Madeleine Bordallo

Ms. BORDALLO

Ms. BORDALLO. On a separate topic, Mr. Speaker, I also want to echo my Democratic colleagues in calling for the House to quickly take up a permanent legislation solution such as the Dream Act, H.R. 3440, and lift the veil of anxiety that has been placed on nearly 800,000 DREAMers who live in and contribute to our community. I know one of those DREAMers on Guam. Her name is Christine. She is a registered nurse on our island and works every day to save lives in our community. And it is easy, Mr. Speaker, to hear the number 800,000 and forget that these DREAMers are real people. They are individual children or young adults who study in our schools. They work. They pay taxes. So can you imagine how disruptive this must be in their homes? They are our neighbors, our coworkers, our children's classmates and friends. They are first responders, servicemembers, reservists, National Guardsmen, active military who serve on the front lines in our military. They are nurses, and doctors, businessowners, and entrepreneurs, and all DREAMers contribute to the fabric of our great country of America. So I hope that we will give these DREAMers the security of knowing that they will not be deported from the country that they love and have called home for most of their lives. They are Americans in all but paper, and we should treat them with the same compassion and love that they have for our great country.

Ms. BORDALLO. Mr. Speaker, yesterday I introduced a resolution with 21 of our colleagues from both sides of the aisle condemning the threats North Korea made against Guam last month--you can imagine the fear that we had during this period--but also reaffirming the United States' absolute and unshakeable commitment to Guam's security, as well as that of the Pacific States, the territories, and our Asia-Pacific allies. Mr. Speaker, this threat against Guam and, indeed, our entire Nation, was inexcusable, and it demands firm condemnation from this House of Representatives. My resolution sends a clear message that North Korea's continued willful disregard for U.N. resolutions, international agreements, sanctions, and arms controls in pursuit of its illicit nuclear weapons program will not go unanswered by our government. I remain fully confident in the defensive capabilities on Guam and in our region, but it is vital that we do all that we can to prevent a military conflict with North Korea and ensure that its regime does not continue down this path of reckless and destabilizing nuclear militarization. I want to thank my colleagues who have cosponsored this resolution with me, and I hope that the House leadership will quickly bring it to the floor for consideration, and I urge all the Members to support it. Calling for the House to Take Up the Dream Act

Ms. BORDALLO

Ms. BORDALLO. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to bring up H.R. 3440, the DREAM Act, to protect DREAMers like Christine, who arrived in my home district of the territory of Guam as a child and is now a registered nurse saving lives and caring for our community on Guam thanks to DACA.

Ms. BORDALLO

Ms. BORDALLO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to thank Vickie Plunkett for her over twenty years of service in the United States House of Representatives. As we consider the Fiscal Year 2018 National Defense Authorization bill in the House Armed Services Committee, for the tenth and final time with Vickie as a Professional Staff Member on the Committee, I would like to take a moment to reflect on her decades of service to this body, and our nation. Vickie has served as the lead staffer for the Readiness Subcommittee, which oversees the largest account in the Department of Defense, Operations and Maintenance, to include military operations, readiness, and training issues, funding, and programs. In this capacity, she has fought to ensure that our men and women in uniform are trained, ready, and equipped to carry out missions we ask of them, while ensuring that we are acting as responsible stewards of the taxpayer dollar. As the Ranking Member of the Readiness Subcommittee, I have deeply valued Vickie's counsel and advice, as well as her candid perspectives. Vickie joined the House Armed Services Committee in 2007 after more than a decade of working on defense issues in Congress. From 1989 to 2002, she served as the Deputy Chief of Staff and Military Legislative Assistant to my friend and the former Chairman of the Readiness Subcommittee, Solomon Ortiz, as well as former Congressman Glen Browder, another member of the Subcommittee. Prior to relocating to Washington D.C., Vickie honed her critical thinking and journalistic skills as a publisher, editor, reporter, and photographer for daily and weekly newspapers in Alabama and Georgia. Her editorial expertise and deliberative approach served her and the Committee well not only as we crafted the annual defense authorization bill, but also through countless hearings, markups, and meetings. Her efforts have been instrumental to enacting good public policies for our military and our servicemembers and their families are better equipped, trained, and resourced because of them. Mr. Speaker, Vickie's departure from the House Armed Services Committee will leave us without the decades of experience and wisdom that she brought to each and every challenge we encountered. I am proud of the work she did, as well as the intelligent, thoughtful manner in which she approached it. On a personal level, Vickie has been a tremendous friend of Guam and the men and women who serve on our island. So on behalf of my constituents and the people of Guam, I extend her my sincere un dangkulo na si Yu'os ma'ase (deepest gratitude). I wish her, her husband David, and their families well as they enter the next chapter in their lives.

Ms. BORDALLO

Ms. BORDALLO. Mr. Chairman, I would first like to commend Chairman Thornberry, Ranking Member Smith, and the committee staff who have worked many long nights on the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2018. While there are very real questions about the top line number, and I believe it would be inappropriate and reckless to have any additional funding come off the backs of nondefense spending, this is an important step forward in rebuilding our military readiness. This bill includes additional operations and maintenance funding to support more combat training center rotations and needed investment in the facilities sustainment, restoration, and modernization accounts, providing more training opportunities and better maintenance facilities to live, work, and operate in. However, readiness cannot be bought back in a year, and these targeted investments must continue. Furthermore, the bill provides authorities to right-size civilian personnel shortfalls that have stressed maintenance backlogs at our shipyards and our depots. It also will make more effective the Department's Quarterly Readiness Report and raise the minor military construction threshold and clarify unspecified projects to provide additional flexibility to the Department. I would especially like to thank Chairman Thornberry for following through on his commitment last year to work with me to include my provision that would help address critical workforce shortages affecting military construction and healthcare essential to the military buildup on Guam. I also thank our Ranking Member Smith and Readiness Subcommittee Chairman Joe Wilson for working with me on this issue and on this bill. I look forward to continuing to work together to protect the full intent of this legislation. The readiness portion of this bill also includes provisions to support ship repair in the western Pacific, as well as full funding for critical military construction projects. Given our posture, our strategic needs and challenges in the region, it is essential that we continue to sufficiently resource and support an active and engaged Indo-Asia-Pacific force. I look forward to working with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle as this process continues. And lastly, Mr. Chair, I would like to commend Vickie Plunkett for her over two decades of service in the House of Representatives, and 10 years on the House Armed Services Committee.

