Donna Christensen

Mrs. CHRISTENSEN

Mrs. CHRISTENSEN. Congresswoman Tubbs Jones, it's a pleasure to be back with you on the floor this evening. We were here together last week discussing SCHIP and the situation in Jena with the Jena 6 high school students, which was also a part of our discussion, a very integral part of our discussion at the annual legislative conference. We were very fortunate that while we were there, Mychal Bell was released from prison, and we were able to have the lead attorney, Lewis Scott, come up and join us for a session.

Mrs. CHRISTENSEN

Mrs. CHRISTENSEN. Mr. Speaker, as we commemorate the 50th anniversary of school desegregation in Arkansas and celebrate nine brave young people and the families that supported them, it is a day of bittersweet reflection because the dreams they sought to fulfill for generations of African Americans remain still not fully realized. Today, as in 1957, we believe that education will help African Americans to get better jobs and to gain influence in American society. But, 50 years later, the struggle is not over. While in 1957, African American students struggled to get into high schools, today they struggle to stay in school. In describing the current state of education for African Americans, an author stated ``burdened with a history that includes the denial of education, separate and unequal education, and religion to unsafe, substandard inner-city schools, the quest for quality education remains an elusive dream for the African American community.'' The current drop out rate among African American males is estimated at 40 percent, 72 percent are jobless, and the likelihood of being incarcerated is 60 percent. Fifty years later, the playing field is not leveled. H. Res. 668, not only recognizes the 50th anniversary of that momentous occasion on September 25, 1957, but it also calls for all to commit to continuing the legacy of Brown v. Board of Education and the Little Rock Nine by protecting and advancing equal educational opportunity for all. This would be a great way to honor and continue to pay tribute to heroic actions of the Little Rock Nine. Little Rock Nine opened the door for education but we must continue to close the gap in providing quality education for all. I urge all of my colleagues to join us in honoring the people who made history on that day, and to also join them and us in working toward the day when there will truly be equal opportunity in education in every part of our Nation.

Mrs. CHRISTENSEN

Mrs. CHRISTENSEN. Thank you for yielding, Congresswoman, and for leading this Special Order so we can speak of these issues of importance to our constituents. And let me join my other colleagues in applauding our chairwoman, Congresswoman Carolyn Cheeks Kilpatrick, for setting aside this hour, and let you know again how proud we are, how proud you make all Americans as the first black woman on the Ways and Means Committee and also as Chair of the Ethics Committee. Tonight, this hour is devoted to two topics, the Jena Six case and the Children's Health Insurance Program. As I tried to decide which one of these compelling and imminent issues to speak on, it occurred to me that there is a connection between the two. Both deal with the well- being of our children and this Nation's responsibility to provide equal opportunity for them for a life of quality and of achievement. With the case of Michael Bell, who remains locked up with no bail, as well as the other five Jena High School students, this country is witnessing firsthand the kind of injustice perpetrated on far too many African American children which results in the destroying their dreams, their hopes, and their lives. It is time for the good people of this country to rise up and say, no more. So I want to thank the leadership of the CBC and all of our members for answering the call of these young people. I thank the Reverend Jesse Jackson, the Reverend Al Sharpton, the others of the faith leadership, the NAACP, and the thousands who marched in protest, for standing up and standing with the Jena Six and for justice. These young people and Genarlo Wilson of Georgia are just seven of the countless others who have faced and continue to face the same fate, and we must never stop the work of protecting our children. That applies also to the issue of the Children's Health Insurance Program. Regardless of what one hears on TV and radio, there are about 6 million children now in the program, 800,000 of whom would lose their insurance if we reauthorize it at the level the President says he will accept. There are now almost 9 million children who are uninsured, 6 million of whom are eligible for SCHIP, the children's insurance. The bill the Senate Republicans are holding us at will only add about 2 million. I believe that every eligible child must be covered, even if that means a shortened reauthorization to stay within the funding limits set in the Senate. And the White House and Republican talking heads need to stop misinforming and distorting the truth about what we are proposing in the House bill and even proposing in the watered down version that the Senate has reached agreement on. There are no upper middle class, even middle class children who would be covered under either the House original version or the current proposal. Coverage is provided for only up to 200 percent of poverty, which is where it has always been. The House SCHIP I still support would just finally provide adequate funding to get those already eligible, but not signed up, covered. Our children need access to health care that includes dental care, mental health care; and it needs to begin at the very beginning by including prenatal care for their mothers. The Territories need to have State-like treatment, and we must also include immigrant children who are legally here. The American people want us to provide health care to everyone. If we cannot begin with poor children, what kind of country are we? Do we not understand that, in keeping our children healthy, we save money by preventing more serious chronic illness later and that we build a stronger country by enabling them as healthier adults to contribute to everyone's well-being and our Nation's strength? We in the House have built consensus around the better bill, and that was not easy. We need our colleagues on the other side of the Capitol to join us on the side of right. Come on, colleagues, let's give our children what they need. Let's do the right thing. Let's send the President a bill that is truly observing of the wonderful human beings full of potential that are America's children. If he vetoes it, let it be on him, not on us.

