Madeleine Bordallo

Ms. BORDALLO

Ms. BORDALLO. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 3989) to authorize the Secretary of the Interior to conduct a special resource study to determine the suitability and feasibility of adding the Heart Mountain Relocation Center, in the State of Wyoming, as a unit of the National Park System.

Ms. BORDALLO

Ms. BORDALLO. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, H.R. 4438 was introduced by Representative Ciro Rodriguez from San Antonio, Texas. The bill would expand the boundaries of the San Antonio Missions National Historical Park and require a study of possible further additions. San Antonio Missions National Historical Park was established in 1978 to preserve, restore, and interpret four Spanish missions along the San Antonio River. H.R. 4438 would expand the current boundaries of the park to include 151 acres of land that has already been found suitable for addition to the park. The bill also would direct the NPS to study other lands that might be suitable for inclusion in the park boundaries in Bexar and Wilson Counties. The version before the House today does not include language that would have authorized the park to lease space outside the park for headquarters offices and an educational center. We have removed that provision to address PAYGO concerns. Mr. Speaker, Representative Rodriguez has been an excellent advocate for the many people in his district who hope to see this important and historic park grow and flourish. I commend his efforts, and I urge the House to support this excellent bill. I reserve the balance of my time.

Ms. BORDALLO. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on the bill under consideration.

Ms. BORDALLO

Ms. BORDALLO. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 4773) to authorize the Secretary of the Interior to lease certain lands within Fort Pulaski National Monument, and for other purposes.

Ms. BORDALLO. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on the bill under consideration.

Ms. BORDALLO. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.

Ms. BORDALLO. Mr. Speaker, H.R. 4773, introduced by Representative Jack Kingston of Georgia, would allow the National Park Service to lease a small facility at Fort Pulaski National Monument to the Savannah Bar Pilots Association. The pilots perform a vital public service, keeping the Savannah River and the harbor safe, and they have used this facility at Fort Pulaski for more than 40 years under a special use permit. H.R. 4773 would regularize that arrangement under a lease. Mr. Speaker, we urge support of H.R. 4773. I reserve the balance of my time.

Ms. BORDALLO

Ms. BORDALLO. Mr. Speaker, I yield 4 minutes to the gentleman from the CNMI, Congressman Sablan.

Ms. BORDALLO. I again urge the Members of Congress to support the bill. Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Ms. BORDALLO. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on the bill under consideration.

Ms. BORDALLO

Ms. BORDALLO. Mr. Speaker, I again urge Members to support the bill. I have no further requests for time, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Ms. BORDALLO

Ms. BORDALLO. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, H.R. 4514, introduced by Congressman Lacy Clay of Missouri, directs the National Park Service to study the suitability and feasibility of designating the Colonel Charles Young Home in Xenia, Ohio, as a unit of the National Park System. Colonel Charles Young was a distinguished African American officer in the U.S. Army during the late 1800s and early 1900s and the first African American to hold the rank of colonel. Young is also credited with being the first African American national park superintendent, when, as commander of the 10th Calvary, he was sent to protect the newly established Sequoia National Park and General Grant National Park in California. Through this study, the Park Service will thoroughly review the cultural and historical resources associated with the remarkable story of Colonel Young and determine how best to interpret his role in American history. So, Mr. Speaker, I commend Congressman Clay for his efforts to highlight the story of this great American, and I urge the House to support H.R. 4514. I reserve the balance of my time.

Ms. BORDALLO

Ms. BORDALLO. Mr. Speaker, H.R. 4973, the National Wildlife Refuge Volunteer Improvement Act, was introduced by our colleague from Maryland, Representative Frank Kratovil. The National Wildlife Refuge System encompasses a national network of public lands and waters set aside to conserve habitat and protect natural resources and, consequently, plays an integral role in our national network of Federal public lands. During these difficult economic times, the government has looked for efficient and practical solutions to lower costs while maintaining critical refuge systems services. The National Wildlife Refuge Volunteer Program serves this purpose. Last year, volunteers contributed to more than 1.5 million hours of support, the equivalent of nearly 750 full-time employees. This is better than $7 returned on each dollar invested. The pending measure would make the volunteer program permanent, establish a volunteer coordination strategy, and formalize a reporting schedule to ensure oversight and accountability. I commend Mr. Kratovil for his important work on behalf of this initiative, and I ask Members on both sides to support passage of this bill. I reserve the balance of my time.

