Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to former Guam Senator Angel Anthony Leon Guerrero Santos, III, a tireless champion of the rights of the Chamorro people. Sadly, Angel passed away on July 6, 2003 after suffering from a degenerative illness.

Angel was born on April 14, 1959 to Amanda Leon Guerrero Santos and Angel Cruz Santos II. He was father to Angel Ray Anthony Santos IV, Sheila Marie Santos Indalecio, Christopher Ray Pangelinan Santos, Vanessa Joy Gumataotao Santos, Francine Nicole Gumataotao Santos (dec.), Brandon Scott Gumataotao Santos, Taga Hurao Santos-Salas, Ke'puha Hirao Santos-Salas, and Sosanbra Elisha Santos-Salas.

Angel was a 13-year veteran of the U.S. Air Force. He served three terms as a Senator in the Guam Legislature. His belief in the inalienable right of the Chamorro people to self-determination and his dedication to preserving the language and culture led to the establishment of Nasion Chamoru of which he was a founding member and spokesman.

Angel was well-known for his outspoken stance on cultural, environmental and human-rights issues. But he will perhaps be most remembered for his efforts to return lands taken after World War II. It was this battle that led him to successfully pursue a seat in the 23rd, 24th and 26th Guam Legislatures where he authored Guam Public Law 23- 141 which mandated the return of excess lands to the original landowners.

Angel fought passionately against issues that stirred much debate. Whether it was land rights or corruption allegations, he was outspoken. When he felt there was an injustice, he fought against it. He often led causes that were controversial. Sometimes those issues made him unpopular with some people. But he loved his home and his people. In every community, people always need someone to stand out in front to lead against those controversial issues, and Angel was that man. His courage in the face of opposition, the strength of conviction and determination to succeed made him a hero to the Chamorro people and earned him the respect of those around him.

As we mourn the untimely passing of Guam's native son, Angel Anthony Leon Guerrero Santos, III, let us remember his inspiring words:

We cannot be passive or silent when human beings endure

suffering or humiliation. We must step forward and take

sides. We must assist immediately. At times, we may fail. At

times, we may make mistakes. But we must never make the

mistake of failing to try. People deserve nothing less.--

Angel Santos, 1994

Generations will come and generations will pass, but if no

generation has the conscience, the courage and moral

conviction to right the wrong doings of the past; then, the

next generation will have to live with the same injustices of

the future.--Angel Santos, 1999

On behalf of the people of Guam, I extend our deepest sympathies and prayers to his family and friends of Angel Anthony Leon Guerrero Santos, III. Adios Angel. Si Yu'us Ma'ase.

Mr. Speaker, today, along with my colleagues, Mr. Abercrombie, Mr. Case, and Mr. Faleomavaega, I am introducing a bill to amend the Compact of Free Association Act of 1985 to provide for adequate Compact-impact aid and to continue authority for valuable U.S. assistance for citizens of the Freely Associated States. Compact-impact aid is assistance that has been provided by the Federal Government from time to time over the past seventeen years to Guam, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, and more recently, the State of Hawaii, to mitigate the impact and adverse financial consequences arising from immigration permitted under the Compacts of Free Association with the Federated States of Micronesia, the Republic of the Marshall Islands, and the Republic of Palau. These three island states are all former Trust Territories of the United Nations that were administered by the United States from 1946 to 1986.

In 1985, Congress passed legislation affording these islands the opportunity to become sovereign states in free association with the United States. In enacting the Compact of Free Association Act (Public Law 99-239), Congress authorized unrestricted migration from the Federated States of Micronesia, the Republic of the Marshall Islands, and the Republic of Palau to the United States, including its territories. Since the implementation of the Compacts in 1986, many citizens of the Freely Associated States (FAS) have availed themselves of the immigration provisions and traveled to Guam, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, and the State of Hawaii for work and residence. These FAS citizens have entered our classrooms, utilized our hospitals, and availed themselves of other social services, to a significant degree. The General Accounting Office has documented the impact of this migration (GAO-02-40). One of the major concerns for Guam, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, and the State of Hawaii remains the reimbursement of costs incurred by our jurisdictions due to the Compacts.

As Congress prepares to reauthorize the Compacts, we must ensure that the issue of Compact-impact is adequately and comprehensively addressed. Our bill proposes that more accountable and reliable means be utilized on the part of the Federal Government to help Guam, the State of Hawaii, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, and American Samoa, recoup the costs of providing critical education, medical and other social services for citizens of the Freely Associated States who migrate to our islands. Our bill proposes to utilize Medicaid to reimburse the costs of medical services furnished to FAS citizens. Clearly, Medicaid is a preferred option as it is an existing means-tested program with its own accountability controls and eligibility standards. Our bill would also grant FAS citizens eligibility for food stamps. Additionally, our bill proposes to extend authority for grants to the governments of the Republic of the Marshall Islands, Republic of Palau, Guam, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, American Samoa, and the State of Hawaii, to control and prevent the spread of communicable diseases. Current law simply authorizes this assistance for the Federated States of Micronesia. The bill also proposes to extend referral authority for medical facilities of the Department of Defense to the Republic of Palau, Guam, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, American Samoa, and the State of Hawaii. Current law restricts referral authority to the Federated States of Micronesia and the Republic of the Marshall Islands. Lastly, our bill would make available to the governments of the Federated States of Micronesia, the Republic of the Marshall Islands, and the Republic of Palau funds needed to pay obligations incurred for the use of medical facilities in the United States prior to

October 1, 2003. Under current law, such authorization applies to debt accrued before September 1, 1985.

