Madeleine Bordallo

Ms. BORDALLO

Ms. BORDALLO. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. (Ms. BORDALLO asked and was given permission to revise and extend her remarks.)

Ms. BORDALLO

Ms. BORDALLO. Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Ms. BORDALLO. Mr. Speaker, as introduced, the gateway community legislation sponsored by the gentleman from California (Mr. Radanovich) was controversial. However, over the last 2 years, committee staff, outside groups, and the agencies themselves have worked cooperatively to resolve many of the issues presented by this legislation. Recently, enough progress was made that the bill is before us today. We agree with the National Parks Conservation Association, however, H.R. 1014 is not perfect. It is our hope as this legislation is considered by the other body, all of the interested parties might continue working cooperatively to resolve some of the remaining issues. Furthermore, Members should realize that H.R. 1014 represents yet another piece of legislation placing new duties upon our Federal land managers. As we continue to work on the Interior appropriations legislation, I would call on all Members to work together to ensure that our Federal land management agencies receive funding sufficient to meet not only their current operations and maintenance needs, but also to cover any new responsibilities we are placing on them through legislation such as H.R. 1014. In many ways, an increase in funding will do as much to improve the communication and cooperation between Federal land management agencies and their neighbors as new authorizing legislation. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Ms. BORDALLO. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. (Ms. BORDALLO asked and was given permission to revise and extend her remarks.)

Ms. BORDALLO

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

Ms. BORDALLO. Mr. Speaker, H.R. 2831 would provide for the transfer of the Bureau of Reclamation land in Nevada to the Truckee-Carson Irrigation District. My Republican colleagues have already explained the legislation, and we have no objection. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Ms. BORDALLO. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. (Ms. BORDALLO asked and was given permission to revise and extend her remarks.)

Ms. BORDALLO

Ms. BORDALLO. Mr. Speaker, as many of my colleagues know, the Colorado River Basin is now experiencing the worst drought in 500 years. H.R. 1156 authorizes a modest increase in Federal financial support to expand water recycling in southern California's Orange County water district. There is a strong Federal interest in completing this project, as it will help reduce the amount of water that now must be imported from the Colorado River. I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Loretta Sanchez) for introducing this important legislation. I urge support for H.R. 1156. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as she may consume to the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Loretta Sanchez).

Ms. BORDALLO. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. (Ms. BORDALLO asked and was given permission to revise and extend her remarks.)

Ms. BORDALLO

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

Ms. BORDALLO. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. (Ms. BORDALLO asked and was given permission to revise and extend her remarks.)

Ms. BORDALLO

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

Ms. BORDALLO. Mr. Speaker, National Heritage Areas protect and interpret some of the best stories and places in American history. Heritage Areas have been enormously popular and successful partnerships between the local communities and the National Park Service. This legislation makes important technical changes to several existing Heritage Areas and establishes several new ones. We urge our colleagues to support this measure.

Ms. BORDALLO. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. (Ms. BORDALLO asked and was given permission to revise and extend her remarks.)

Ms. BORDALLO

Ms. BORDALLO. Mr. Speaker, H.R. 4115 would allow binding arbitration clauses to be included in all contracts that affect the lands within the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Reservation. The idea behind this legislation is to provide a comfort level to those wanting to enter into business agreements with this particular tribe. Should a conflict arise in any business contract, this legislation would allow both the tribe and the business partner to avoid the normal channel of the tribal court system. Mr. Speaker, I support adoption of H.R. 4115 by the House today. Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Ms. BORDALLO. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. (Ms. BORDALLO asked and was given permission to revise and extend her remarks.)