Ms. BORDALLO

Ms. BORDALLO. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of the Senate amendments to H.R. 4899, the Supplemental Appropriations Act for 2010. This legislation is critically important to providing funding to our men and women in uniform who are serving in harm's way. However, this legislation also provides funding that is important to maintaining our strategic posture in the Pacific. The legislation contains $50 million in transfer authority of Department of Defense operation and maintenance funding to the Guam Port Improvement Enterprise Fund at the Maritime Administration. The $50 million in funding is critical for the Port of Guam, in consultation with the Maritime Administration, to begin necessary infrastructure improvements and modernization. The Port of Guam, on many occasions, has been identified as a potential chokepoint for the delivery of materials and supplies to support the realignment of military forces to Guam and sustain economic development on the island. Without these improvements the realignment of military forces to Guam would be severely delayed, add additional costs to future military construction and potentially harm our civilian economic development. Moreover, these improvements are needed to facilitate the requirements of being designated a strategic port, in fact America's most forward located strategic port in the Western Pacific. The funding for the Port of Guam in this bill marks an important and very positive step forward for the military build-up on Guam. I thank the Obama administration for their support and leadership on this matter. After Guam was overlooked for important Recovery Act funding, the administration acted after repeated calls by our office for funding for critical civilian infrastructure projects and requested the transfer authority. I also thank Congressman David Obey, Chairman of the House Committee on Appropriations; Congressman Norm Dicks, Chairman of the Subcommittee on Defense, and Congressman John Olver, Chairman of the Subcommittee on Transportation, Housing and Urban Development and Related Agencies, for their support of this provision.

Ms. BORDALLO

Ms. BORDALLO. Mr. Speaker, I rise to address the House regarding S.J. Res. 33, which the other body passed on June 17, 2010, and which relates to a proposed Constitution of the Virgin Islands of the United States adopted by the Fifth Constitutional Convention in the territory on May 26, 2009. This particular proposed Constitution was received by the House from the President of the United States with his comments earlier this year, and was read and referred to the Committee on Natural Resources. On March 17, 2010, I chaired an oversight hearing of the Subcommittee on Insular Affairs, Oceans and Wildlife for the purpose of receiving testimony about the proposed Constitution. Testimony was received from a representative of the United States Department of Justice and from leaders in the Virgin Islands, including the Governor and the President of and five other Delegates seated to the Fifth Constitutional Convention. Witnesses addressed both the drafting and review process for the proposed Constitution as well as its substance. Most importantly, witnesses emphasized the meaning that the drafting and adoption of a constitution by and for the people of the Virgin Islands holds for our democracy and for an increased level of self-government for them. An Act of the 94th Congress codified in Title 48 of the United States Code provides for a Congressional review process for any proposed and locally drafted Constitution for either the Virgin Islands or Guam. Both territories are the only organized jurisdictions presently under the U.S. Flag for which local government is not organized pursuant to a locally drafted and adopted Constitution. Indeed, a principal purpose of the Act of the 94th Congress, U.S. Public Law 94-584, which governs this process, was to enable the people of both territories to organize a government pursuant to a Constitution of their own adoption and structured in accordance with their vision. Absent such a locally adopted Constitution, the governments of the Virgin Islands and Guam have been organized by and derive legitimacy from separate Acts of Congress, which for all intents and purposes serve as de facto Constitutions for the respective territories. These statutes are the Revised Organic Act of 1954 for the Virgin Islands, which superseded the Organic Act of 1936, and the Organic Act of 1950 for Guam. The people of the Virgin Islands have duly elected five Constitutional Conventions since the enactment of the Revised Organic Act of 1954. Two Conventions in the Virgin Islands were convened prior to the enactment of U.S. Public Law 94-584--in 1964 and 1972, respectively--and three since--in 1978, 1980, and the most recent, the fifth such Convention convened in 2007. Positive steps toward increased self-government for the people of the Virgin Islands were realized as a result of the work of the 1964 and 1972 conventions, including an amendment by Congress to the Revised Organic Act that allowed for the Governor of the Virgin Islands to be chosen by popular election beginning in 1965. The work of the third and fourth conventions resulted in transmittals of whole proposed Constitutions to the Congress, and similarly served as a continued exercise of and toward greater self-government for the people of the Virgin Islands. In 1977, one year following the enactment of U.S. Public Law 94-584, a Constitutional Convention was convened in Guam and composed of Delegates elected by the people of Guam. The particular proposed Constitution drafted by that Convention was not ultimately adopted by the people of Guam. Discussion arose then among the voters and leaders of Guam about whether approval of local constitutional government in Guam might preclude or be prejudicial to the exercise of their right to self-determination, and efforts in subsequent years were concentrated predominately on resolving the territory's ultimate political status. The Fifth Constitutional Convention of the Virgin Islands marks another point in the continued journey of the people of the Virgin Islands toward increased self-governance and their commitment to a democratic form of government. The President noted such in his comments to Congress on this most recent, proposed Constitution. While certain legal questions have been raised regarding several of its features that are noted in the President's comments, the proposed Constitution in and of itself represents significant effort and work undertaken by leaders in the Virgin Islands dedicated to their community and to our democracy. I commend the leadership that our colleague, Mrs. Christensen, has brought to bear in this process and in all issues pertaining to governance in the territories. This body is now considering a measure that the Senate has sent to us. I would be remiss if I did not note the implications for my district, Guam. As leaders in Guam may in the future decide to again take up the work to draft and adopt a Constitution locally, it is important that Congress remain cognizant of and open to such opportunity. S.J. Res. 33 proposes to amend the underlying statutory scheme governing such a process to allow for formal revision of a proposed Constitution after it has been initially transmitted to the President and Congress. In doing so, it requires a reconvened Constitutional Convention to resubmit a proposed Constitution in any form it may so revise it to the Governor of the Virgin Islands and the President. In amending Section 5 of U.S. Public Law 94-584 for this purpose, S.J. Res. 33 would separate and designate as separate subsections the existing four sentences of such Section. Additionally, it would insert a new subsection (c) in the middle of the existing language to provide for the resubmitting requirement. However, the proposed amendment of the Senate would only insert a reference to the Governor of the Virgin Islands in this instance despite the fact the underlying statute is structured such that the process is to apply both to the Virgin Islands and Guam, respectively. Revisiting this language may become important should leaders in Guam at any point in the future again convene a Constitutional Convention. Ultimately, it is important for Congress to remain responsive to and supportive of leaders in both territories as they work to advance local self-government and provide for the rule of law.