The governments of Guam, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, and the State of Hawaii, have provided health, educational, and other social services to the citizens of these Freely Associated States in good faith with the expectation that such incurred costs would be reimbursed by the United States Government. We have before us an opportunity to address this most important issue within the context of the reauthorization of the Compacts of Free Association. It is my sincere desire to work with my colleagues to ensure that the provisions proposed by this bill are seriously considered in the reauthorization process.

Mr. Chairman, I move to strike the last word. I rise for the purposes of entering into a colloquy with the gentleman from Texas (Chairman Bonilla) and the gentlewoman from Ohio (Ms. Kaptur), the ranking member.

Mr. Chairman, last year's farm bill authorized the Resident Instruction and Distance Education Grants Program for the Insular Areas to address the critical agricultural research needs of the Land Grant Universities in the U.S. territories and Puerto Rico. We receive very little by way of formula funds, t-star grants, and other special grants.

Existing programs simply do not orient themselves toward the Land Grant Universities in the insular areas. Additionally, our universities have seen no money under the National Research Initiative, the flagship agricultural research program. While our institutions are 1862s by definition, they have only been established as Land Grant Universities for the past 3 decades. This, coupled with the decline in funds for the Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service overall, makes competing with other institutions very difficult. So last year Congress authorized a new funding mechanism to provide competitively awarded grants to meet the unique needs of this underserved set of universities.

This new authorization is especially important to the Land Grant Universities in the insular areas because it will help them to develop education and training programs while working in collaboration with leading U.S. universities on the mainland, building on their expertise and helping us to make the best possible use of limited program dollars.

This year's appropriation bill has no funds whatsoever for this new program. As the Land Grant Universities in the insular areas face many critical agricultural research needs, including food safety and security, health and nutrition, and the environment, I am hopeful that this new program will be funded in the near future. Although my request to fund this account in this cycle has not been met, I am grateful for the inclusion of report language that speaks to this need. I know that the gentleman from Texas (Chairman Bonilla) and the gentlewoman from Ohio (Ms. Kaptur), our ranking member, are supportive of the Land Grant Universities in the insular areas, and I urge them to utilize this new program to ensure the survival of these institutions.

I yield to the gentleman from Texas.

I yield to the gentlewoman from Ohio.

Mr. Chairman, I will place in the Record at this point a statement from my colleague, the gentleman from American Samoa (Mr. Faleomavaega), as well as a joint letter signed by myself, the Resident Commissioner of Puerto Rico, the delegate from the Virgin Islands, and the delegate from American Samoa.

U.S. Congress,

Washington, DC, March 19, 2003.

Hon. Henry Bonilla,

Chairman, Subcommittee on Agriculture, Rural Development,

Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies, House

Committee on Appropriations, Rayburn House Office

Building, Washington, DC.

Dear Mr. Chairman: We are writing to request that $15

million be provided in the Fiscal Year 2004 agriculture

appropriations bill for the Resident Instruction and Distance

Education Grants Program for Insular Area Institutions of

Higher Education. This program was authorized by last year's

Farm Security and Rural Investment Act (Sec. 7501; Public Law

107-171) to strengthen instruction, curriculum and research

in the food and agricultural sciences. With this funding the

program would enhance the quality of teaching and learning at

our nation's land-grant universities in the U.S. territories.

Collaboration between faculty and students at institutions

of higher education in the U.S. territories with colleagues

in the U.S. mainland is particularly challenging given the

distance between them. Current fragile economic conditions in

the U.S. territories also compound the challenges posed by

their geographic isolation. Nevertheless, these institutions

boast sound and reputable programs in agriculture, natural

resources, forestry, veterinary medicine, home economics, and

disciplines closely allied to the food and agriculture

production and delivery systems. The primary and secondary

science and agricultural teachers of these institutions often

lack proper credentials though. A distance education program

is desperately needed by these educators. Because of the high

cost of shipping to the U.S. territories, food costs are high

and families are often forced to make unhealthy choices.

These unhealthy choices compound an already high incidence of

chronic diseases such as diabetes, obesity and heart disease

among the populations of the insular areas. Strengthening

health and diet outreach education would help to prevent

unnecessary trauma for many families. Expertise in

environmental management is limited in the islands of insular

areas. The insular area land grants are the primary source of

higher education for the region and environmental education

programs need to be created and strengthened. Building the

capacity of the insular area land grants in the areas of

distance education, agriculture, health and nutrition and

environmental management will improve the overall quality of

life and education for U.S. citizens who live in these areas.

