innovation of our island's entrepreneurs, which help grow and enhance the economy on Guam, as well as provide jobs.

In particular, I want to congratulate Mr. John Shen for being selected as the Small Businessman of the Year on Guam. Mr. Shen is the owner of Shen's Corporation, which operates Prestige Automobiles on Guam. Mr. Shen was born in Taiwan, but immigrated to Guam in 1979. Mr. Shen and his wife started several small business operations before the opportunity presented itself for Mr. Shen to acquire the local BMW dealership on Guam in 1991. He worked diligently to pull the company out of financial distress and has turned Prestige Automobiles into a strong and profitable small enterprise. In a time when Guam is experiencing the effects of 20 percent unemployment, Mr. Shen serves as an example of how hard work, innovation, and commitment to small enterprise can overcome serious obstacles.

As we celebrate the 50th anniversary of the SBA, let us not forget our responsibilities as legislators to create an environment where people like Mr. Shen can, with hard work, realize his dreams. Let us reaffirm our commitment in assisting our Nation's entrepreneurs so that they may too live the great American Dream.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today on the second anniversary of the September 11 terrorist attacks of 2001 to express my sympathies for the victims of this terrible tragedy and their families.

Furthermore, I would like to take this time to honor our men and women in the armed services who risk their lives on a daily basis in Afghanistan, Iraq, and throughout the world to ensure security and freedom both at home and abroad.

The people of Guam continue to mourn the senseless loss of innocent lives that occurred 2 years ago. Although, Mr. Speaker, Guam is situated many miles west of New York City and Washington, D.C. and Pennsylvania, Guamanians find themselves engrossed in the sense of shock and sadness that all Americans felt. The people of Guam reflected on the magnitude of what had transpired and searched for a means by which they could express their solidarity with the people of New York and Washington and Pennsylvania.

One such individual, Mr. Speaker, by the name of Sergeant Christopher Quitugua of Yona, Guam, contacted my office and asked me to display a Guam flag that he has carried with him while on active duty in Egypt, Kosovo, Kuwait, and now Afghanistan. He wanted this flag to honor the men and women who lost their lives during the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001, and the commitment of the people of Guam to protect and defend our Nation.

Accompanying the flag is a certificate which reads as follows: ``This Guam flag is dedicated to the people of Guam. It was flown on a combat mission in an AH-64A Apache attack helicopter from Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan, in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. This flag was flown in honor of the men and women who lost their lives during the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001.''

In addition, this certificate was signed by the pilot, Steve Odom, and the co-pilot, John J. Blank, Jr.

On this day that we remember the terrible tragedies of September 11, 2001, let us not forget the families that have lost their loved ones and reconfirm our commitment as a Nation to comfort and help all those who have suffered.

Also, let us remember our men and women in uniform, such as Sergeant Quitugua, who bravely defended our Nation and continued to fight, to ensure that what occurred 2 years ago never, ever happens again.

God bless our people and God bless our Nation, the United States of America.

Mr. Speaker, I move that the House do now adjourn.

The motion was agreed to; accordingly (at 1 o'clock and 23 minutes p.m.), under its previous order, the House adjourned until Monday, September 15, 2003, at noon.

Mr. Speaker, when Congress authorized the Native American home loan bill in 1993, it recognized the poverty and the homelessness of veterans from the Pacific Islands. It recognized that those veterans needed special assistance to access the necessary financing to put a roof over their heads. Ten years later, the funding has expired, but the challenge remains the same.

Mr. Speaker, I understand that when the Department of Veterans Affairs shut down the lending program, they were on the verge of approving a loan to a Guam applicant. So I am pleased to join with my colleagues, Chairman Smith and Ranking Member Evans, in providing the funding authorization necessary to continue the program.

A noteworthy aspect of the Native American home loan bill is that it withholds a loan fee from applicants with a service-connected disability. Each time I meet with veterans in Guam and hear their descriptions of living with the effects of Agent Orange or a post- traumatic stress disorder, I am reminded that we have yet to repay the service that these men and women have given to our Nation. We need to provide adequate veterans benefits and services not just near where a military base or a VA processing center is but where the veterans are, places like the tribal lands of Colorado and the Chamorro land trust properties of Guam.

I hope that our action here today will bring attention to the good work of the program and increase the knowledge of the program amongst Native American communities.

Offered By: Ms. Bordallo

Amendment No. 10: Page 44, after line 3, insert the

following new section (and conform the table of contents

accordingly):

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to remember the late Dr. Donald M. Topping of Huntington, West Virginia, who passed away at the age of 73 on June 29, 2003. He will be remembered for his contributions in preserving the Chamorro culture, especially his work with the Chamorro language of Guam and the Northern Marianas.

Dr. Topping leaves behind his wife, Priscilla Topping, and his children Miles and Lee Minh Topping, Jason Kesolei, Dee Johnson and Leslie Jensen. He also leaves behind eight grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.

Dr. Topping was Professor Emeritus of Linguistics at the University of Hawaii. He was also a founding member of the department. Dr. Topping was also responsible for co-founding the Drug Policy Forum of Hawaii in 1993. He served as its president until 2003 and received the Ho'omaluhia, or Peacemaker award, for advocating drug policy reforms on Hawaii. Dr. Topping was also the director of the Pacific and Asian Linguistics Institute from 1969-1974 and director of the Social Science Research Institute from 1974-1996.