Ms. BORDALLO

Ms. BORDALLO. Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of H. Res. 1464, recognizing the 50th anniversary of the conclusion of the United States-Japan Treaty of Mutual Cooperation and Security and expressing appreciation to the Government of Japan and the Japanese people for enhancing peace, prosperity, and security in the Asia-Pacific region. I thank Chairman Eni Faleomavaega and Chairwoman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen for their leadership in developing this legislation. The treaty ushered in an era of greater political and economic cooperation between our two great nations. The treaty's signing in 1960 transformed the alliance between the United States and Japan and has allowed both nations to enjoy 50 years of increased economic prosperity and promoted mutual security interests for the Asia-Pacific region. Since the enactment of the Treaty, the United States and Japan have become two of the world's largest and most productive economies as both nations have benefited from their trade relationship. Further, the longstanding forward presence of the U.S. Armed Forces in Japan has provided the deterrence capabilities necessary to ensure regional stability. Increased exchanges between our countries like the U.S.- Japan Legislative Exchange Program have fostered a greater understanding and respect between our two legislative bodies. In the 21st century, this strong partnership with Japan will continue to evolve. Most evident is our security relationship which is undergoing change. The 2006 United States-Japan Roadmap for Realignment Implementation outlines major realignment of military forces in Japan. The establishment of a new Futenma Replacement Facility is the lynchpin to realigning 8,600 Marines and their dependents from Okinawa, Japan to Guam. The commitments of the Roadmap have since been reaffirmed by U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton and former Japanese Foreign Minister Hirofumi Nakasone. The realignment of military forces underscores the continuing importance of the security relationship between our two nations. It also symbolizes the importance of more strategically aligning our forces in the Asia-Pacific region to meet current and emerging threats. The relationship between our two nations will only continue to grow. Beyond the realignment of forces I believe our two nations can partner to provide greater leadership in the region, more opportunities for green technology in the Pacific islands, jointly combat piracy on the high-seas, and continue to invest in this important part of the world. For those reasons and more, I believe H. Res. 1464 recognizes and encourages these important aspects of U.S.-Japanese relations and will assist in continuing our mutually beneficial relationship for decades to come.