Ms. BORDALLO

Ms. BORDALLO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Ms. Lisa Disbrow. Over the last 32 years, Ms. Disbrow has had a distinguished career in public and military service culminating with her recent assignment as Acting Secretary of the Air Force, where she was responsible for organizing, training, equipping and providing for the welfare of approximately 660,000 active duty, Guard, Reserve and civilian Airmen and their families, world-wide. Ms. Disbrow has given much to this Nation through her dedicated and selfless service. After graduation from the University of Virginia she answered the calling to join the Air Force. She served on active duty until 1992 in a variety of positions to include intelligence alert officer, Africa/Middle East military political analyst, and chief of electronic intelligence analysis. She deployed in support of Operations Desert Storm and Southern Watch and was selected for the Defense Intelligence Agency's Advanced Language and Area Studies. After Desert Storm, Ms. Disbrow transitioned to the Air Force Reserve, and accepted a civilian position as a senior systems engineer for the National Reconnaissance Office. In that capacity, she helped develop programs and requirements to improve national intelligence support to tactical users, including operational and analytical systems. From 1995 to 2014, Ms. Disbrow held a variety of positions on the Joint Staff as a senior civilian, including the Joint Staff Vice Director for Force Structure, Resources and Assessment. She was responsible for developing joint warfighting requirements, advising on force assignments to combatant commanders, conducting force structure and warfighting studies, and evaluations defense plans, programs and strategies for the Chairman of the Joint Requirements Oversight Council. While assigned to the Joint Staff, Ms. Disbrow was detailed to the President's National Security Advisor as the Special Advisor for Policy Implementation and Execution at the White House. She assisted in planning and implementing the National Security Strategy and advised the White House on issues across the federal government. Her twenty-three years of uniformed service culminated in 2008 when she retired as a Colonel from the Air Force Reserve while serving as Special Assistant to the Director of Programs, Headquarters Air Force. In 2014, Ms. Disbrow was confirmed by the Senate as the Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Financial Management and Comptroller, the principal senior official on all financial matters. She was responsible for financial policy, management, execution of an annual budget of over $130 billion, workforce development for over 10,000 financial managers world-wide, and providing analytic support services. She directed the development of the five-year programming plan, prepared for the first congressionally-mandated audit, oversaw the Air Force Cost Analysis Agency and led accounting and financial operations. Prior to assuming the duties of Acting Secretary of the Air Force, Ms. Disbrow served as the twenty-fifth Under Secretary of the Air Force. As Under Secretary, her leadership enabled the successful roll- out of the Long Range Strike Bomber program, helped develop the first- ever analytic framework for space resiliency, effecting $10 billion in acquisition programs, facilitated operational energy efficiencies resulting in over $1 billion in savings, and successfully gained authorization to add over 10,000 new Airmen to the active duty force. At the same time, Lisa also led efforts to better support Airmen suffering from invisible wounds of war by improving processes from injury diagnosis through reintegration with appreciation of the member's experience and care. Finally, I also commend Ms. Disbrow's family for their service and support. Her husband, Harry, served as an Air Force Colonel and as a senior civilian in the Pentagon. Her two children, Stefanie and Derrick have remained supportive through the family's decades of service. Stefanie's husband T.J. is an honored serviceman serving two tours in Afghanistan and Iraq, and I would also like to acknowledge their two children, Parker and Brody. Our nation appreciates their unwavering support, service, and sacrifice throughout Ms. Disbrow's exemplary service. Mr. Speaker, I thank Ms. Disbrow and her family for their remarkable service to our nation. I wish Ms. Disbrow good luck and Godspeed in her next chapter of life, and I look forward to their continued success.

Ms. BORDALLO

Ms. BORDALLO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to thank Matthew Herrmann for ten years of service to the people of Guam and the United States Congress. Over the last decade, Matt has served diligently in my office here in Washington, D.C. and he has been instrumental to enacting numerous public policies that have benefitted my constituents in Guam and our nation as a whole. Matt joined my office in May of 2007 as my Military Legislative Assistant and he went on to become my Legislative Director and then Chief of Staff. He concurrently serves as an Adjunct Professor at American University here in Washington, D.C. where he teaches a course on the impact of technology on the American political system. Prior to joining my office, Matt was the Executive Officer to the Director at the National Guard Bureau Office of Legislative Liaison. During his time in my office, Matt has overseen many legislative responsibilities and he has provided me with invaluable counsel in fulfilling my role as Guam's only representative in Congress. He has been my key advisor on issues impacting our military, veterans, and foreign policy. I have especially appreciated his commitment to enhancing the role and resourcing of the National Guard, efforts for which his actions have been widely recognized. His guidance has also been critical to securing millions in dollars for Guam as well as ensuring that programs such as the realignment of Marines from Okinawa to Guam moves forward in a way that not only satisfies the Department of Defense's needs, but also has a positive benefit to the people of Guam and the entire Asia-Pacific region. Matt was also instrumental to my success in including the Guam World War II Loyalty Recognition Act as a provision of the FY17 National Defense Authorization Act, which was signed in to law by President Barack Obama on December 23, 2016 . This was historic legislation that finally authorized, after more than 70 years, the payment of claims to the patriotic Chamorro Americans on Guam who endured brutal enemy occupation during World War II. Matt's professionalism, understanding of the complexities of the legislative process, and personable demeanor have been critical to his successes here on the Hill and in turn helped me best represent people of Guam. Further, on a personal note, Matt has also been a close mentor and confidant to many current and former staff members and he was always willing to lend his personal and professional experiences to guide and direct them. He has fostered strong bipartisan relationships with Congressional staffers, officials in the Administration, as well as key stakeholders in the private and non-government industries, and he will be deeply missed here on Capitol Hill. Mr. Speaker, Matt's departure from my office will leave a void that will be difficult to fill. I will miss his counsel and the light heartedness he brought to my office every day. I am proud of the growth and experiences that he has had while working on behalf of my constituents and the American people. So on behalf of the people of Guam, I extend my sincere un dangkulo na si Yu'os Ma'ase (with deepest gratitude) to him, and I wish him well as he begins this next chapter in his life.

Ms. BORDALLO

Ms. BORDALLO. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to urge my colleagues to support H.R. 2052, the Protecting the Rights of IndiViduals Against Technological Exploitation Act, also known as the PRIVATE Act. This act will amend the Uniform Code of Military Justice to prohibit the wrongful broadcast or distribution of intimate visual images. As technology evolves, so, too, must our judicial systems; and it is clear, especially after the Marines United scandal, that there is a gap in the UCMJ. This bill addresses that gap and gives commanders the tools they need to address this horrific crime of posting or sharing intimate images that were previously privately shared. The bill clearly states that distributing or broadcasting intimate visual images without consent would result in punishment. This change in the UCMJ will send a strong message to any bad actors in our military and remind them that honor, trust, and respect are paramount whether you are deployed or back home. Servicemembers will know that sharing, broadcasting, or posting intimate images are illegal and will be punished under the UCMJ. I thank the gentlewoman from Arizona, Representative McSally, for introducing this important legislation and diligently working it through the legislative process. I am also pleased to see such bipartisan support. Although the circumstances that led this bill to be written are appalling, it is heartening to see so many colleagues coming together today to make the necessary changes. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 2052. This amendment to the UCMJ is very necessary and very timely.