Designating $15 million for this program through the

Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension

Service's (CSREES) research and education activities account

is vitally important if we are to support the learning

communities of the U.S. territories and provide them the

ability to partner with other institutions in the U.S.

mainland. Harnessing technology in support of institutional

capacity-building in this regard is essential for the success

of the land-grant universities in the U.S. territories. Thank

you for your consideration of this request. Please do not

hesitate to contact us should you have any questions or

should you be in need of further information.

Sincerely,

Anibal Acevedo-Vila,

Donna M. Christensen,

Madeleine Z. Bordallo,

Eni F.H. Faleomavaega,

Members of Congress.

Amendment Offered by Mr. Ackerman

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to place in the Record a resolution passed by the Guam Legislature which petitions the United States Congress to amend the Radiation Exposure Compensation Act of 1990 to include Guam in the jurisdictions covered by the Act.

The aforementioned Act, Public Law 101-426, calls for the compensation to be paid to the people of areas where they may have been exposed to hazardous materials as a result of the detonation of nuclear weapons. While those areas that were most obviously affected by nuclear testing have been compensated, recent evidence shows that the effects of these nuclear tests were more widespread than originally thought. Most specifically, the people of my island, Guam, were affected by these events, and it is of paramount importance that this problem be addressed. As the resolution states, Guam was affected by wind borne radiation and by the scrubbing of radiated vessels in Guam's harbors.

In the coming days, I will work towards the introduction of legislation that will extend Public Law 101-426 to include the people of Guam. Such legislation is a much needed action to compensate for allowing nuclear waste to contaminate areas in the Western Pacific. I look to my colleagues for their assistance and understanding in rectifying the impact of nuclear testing in the region.

Resolution No. 30 (LS)

Whereas, the United States conducted testing of atomic

nuclear weapons on Enewetak and Bikini Atolls in the Marshall

Islands, from 1946 to 1958. A total of sixty-seven (67)

atomic and thermonuclear bombs were detonated which resulted

in fallout across a wide area of the Pacific. Continental

United States residents exposed to radiation resulting from

the nuclear weapons testing subsequently developed serious

diseases, including various types of cancer. On October 1990,

in order to establish a procedure to make partial restitution

to radiation exposure victims for their suffering, President

George H. Bush signed into law the Radiation Exposure

Compensation Act (RECA). RECA established the Radiation

Exposure Compensation Program (RECP) within the Civil

Division of the Department of justice to administer its

responsibilities under the Act. In April 1992, RECP began

processing claims. RECA was amended several times, most

recently on July 10, 2000, when President William Jefferson

Clinton signed into law the Radiation Exposure Compensation

Act Amendments of 2000. The 2000 amendments further broaden

the scope of eligibility for benefits coverage to include new

victim categories and modify the criteria for determining

eligibility for compensation; and

Whereas, RECA establishes a procedure to make partial

restitution to individuals who contracted serious diseases,

such as certain types of cancers, presumably resulting from

their exposure to radiation from aboveground nuclear tests or

as a result of their employment in uranium mines. The law

established five (5) claimant categories--uranium miners,

uranium millers, ore transporters, ``downwinders'' (those who

were located downwind from aboveground nuclear weapons tests

conducted at the Nevada test sites) and onsite participants

(those who actually participated onsite); and

Whereas, as enacted, the law broadens the population

covered by the Radiation Exposure Compensation Act, which

authorizes monetary compensation to individuals who were

present, or nearby when nuclear weapons tests were conducted

at the Nevada Test Site or who worked in uranium mines, and

later developed certain diseases; adds more qualifying

occupations relating to uranium production; increases the

number of states covered and extends the time period

considered for radiation exposure; adds more diseases which

may qualify individuals for compensation; decreases the level

of radiation exposure that is necessary to qualify; makes

certain that the medical criteria is less stringent for

potential claimants; and

Whereas, nuclear tests that the United States Government

conducted in the Marshall Islands from 1946 until 1968 have

led to increased levels of radiation in some of the islands

of Micronesia; and

Whereas, such increased levels of radiation may have led to

serious health and other environmental problems for life in

such areas; and

Whereas, Guam is approximately one thousand two-hundred

(1200) miles directly west of the test sites; and

Whereas, the Atomic Energy Commission detonated sixty-seven

(67) nuclear devices with a total yield of one hundred eight

thousand four hundred ninety-two point two (108,492.2)

kilotons in or around the Marshall Islands; and

Whereas, there were ten (10) detonations that had the yield

necessary (one (1) megaton) to project material from the

center of the explosion to the height of between twelve (12)

