Madeleine Bordallo

Ms. BORDALLO

Ms. BORDALLO. Madam Speaker, the risks of climate change and climate variability are well-documented and under certain circumstances threaten public safety, national security, industry and the economy, natural resource management, and our American way of life. As these risks increase and become more known, we are all challenged with how to strategically respond and adapt to an unpredictable climate. Just as my constituents in Guam face uncertainty over how to respond to rising sea levels and the increasing frequency and ferocity of cyclonic storms, such as typhoons, each state and territory of our great Nation faces their own challenges in adapting to climate change. Without reliable climate information and tools to project climate impacts, it is difficult for any government to make informed and strategic decisions. Strong leadership, better coordination, more exchanges of information, and a new approach to federal climate services are required to strategically and cost-effectively manage public and private resources in this dynamic environment. H.R. 2685, the Climate and Ocean Research and Coordination Act of 2009, which I have introduced today, addresses these needs by providing specific authority to enhance the leadership role of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) in the delivery of oceanic, weather, atmospheric, and climate services, and for the first time, establishes a cooperative governmental and non-governmental partnership to advance the ability of the federal government and the public to respond to, adapt to, and plan for climate change and climate change impacts. Title I of this legislation codifies NOAA, enabling it to better execute its diverse responsibilities, and formalizes its role as the link between global oceanic and atmospheric research science, and the functions, processes, ecosystems, and management of our coastal and ocean resources. Title II establishes a public-private National Climate Enterprise (NCE), comprised of federal and non-federal partners to provide scientifically-based, authoritative, timely, and useful climate and climate impacts information, products, and services to meet end- user needs and guide climate change adaptation and mitigation. Coping with the uncertainties raised by climate change will be one of our Nation's most serious challenges in the foreseeable future. Credible, reliable, and usable climate information will be fundamental toward determining our success in confronting this risk to our economy, society, and environment. Now is the time for the Congress to both codify NOAA and establish a coordinated, public-private National Climate Enterprise to ensure that our national efforts to mitigate climate impacts will be guided by the best available scientific information. I look forward to working with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle, and especially with my colleagues on the Committee on Science and Technology which shares oversight responsibility for NOAA with the Committee on Natural Resources, to advance this legislation and to strengthen the abilities of the federal government and the public to better understand our dynamic climate and respond to, adapt to, and plan for climate change impacts.

Ms. BORDALLO

Ms. BORDALLO. Madam Speaker, today I have introduced a bill, H.R. 2680, to amend the Social Security Act to provide for parity in the Medicaid program for Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI), and American Samoa. This bill, entitled the ``Territorial Health Parity Act of 2009,'' would amend the Social Security Act to eliminate the federal funding caps now in place and to strike the statutorily set Federal Medicaid Assistance Percentage (FMAP) of 50% that currently applies to all the territories. This bill would ensure that each of the territories, like each of the 50 states, receives an FMAP that accurately reflects its economic conditions and demographics. In addition, because certain data needed to determine the true FMAP rates for the territories is presently lacking from the Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA), this bill would direct the Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services to take steps to ensure that the FMAP rates for the territories are calculated in a fair and appropriate manner. It is clear from all the evidence that the federal funding caps and the FMAP set in statute at 50% (which applies solely to the territories) have created significant health disparities between residents of the territories and their fellow citizens residing in the 50 states. Additionally, this policy has resulted in the territorial governments shouldering a disproportionately high financial liability when it comes to providing health care services to their indigent populations. Treating the territories in such fashion is as unjust in principle as it is harmful in effect. The bill I have introduced today, along with my colleagues from the territories, is needed as Congress continues the debate over comprehensive health care reform. Based on a report released last year by the Office of Insular Affairs, within the Department of the Interior, the territories' health jurisdictions are ``at the crossroads of a total breakdown.'' Combined with the financial state of the territorial governments, operating under decreasing revenues due to an economic downturn, the territories must bear a majority of the payment for indigent care under the current arrangements. Accordingly, eliminating the funding caps and adjusting the FMAPs for the territories are both critically important to public health in these U.S. jurisdictions. Additionally there is a provision in this bill that extends the Medicaid program to the citizens of the Freely Associated States (FAS), which is comprised of the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM), the Republic of the Marshall Islands (RMI) and the Republic of Palau (RoP). The FAS governments have special relationships with the United States, as they entered into Compacts of Free Association that have been approved by the Congress of the United States. One component of these international, federally-negotiated agreements, allows for the unrestricted entry of citizens of the FAS to the United States, including the territories, without visas. Many FAS citizens have settled in the Pacific territories of Guam and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands. They also constitute a significant and growing presence in the states of Hawaii and Arkansas. This section of the bill is important as it extends federal Medicaid coverage to them and would set an FMAP for otherwise qualified services rendered by the states and territories to them at 100%. This change in law would ensure that the territorial and state governments do not shoulder the sole costs of providing care for these citizens. I believe that this provision is consistent with the intent of the Medicaid program and provides for health equity to a disenfranchised population. This bill represents policy for which I and my colleagues from the territories--Mr. Pierluisi of Puerto Rico, Mrs. Christensen of the Virgin Islands, Mr. Sablan of the Northern Mariana Islands, and Mr. Faleomavaega of American Samoa--have collaborated. We are grateful for the support that we have received from Mr. Serrano, who joins us as an original co-sponsor. Each of us and our predecessors has worked on improving the federal Medicaid program for the territories. This bill is to serve as starting point for advancing parity in treatment for the territories, with respect to the national health care reform debate. There are other areas of federal law that need to be amended in order to improve public health in the territories and to bring full parity. These include, for example, amendments to law governing Medicare Part D and the Supplemental Security Income Program (SSI). We look forward to working with the leaders in the House of Representatives and the Senate, and the Chairmen and Ranking Members of the committees of jurisdiction in both chambers in advancing legislation addressing these issues, including the bill we have introduced today.