Ms. BORDALLO

Ms. BORDALLO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commend and congratulate nurses and school nurse support staff of the Guam Department of Education (GDOE) in honor of National Nurses Week and National School Nurses Day. There are currently 44 Registered Nurses and 3 Licensed Practical Nurses serving the students of the Guam Department of Education. These nurses take on the daunting task of caring for the Guam Department of Education's more than 30,000 students and nearly 4,000 employees of the Guam Department of Education. These school nurses work day in and day out to ensure the health of our island's children so they can continue their education in the classroom. Guam Department of Education nurses join the National Association of School Nurses in celebrating the theme of this year's School Nurses Day: Healthy Nurse. Healthy Students. They also join the American Nurses Association in celebrating the 2017 Nurses Week: The Balance of Mind, Body, and Spirit! GDOE nurses have chosen to celebrate National School Nurses Day by teaching students how to conduct hands only CPR or heart health activities. Every year the GDOE nurses serve a critical role in providing a safe and healthy learning environment for students throughout Guam's public elementary, middle, and high schools. GDOE nurses provide frontline, critical care for the most fragile children in our community and are members of health teams that support both educational and response initiatives dedicated to improving public health. Additionally, school nurses are liaisons to the school administrators, parents and healthcare providers when it comes to attending to the physical health of our island's students. Every school year is different and challenging for the GDOE nurses. In April 2016, the school nurses received a call from the Department of Public Health and Social Services asking them to administer 5,000 doses of TB skin test solution to GDOE students and staff who need updates. The school nurses embraced the challenge and were able to host TB clinics in almost every GDOE school for students and staff. Despite these challenges, our island's school nurses have responded to these needs with professionalism and passion for the school communities they serve. I commend and congratulate nurses and school nurse support staff of the Guam Department of Education (GDOE) as they celebrate the 2017 National School Nurses Day and On a successful school year. I join the people of Guam in expressing our appreciation for their contributions to Guam's school communities.

Ms. BORDALLO

Ms. BORDALLO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the scuttling of the World War I German ship, the SMS Cormoran, in Guam's Apra Harbor, which occurred on April 7, 1917. The SMS Cormoran was scuttled by its crew on April 7, 1917, the day the United States entered World War I. Twenty six years later, on August 27, 1943 the Japanese freighter Tokai Maru was torpedoed and came to rest also in Apra Harbor's waters. This Apra Harbor site is symbolic of Guam's rich history and unique role in United States and world history, as this is the only site in the world housing two shipwrecks from the two World Wars. Originally a Russian merchant fleet vessel, SMS Cormoran was captured by Germans in the years leading up to World War I, and was transformed into an auxiliary cruiser which Germany docked in the Chinese province of Tsingtao, a small German colony at the time. In December of 1914, the SMS Cormoran was chased by Japanese warships on a routine trip, and running low on fuel, docked at Apra Harbor on Guam. At the time, Guam was a U.S. territory, and the United States was a neutral nation. The SMS Cormoran's captain, Captain Adalbert Zuckschwerdt requested fuel and provisions from Guam's naval Governor William Maxwell, who promptly denied the request due to the United States' neutrality. Instead he gave Captain Zuckschwerdt two options-- to leave Guam immediately or remain interned. Captain Zuckschwerdt chose to remain on island. On April 7, 1917 the United States entered World War I, and naval Governor Roy Smith ordered Captain Zuckschwerdt to surrender his personnel and the SMS Cormoran. While Captain Zuckschwerdt surrendered his personnel, he ordered the crew to scuttle the vessel. American soldiers noticed the activity and fired a warning shot, which signified America's first engagement with Germany the very same day we declared our entry into World War I. Six German soldiers died in the scuttling of SMS Cormoran and they were buried with full military honors at the U.S. Naval Cemetery. In 1975, the wreck of the SMS Cormoran was placed on the National Register of Historic Places. I commend the work of the Guam Visitors Bureau and all other stakeholders for organizing an event to commemorate 100th anniversary of the SMS Cormoran's sinking, which prompted the first American action upon its entry into World War I. This ceremony highlights Guam's unique history in world events and provides an opportunity to showcase the distinctive historical sites that are only available on our island.

Ms. BORDALLO

Ms. BORDALLO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commend and congratulate the Guahan Lions Club as they celebrate 25 years of public service to the people of Guam. The Guahan Lions Club was established in 1992 by a group of business people, teachers, accountants, engineers, and government and private employees who shared a common desire to give back to our community. Throughout its rich history, the Guahan Lions Club has championed numerous causes and donated thousands of dollars in support of charitable organizations. The Guahan Lions Club was charted by the International Association of Lions Clubs on March 23, 1992, and since then the club has advocated for numerous causes and donated thousands of dollars in support of charitable organizations. They were critical to the passage of local legislation, Guam Public Law 23-27, that sought to combat graffiti, and they held an island-wide ``Graffiti Wipe-out Camapaign'' to remove graffiti throughout Guam and ensure that the island was clean. They have also been strong supporters of the Salvation Army, Guma Trankilidat, the Guam Memorial Hospital, St. Dominic Home Care, as well as numerous other community and non-profit organizations. They have also joined other Lions Clubs in Guam and throughout the region in sharing their knowledge and expertise on ways to improve local communities. I join the people of Guam in thanking all members of the Guahan Lions Club for their invaluable work to our community. I especially congratulate the Guahan Lions Club's charter members--Evelyn Angeles, Cely Aquino, Thelma Barrozo, Fely Co, Monito Co, Bella Duplito, Fernando Duplito, Aida Fernandez, Fred Flores, Mirasol Flores, Rose Hidalgo, Nydia Llarenas, Cely Nisperos, Romy Nisperos, Lulu Oliamot, Rolly Ricabar, Yolly Ricabar, Nora Sicad, Bernie Tiong, Lath Tiong, Emelio Uy and Gloria Villanueva--for their foresight and diligence in creating the foundation for their success. On behalf of the people of Guam, I congratulate the Guahan Lions Club on their 25 years of service and look forward to continued success in the future.

Ms. BORDALLO

Ms. BORDALLO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commend and congratulate Jacinta Elm on her selection as the U.S. Small Business Administration's 2017 Financial Services Champion for Guam. Jacinta is being honored for her work in assisting small business owners through advocacy efforts to increase the usefulness and availability of accounting or financial services for small businesses. Jacinta is the Assistant Vice President of the Anti-Money Laundering and Fraud Division for the Bank of Guam, the largest financial institution on Guam, serving individual clients, small businesses, middle-market and large corporations, and government entities. She is responsible for conveying awareness of the threat of cybercrime facing small businesses. Jacinta is one of only two Certified Anti-Money Laundering Specialists on Guam. Her training included identifying money laundering and terrorist financing methods, the best practices to stop these and other financial crimes, as well as key related legislation in place worldwide, and Anti-Money Laundering standards and developing defenses for financial institutions to stop terrorist financing and money laundering. Through Jacinta's certification, the Bank of Guam and its customers have access to the most reputable and recognizable network of specialized knowledge. She is a cancer survivor who lost the ability to walk and had to re- learn how to walk. Jacinta has used the lessons she learned in fighting cancer and applies that same passion to helping others within the Bank of Guam and the community to identify and manage risks that could lead to unintended, potentially catastrophic consequences. Jacinta leads the Bank of Guam's regular outreach program for Money Services Businesses which provide services such as check cashing, money transfer, prepaid store value cards, money orders, travelers' checks, and tax preparation for clients. This is an outreach provided by the Bank of Guam to enhance awareness, which no other local financial institution provides. Jacinta helps Money Services Businesses meet their Bank Secrecy Act compliance obligations, protect the community and customers they serve and maintain strong relationships with their financial and banking partners. I join the people of Guam in congratulating Jacinta Elm on her selection as the SBA's 2017 Financial Services Champion for Guam. I commend her for her many contributions to our island and community.