Dr. Donald Topping was considered a modern pioneer of the Chamorro language and was the main voice for modernizing the Chamorro language through his work on the reference grammar and the orthography. As an English professor at the former Territorial College of Guam, Dr. Topping taught himself the Chamorro language with the help of friends and neighbors in an effort to help his students learn English. He went on to author the books, Spoken Chamorro, in 1969; Chamorro Reference Grammar, in 1973; and the Chamorro-English Dictionary, with Pedro Ogo and Bernadita Dungca, in 1975, which put the Chamorro language into written form.

Dr. Topping's work demonstrated that the Chamorro language had very unique features that could be best understood as an Austronesian Language rather than the popular misconception of Spanish origins. His

work with the Bilingual Education Project was unprecedented in the efforts to protect the precious culture of the Chamorro people through their language. His genius and contributions to the Chamorro language as well as all the languages of Micronesia cannot be overstated.

On behalf of the people of Guam, I would like to extend our condolences to the family of the late Dr. Donald Topping. The people of Guam will always be grateful for his work with the Chamorro language. It is through the work of a man like Dr. Topping that a greater understanding and appreciation of the cultures of the world can be gained.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Barbara Crittenden Schott of Detroit, Michigan, who passed away in her home in Riverside, California on June 13, 2003 at the age of 90. Her unselfish efforts to better the lives of those around her will be remembered through her dedication and commitment to numerous volunteer organizations.

Barbara was the wife of the late General Wes Schott and mother of the late Christopher D. Schott. She is survived by her son, Kenneth and daughter-in-law, Marian Castro Schott of San Diego, California. She is also survived by her grandchildren, Derreth Schott Painter of Herndon, Virginia, Gwendolyn D. Schott of Hickory, North Carolina, and Charles Wesley Schott III of Escondido, California and four great- grandchildren.

Barbara Schott will be remembered for her volunteer work which began in 1940 with the American Red Cross. She was a tireless volunteer in both the military and private sectors, especially medical services organizations. Barbara served on the board of directors for both the Fort Worth and Roswell Good Neighbor Council. She also established the Arlington Ladies, a military wives club, and the Air Force-wide Dependents Assistance Program, now referred to as Family Services. But the people of Guam will especially remember Barbara for actively promoting broader military interaction with the civilian communities on Guam.

Barbara will also be remembered for her efforts to advance the Fine Arts. Her cultural contributions include the Guam Arts Society, the Children's Theater Guild, the Achievement Rewards for College Scientists, the Costume Club of Los Angeles, and the Auxiliary of the Neighborhood Youth Council. Barbara was also an active member in the Los Angeles and Santa Monica Pi Beta Phi Club.

On behalf of the people of Guam, I extend our condolences to the family of Barbara Crittenden Schott. Her selfless love of humanity will serve as an example for us to model our lives after.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Raymond Anthony Agricola who celebrated his 80th birthday on July 12th. Mr. Agricola was stationed in Guam during World War II as a U.S. Naval Aviator.

After Mr. Agricola left the Navy, he returned to Guam to work for Pan American World Airways. While working for Pan Am, Mr. Agricola continued to establish memorable relationships with our local people. Guam continues to hold special memories for Mr. Agricola. Even after he returned to the mainland, he continued to remain close to the friends he had made on Guam and became a member of the Guam Society of America.

On behalf of the people of Guam, I want to say, Si Yu'os Ma'ase to Raymond Agricola for his service to our island and wish him a very special Happy 80th Birthday.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Nino Joachim Tolentino for winning the 31St Annual Scripps Howard Regional Spelling Bee on Guam and his advancement to the 76th Annual Scripps Howard National Spelling Bee in Washington, DC where he proudly represented our island.

Nino's spelling bee victory on Guam allowed him to compete nationally. At the national spelling bee, Nino successfully advanced to the third round. Although he was not ultimately victorious, Nino will walk away with an incredible experience, and a knowledge of the definition of ``farouche'', the word he spelled to propel him into the second round.

Nino is an eighth-grader at Santa Barbara School in Dededo, Guam. Nino has aspired to compete in the National Spelling Bee since placing third in his fifth grade regional competition. By studying the origin of words, their definitions and its pronunciation, Nino devised his own method for spelling new words. Additionally, the support of Santa Barbara School, particularly his vice principal and coach, Sister Maria Rosario Gaite, helped Nino prepare for competition. Nino's success illustrates the importance of dedication and commitment in pursuing goals.

On behalf of the people of Guam, I want to commend and congratulate Nino Tolentino for his accomplishments. Guam celebrates with Nino's mother, Joy Tolentino, and the faculty, staff and students of Santa Barbara School, in acknowledging his achievements. I look forward to Nino's continued success in the future.

Mr. Chairman, I rise today to support the en bloc amendment, which includes a provision to bring equity between the State Department employees from Guam and other insular areas with those from the mainland United States.

Current law allows the reimbursement of travel expenses for employees and their dependents in a foreign posting to return home. However, because of a flawed definition, the State Department is prohibited from providing this benefit if the home location is a U.S. territory. My amendment would correct this problem. My amendment would include Guam, American Samoa, the Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico and the Northern Mariana Islands within the geographic definition of the United States for the purposes of educational travel from a foreign area posting. I hope that in conference this might be perfected to include all of the State Department allowances in Title V. Congress would then eliminate the need to revisit this issue for every allowance.

Let me close by giving an example of the problem that the current language imposes. A constituent of mine who is proudly serving our Nation as a State Department employee in Beijing wanted to send his son home to the University of Guam. His request was denied only to be told that Guam and the University of Guam is not in the United States.

Today, the House will right this wrong; and I would like to thank the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Hyde) and the gentleman from California (Mr. Lantos), the ranking member, and the State Department for supporting this change.