Ms. BORDALLO

Ms. BORDALLO. Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague from Michigan for the time. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of the U.S.-Australia Free Trade Agreement. The agreement before us deals with some very big numbers. It supports over 270,000 jobs here at home and the $18 billion in exports to Australia these workers generate annually. Australian exports to Guam are approximately $12 million per year, consisting mainly of consumer goods and building materials. The Guam shipyard is capable of repairing Australian vessels, and the twice weekly direct flights between Cairns and Guam bring a steady stream of tourists in both directions. Under the agreement, 99 percent of Guam's exports will enter Australia duty free. Even greater than the numerical case for supporting this free trade agreement are the shared values that underpin trade between our two nations. Many of my colleagues have appropriately used trade agreements in the past to highlight the failure of our trading partners to address human rights, environmental quality control, and labor standards within their borders. Under these trade criteria, Australia is exactly the kind of country that we should trade with. Australia has an outstanding record on meeting its international human rights commitments. Australia is our partner in promoting these values in the Asia Pacific region. Australia's environmental standards give us the reassurance that our imports do not abuse global resources. Their laws protecting coral reefs and their strong enforcement of them serve as a model for protecting our own endangered ocean habitat. Australia's labor standards are so deeply ingrained in their society that they serve as a reminder to us that we owe our own workers a higher minimum wage. Under this agreement, we are not in a race to the bottom with Australia's workers; but rather, Mr. Speaker, we are sharing the best of what we make for our common advantage. Given our shared values with the people of Australia, it only makes sense that we pass this agreement today. I urge my colleagues to do so.

Ms. BORDALLO

Ms. BORDALLO. Mr. Speaker, today I am introducing legislation that will treat Medicare-eligible citizens of Guam, the Virgin Islands, American Samoa, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands the same as low-income citizens in the 50 States and the District of Columbia with respect to the Medicare prescription drug transitional assistance program and, beginning in 2006, premium and cost-sharing subsidies under the national Medicare prescription drug program. I am joined by Congresswoman Donna M. Christensen of the Virgin Islands, Congressman Eni F. H. Faleomavaega of American Samoa and Resident Commissioner Anibal Acevedo-Vila of Puerto Rico as original co-sponsors of this legislation, which will provide health care equality to seniors in the insular areas with respect to the prescription drug benefit. Currently, citizens of the insular areas contribute to the Medicare Trust Fund in the same manner as citizens in the 50 States and the District of Columbia. However, while the Medicare Modernization Act (MMA) created a transitional assistance program authorizing up to $600 in prescription drug subsidies for individual low-income Medicare beneficiaries in both 2004 and 2005, the territories receive only a small Federal block grant ($35 million in aggregate for both years to cover an estimated 450,000 Medicare beneficiaries) to help defray the costs of implementing local prescription drug plans through their respective public health departments. While exact data is not available, it is estimated that beneficiaries in the insular areas will receive significantly less relief than their counterparts in the 50 States and the District of Columbia. The MMA also does not include citizens in the territories for the purposes of the full national prescription drug plan authorized for Medicare beneficiaries beginning on January 1, 2006. Again, a separate Federal block grant is allotted to the territories in lieu of full participation. Citizens of the insular areas face greater challenges to accessing adequate health care and prescription drug services than citizens in the States and the District of Columbia. Transportation costs and smaller economies of scale increase the cost of prescription drugs available in these areas. Furthermore, the insular areas are home to many different minority groups, many of which are genetically disposed to certain illnesses. For example, African American, Hispanic and Pacific Island Americans are all genetically disposed to diabetes, which is particularly prevalent among the age 40-and-over category. Therefore, access to prescription drugs will, in addition to increasing the quality of life among citizens of the insular areas, help resolve other health disparities such as prevention and treatment of genetically-disposed illnesses. My legislation recognizes that health care inequalities exist with respect to the treatment of citizens in the insular areas. It further recognizes that, in the case of the new transitional assistance and prescription drug programs authorized under the MMA, citizens of the insular areas pay into the Medicare Trust Fund in the same manner as citizens in the 50 States and the District of Columbia and should, therefore, receive parity with respect to benefits. The current protocol for block granting prescription drug funding to the insular areas will ensure that health care disparities will continue to exist in these areas. The best solution with regard to fairness and parity is to allow citizens of the territories to participate directly in these Federal prescription drug assistance programs. My bill would ensure parity with respect to the application of the MMA in the insular areas by eliminating the current prescription drug block grant formula in favor of including low-income Medicare beneficiaries in Federal prescription drug assistance programs. Support for this legislation will ensure that all Americans receive the benefits to which they are entitled under the MMA.