Ms. BORDALLO

Ms. BORDALLO. Madam Speaker, I rise today to commend the Guam Animals in Need, GAIN, organization for their service to our community and for their leadership in a recent effort to rescue greyhounds. After a greyhound race track closed on Guam, GAIN led efforts to rescue the greyhounds by finding caring owners on island to adopt the abandoned dogs, and by helping to transport the majority of the greyhounds to shelters in the mainland. Chartered in 1989, GAIN is a non-profit organization dedicated to preventing cruelty toward animals and to providing shelter for animals in need. GAIN's efforts have also included educating our community on animal welfare. In 2001, GAIN expanded its services by assuming management and operation of our island's animal shelter. GAIN has led numerous initiatives over the years to improve animal welfare on Guam. It has been instrumental in taking stray animals off the streets and reducing the number of stray animals through the annual Spay Neuter Assistance Program, operated by visiting and local veterinarians and volunteers. This program has resulted in the sterilization of over 3,500 dogs and cats. GAIN also successfully partnered with local businesses and community organizations to provide support through the Adopt a Kennel project. These businesses and organizations are recognized with a sign placed on their sponsored kennel. Furthermore, GAIN has facilitated the adoption of thousands of animals by caring pet owners through their Shelter Adoption Program. GAIN recently received national attention resulting from their efforts to help over two hundred greyhounds that needed homes after the sudden closure of the greyhound race track on Guam. For several months after the track's closure, GAIN rescued abandoned greyhounds in villages and remote areas. The organization and its members cared for these greyhounds and searched for responsible pet owners in our community to adopt them. GAIN worked with the management of the former race track to address the large number of greyhounds needing adoptive homes. GAIN partnered with mainland greyhound advocacy groups to help rescue the greyhounds on Guam, including the Greyhound Protection League; Home Stretch Greys; North Coast Greyhound; and Greyhound Friends of Massachusetts. Continental Airlines contributed to this effort by providing discounted air fares to transport some greyhounds on flights to the mainland. The greyhound rescue effort was a significant and combined effort for Guam's animal welfare community. Under GAIN' s leadership, non-profit organizations and community groups worked together to provide care and medical services to the greyhounds. As a result of GAIN's efforts, to date, 136 greyhounds have been successfully relocated to shelters and homes in the mainland and 23 greyhounds have been adopted in local homes. This rescue effort continues as GAIN and its volunteers work to locate the remaining abandoned greyhounds and to find homes for all the dogs from the former race track. I commend the Guam Animals In Need organization for their service to our community and for their commitment to caring for animals on Guam.