to fifty-five (55) miles, and into the jet-stream; and

Whereas, the jet-stream travels generally westward from the

Marshall Islands carrying the radioactive material as fine as

dust particles; these particles collected ice crystals at

high altitudes and descended as cloud condensation. This

process is known as the scavenging effect; and

Whereas, the material drops to land surfaces and enters the

food and water supply consumed by the local population; and

Whereas, reports from the United States Navy indicated that

they had full knowledge and did not warn or help the local

population; and

Whereas, ships present during the nuclear testing were

decontaminated in Guam harbors with acidic detergents and the

runoff from these operations went directly in the local

fishing and reef environments; and

Whereas, the United States Navy performed radio ecological

studies on the surface water in and around the island of Guam

and found a major peak of radioactive contamination in 1959;

and

Whereas, the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, for

the United States Department of Energy, performed radio

ecological testing on Guam beginning in 1968 and ending in

1974, to study potential radiation effects on the local

population; and

Whereas, numerous other radio ecological studies were

performed by government agencies, the United States military,

and various research institutions from 1946 until 1974 to

study Guam's environment and actual and potential radiation

effects on the local population; and

Whereas, according to requirements set forth by the

Radiation Exposure Compensation Act, the island of Guam

should qualify as a jurisdiction and its population should be

recognized as victims of radiation exposure from nuclear

weapons testing and associated clean-up activities (see

Appendix I listing the declassified documents pertaining to

and indicating Guam's exposure to radioactive

isotopes as a result of the Atomic Energy Commission nuclear

weapon tests in the Marshall Islands); now therefore, be it

Resolved, That I Mina'Bente Siete Na Liheslaturan Guahan

does hereby, on behalf of the people of Guam, petition the

United States Congress to amend the ``Radiation Exposure

Compensation Act of 1990'', Public Law 101-426, as amended by

Public Law 101-510, Sec. 3139 (42 U.S.C. 2210) and Public Law

106-245; to include Guam in the jurisdictions (downwinders/

onsite participants) covered by the Act; and be it further

Resolved, That the affected population previously and

currently on Guam (those residing who have been exposed to

radiation resulting from the Atomic Energy Commission tests

in the Marshall Islands) be recognized as being

``downwinders'' of such tests; and be it further

Resolved, That those persons involved in the actual testing

and clean-up activities of such atomic weapons tests be

recognized as ``on-site participants'' and/or ``downwinders''

depending on their exposure as defined by RECA; and be it

further

Resolved, That the Speaker certify, and the Legislative

Secretary attests to, the adoption hereof and that copies of

the same be thereafter transmitted to the Honorable Senator

Orrin G. Hatch, Chairman, Committee on the Judiciary, United

States Senate; to the Honorable Senator Patrick J. Leahy,

Ranking Member, Committee on the Judiciary, United States

Senate; to the Honorable Senator Judd Gregg, Chairman,

Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions, United

States Senate; to the Honorable Senator Edward M. Kennedy,

Ranking Member, Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and

Pensions, United States Senate; to the Honorable Senator

Daniel K. Akaka, United States Senate; to the Honorable

Congressman F. James Sensenbrenner, Jr., Chairman, Committee

on the Judiciary, United States House of Representatives; to

the Honorable Congressman John Conyers, Jr., Ranking Member,

Committee on the Judiciary, United States House of

Representatives; to the Honorable Congressman W.G. ``Billy''

Tauzin, Chairman, Committee on Energy and Commerce, United

States House of Representatives; to the Honorable Congressman

John D. Dingell, Ranking Member, Committee on Energy and

Commerce, United States House of Representatives; to the

Honorable Congressman Neil Abercrombie, United States House

of Representatives; to Mr. William A. Harper, National

Commander, National Association of Atomic Veterans; to Mr.

Charlie Clark, Hawaii State Commander, National Association

of Atomic Veterans; to all the State and Area Commanders of

the National Association of Atomic Veterans; to Mr. Robert

Celestial, Guam atomic veteran; to the Honorable Angel L.G.

Santos, former Senator of I Mina'Bente Sais Na Liheslaturan

Guahan; to the Honorable George Herbert Walker Bush, former

President of the United States of America; to the Honorable

William Jefferson Clinton, former President of the United

States of America; to the Honorable George W. Bush, President

of the United States of America; to the Honorable Madeleine

Z. Bordallo, Member of Congress, U.S. House of

Representatives; and to the Honorable Felix P. Camacho, I

Maga'lahen Guahan.

Mr. Speaker, this citation is presented to Lieutenant Colonel Edgar J. Yanger of Mangilao for his promotion to the rank of Colonel in the United States Army.

Colonel Yanger is the son of Felizardo Galon Yanger and Cecilia Taitano Yanger of Mangilao. He is married to the former Doris San Nicholas Guerrero, daughter of Jesus Calvo Guerrero and Candelaria San Nicholas Guerrero of Sinajana. Edgar and Doris have two children, Melina and Edgar Jonathan.