Ms. BORDALLO

Ms. BORDALLO. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of House Concurrent Resolution 410, which recognizes the 25th anniversary of the adoption of the Constitution of the Republic of the Marshall Islands (RMI) and expresses our nation's gratitude for our shared commitment to the principles of democracy and freedom. Over the past 25 years and since attaining their independence as a sovereign nation, the RMI has emerged to become one of the greatest and most reliable democratic allies of the United States. Our special relationship with the RMI, embodied in the Compact of Free Association renewed last year, has helped fulfill the two principal U.S. objectives in the Western Pacific of forging strategic alliances and establishing democratic systems of government. The RMI was the first of the three former entities of the United Nations administered Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands, to adopt their own Constitution and gain their independence. Their example and influence helped stabilize the Pacific Region and win the cold war. For over 400 years, the people of the Marshall Islands were subjected to foreign and colonial control. The Spanish, the Germans, the Japanese, and the Americans all took control of the islands, named for English explorer John Marshall who visited the islands in 1799, at one time or another. Today, the people of the Marshall Islands strive to retain and preserve their identity and traditions. In many respects, they have been amazingly successful, even as they have faced and embraced the forces of Westernization and globalization. In January, I had the good fortune of visiting their beautiful country as a member of the Congressional Delegation led by Mr. Pombo, the Chairman of the House Resources Committee. While in Majuro, we met with President Kessai Note, as well as elected officials from Bikini, Enewetak, Rongelap and Utrok. We also visited the U.S. Army's Ronald Reagan Ballistic Missile Test Site on Kwajalein Atoll, which is a testament to the strength and dependability of U.S.-RMI relations. With 40 years of cooperation, the Missile Test Site has provided a critical role in development and success of our nation's missile defense and space programs. On Sunday, July 4th, this nation celebrated our freedom and democratic progress. It has now been 228 years since our founding fathers declared our nation's independence and our democratic form of government. As we reflect upon our democratic experiment and the values we cherish as Americans, it is also fitting that we recognize those who embrace these same values and freedoms. The United States has a proven and trusting friend in the Republic of the Marshall Islands. As we continue to build our relationship, let us work to resolve the remaining issues that the nuclear testing era brought for the benefit of our strategic partnership and special relationship. I want to thank the gentleman from Arizona, Mr. Flake, and my good friend from American Samoa, Mr. Faleomavaega, for their leadership in introducing this resolution and for their firm commitment to sustaining and strengthening the friendship between the people of the United States and the people of the Marshall Islands. Lastly, I want to recognize and congratulate the Marshalls' Ambassador to the United States for his efforts in strengthening the relationship between our governments, the Honorable Banny de Brum. Si Yu'os Ma'ase and Komol tata.

Ms. BORDALLO

Ms. BORDALLO. Mr. Chairman, I move to strike the requisite number of words. Mr. Chairman, I rise today in strong support of the Manzullo- Velazquez amendment to the fiscal year 2005 Commerce, Justice, State Appropriations Act and mainly to support small business. This amendment will provide the necessary funding to maintain the integrity of the Small Business Administration's flagship small business lending mechanism, the 7(a) loan guarantee program. Mr. Chairman, I represent the Territory of Guam, where 90 percent of our businesses are small businesses. I applaud the bipartisan leadership demonstrated by our dynamic duo, the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Manzullo) and the gentlewoman from New York (Ms. Velazquez), in constructing this amendment; and I am proud to have worked with my colleagues on the committee, whether participating in hearings or writing letters or meeting with small business owners, so that we can today arrive at a consensus that reflects the needs of the small business community and the role of the Federal Government to help foster growth, innovation and jobs in this important economic sector. The 7(a) loan guarantee program is a principal source of funding for small businesses, representing 30 percent of all long-term small business borrowing in the United States. Oftentimes, the 7(a) program is the only source for long-term financing on reasonable terms for small businesses, particularly those in poor, rural, and underserved areas. These small firms represent the future of our economy, as they account for 75 percent of all new jobs created in the United States. Consider these statistics: the current Federal burden for supporting every $100 of a 7(a) loan is 60 cents. Statistics also show that a new job is created in the small business sector for every $33,000 of loans. Mr. Chairman, that means that it costs the Federal Government only $198 to create an additional job for the economy through the 7(a) program. A Federal program that demonstrates this level of success should never, ever be cut back, but, rather, expanded. Suspending Federal funding of the 7(a) program will result in an increased cost to small businesses, as banks will pass new costs on to their 7(a) customers in the form of higher fees. There is also fear that some banks, particularly in poor, rural and underserved areas, will no longer see the incentive of offering 7(a) loans and will suspend this financing mechanism altogether. This will have the effect of halting both economic and job growth at a time, Mr. Chairman, when we are just beginning to recover from the recent economic downturn. Recognizing the budget challenges this year, the Manzullo-Velazquez amendment modestly proposes to fund the Federal subsidy of the 7(a) program at fiscal year 2004 levels. It is also budget-neutral. This amendment is supported by Democrats and Republicans, by small business owners throughout the country and by banks that offer federally backed financing mechanisms. Mr. Chairman, this is the right thing to do, and I hope my colleagues will vote in favor of the Manzullo-Velazquez amendment.