Ms. BORDALLO

Ms. BORDALLO. Madam Speaker, I have introduced today legislation that will extend the Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits program to American Samoa, Guam, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Specifically, this legislation would amend Section 303 of the Social Security Amendments of 1972 to make qualified residents of American Samoa, Guam, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands eligible to receive supplemental security income. The Supplemental Security Income program assures a minimum cash income to all aged, blind, or disabled persons. Section 301 of the Social Security Amendments of 1972 established the Supplemental Security Income benefits program and ended matching grant programs to the 50 states and the District of Columbia for assistance to aged, blind, and disabled individuals. It is important to note that the House bill in 1972 included the territories under the proposed SSI program, but the final bill did not include that provision. SSI was extended to the Northern Mariana Islands in 1976, while American Samoa, Guam, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands remain under the old matching grant programs with limited Federal funding. Territorial governments currently receive non-entitlement, federal- state grants under Title I (Grants to States for Old-Age Assistance for the Aged); Title X (Grants to the States for Aid to the Blind); Title XIV (Aid to the Permanently and Totally Disabled); and Title XVI (Grants to the States for Aid to the Aged, Blind and Disabled) of the Social Security Act for programs designed to assist the needy, aged, blind, and disabled. Residents of American Samoa, Guam, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands who would otherwise qualify for SSI benefits are shortchanged under the current Aid to the Aged, Blind, or Disabled (AABD) Program where the federal payment is $637 per individual compared with an average payment under the AABD program on Guam being $100. American Samoa is at a greater disadvantage, receiving no AABD funds. The legislation which I have introduced today would bring uniformity and fairness in annual payments by the federal government for all eligible persons residing in the 50 states, the District of Columbia and the territories under the SSI program and is one step in ensuring equity in Federal health programs for the territories. I look forward on working with my colleagues to advance this bill.

Ms. BORDALLO

Ms. BORDALLO. Madam Speaker, today I introduced legislation to amend the Public Health Service Act for the purposes of providing the resources necessary for the Department of Health and Human Services to survey the health of Native Hawaiians and other Pacific Islanders (NHOPI). Specifically, the bill I have introduced today would amend Part B of Title III of the Public Health Service Act to authorize the award of a contract or grant by the Secretary of Health and Human Services for the express purpose of developing a health survey targeting Native Hawaiians and other Pacific Islanders residing in the United States and the Freely Associated States in the Pacific Region. In 1997, the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) revised federal data collection standards to recognize the significant demographic, historical, cultural, and ethnic differences that exist between Native Hawaiians and other Pacific Islanders and Asian Americans. These important distinctions are not simply cultural or historical, but also encompass unique health and socio-economic challenges among the different populations. The standard requires that Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander data be collected, disaggregated and reported separately from Asian American data by all federal agencies no later than January 1, 2003. As of 2007, however, not all federal agencies are in full compliance with OMB Revised Directive 15. In the places where limited agency data do exist, they are not made publicly available or it takes years to release. On a national level, the sample size of the NHOPI population in studies and reports is not represented because of a lack of data-- resulting in meaningful information and statistics being unavailable to health organizations, federal, state, territorial and local agencies and policymakers. Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander communities are eager to move forward with their efforts to improve public health. This scientific survey would establish baseline health information to inform health policy and interventions so that individual and community health can be properly tracked and evaluated. Additionally, it would provide critical information for both NHOPI communities' health care providers and organizations that work with these communities to develop appropriate health care strategies for public health education and resources. I look forward on working with my colleagues in addressing this need and advancing the larger cause of eliminating health disparities.

Ms. BORDALLO

Ms. BORDALLO. Mr. Chair, today I have been granted an official leave of absence by the House of Representatives and am in my district attending to official business. As such, I am unable to cast my votes in the Committee of the Whole House on the State of the Union on amendments to H.R. 627, the Credit Cardholders' Bill of Rights Act of 2009. If I were present for these votes, I would vote as follows and ask that the Record reflect these positions: ``no'' on the amendment offered by Ms. Slaughter of New York (rollcall vote 225) and ``aye'' on the amendment offered by Mrs. Maloney of New York (rollcall vote 226).