Colonel Yanger has accomplished much over the past years. He is a graduate of Guam Vocational Technical High School and the University of Hawaii at Manoa where he earned a Bachelor's and Master's degree in architecture. He received his commission in the Army as an engineer through the Reserve Officer Training Corps. He went on to graduate from the Army Command and General Staff College at Fort Leavenworth, KS, and from the U.S. Army Engineer Officer Basic and Advance Courses at Fort Belvoir, VA.

Currently, Colonel Yanger is a program manager in the Army's Base Realignment and Closure Division at the Pentagon. He will soon be leaving for duty in Korea, where I am certain that he will continue to serve with the same dedication and commitment that has defined his career.

The people of Guam share the pride that the Yanger family has in the distinguished service and leadership of Colonel Yanger. He exemplifies the courage, strength and determination that defines the Chamorro people. He is a role model for the men and women who serve in the Armed Forces. We commend him for his leadership and look forward to his continued success.

On behalf of the people of Guam, I want to congratulate Colonel Edgar J. Yanger and his family on his many accomplishments, and extend our gratitude for his dedicated service to our island and our country.

Mr. Chairman, I offer an amendment.

Mr. Chairman, I rise today to request that the House take action to ensure that Military Sealift Command vessels, known as MSC vessels, are repaired in American shipyards. This would ensure that the money we appropriate here today is used to not only ``buy American,'' but to ``repair American'' as well.

You would think that if anything would be repaired in the USA, it would be our naval fleet procured with taxpayer funds. Unfortunately, the Military Sealift Command thwarts the will of Congress by exploiting a loophole in the current law to designate its vessels as having no home port. The MSC then repairs the vessels in foreign ship repair facilities in places such as Singapore and Korea. Such repair work is done without regard to American health, labor and environmental standards. Using foreign ports runs counter to force protection requirements following the October 12, 2000, terrorist attack on the USS Cole.

I yield to the gentleman from Pennsylvania.

Mr. Chairman, reclaiming my time, I understand, and I would be very willing to work with the gentleman concerning this situation with the MSC ships. I look forward to working with you to resolve this.

Mr. Chairman, I ask unanimous consent to withdraw my amendment. I will work with the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Murtha) on the matter.

Mr. Speaker. I rise today to congratulate Continental Micronesia on its 35th anniversary and to wish a happy birthday to CEO Mark Erwin and employees of Continental Micronesia.

I also want to take this time to commend the services rendered by Continental Micronesia to the island of Guam. Guam is the regional hub for Continental Micronesia, and we are proud of the network that strengthens ties between Guam and our Pacific neighbors. Tourism is the leading private sector industry on Guam, and Continental has provided consistent, reliable service to Guam and to destinations across the entire Pacific Rim including: Cairns, Australia; Denpasar, Indonesia; Hong Kong; Honolulu, Hawaii; Koror, Palau; Kosrae, Micronesia; Kwajalein, Marshall Islands; Majuro, Marshall Islands; Nagoya, Japan, Niigata, Japan, Osaka/Kenai, Japan; Pohnpei, Micronesia; Saipan, Commonweath of the Northern Mariana Islands; Sapporo, Japan; Sendai, Japan; Taipei, Taiwan; Chuuk, Micronesia; and Yap, Micronesia.

Continental Airlines moved its headquarters to Los Angeles, California in July, 1963, as it provided important transportation services to members of the armed forces between the United States and Asia during the Vietnam War. In response to its increased importance in the Pacific during the Vietnam War, Continental formed Air Micronesia in 1968. Air Micronesia, now known as Continental Micronesia, has become one of the principal passenger airlines for the islands of the Pacific, providing services between the islands and nations along the Pacific Rim and the mainland.

Under trailblazing CEO Robert F. Six, Continental Airlines mixed creativity with ingenuity in establishing many of its flight routes in the Pacific. During the 1960's, Continental Micronesia would staff flights with mechanics and carry spare materials on board in order that passenger airliners could land on and embark from coral island landing strips. The company was also innovative in that it opened hotels and restaurants at its island destinations in order to stimulate tourism.

In 1976, Air Micronesia began providing services between Saipan and Japan. This additional service would prove to be vital to the future economic growth of Guam, for the vast majority of the over one million tourists that visit Guam each year are Japanese. In fact, Continental Micronesia's Guam-Tokyo, Japan route became the airline industry's single most profitable route in the world. We on Guam are grateful for this mutually beneficial relationship, and we look forward to working together with Continental to perpetuate further growth of the visitor industry on Guam.

I want to express my deepest gratitude to Continental Micronesia and its employees for their years of hard work and dedication to the people of Guam, as they celebrate their 35th birthday. Without their commitment, the visitor industry on Guam could not thrive.

Mr. Speaker, today I am introducing a bill to amend the Organic Act of Guam to authorize the Secretary of the Interior to reduce, release, or waive amounts owed by the Government of Guam to the United States Government to offset unreimbursed Compact impact expenses. This bill is cosponsored by my colleagues, Mr. Gallegly, the Republican Co-Chairman of the newly established House Caucus on Insular and International Affairs, Mr. Rahall, the Ranking Democratic Member of the House Committee on Resources, Mr. Faleomavaega, the Ranking Democratic Member of the House Subcommittee on Asia and the Pacific and the Democratic Co-Chairman of the House Caucus on Insular and International Affairs, Mr. Rehberg, Mr. Abercrombie, and Mr. Case. I am also pleased to have the support of the Governor of Guam, The Honorable Felix P. Camacho, for this legislation.