Ms. BORDALLO

Ms. BORDALLO. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the service and sacrifice of United States Army Sergeant Joshua Akoni Sablan Lukeala. SGT Lukeala served in the 101st Airborne Division's Air Assault team based out of Fort Campbell, Kentucky, and on June 9, 2010, SGT Lukeala passed away in support of Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan. He was 23 years old. SGT Lukeala was born on February 19, 1987, to Anthony and Dorothy Lukeala of Yigo, Guam. The son of a retired Army veteran and Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps instructor, SGT Lukeala's career began with the JROTC at Simon Sanchez High School where he excelled as an expert marksman. In 2005, he enlisted in the U.S. Army soon after his high school graduation. He was deployed to Iraq under the Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division in 2007, and during his deployment, SGT Lukeala was wounded by an improvised explosive device that detonated nearby while on foot patrol. The force of the blast caused SGT Lukeala to suffer partial hearing loss, and he was later awarded the Purple Heart in recognition of his service in Iraq. Although he sustained injuries during his previous tour in Iraq, SGT Lukeala continued his service to our nation with the 101st Airborne Division in support of operations in Afghanistan. His commitment to the cause of freedom and to serving our nation on multiple tours of duty is to be commended. On June 9, 2010, SGT Lukeala paid the ultimate sacrifice in answering the call of duty, and I join our community in mourning the loss of SGT Lukeala and, on behalf of a grateful nation, I offer condolences to his wife, Deniece Nave Lukeala; his daughter; his parents, Anthony and Dorothy Lukeala; his brother, Anthony Keoni Lukeala; and to his many family and friends. We will never forget the sacrifice SGT Lukeala made for our freedom. May God bless the family and friends of SGT Joshua Akoni Sablan Lukeala, God bless Guam, and God bless the United States of America.

Ms. BORDALLO

Ms. BORDALLO. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of House Resolution 1330, introduced by my colleague Mr. Sam Farr of California. The Resolution calls upon the United States to recognize World Oceans Day, where we pay tribute to the oceans for what it provides and recognize our duty to protect, conserve, maintain, and rebuild our ocean and its resources so it may continue to be enjoyed by future generations. As the Chairwoman of the Subcommittee on Insular Affairs, Oceans and Wildlife, I fully support House Resolution 1330, which brings attention to the importance of our world's oceans in our cultural, social, economic and scientific life. Since 1992, the world has celebrated World Oceans Day, with the first celebrated at the Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro. This year's theme, ``Oceans of Life,'' is fitting as our oceans contain great biodiversity that sustain our human population. The people in my home district of Guam fully understand the significance of our oceans. As an island community in the Western Pacific, our economy relies on the natural beauty of our beaches to support our tourism industry. Understanding that our beaches allow both residents and tourists to engage in recreational activities, the people of Guam remain responsible environmental stewards. The oceans surrounding Guam, which continue to sustain life on the island, are a central part of Chamorro culture. This appreciation of the ocean by all of Guam's residents is rooted in an understanding that it is important to protect our natural resources, which include our coral reefs, fish and marine life. Unfortunately, the health of our oceans is threatened at all levels. From climate change affecting our ocean's biodiversity to the most recent oil disaster in the Gulf Coast, we must continue to work to address these issues so that future generations are able to experience the educational, recreational and economic benefits of our world's oceans. With that, I ask all my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to support House Resolution 1330, recognizing World Ocean Day.

Ms. BORDALLO

Ms. BORDALLO. I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on the bill under consideration.

Ms. BORDALLO. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 1061) to transfer certain land to the United States to be held in trust for the Hoh Indian Tribe, to place land into trust for the Hoh Indian Tribe, and for other purposes, as amended.

Ms. BORDALLO

Ms. BORDALLO. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.

Ms. BORDALLO. Mr. Speaker, in closing, I want to go on record to say that I agree with the gentlewoman from Florida that this oil spill is a tragedy. I will work very closely with our chairman, Mr. Nick Rahall, to ensure that the laws are changed to prevent such a disaster in the future. Mr. Speaker, I again urge Members to support this resolution.

Ms. BORDALLO. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Ms. BORDALLO. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. I rise in support of House Resolution 518. It's a resolution to honor the life and achievements of Jacques-Yves Cousteau, introduced by my good friend from Florida, Ileana Ros-Lehtinen. Mr. Cousteau spent his lifetime as a researcher, explorer, and pioneer in the field of marine conservation. He produced more than 120 films, wrote more than 50 books, and was the first diver to take color footage at a depth over 150 feet. Mr. Cousteau's work brought the colorful, exotic, and unknown world of undersea life to the homes of people around the world and, in doing so, sparked a generation of conservation-minded ocean activists. The Cousteau Society for the Protection of Ocean Life, founded by Cousteau in 1973, today boasts more than 360,000 members globally. House Resolution 518 would officially honor the brilliant and inspirational work of Jacques-Yves Cousteau and recognize his invaluable contributions to our understanding of the world's oceans. It is most fitting that we honor him today, Mr. Speaker, because today is World Oceans Day. With that, I ask Members on both sides of the aisle to support the passage of this resolution. I reserve the balance of my time.

Ms. BORDALLO. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on the resolution under consideration.