Ms. BORDALLO

Ms. BORDALLO. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the life and public service of the Honorable Carlos Pangelinan Taitano, a distinguished resident of Guam who passed away on March 25, 2009. Carlos served our nation and the people of Guam as an officer in the United States Army, a community leader, businessman, attorney, Assemblyman in the Guam Congress, Senator in the 3rd Guam Legislature and Speaker of the 8th Guam Legislature. Born on March 14, 1917 to Jose San Nicolas and Dolores P. Taitano of Hagatna, Carlos attended elementary and middle school on Guam. He subsequently moved to Hawaii to attend high school. After his high school graduation from McKinley High School in Hawaii, Carlos enrolled in the University of Hawaii where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Chemistry in 1941. After graduation from the University of Hawaii, he was hired by the Honolulu Police Department as an Assistant Chemist. At the onset of World War II Carlos joined the United States Army and was commissioned as an officer. He participated in the campaign to liberate the Philippines. After the war, he was assigned to Fort Ruger, Hawaii and Fort Meade, Maryland. It was during the latter posting in Maryland that he married Marian Agueda Johnston. Carlos and Marian returned to Guam in 1947, and in 1948 he was elected to the Guam Congress as an Assemblyman. Carlos was an advocate for United States citizenship for the Chamorro people who had endured a brutal enemy occupation. He famously organized a walkout by the Guam Congress on March 5, 1949 to call attention to Guam's quest for a civilian government to replace the post-war Naval government. He fed news of the walkout to the national media, and coverage of this event in national newspapers helped to raise awareness about the plight of the Chamorro people. This event gave momentum to Congressional efforts to pass the Organic Act of Guam in 1950 which granted United States citizenship to the Chamorros on Guam and established a civilian government. He was the only Chamorro in attendance at the White House signing ceremony of the Organic Act of Guam on August 1, 1950 by President Harry S. Truman. Carlos was accepted to the law program at Georgetown University in Washington, D.C. where he graduated with a Juris Doctor degree in 1953. While at Georgetown University, Carlos participated in activities with the Guam community in the National Capital area and was instrumental in founding the Guam Territorial Society to promote Guam and our Chamorro culture. In 1953 Carlos returned to Guam and helped to establish the Territorial Party of Guam, which later became the Republican Party of Guam. He was elected to the 3rd Guam Legislature in 1954. After serving one term in the Legislature, Carlos returned to his business interests which included the Micronesian Village, a gift shop featuring Micronesian and Chamorro arts and crafts. In the mid-1960s Carlos became the President and General Manager of Guam's Coca-Cola Bottling Company, a position he held for six years. Carlos reentered public service in 1965 and was elected to the 8th Guam Legislature. He was selected by his colleagues to serve as Speaker, an honor that recognized his many contributions to Guam's political development. Under his leadership, the 8th Guam Legislature urged the United States Congress to expand self-governance for the people of Guam by amending the Organic Act to authorize the direct election of the Governor of Guam and to provide a Delegate to Congress. Carlos' vision for self-governance was passed by the 90th Congress in 1968 for the elected Governor and by the 92nd Congress in 1972 for the Delegate to Congress. Carlos contributed his time and resources to civic organizations and government boards throughout his life to help improve our community. His civic contributions included notable service as the first president of the Guam Bar Association, past president of the Rotary Club of Guam, past chairman of the Guam Memorial Hospital Authority Board of Trustees, and past president of the Reserve Officers Association of Guam. Throughout his life, Carlos promoted the preservation and celebration of the Chamorro culture. He was among the first authors of plays and pageants depicting Chamorro epic tales, and he wrote essays calling attention to the need to do more to promote the Chamorro language and culture. He encouraged cultural groups to perform chants and dances that depicted Chamorro culture in the pre-contact era. He helped to found Pa'a Taotao Tano', an organization of cultural performers and their supporters who are dedicated to preserving a more authentic portrayal of Chamorro culture in song and dance. He promoted indigenous culture and pride at a time when Guam was undergoing many social and economic changes, and his voice reminded us then as now of the importance of the Chamorro culture to our people and to our nation. The people of Guam will always remember Speaker Carlos Pangelinan Taitano as a visionary leader who was proud of his Chamorro heritage. He served our nation and our island as a soldier and statesman and his contributions will always be appreciated and remembered. I join the people of Guam in extending our sympathy to Marian Taitano and to their children, Linda, Carl and Tyrone and their extended family. Speaker Carlos P. Taitano was a leader and public servant who inspired us in many ways and we honor his contributions to our island community and to our nation.