Ms. BORDALLO

Ms. BORDALLO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Guam's Autism Community Together (ACT) as they join Autism Speaks and the international community in celebrating the month of April as Autism Awareness Month to shine a light on autism. I also join the pledge to ``Light It Up Blue'' throughout the month of April to support autism awareness and autism acceptance. World Autism Awareness Day (WAAD) was established by the United Nations in 2007 to raise awareness of the issues surrounding people, particularly children with autism worldwide. World Autism Awareness Day has since been commemorated throughout the world by communities wearing blue. Autism Community Together is Guam's local organization leading the efforts to increase autism awareness and promoting World Autism Awareness Day. Autism Community Together is an organization based in Guam as a support group for families with autistic children. Though we have made great strides as a nation to improve services and opportunities for peoples with disabilities, there are still improvements that can be made. ACT is dedicated to helping individuals and parents find resources, support, and training while making diligent strides to increase the awareness of autism spectrum disorders and advocating for effective services and the unique needs of individuals with autism and their families. During the month of April, I also encourage those throughout the Guam community and the nation to participate and pledge to ``Light It Up Blue.'' Individuals and organizations can show their support by asking friends, family, and colleagues to wear blue or accessorize with blue; light up homes and businesses with blue lights and decorations; and turn social media pictures blue. These are just small acts that we can do as a community to show our support for autism awareness and acceptance. Additionally, I commend Autism Community Together as it hosts the 10th Annual Autism Awareness Fair ``Acceptance in Action'' to coincide with World Autism Day. The Autism Awareness Fair is the largest outreach event hosted by ACT throughout the year and brings together government agencies, non-profit organizations, service providers, support vendors with the intent to provide information and resources on the various disability related programs and services available on Guam. On behalf of the people of Guam, I thank the Autism Community Together organization and all government agencies and community partners for their assistance to spread autism awareness and acceptance. I join ACT in pledging to light up the island of Guam blue throughout the month of April and look forward to their future contributions in opening more opportunities to those in our community living with autism.

Ms. BORDALLO

Ms. BORDALLO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commend and congratulate Monito S. Co on receiving the U.S. Small Business Administration's 2017 Minority Small Business Champion of the Year Award for Guam. This award honors an individual on Guam who has fulfilled a commitment to support and assist minority entrepreneurs and small business owners. Monito is the General Manager of Benson Guam Enterprises, Inc., a Minority Small Business entity and one of the largest construction and building material stores in Guam. Benson Guam Enterprises, Inc. engages in retail and wholesale of materials, supplies, and equipment to construction companies, homeowners, local and federal government in Guam and customers in neighboring island communities. Monito oversees overall operations of the company and ensures that customers receive quality service, have access to a fully stocked store, and employees maintain high morale and are working diligently. Monito also serves as the company's liaison to various community, government, military and charitable projects. Monito has been a driving force in his company's advancement of business activities and community service throughout the region. He has provided outstanding assistance to many local businesses building and renovating to improve services for everyone. Further, Monito and Benson Guam Enterprises, Inc. have worked tirelessly to support minority businesses through various charitable and community organizations. He generously volunteers his time with the Guam Chinese School Foundation, United Chinese Association of Guam, Metro Manila Association of Guam, Filipino Community of Guam, Lions Club International District 204, Make a Wish Foundation Guam Chapter, Guam Workforce Investment Board, Guam Chamber of Commerce, Chinese Chamber of Commerce of Guam, Guam Contractors Association and Guam Chinese Association. I join the people of Guam in congratulating Monito S. Co on his selection as the U.S. Small Business Administration's 2017 Minority Small Business Champion of the Year Award for Guam. I commend him for his many contributions to our island and community.

Ms. BORDALLO

Ms. BORDALLO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commend and congratulate Gyongi ``Pika'' Pilar Fejeran on her selection as the U.S. Small Business Administration's 2017 Women in Business Champion for Guam. This award honors an individual on Guam who, as an advocate for women entrepreneurs, has fulfilled a commitment to the advancement of women's business ownership. Pika graduated from St. John's School in Guam and later from the University of Southern California. She worked as an urban planner and project manager in Pasadena, California before returning home to help fulfill her husband's dream of owning a restaurant. Pika and Lenny opened Pika's Cafe in 2010 and in 2015 they opened Kitchen Lingo with their partner Lingo Quichocho. Pika is the President of Pika's Cafe and Managing Partner/Secretary-Treasurer of Kitchen Lingo. Since entering the Guam restaurant scene six years ago with her husband and business partner, Lenny, they have since inspired a restaurant evolution in Guam. In these short six years, the restaurant space has tripled in size, while opening a second location. Pika's businesses are known for ``buying local'' and are known for preparing food with the freshest ingredients on the island. Pika's success is coupled with her family focused philosophy. Upon opening the first restaurant, Pika and Lenny made a conscious decision to only open for breakfast and lunch Monday through Thursday. They chose to close on Sundays and at dinner throughout the week to ensure they always had time to spend with their three children. Pika is also deeply involved with several community organizations on Guam and is a staunch supporter of women in business. She is a board member of the Guam Women's Chamber of Commerce. Pika believes in promoting sustainable economic growth and the development of women to help them integrate into leadership roles. Her service in the Guam Women's Chamber of Commerce is evidence of her commitment to supporting the promotion of women in business on the island. Pika was recently nominated by the Guam Business Magazine for the Industry Influencer Award for her restaurants' support of buying from and supporting local farmers and businesses. Pika is also a member of the Imagine Guam Core Values Committee and Policy team, creating a vision and planning for Guam in 2065. She also serves as a Commissioner of the Chamorro Land Trust. I join the people of Guam in congratulating Gyongi ``Pika'' Pilar Fejeran on her selection as the SBA's 2017 Women in Business Champion for Guam. I commend her for her many contributions to our island and community.