Guam is the closest neighbor to the Federated States of Micronesia and the Republic of Palau, two former trust territories of the United States, who as a result of the Compacts of Free Association with the United States established independence and became sovereign states.

One of the major concerns for Guam is the reimbursement of costs incurred by Guam due to the Compacts, which were entered into force in 1986. In enacting the Compact of Free Association Act (Public Law 99- 239), Congress authorized unrestricted migration from the Federated States of Micronesia, the Republic of the Marshall Islands, and the Republic of Palau to the United States, including its territories. This law states that if any adverse consequences to Guam resulted from implementation of the Compacts of Free Association, the Congress would act sympathetically and expeditiously to redress those adverse consequences.

The Government of Guam has incurred significant costs over the past 17 years due to this migration and the Government of Guam has been inadequately reimbursed by the United States Government. The General Accounting Office has reported that such migration permitted under the Compacts of Free Association has had a significant impact on Guam. But placing demands on local government for health, educational, and other social services, migration under the Compacts of Freely Association has adversely affected the budgetary resources of the Government of Guam. The Government of Guam has provided health, educational, and other social services to the citizens of these Freely Associated States in good faith with the expectation that such incurred costs would be reimbursed by the United States Government.

Guam has experienced a severe economic crisis in recent years which has been exacerbated by Compact impact expenses. During this time, the Government of Guam has accrued significant obligations to the United States Government, including $9 million to the Department of the Navy for water consumption, $3 million to the Department of Education for the construction of a student housing facility at the Guam Community College, $40 million in local matching funds to the Federal Emergency Management Agency for disaster assistance in the aftermath of Typhoon Chata'an and Supertyphoon Pongsona, and $105 million to the Department of Agriculture for telephone infrastructure improvements. These are some of the few obligations that the Government of Guam has been unable to meet in part because of budgetary commitments it has fulfilled in providing health, educational, and other social services to citizens of the Freely Associated States.

The Compact Impact Reconciliation Act would grant the Secretary of the Interior some flexibility to address the unreimbursed Compact impact expenses of Guam. The legislation would allow the Secretary of the Interior to forgive Guam of some of its debt owed to the United States Government in exchange for the United States Government reimbursing Guam for expenses incurred as a result of the Compact's immigration provisions. Reconciliation of amounts owed by the Government of Guam with the Compact impact expenses is in the national interest and would promote good will in the future renewal of the Compacts of Free Association and the economic recovery of Guam, which hosts some of our Nation's most strategically important military bases.

I am hopeful that as Congress reauthorizes the Compacts of Free Association this year that this legislation will be merited serious consideration. I look forward to working with Chairman Pombo and Ranking Member Rahall of the House Committee on Resources to secure a hearing for this bill and to move this legislation to eventual passage.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commend Ensign Paul Sablan Duenas on his graduation from the United States Naval Academy with a Bachelor of Science degree in Political Science on May 23, 2003 and for his commissioning as Ensign in the United States Navy. Paul now joins his brother John, who also graduated from the Naval Academy, as a Naval Officer.

As a young man growing up on Guam, Paul demonstrated tremendous success as a student and leader at every academic level. He attended Cathedral Grade School in Hagatna, Guam and St. Francis School in Yona, Guam before enrolling at Father Duenas Memorial School, where he completed his secondary education. During high school career, Paul excelled in academics and was inducted into the National Honor Society. Outside of the classroom, he further developed his leadership talents by serving as Cadet Commanding Officer for the Father Duenas Naval Junior Reserve Officer Training Corp (NJROTC) during his senior year. Upon graduating from Father Duenas Memorial School in 1999, Paul accepted an appointment to the U.S. Naval Academy.

Today I join friends and family of Ensign Paul Sablan Duenas in congratulating him on

his graduation from the United States Naval Academy. He has received orders to report on-board the new USS Mason (DDG-87) in Norfolk, Virginia as a Surface Warfare Officer (SWO). I am confident that Paul will be an outstanding officer in the United States Navy, and I commend him for his distinguished academic career and his self-less dedication and commitment to the service of our Nation.

Mr. Speaker, today I am introducing legislation to amend the Organic Act of Guam to establish the Guam Judiciary as the third, co-equal and independent branch of the Government of Guam. My bill also clarifies that the Supreme Court of Guam shall have authority over all inferior courts in the Guam Judiciary.