Ms. BORDALLO

Ms. BORDALLO. Madam Speaker, today I have introduced two bills to increase the percentage of clean water state revolving loan funds and drinking water state revolving loan funds annually reserved for American Samoa, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI), Guam, and the Virgin Islands under the Federal Water Pollution Control Act and the Safe Drinking Water Act respectively. The effect of these bills would be, if enacted, to increase by approximately 50% the amounts of federal funding awarded by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) annually under these state revolving loan funds to each of the governments of these territories to help them finance critical water and wastewater infrastructure projects. I am joined by my colleagues from the territories, Mr. Faleomavaega of American Samoa, Mrs. Christensen of the Virgin Islands, and Mr. Sablan of the Northern Mariana Islands, in introducing these two bills. H.R. 1889 would amend the Federal Water Pollution Control Act with respect to the Clean Water State Revolving Fund and H.R. 1890 would amend the Safe Drinking Water Act with respect to the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund. These bills help ensure that all Americans, including our constituents, enjoy access to clean and safe drinking water. Specifically, H.R. 1889 and H.R. 1890 would require the reservation of one half of a percent of amounts made available each fiscal year for grants to the states and territories under both revolving funds. Currently, the four territories are limited by statute to a third of a percent of total funding, meaning that they actually receive less on a per capita basis than a number of states. This inequity persists in spite of the fact that the territories have some of the most severe needs for federal assistance for clean water and drinking water infrastructure projects. With respect to the Pacific territories, the USEPA generally estimates that over 25% of the population lacks access to sanitary drinking water. That figure is a mere 0.6% nationwide. Furthermore, federal courts have ruled that the territories' water and wastewater systems are in non-compliance with federal laws and regulations and have ordered a wide range of improvements and upgrades. However, the territorial governments are currently challenged in financing these court-ordered projects as a result of budget shortfalls and declining revenues associated with the economic downturn. As a result, the territorial governments remain, in certain cases, unable to comply with the court mandates without risking bankruptcy. In sum, the very regions of the United States that have the direst need for assistance in financing water and wastewater infrastructure are limited by federal law to a diminutive fraction of a percent of total funding. In contrast, each state is guaranteed under the Federal Water Pollution Control Act and the Safe Drinking Water Act to receive each fiscal year no less than a full one percent of total funding irrespective of need or population. Madam Speaker, raising the cap on funding made available to assist the territories from a third of a percent to one-half a percent would be a significant step toward fulfilling critical needs for new infrastructure in the territories. A one-half of a percent funding level is consistent with funding set-asides for the territories under other laws enacted by Congress governing formula grant programs. Finally, because the states are each guaranteed a minimum level of funding as opposed to the ceiling set on the territories, these bills will not significantly impact funding made available to help finance projects in the rest of the United States. In effect, raising the cap from a third of a percent to a half a percent involves less than five one-thousandths of one percent of the federal budget. It would, however, have a tangible and measurable impact on the health and quality of life for hundreds of thousands of American citizens and nationals residing in the territories. Madam Speaker, I urge a thorough review of this issue and these bills by the committees of jurisdiction.

Ms. BORDALLO

Ms. BORDALLO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of the passage of H.R. 1804, the Federal Retirement Reform Act of 2009 in the House of Representatives. The passage of this bill in the House marks an important step towards reducing the ``widow's tax'' that currently denies surviving family members the full payment of their Survivor Benefit Plan (SBP). If enacted, Title II of H.R. 1804 would increase the monthly payments under the Special Survivor Indemnity Allowance to surviving spouses or former spouses of deceased service members who were denied the full amount of their annuity under the SBP due to an offset requirement by the Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). This benefit will help thousands of military widows and more than a million current servicemembers and federal civilian employees. I commend Representative Ike Skelton of Missouri and Chairman of the House Armed Services Committee as well as Representative Ed Towns of New York and Chairman of the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform for their working together to strike a compromise on this important provision in H.R. 1804. I will continue to work with my colleagues on the House Armed Services Committee to find ways to reduce the burden on widows of our nation's servicemembers. The compromise struck in this legislation is a major step forward and we need to continue to find ways to ensure that the servicemembers' widows receiving the full and fair annuity to which they are entitled under the SBP.