Ms. BORDALLO

Ms. BORDALLO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commend and congratulate Derrick Muna Quinata on being awarded the U.S. Small Business Administration's 2017 Small Business Person of the Year Award for Guam. Derrick is being honored and recognized as an individual who has demonstrated outstanding skills, savviness, and ability to create success in the small business community. He holds a degree in Business Administration from the University of Guam and is a Masters of Business Administration candidate with the University of Phoenix. Derrick is currently the President of Monster Auto Corp dba Guam Autospot, a family-owned automobile dealership that he built from the ground up. Derrick opened Guam Autospot in 2008 after working in the automobile industry for several years. Derrick dreamt of owning his own dealership as a young child accompanying his mother to work selling cars. Additionally, Derrick successfully negotiated with General Motors to be named the exclusive distributor for Buick GMC for Guam and the CNMI. He is one of the youngest General Motors franchise holders in the nation. Guam Autospot is also an authorized Mitsubishi Dealer for Guam. In just eight years, Guam Autospot has grown from an operation with five vehicles on consignment to becoming a major competitor in Guam's automobile industry. Since its humble beginnings in 2008, Guam Autospot has grown to have a net profit of $1.7 million, and much of its growth can be attributed to their use of social media, technology, community outreach and customer engagement. In particular, a hallmark of Derrick's business philosophy has been his commitment to Guam and the region by hiring local and supporting philanthropic initiatives that strengthen our communities. He was recently featured as one of Guam Business Journal's 40 under 40 who are making their mark in the Guam business community. Additionally, Derrick is a member of Dukduk Goose, Inc. Foundation that produces a local children television show that teaches children the Chamorro language and culture. Derrick is a successful business man and family man. He is a leader in our local community and a role model for others in the private business sector. Derrick and his company are committed to Guam and the region, and to improving the community through hiring local and boosting the economy. Derrick proudly supports the local workforce and currently employs 165 people. Backed by the sustained growth of his business over the years, I look forward to continued success for him and our entire community. I congratulate Derrick on receiving the 2017 U.S. Small Business Administration's Small Business Person of the Year Award for Guam. I join the people of Guam in commending him on this award and thanking him for his many contributions to our island community.

Ms. BORDALLO

Ms. BORDALLO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commend and congratulate Kathleen Thomas Benavente on her selection as the U.S. Small Business Administration's 2017 Home-Based Business Champion of the Year Award for Guam. This award honors individuals who have experienced the rewards and difficulties of owning a home-based business and have worked voluntarily to improve the climate for other home-based businesses. Kathleen is the Founder and President of The Occasion-Event Coordination and Decorating Co. Kathleen started the business as a side job to supplement her family's household expenses ten years ago and it grew into a fulltime success. Kathleen has since created over 200 events for people from all walks of life. Kathleen has always been known to have talent for organizing creative and successful events and was encouraged by friends and family to charge for her services. Kathleen and her family made substantial sacrifices and worked as the first employees to get the business going and they began to grow from word of mouth referrals. In 2011, Kathleen took a year off from the business for reflection after her foster mother passed away. She used the time to take a class at the University of Guam Small Business Development Center and began to make changes. Kathleen changed the name of the business and created a website for the business. She also sought out a long time event planner to be her mentor. In 2015, she began to see profits and she now employs 8 part time employees and purchases supplies from local companies. Additionally, Kathleen uses the knowledge and tools she has gained from the University of Guam's Small Business Development Center and the Pacific Island Network SBDC in her business and shares them with her employees and networks. Kathleen is also an active member of our community. Inspired by her experience as a foster child from the age of 4 to 16, Kathleen is now the President of Guam Foster Families Association. Kathleen is also the Vice-President of Soroptimist International Guam working to transform the life of women and girls. She has also served as a board member of Payu-ta, Guam's umbrella organization of non-governmental organizations since 2011. I join the people of Guam in congratulating Kathleen Thomas Benavente on her selection as the SBA's 2017 Home-Based Business Champion for Guam. I commend her for her many contributions to our island and community.

Ms. BORDALLO

Ms. BORDALLO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commend and congratulate Albert ``Al'' Yanger on receiving the U.S. Small Business Administration's 2017 Veteran Small Business Champion of the Year Award for Guam. This award honors an individual on Guam who has fulfilled a commitment to advancing small business opportunities for Veterans of the U.S. Armed Forces. Al is the Co-Founder and President of Galaide Professional Services, Inc. (GPSI). Galaide Professional Services, Inc. is a Disabled Veteran Owned and SBA HUBZone certified small business providing professional, technical management, administrative and general contracting services for the Federal Government, Government of Guam and clients in the Western Pacific Region. Al faithfully served in the U.S. Army for 22 years and retired as the Division Chief of Intelligence at the Pentagon. He then joined the private sector and worked for the Native American Industrial Distributers, Inc. Al recognized there was a need for the services he was providing with NAID in his home island of Guam and returned to the island in 2010. Together with his partner and fellow veteran Frankie Dumanal, Al launced Galaide Professional Services Inc. in December 2010. The company specializes in program/project management consulting with core competencies in the information technology sector. GPSI Guam works diligently with the Department of Defense Small Business representatives on Guam and has helped build the confidence of federal and local buyers to use local Veteran/Disabled Veteran Owned Small Businesses. Additionally, GPSI Guam is committed to using other Veteran/Disabled Veteran Owned Small Businesses as subcontractors. GPSI Guam supports Joint Region Marianas, U.S. Navy and U.S. Air Force small business programs and the University of Guam Procurement Technical Assistance Center and Small Business Development Center. GPSI Guam is also a strong supporter of the Employee Support of the Guard and Reserve through financial donation and recruiting through the ESGR office. Half of GPSI Guam's work force is proudly made up of retired military or active guard and reserve members. Al and GPSI Guam are also active in the island community. GPSI Guam is a member of the Guam Chamber of Commerce and the Chamber's Small Business and Armed Forces Committees. They are also members of the Guam Contractor's Association and Guam Visitors Bureau. I join the people of Guam in congratulating Albert ``Al'' Yanger on his selection as the SBA's 2017 Veteran Small Business Champion for Guam. I commend him for his many contributions to our island and community.