Currently, the Guam Legislature and the Guam Executive Branch have the power to abolish the Supreme Court of Guam, and as such, may infringe upon the Judiciary's independence. This unequal balance of power was created by the 1984 Omnibus Territories Act which authorized the creation of an appellate court on Guam; however, this statute unintentionally left the newly created court subordinate to the powers of the Legislature and the Executive. My bill to amend the Organic Act of Guam remedies this unacceptable situation by making the Supreme Court of Guam an ``Organic'' court equal in stature to the other branches of government and providing the Guam Judiciary the same protection as the other branches have in their status under the Organic Act of Guam. Just as the Governor cannot disband the Legislature, and the Legislature cannot abolish the Executive, so too should the Judiciary be free from the threat of abolishment by the Legislative or Executive branches if their judicial decisions come under political fire. The Guam Judiciary needs to be insulated from the possibility of political interference by the Legislative and Executive branches, and the balance of power among these branches needs to be restored and protected.

This bill has received strong support from the Supreme Court of Guam, the Guam Bar Association, along with various members of the Guam Legislature, including Speaker Vicente (Ben) C. Pangelinan. In addition, Senator F. Randall Cunliffe, Chairman of the Committee on Judiciary and Transportation in the 27th Guam Legislature, fully supports this bill.

The bill I am introducing today is in the same form as reported out by the Committee on Resources in the 107th Congress. This bill has evolved since it was first introduced in the 105th Congress by former Congressman Robert Underwood, my predecessor, as the Guam Judicial Empowerment Act, and in its current form, this bill reflects improvements suggested by the U.S. District Court of Guam and the Committee.

I urge my colleagues to support this bill to amend the Organic Act of Guam in recognition of the importance of having a strong Judiciary and in furtherance of Guam's efforts to achieve the greatest amount of self-governance possible. I look forward to working with the leadership on this issue, and I hope that this legislation would be reported expeditiously to the House by the Committee on Resources for consideration on the floor.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to inform the House that Vicenta B. Peredo recently passed away. She was also known as ``Seabee Betty'' and for years she had provided a home away from home for the Seabees in Guam. She frequently held fiestas for the deployed battalions, which were always well attended, and gave her world renowned status within the Seabees. She was also annually crowned queen of the Seabees Ball. It was said that stories circulated about Seabee Betty even in Gulf Port, Mississippi.

Vicenta Peredo lived in the village of Yona, where she held these fiestas since 1951. At the fiestas she served all different types of local food to give the Seabees the experience of Chamorro hospitality and to make them feel right at home.

Even the Seabees helped to make sure the fiestas would continue when her house was damaged by a typhoon. After the roof of her kitchen collapsed, one of her daughters jokingly said that the Seabees might fix it tomorrow. It actually took the Seabees two days to fix her kitchen.

Vicenta Peredo also had fiestas that coincided with the birthdays of the Saints. She would pray for nine days, a novena, then cook a large amount of food and invite the Seabees over to enjoy the fiesta. She also wanted to give the Seabees a place to get away from the Naval Base and enjoy the rest of the island. She was a woman who always thought about the Seabees first and in return she received the rare distinction of being named an honorary Navy Seabee.

I join the Peredo family and all the people of Guam in sorrow that Vicenta Peredo is no longer with us, but I am proud to say that she touched so many people during her life. I am also very proud of the way that she reached out to the Seabees and her ability to be a great symbol of the generosity that the people of Guam have to extend to the visitors of the island.

We love you Vicenta and our thoughts and prayers are with your family. I am sure she will be remembered by the Seabees with the honor and generosity she showed them in life. She showed us all that one person can make a difference, that one person can affect many lives.

Mr. Speaker, today I am introducing legislation that will authorize qualified public housing entities in Guam, the Virgin Islands, American Samoa and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands to participate in the ``Section 108 Loan Guarantee Program.'' Congresswoman Donna Christensen of the Virgin Islands and Congressman Eni Faleomavaega of American Samoa have joined me as original co- sponsors of this legislation, which is important to the economic development of the insular areas.

Currently, all qualified entitlement public housing entities in the States are authorized to apply for government-backed loans to finance long-term projects under the Community Development Assistance Act of 1974 (P.L. 93-383), which established the Section 108 Loan Guarantee Program. Under ``Section 108,'' the States and their local governments may apply for amounts up to five times their annual allotments of Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funding.

Guam receives CDBG funding on an annual basis from the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). However, many projects for which the funding could be utilized cost more than the annual allotment. My bill would authorize the insular areas that receive CDBG funding to apply for government-backed loans to help finance more expensive long- term projects. Future CDBG grant money could then be used as collateral in the insular areas, similar to how it is currently used in several of the States.

Officials at HUD have informed me that Guam, the Virgin Islands, American Samoa and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands are excluded on the basis that their CDBG grant funds are authorized under a separate sub-section from the States. My bill would clarify that States and Territories would have access to the HUD financing program irrespective of this technical distinction.

My bill, the Insular Areas Community Development Act of 2003, would strengthen the law to provide for the same flexibility for the insular areas as is currently granted to the States in using CDBG funds. Support for this bill would recognize the need for long-term financing of community development projects important to the economic progress of the insular areas, and will result in improved planning and more efficient use of limited resources.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H.R. 2030 authored by the gentleman from Hawaii (Mr. Case) honoring the late Congresswoman Patsy Takemoto Mink and naming the Post Office in Maui for her.