Ms. BORDALLO

Ms. BORDALLO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of passage of House Concurrent Resolution 55 a resolution recognizing the 30th anniversary of the Taiwan Relations Act. The Taiwan Relations Act's passage in 1979 marked an important law that allowed for continued cultural and economic relations with the people of Taiwan. The resolution we are considering, H. Con. Res. 55, reasserts Congressional intent on this very important relationship. The Taiwan Relations Act helped the United States continue to foster a greater partnership that has resulted in economic benefits and stability for both of our people and that has contributed to peace and prosperity in the Asia-Pacific region. I appreciate the partnership that the people of Taiwan have with the people of Guam. The Director General of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office on Guam, Mr. Vince Tsai, has been a valuable member of our island community and I appreciate his office's continued involvement with our local community in many social, business and civic activities. I also want to thank my good friend Congresswoman Shelley Berkley from Nevada for introducing this resolution and for her continued interest in Asian-Pacific affairs. I believe that this resolution will continue to encourage and foster the friendship and beneficial relationship between the people of the United States and the people of Taiwan, as the Taiwan Relations Act envisioned thirty years ago.

Ms. BORDALLO

Ms. BORDALLO. Madam Speaker, today I have reintroduced a bill that would amend the Radiation Exposure Compensation Act, RECA, to include Guam in the list of affected areas for claims regarding and relating to atmospheric testing of nuclear weapons. My bill addresses a serious concern about the downwind affects of such testing that was conducted by the United States Government in the Marshall Islands from 1946 through 1962. This is an issue that concerns many of my constituents, and the bill I have reintroduced today would provide an avenue for redress and compensation for any illnesses that may have been contracted by individuals who resided on Guam during the testing period. On April 27, 2005, a special committee of the Board of Radiation Effects Research of the National Research Council of the National Academies submitted a report to Congress entitled the ``Assessment of the Scientific Information for the Radiation Exposure Screening and Education Program.'' The report, which was the result of a Congressional directive, stated, ``As a result of its analysis, the committee concludes that Guam did receive measurable fallout from atmospheric testing of nuclear weapons in the Pacific. Residents of Guam during that period should be eligible for compensation under RECA in a way similar to that of persons considered to be downwinders.'' This is a critical finding. The bill I have reintroduced today directly acts on this finding and would provide a process by which such residents of Guam who may have been affected by radiation fallout from the Pacific tests can file compensable claims under RECA with the Department of Justice. The bill conforms to the current process under RECA that is utilized for residents of certain counties in the Western United States mainland that were similarly affected and downwind of other atmospheric nuclear weapons testing conducted by the United States Government. In reintroducing this legislation today I recognize the Pacific Association for Radiation Survivors, PARS, for their work and dedication to addressing this issue. Their support and continued efforts in raising public awareness about the legacy of United States testing of nuclear weapons in the Pacific is making a difference in our community and provides an informed basis from which we should take up our work in Congress to amend RECA. I look forward to working with the Committee on the Judiciary in reviewing this legislation and the findings of the Committee to Assess the Scientific Information for the Radiation Exposure Screening and Education Program. I also look forward to this bill becoming law so that justice may be brought to those individuals who were adversely affected by the atmospheric nuclear tests that were conducted by the United States Government in the Pacific.

Ms. BORDALLO

Ms. BORDALLO. Madam Speaker, today I have reintroduced a bill, along with my colleagues, Congressman Neil Abercrombie of Hawaii and Congressman Eni Faleomavaega of American Samoa, to amend Title 38 of the United States Code to explicitly define participation in clean-up operations that were undertaken by the United States Army at Eniwetok Atoll of the Republic of the Marshall Islands as a ``radiation-risk activity'' for the purposes of qualifying veterans who participated in such operations for service-connected benefits administered by the Department of Veterans Affairs. This bill would correct in statute a long-standing inequity for veterans who participated in clean-up of radioactive materials and debris on Eniwetok Atoll resulting from forty-three atmospheric nuclear detonations that occurred there and that were conducted by the United States Government during the late 1940s and throughout the 1950s. Servicemembers were detailed to Eniwetok Atoll during or around the years 1977 through 1982 to confine and cap contaminated soil. Part of the clean-up operations involved the construction of a concrete dome to cover a crater. The legislation we have reintroduced today would simply allow veterans who participated in any clean-up activity on Eniwetok Atoll during their course of their service to be deemed eligible for Department of Veterans Affairs radiation programs. Such programs provide medical benefits to certain veterans who were exposed to radiation while on Active Duty. Veterans who are currently covered under radiation-risk activities include those who participated on-site in executing the atmospheric tests in the Pacific Basin. We recognize and commend the atomic veterans who performed clean-up operations on Eniwetok Atoll and thank them for their service to our nation. I introduced the same legislation in the 110th Congress to correct this concern. I hope that our legislation will be given fair consideration by the Committee on Veterans' Affairs in the current Congress. I further hope the Department of Defense makes available to the public, to our veterans and their families, and to the Department of Veterans Affairs all recorded relating to the nature of the tests and clean-up activities that were undertaken on Eniwetok Atoll.