Ms. BORDALLO

Ms. BORDALLO. Mr. Speaker, today I re-introduce legislation to authorize and establish an Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) for the Guam-CNMI Visa Waiver Program, and direct revenue from the established system to fund CBP operations and staffing needs for ports of entry in Guam and the CNMI. The regional Guam-CNMI VWP recognizes Guam's unique location in Asia, and the need to be more competitive for tourists from other Asian nations. With Guam's primary source of economic revenue being tourism from Asia, my legislation would address several issues that have hampered our visitor industry and that continue to cost CBP millions of dollars annually in processing costs. The majority of foreign arrivals at Guam International Airport are those traveling under the Guam-CNMI VWP, and long immigration lines are a recurring issue due to limited staffing capacity when arrivals peak at Guam International Airport. At their peak, sometimes 1,200 passengers arrive when multiple flights arrive nearly simultaneously the wait times at immigration can be as long as two and a half hours. I recognize that there are complaints about long wait lines at other international ports of entry. However, the long wait-times have caused harm to Guam's reputation in our primary visitor markets of Japan and South Korea. In fact, Japan television shows and radio programs have mocked the long lines and wait times at Guam International Airport, which has negatively impacted Guam's standing as a family-friendly destination for our Asian allies. The flight from Japan or South Korea is a little over three hours and, sadly, some of these visitors have waited about as long, or at times longer, in line than it takes to travel from their home country to Guam. That is unacceptable and runs counter to the previous Administration's goal of improving the arrivals process for international travelers arriving in the United States, as outlined in a memorandum to heads of executive departments and agencies on May 22, 2014. My legislation would work to address the problems that are occurring with long wait times at our respective ports of entry. Tourism is critical to the economies of the region, and we cannot let an antiquated visitor entry system and inadequate staffing harm our economy. Establishing an ESTA specific to the Guam-CNMI Visa Waiver Program would help to address several issues faced by visitors arriving at Guam International Airport. First, the current process relies on a paper- based system which is cumbersome and only adds to the delays when arriving. The bill would allow CBP to automate that process and, as a result, save an estimated $4 million annually that is used by CBP to process and file the paper forms. This is a commonsense reform that will save the federal government money and improve the customer experience at Guam International Airport and ports of entry in the CNMI. Admittedly, CBP has the authority to create an ESTA system for the Guam-CNMI Visa Waiver Program. However, they do not have the authority to direct revenues collected from this automated process towards staffing at ports of entry in Guam and CNMI. As such, it is the consensus of tourism industry leaders and other stakeholders that there is an ultimate need for this legislation. I am informed that staffing has not increased in Guam since after the 9/11 attacks. The CBP staffing pattern was sufficient, but as the number of tourists grows on Guam the lines have also grown and the staffing has not kept up with demand. Making the visitor entry process into ports of entry in Guam and CNMI electronic is part of the solution, but additional staffing is still required especially since nearly 50 percent of our visitors are first-time visitors and cannot avail themselves of Automated Passport Control (APC) systems. I am proud of the innovative programming that brings people from all over the world to Guam. For example last year, Guam hosted the Festival of the Pacific Arts (FestPac) a quadrennial cultural event for island nations in the Pacific, which is the largest gathering for Pacific peoples to unite and strengthen our cultural ties. Over 12,000 visitors, cultural performers, and native artists came to Guam to participate in FestPac, and I appreciated the commitment of former Commissioner R. Gil Kerlikowske to ensure there was adequate staffing at Guam International Airport. But that additional staffing was accomplished by approving extra overtime for employees which is a costly endeavor. Events like FestPac show the maturation and growth of Guam's tourism industry. Improving the processes and capabilities of our ports of entry to ensure a pleasant experience for our visitors is a top priority, and the solutions must be long-standing and sustainable. We cannot simply rely on overtime of employees to meet the current and emerging demands at our main international port of entry. An ESTA for the Guam-CNMI Visa Waiver Program is an innovative, sustainable, common-sense, and cost-saving technological solution that would save the federal government millions, improve the visitor experience for our tourists, and increase resources to improve CBP capabilities by freeing up important personnel capacity to effectively monitor real threats to our national security. An electronic system for travel authorization would ultimately modernize and improve a Visa Waiver Program that continues to benefit the people of Guam and CNMI. My bill would help ensure that federal policy enhances economic opportunities and development in our region instead of being an impediment

Ms. BORDALLO

Ms. BORDALLO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the contributions and achievements of the Batangas and Southern Tagalog Association (BASTA) of Guam to the Guam community for the past forty years. The small organization was established on July 16, 1977 as the Batangas Association by Eddie Espina, Rey Gonzalves, Marcy Manipol, and Ronnie Saludo. Over the past forty years, the group has worked hard to fulfill its mission as a non-profit, civic club promoting friendship and understanding among the Batanguenos community and other residents of Guam. The organization grew steadily over the years, and in 1984 the board opened its membership to embrace Filipinos in the club from surrounding provinces and soon became the Batangas and Southern Tagalog Association. BASTA membership is now open to a wider group of people from various islands in the Philippines including Batangas, Cavite, Laguna, Rizal, Aurora, Quezon, Palawan, Mindoro Occidental, Mindoro Oriental, Marinduque, and Romblon. Members of BASTA have chosen to make Guam their home and have positively contributed to the growth of Guam as educators, nurses, entrepreneurs, skilled workers, engineers, and every other profession. Over BASTA's forty years of service to Guam, the organization has contributed to many non-profit and charitable organizations. BASTA has given generously to causes such as the Guam Lytico-Bodig Association, American Red Cross, Catholic Social Services, Make-A-Wish Foundation, Alee Shelter, Guam Diabetes Association, American Cancer Society and many others. BASTA also contributes to many causes in the Philippines during times of need and natural disaster, and supporting education efforts through the building and maintenance of school facilities. A unique feature of BASTA is the youth branch of the organization. The BASTA Youth are made up of the children and young relatives of its members and are active in carrying out the mission of the organization. The BASTA Youth have raised funds to support the club through song and dance productions, which later morphed into what is now BASTA's annual Christmas caroling fundraising. BASTA has become a very popular group during the holiday season, performing their lively carols at venues across Guam to support their mission. I congratulate the Batangas and Southern Tagalog Association of Guam on the occasion of their 40th Anniversary of serving the people of Guam. I join the people of Guam in thanking them for their contributions to our island

Ms. BORDALLO

Ms. BORDALLO. Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor the life and legacy of my good friend and our former colleague from American Samoa, Congressman Eni Faleomavaega, who passed away on February 22, 2017. Throughout his 26 years here in the House of Representatives, Eni was a tireless champion for the people of American Samoa, an advocate for the U.S. territories, and leader on issues affecting the Asian American and Pacific Islander community. He was also a leader on the House Foreign Affairs Committee on issues important to the Asia-Pacific region. More importantly, he got leaders in Congress and in administration after administration to focus on the importance of the Pacific Islands. We are often overlooked in grand Asia strategy but he got policymakers to understand our importance to the world community. I am proud to have worked with Eni on a number of issues that impact the Asia-Pacific region and the 4.5 million Americans living in the territories. For much of my time here in Congress, Eni was the longest serving representative from a U.S. territory, so he was the Dean of what we refer to as our Territorial Caucus. I leaned on his advice and appreciated his insightful perspectives that were grounded in not only his almost three decades as a Member of Congress, but also his work in public service as American Samoa's Lieutenant Governor and Deputy Attorney General, as a staffer here on Capitol Hill, and service in the U.S. Army. He, like many Members in this body, fought hard to secure much needed federal funding for American Samoa. Eni had a broad vision but never forgot his constituents. He never forgot the people that gave him the privilege to serve in this esteemed body. His depth of knowledge and compassion for the less fortunate were evident to everyone he met, and I will look back fondly on the work that we did together in Congress. Eni's passing is a great loss for the people of American Samoa and all Americans, and we are all better for having known him. I extend my sincere condolences to his family, loved ones, and the people of American Samoa, and I join them in celebrating his memory. I thank my colleague from American Samoa, Congresswoman Radewagen for organizing this Special Order, so that this body can appropriately honor and pay tribute to Congressman Faleomavaega for his years of dedicated service to his constituents and to our nation. He is deeply missed, but he will forever be remembered by all who he served.