My association with, and admiration for, Patsy Mink goes back many years to the time that her husband, John, had done some work on Guam. Those of us living in the Pacific islands heard many stories of the legendary Patsy Mink, and it was my good fortune to know her as a friend and a role model. She blazed trails as a woman leader and Pacific Islander that we have eagerly followed and showed us that women can make a huge difference for children and families in our islands. She endorsed my candidacy for Congress just before the November election, 2002. Guam will always remember Congresswoman Patsy Mink, and we will always be grateful for all the causes that she championed on our behalf.

Mr. Speaker, I join my colleagues in honoring her for her service and for being a true inspiration for women throughout the Pacific.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commend Ms. Janice Perez Atoigue for completing her Bachelor of Arts degree with Honors in Anthropology at the University of Maryland on May 22, 2003.

Janice was always an outstanding student both in high school and at the University of Maryland. She was born on Guam and her family resided in the village of Yigo during her early years. Her family later moved to Maryland where she attended the Talented and Gifted School and Suitland High School. At Suitland she was an honors student in both the Dance and French Programs.

While attending at the University of Maryland, she concentrated her studies in Biological Anthropology and was on the Dean's List. The Anthropology Department at the University of Maryland is a respected program, and she took advantage of educational opportunities available on campus and overseas. During the summer of 2002 she studied in Belgium and Germany, where she visited many archeological sites and museums. Just before graduating she completed a senior honor thesis on prehistoric Pacific migration, which reflects her quest for knowledge about the origins of the Pacific, Guam, and her Chamorro heritage.

This degree will now open many doors of opportunity for her to continue her education and to pursue a career in the field of anthropology. She plans to do some anthropology work in the Pacific in the future and has accepted an internship at Counterpart International. We all look forward to hearing of Janice's contributions in her profession and we hope she continues to pursue her interest in the cultural roots of our people and our region.

I am proud of Janice for her dedication and hard work in completing her undergraduate degree. I also want to take the time to commend Janice's parents, Jacinta and Lawrence Atoigue, who encourage her to do her best. They have every reason to be proud of her achievement.

Today I join the Atoigue family and friends in congratulating Janice for her accomplishment and in wishing her the very best in the future.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Mr. Pedro Palomo Ada, who we all know affectionately as ``Pete Ada, Jr.'' for being inducted into the Guam Chamber of Commerce's Guam Business Hall of Fame.

Pete Ada, Jr. is an icon of the Guam business community who has done many great things for the island of Guam. He is one of Guam's original entrepreneurs. His success as a businessman is rooted in his hard work, ingenuity, and work ethic, which serves as an inspiration for young businessmen and women on Guam. His induction into the Guam Business Hall of Fame is a testament to his outstanding career and his contributions to our community. I join the Guam Chamber of Commerce, our civic organizations, and our island in commending Pete Ada, Jr. and in congratulating him on this lifetime achievement.

Mr. Ada began his business career while at college at Saint Thomas Military Academy in Saint Paul, Minnesota. Pete would send shoes and other great bargains to Guam for resale in his parents' retail business. After college, he served as one of the first Chamorro commissioned officers in the United States Air Force and later returned to Guam to help with the family business, Ada's Markets. He transformed his family's retail business into a household name, and later, into a real estate holding company. In the process, he transformed how a whole generation viewed business opportunities on Guam. He is a visionary who saw the potential for new residential developments, commercial real estate developments and new markets. He created opportunities for our island and in the process he helped Guam re-define itself from a military service economy to a strong private sector economy with a robust capital investment sector.

Pete Ada, Jr. is presently the Chairman of the investment firm he founded, Ada's Trust and Investment, Inc. and Chairman of Nanbo Guam, Ltd. He is a Director of the Bank of Guam, Pizza Hut of Guam, and Pacific Textiles. He owns 18 commercial properties and is responsible for developing 28 properties throughout his career.

As a model citizen, Pete Ada Jr. championed the ROTC program at the University of Guam. He has supported the Boy Scouts and KGTF Public Television, and he has been active in the Air Force's Civilian Advisory Council. He has served as a board member of several government boards, including the Retirement Fund, the Guam Visitors Bureau, the

Guam Memorial Hospital, the University of Guam and the Guam Blue Ribbon Education Committee. In addition, he served on the board of the former Medical Center of the Marianas. In recognition of his service, he received an Honorary Doctor of Law degree in 1983 from the University of Guam.

Pete Ada, Jr. epitomizes the businessman whose success derives from a motivation to provide products and services that make his community a better place to live, and who has profited as a by-product of that dedication. By his induction into the Guam Business Hall of Fame, he sets a standard for others to emulate. We congratulate him and his proud wife Fe and their family, and we join with all the people of Guam in celebrating his achievement.