Ms. BORDALLO

Ms. BORDALLO. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the work of Doloris Coulter Cogan and the publication of her book, We Fought the Navy and Won: Guam's Quest for Democracy. Ms. Cogan is a 1946 graduate of the Columbia University School of Journalism in New York. We Fought the Navy and Won is a personal recollection of Guam's transition from a Naval Administration to a civilian government after World War II. Ms. Cogan at the time was editor of the Guam Echo under the Institute of Ethnic Affairs, and her writings chronicle the stories of Guam's leaders, their allies in Washington, D.C., and their efforts in bringing a civilian government to Guam. From 1898 to 1950, Guam was administered under the Secretary of the Navy, and while legislation for Guam's self-governance had been introduced before this Congress none were reported out of committee. It was not until the signing of the Guam Organic Act of 1950 by President Harry S. Truman, that Guam was allowed to govern itself with a civilian government. The Guam Organic Act transferred administration of Guam from the Secretary of the Navy to the Secretary of the Interior and established executive, legislative, and judicial branches of government on Guam. Since that time, Congress has passed legislation that changed the Governor of Guam from a Presidential appointment position to a locally elected position. Further, Congress passed legislation granting Guam a non-voting Delegate to the U.S. House of Representatives. As Guam's representative to the U.S. Congress, I commend Ms. Cogan for her work as editor of the Guam Echo and for the publishing of I Fought the Navy and Won: Guam's Quest for Democracy. Through her writings we are to reflect and appreciate the efforts undertaken to bring self-governance to Guam and we can have a deeper appreciation of the historical roots of the Organic Act of Guam.

Ms. BORDALLO

Ms. BORDALLO. Mr. Speaker, as chairwoman of the Subcommittee on Insular Affairs, Oceans and Wildlife, I rise today to join my colleagues in marking the 92nd anniversary of President Woodrow Wilson's signing of an Act of Congress, conferring United States citizenship upon the people of Puerto Rico. This act marked an important advancement in the United States-Puerto Rico relationship, and although it is still an unfinished journey, it brought our brothers and sisters in Puerto Rico into the American family. The people of Puerto Rico have a rich and a beautiful culture. Their work to preserve and to celebrate their culture and their contributions to our democracy and defense of our Nation are unmatched by any State. Today, we recognize the act that conferred them citizenship, and we commemorate this event with them as we look forward to their continuing political progress. The people of Guam join our fellow Americans in congratulating Puerto Rico.

Ms. BORDALLO

Ms. BORDALLO. Mr. Speaker, I would like to inquire as to how much time we have left.

Ms. BORDALLO. Mr. Speaker, again, I say this is a timely, important piece of legislation, and I urge my fellow colleagues to support bill number H.R. 80. Mr. Speaker, I submit for the Record the following exchange of letters between the Committee on the Judiciary and the Committee on Natural Resources concerning certain jurisdictional matters on H.R. 80. House of Representatives, Committee on the Judiciary, Washington, DC, February 23, 2009. Hon. Nick Rahall, Chairman, Committee on Natural Resources, House of Representatives, Washington, DC. Dear Chairman Rahall: In recognition of the desire to expedite consideration of H.R. 80, the Captive Primate Safety Act, the Committee on the Judiciary agrees to waive formal consideration of the bill as to provisions that fall within its rule X jurisdiction. Specifically, the bill adds a new criminal prohibition for trafficking in nonhuman primates, with felony penalties, including up to 5 years in prison. The Committee takes this action with the understanding that by forgoing consideration of H.R. 80 at this time, it does not waive any jurisdiction over subject matter contained in this or similar legislation, and with the understanding that our Committee will be appropriately consulted as the bill or similar legislation moves forward. The Committee also reserves the right to seek appointment of an appropriate number of conferees to any House-Senate conference involving this or similar legislation, and requests your support for any such request. I would appreciate your including this letter in the Congressional Record during consideration of the bill on the House floor. Thank you for your attention to this matter, and for the cooperative working relationship between our two committees. Sincerely, John Conyers, Jr., Chairman.