Ms. BORDALLO

Ms. BORDALLO. Mr. Speaker, today I am introducing legislation to amend the Organic Act of Guam to prohibit salary changes for the Governor of Guam, the Lieutenant Governor of Guam, and Senators of the Guam Legislature until after a general election of the Legislature has passed. During last year's election, the people of Guam made clear that they disapproved of salary changes made in previous years for the Governor, Lieutenant Governor, and members of our Legislature, and my bill would ensure that any changes to the salaries of our local elected officials are appropriately deliberated and considered consistent with how Congress handles these matters. The Organic Act of Guam establishes the framework of the Government of Guam but it is silent on provisions regarding changes in salary for the Governor, Lieutenant Governor, or members of the local Guam Legislature. Changes can be made and implemented at anytime simply by changing local law, and this has caused division in our community. Over the past several years, local policymakers and the people of Guam have debated pay increases that were proposed and instituted shortly after the 2014 general election. While I believe that these issues are up to local policymakers, and ultimately the people of Guam to decide, the Organic Act should provide safeguards regarding salaries for these elected officials that will prevent divisiveness in our community. The bill that I am introducing today would prevent the Governor, Lieutenant Governor, and Senators from increasing their salaries until after an intervening election of the Legislature has occurred. This is similar to the 27th Amendment to the Constitution that prohibits Members of Congress from increasing their pay until after an intervening election, and it is consistent with a request made by the Guam Legislature for me to introduce an amendment to the Organic Act for this purpose. This bill is a step towards improving accountability for elected officials in Guam and is consistent with public opinion in Guam and the views expressed by the Guam Legislature. I encourage its adoption and urge my colleague to pass this legislation.

Ms. BORDALLO

Ms. BORDALLO. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H.R. 1362 a bill to name the Department of Veterans Affairs community-based outpatient clinic in Pago Pago, American Samoa the Faleomavaega Eni Fa'aua'a Hunkin VA Clinic. This is a fitting way to honor the life and service of my good friend and colleague former Congressman Eni Faleomavaega of American Samoa. During his 26 years of service in the House of Representatives, Congressman Faleomavaega displayed unwavering commitment to addressing a wide range of issues affecting veterans in the Pacific. His focus on access to health care and veteran services in remote areas of the Pacific ensured that veterans had access to the critical resources and services they needed and deserved after serving their country. His efforts directly contributed to increasing the quality of life of veterans throughout the Pacific region. Naming the VA facility in Pago Pago in his honor is a tribute to his service and commitment to the veterans in the Pacific region. Congressman Faleomavaega's compassion for veterans can be attributed to his own service as an Army officer during the Vietnam conflict. Serving in this capacity gave him firsthand knowledge of the sacrifices servicemen make to protect our way of life. I deeply miss Eni's advice, friendship and compassion for veterans. His passing has created a void for all that have known him. On behalf of the people of Guam, I extend my condolences to his family and the people of American Samoa. Our lives are richer for knowing Eni. I also extend my appreciation to Congresswoman Radewagen in putting forward this legislation. It is a very appropriate way to memorialize an important part of Eni's work on behalf of the people of American Samoa. Un dangkulo na si Yu'os ma'ase (with deepest gratitude), Eni. You are deeply missed.

Ms. BORDALLO

Ms. BORDALLO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to include in the Record an opinion piece written by our former colleague, the gentleman from American Samoa, Mr. Eni F.H. Faleomavaega, who was the first Asian- Pacific American in U.S. history to serve as Chairman of the U.S. House of Representatives' Foreign Affairs' Subcommittee on Asia, the Pacific, and the Global Environment, which had broad jurisdiction for U.S. policy affecting the region, including Central Asia. Mr. Faleomavaega also founded the Congressional Caucus on Central Asia, and his work continues to influence the region today. In 1991, Kazakhstan gained its independence from the Soviet Union. For some 15 years, I have been honored to work closely with the government of Kazakhstan in various capacities--as a Member of the U.S. House of Representatives' Committee on Foreign Affairs; as Chairman of the Foreign Affairs' Subcommittee on Asia, the Pacific, and the Global Environment; as Ranking Member; and as founder of the Congressional Caucus on Central Asia. I am proud of Kazakshtan for the great progress it has made since independence, and I especially commend President Nursultan Nazarbayev for his leadership on nuclear non- proliferation. Upon inheriting the world's fourth largest nuclear arsenal and the world's second largest test site from the Soviet Union after its collapse, President Nazarbayev voluntarily chose to dismantle and disarm with the help of U.S. assistance. His act was both heroic and principled. For this, I have repeatedly called upon the Nobel Peace Prize Committee to recognize the deeds of President Nazarbayev as well as former Senators Sam Nunn and Richard Lugar, who co-authored the Cooperative Threat Reduction (CTR) program, which has contributed to world peace, in untold ways. While I have no illusions about whether or not we can bring about a nuclear-weapons free world, I do have some thoughts because, like Kazakhs, Pacific Islanders share a similar history. From 1946 to 1958, the United States used the Republic of the Marshall Islands--a Micronesian nation of atolls and islands in the middle of the Pacific Ocean--as its Cold War nuclear testing ground, detonating 66 nuclear weapons including the first hydrogen bomb, or Bravo shot, which was 1,000 times more powerful than the bomb dropped on Hiroshima. Acknowledged as the greatest nuclear explosion ever detonated, the Bravo test vaporized 6 islands and created a mushroom cloud 25 miles in diameter. The U.S. nuclear testing program in the Marshall Islands also set a precedent for France to use the islands of the Pacific for its own testing program after getting kicked out of Algeria where it conducted 17 nuclear tests from 1960- 1966. To this day, radioactive material is still seeping out of the Sahara desert as a result of French nuclear testing. Having been defeated in Algeria and emboldened by U.S. nuclear testing in the Pacific, France detonated approximately 218 nuclear devices in Moruroa and Fangataufa atolls in French Polynesia. Consequently, these islands also seep radioactive materials and are no longer inhabitable. This is why I share President Nazarbayev's vision, especially as Kazakhstan has just celebrated its 25 years of independence. My position regarding this matter is no different than the position the United States took during a joint meeting between President Obama and President Nazarbayev on April 11, 2010 when President Obama noted that ``the U.S. appreciates the leadership of President Nazrbayev and the contribution of Kazakhstan to nuclear disarmament and nonproliferation.'' My position is also no different than the stance taken by former President George H.W. Bush, who welcomed President Nazarbayev to the White House and his son, President George W. Bush, who also welcomed President Nazarbayev to the White House and declared our commitment ``to strengthen the long- term, strategic partnership and cooperation between our nations.'' I thank Kazakhstan for all it has done to re-shape the world, post Cold-War, and I stand with President Nazarbayev as he champions nuclear disarmament among possessor states and prevents proliferation to new states. In broader terms, I also commend Kazakhstan's Ambassador to the United States, H.E. Kairat Umarov for all he has done to strengthen the U.S.-Kazakhstan relationship. I have known him for nearly 15 years and I know firsthand of his tireless efforts to promote goodwill between Kazakhstan and the United States. His great work for and on behalf of our nations is deserving of inclusion in the Congressional Record for historical purposes, as his contributions are unparalleled. I also commend Mr. Roman Vassilenko who now serves as Deputy Foreign Minister and previously served as Chairman for the Committee for International Information of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Kazakhstan, and also as Counselor for the Embassy of Kazakhstan to the United States. Like Ambassador Umarov, I have known Deputy Foreign Minister Vassilenko for nearly 15 years. I have watched his career soar as he has put his talents to use for the Republic of Kazakhstan. His impact in communicating Kazakhstan's policies to its citizens and communicating its foreign policy to international audiences and governments through digital diplomacy has been nothing short of revolutionary. I also note the work of Mr. Aibek Nurbalin who I also met some 15 years ago when he worked as the Congressional Liaison for the Embassy of Kazakhstan to the United States, and later as Deputy Chief of Staff to the Secretary of State for the Republic of Kazakhstan. Mr. Nurbalin left no stone unturned in promoting the cause of Kazakhstan and in making certain that President Nazarbayev's policies and agenda were known and supported, especially in the U.S. Congress. I have known many diplomats during the course of my service as a Member of Congress. Never have I known diplomats who worked harder on behalf of the Republic of Kazakhstan than Ambassador Umarov, Deputy Foreign Minister Vassilenko, former Deputy Chief of Staff Aibek Nurbalin, Secretary of State Kanat Saudabayev, and current Foreign Minister Erlan Idrissov. It was often said that Roman and Aibek were the left leg and the right leg of my dear friend, Kanat Saudabayev, when he served as Kazakhtan's Ambassador to the United States. If they were the legs, Ambassador Umarov was his heart. And, current Foreign Minister Idrissov is to be fully commended for taking the U.S.-Kazakh relationship to the next level, and beyond. His service, like the service of Ambassador Umarov and Secretary Saudabayev, is also unmatched. On the occasion of the 25th anniversary of Kazakhstan's independence, I would be remiss if I did not publicly honor these outstanding diplomats for all they have done to help build an independent nation worthy of its place in the world community. I also cannot let this historic occasion pass by without once more commending President Nazarbayev for leading the way for a nuclear free world. As a Pacific Islander, it is my sincere hope that the world will follow his lead as we work together for this cause, which is good.