Ms. BORDALLO

Ms. BORDALLO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the memory of Magdalena ``Maggie'' Santos Taitano, Familian Oncho, who passed away on June 17, 2004. I also extend my deepest sympathies and prayers to her family and friends. Maggie was born on July 1, 1928. She was married to the late Guam Senator Richard Flores Taitano, and was mother to Taling Maria, Richard Jr., John Joseph, and Carmen Teresita. She was also a grandmother, great-grandmother, wife, sister, auntie, godmother, and friend. A devoted mother and wife, Maggie was also a religious person who demonstrated her commitment to her community through her involvement in various civic organizations. She was active politically as well, and recognized the importance of protecting Guam's heritage and history for future generations. This belief was reflected in her passion for the library sciences, an interest Maggie first developed while working in a library while still in high school. After graduating from George Washington High School in 1950, Maggie began working as a library assistant at the Guam Public Library. From there, Maggie pursued higher education, receiving a full scholarship to attend Mount Mary's Catholic College in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, where she received her Bachelor's in business administration. She continued her studies at Texas Women's University in Denton, Texas, becoming the first Chamorro to earn a Master's degree in library sciences. Maggie then returned home to begin a distinguished career in service to the people of Guam. In 1960, she became the first Chamorro Territorial Librarian of the Guam Public Library--later renamed the Nieves M. Flores Memorial Library. Some of her achievements included instituting the Summer Reading Program, the Saturday Storytelling Program, the Pacific Area Collections, and making the library more accessible to the community. Although Maggie retired in 1987, she could not stay away from the library for long, returning to serve part-time at the University of Guam's Robert F. Kennedy Memorial Library. She later transferred to the Micronesian Area Research Center (MARC) where she had a prominent role in putting together the papers of public officials, including those of my husband, the late Governor Ricardo Bordallo. It was fitting that in 1997, MARC was renamed the Richard F. Taitano Research Center in honor of the institution's creator, her late husband. I have been blessed to also call Maggie a friend. We first knew each other in high school, and I was honored to be Godmother to her daughter Carmencita. Our husbands were also running mates in the 1970 Gubernatorial election, running on the slogan ``A New Day for Guam.'' I am deeply saddened by Maggie's passing, but know that she has left behind a legacy that will be treasured for generations to come.

Ms. BORDALLO

Ms. BORDALLO. Mr. Speaker, I, too, proudly rise today in support of H.R. 4345 and in support of all the veterans that stand to benefit from its passage. I would like to thank the gentlewoman from California (Mrs. Davis) and the gentlewoman from Florida (Ms. Brown-Waite) for recognizing that veterans need help meeting the staggeringly high increases in the cost of buying their own home. And, Mr. Speaker, I would like to especially thank the gentlewoman from California (Mrs. Davis) for introducing her original legislation, H.R. 1735, which first brought attention to this issue last year by gathering 61 cosponsors of her proposal to increase the loan guarantee. The old loan guarantee of $60,000, which provides a loan of $240,000, is not sufficient in Guam to meet the cost of buying a home, and I expect that this is also true in San Diego, Florida, and all over the United States. The new maximum amount in this legislation addresses this problem to help veterans secure the mortgage financing that they need. I look forward to further opportunities to improve the benefits available to veterans, and urge my colleagues to support this important piece of legislation. This will be such good news for our veterans across the Nation. On Guam, it will be particularly welcomed, since many of our veterans feel shortchanged when it comes to veterans' benefits. I strongly support H.R. 4345.

Ms. BORDALLO

Ms. BORDALLO. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for his response.

Ms. BORDALLO. I yield to the gentleman from California.

Ms. BORDALLO

Ms. BORDALLO. Mr. Chairman, will the gentleman yield?