Ms. BORDALLO. I have no further speakers, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Ms. BORDALLO. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. I would also like to note that despite State laws, pet primates continue to be available for purchase between States, and this bill would prevent that. In one instance, all it took was $45,000 and a phone call to have a chimp shipped from Missouri to Maryland. While it is illegal to own a primate in 20 States, in the rest of the country there is little to no regulation, and that is why the chimp owner in Connecticut was able to purchase Travis from Missouri. What happened last Monday has happened repeatedly in the past, and it will happen again if we don't pass this bill. I reserve the balance of my time.

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

Ms. BORDALLO. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. The pending measure, the Captive Primate Safety Act, was introduced by our colleague from Oregon, Representative Earl Blumenauer. This bill amends the Lacey Act Amendments of 1981 to prohibit the import, export, transportation, sale, receipt, acquisition or purchase in interstate or foreign commerce of nonhuman primates such as monkeys and chimpanzees. One week ago today, in Stamford, Connecticut, a 200-pound chimpanzee went berserk and viciously attacked a family friend he had known for years. The injuries this chimpanzee inflicted on a 55-year-old woman were described as horrendous, including multiple broken bones, loss of limbs, and mutilation. According to a press report, the police called the attack ``lengthy and vicious.'' In trying to save her friend, the chimpanzee's owner stabbed him repeatedly with a kitchen knife and also tried hitting him with a shovel. In the end, police were forced to shoot the animal. Today, our thoughts and prayers go out to Ms. Charla Nash, the victim of this attack. While nonhuman primates may seem cuddly and harmless to some, last week's tragedy reminds us all too clearly that they are wild animals and that they can become extremely dangerous. Although the importation into the United States of nonhuman primates for the pet trade has been banned since 1975, and some States already prohibit their possession as pets, these animals are readily available for domestic purchase on the Internet and from exotic animal dealers. We will never know, Mr. Speaker, what triggered last week's attack, but what we do know is that it is not unique. The Humane Society of the United States estimates about 15,000 monkeys and other primates are in private hands in the United States, and in recent years, there have been dozens of incidents of nonhuman primates injuring people. Fortunately, few were as tragic as the incident in Connecticut. By prohibiting interstate commerce in and transport of nonhuman primates, the pending measure limits the opportunity for people to acquire these wild animals as pets and diminishes the likelihood that another horrific incident like we saw in Connecticut will occur. This bill passed the House during the last Congress but was not acted upon by the other body. So today, we are renewing our call for action. And with that, I ask Members on both sides to support passage of this very timely legislation. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Ms. BORDALLO. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from Oregon (Mr. Blumenauer).

Ms. BORDALLO

Ms. BORDALLO. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 714) to authorize the Secretary of the Interior to lease certain lands in Virgin Islands National Park, and for other purposes.

Ms. BORDALLO. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I would like to commend our distinguished colleague from the Virgin Islands, a valuable member of the Committee on Natural Resources, Donna Christensen, for sponsoring H.R. 714. This legislation would authorize the National Park Service to continue its successful relationship with Caneel Bay Resort, ensure that park resources are protected, and allow the resort to undertake needed maintenance and improvement programs that will benefit visitors to the Virgin Islands National Park and the Caneel Bay Resort well into the future. Mr. Speaker, this legislation was approved by the House in the previous Congress, but was not considered in the other body. It should be noted, however, that H.R. 714 includes some technical changes suggested by our colleagues in the Senate after hearings were conducted on the bill last year. Congresswoman Christensen deserves our thanks for her work in ensuring that visitor services at the Virgin Islands National Park are available and that the park's stunning natural resources are always protected. I urge my colleagues to support the passage of H.R. 714. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Ms. BORDALLO

Ms. BORDALLO. Mr. Speaker, may I inquire as to how much time is remaining on both sides.

Ms. BORDALLO. That is correct.