Ms. BORDALLO

Ms. BORDALLO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to include in the Record an opinion piece written by our former colleague, the gentleman from American Samoa, Mr. Eni F.H. Faleomavaega, who was the first Asian- Pacific American in U.S. history to serve as Chairman of the U.S. House of Representatives' Foreign Affairs' Subcommittee on Asia, the Pacific, and the Global Environment, which had broad jurisdiction for U.S. policy affecting the region, including Central Asia. Mr. Faleomavaega also founded the Congressional Caucus on Central Asia, and his work continues to influence the region today. 2016 marked the 25th anniversary of Uzbekistan's independence from the Soviet Union. For some 15 years, it has been my privilege to work closely with the government of Uzbekistan in various capacities--as a Member of the U.S. House of Representatives' Committee on Foreign Affairs; as Chairman of the Foreign Affairs' Subcommittee on Asia, the Pacific, and the Global Environment; as Ranking Member; and as founder of the Congressional Caucus on Central Asia. I am proud of Uzbekistan for the great progress it has made on its march to democracy, and I especially commend Uzbekistan on its recent presidential election as well as Mr. Shavkat Mirziyoyev on his victory. In an act that demonstrated Uzbekistan's commitment to a transparent process, Uzbekistan invited about 300 international observers, including a full-scale election observation team from the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), to monitor the election, which was held on December 4, 2016 upon the passing of the late President Islam Karimov who served as Uzbekistan's president since independence. While every government, including the United States, has room for improvement, I am pleased that Uzbekistan's first election upon the passing of President Karimov was carried out peacefully and in accordance with Uzbekistan's constitution. Following the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks on the United States until now, Uzbekistan and the United States have built a broad-based relationship. During U.S.-led operations in Afghanistan, Uzbekistan provided the use of a military base to serve as a hub for combat and humanitarian missions and, later, permitted the U.S. to move equipment and supplies through Uzbekistan to Afghanistan in support of U.S. troops. In the past 25 years, our relationship has also grown in other ways, including economically, politically, and strategically. In fact, Uzbekistan and the United States belong to a number of the same international organizations including the United Nations and the OSCE, as well as the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank. Uzbekistan is an observer to the World Trade Organization (WTO) and has attracted investment from Caterpillar, Coca-Cola, Lockheed Martin, Boeing, and so on. From firsthand experience, I know Uzbekistan's accomplishments have been fast-paced, and I have recognized those accomplishments in the Congressional Record for historical purposes. As Uzbekistan continues to excel, I am reminded of these words from the late President Karimov who said that the people of Uzbekistan are ``a creative people who deeply realize their identity, take pride of the fact that they live on sacred land and are the descendants of great ancestors, capable to subdue any peaks.'' Uzbekistan is a land more than 2,500 years old. Its history is rich and deep, spanning far beyond its brief encounter with the Soviet Union. Its leaders--then and now--have sought for security and stability at home and abroad. And so, I wish President Mirziyoyev well as he assumes his duties. I have every reason to believe he will succeed for and on behalf of the people of Uzbekistan who have put their hope in him, especially the youth and women, who showed up at the polls to support his candidacy. I thank my dear friends including Foreign Minister Abdulaziz Kamilov who previously served as Uzbekistan's Ambassador to the United States, and Senator Sodiq Safoyev who once served as Foreign Minister as well as former Ambassador to the United States and currently as Chairman of the Foreign Political Affairs Committee of the Senate of the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan. I commend them for their hard work in developing stronger U.S.-Uzbekistan relations, and for dedicating their lives in service to their country. I also commend Uzbekistan's Ambassador to the United States, H.E. Bakhtiyar Gulyamov, and Uzbekistan's former Ambassador to the United States, H.E. Ilhom Nematov, as well as the many other leaders in Uzbekistan who have contributed to building an independent nation. I join with the people of Uzbekistan in celebrating 25 years of independence, and it is my sincere hope that Uzbekistan, like all freedom-loving nations, will hold these truths to be self-evident--``that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.''