Mrs. CHRISTENSEN

Mrs. CHRISTENSEN. Madam Speaker and colleagues, I rise today bearing the grief of our community at the loss of yet another of our sons in the Iraq war. Army Staff Sergeant Gregory Rivera-Santiago was 26 years old. He was killed when his vehicle overturned in Baghdad. An Honor Guard of the 82nd Airborne Division escorted his body home this Monday. It was his third tour; he would have returned home in November. In the midst of our deep sadness, I also come to the well of this House with great pride in this young man. An excellent student while at the St. Croix Educational Complex, a courageous soldier, a devoted husband, son, father, and friend. Staff Sergeant Rivera-Santiago is the seventh soldier we have lost in Iraq from our small territory. It is a tragic reminder of a war gone wrong and gone on for far too long. It is time to begin the process of bringing our men and women home. Madam Speaker and colleagues, we are eternally grateful for Gregory's life and service, and extend our heartfelt condolences to his family, his mother Mrs. Carmen Santiago, his wife Brooke, and their children. God bless them, God bless Gregory, and God bless all who are serving in our Armed Forces.

Mrs. CHRISTENSEN

Mrs. CHRISTENSEN. Madam Chairman, homeownership is the key to achieving financial independence. Yet, there is still a persistent gap in homeownership between minorities and non-minorities. According to HUD, despite increases in minorities who become homeowners, the census figures show that large differences in rates between minority and white household ownerships remain and have narrowed only slightly. If this gap is to be narrowed or eliminated all together, we must break down the barriers faced my minority families and lower and middle income families that make it difficult for them to obtain the American dream of homeownership. These barriers include but are not limited to lack of capital for the down payment and closing costs, lack of access to credit and poor credit history, lack of understanding and information about home buying program and continued housing discrimination. Not to mention, the recent mortgage crisis caused by sub-prime lenders and predatory lenders. This is why I strongly support H.R. 1852, a bill that would modernize the National Housing Act and enable the Federal Housing Administration to use risk-based pricing to more effectively reach underserved borrowers and make other needed changes to offer a better product. Increasing the FHA loan limits will allow homebuyers in high cost areas like the District of Columbia and my district, the US Virgin Islands, to benefit from the FHA advantages that users in less costly parts of the country enjoy. The bill would also provide FHA with the flexibility to offer varying down payment terms thereby eliminating the barrier of down payment and settlement costs for more aspiring homebuyers. Most importantly, H.R. 1852 would provide American homeowners with a safe and affordable mortgage alternatives. This is greatly needed at time when home buyers. Most importantly, H.R. 1852 would provide American homeowners with a safe and affordable mortgage alternatives. This is greatly needed at time when homebuyers are being lured by the attractive but misguided terms offered by the subprime and predatory lenders. H.R. 1852 will bring a much needed stability to the mortgage market. It is supported by my local realtors and the National Association of Realtors, as well as many other organizations. I commend Congresswoman Maxine Waters for her work on this bill and urge my colleagues to support its passage.

Mrs. CHRISTENSEN

Mrs. CHRISTENSEN. Madam Speaker, I rise in support of H. Res. 508, which recognizes the strong security alliance between the Government of Japan and the United States and expresses our country's appreciation to Japan for its role in enhancing stability in the Asia-Pacific region and also for their efforts in the global war on terrorism. I commend Mr. Saxton for authoring this resolution and for the support by the leadership to bring this resolution up for our consideration. On October 29, 2005, the Government of the United States and the Government of Japan entered into a renewed Security Consultative Agreement that calls for a major realignment of U.S.-Japan strategic alliance. This agreement continues Japan's strategic role for the security of the region in cooperation with the United States. In addition, the agreement will realign our U.S. forces within Japan and throughout the Pacific so that the U.S. is better positioned to respond militarily to incidents in Asia and the Pacific. Incidentally, under the agreement, the U.S. territory of Guam could become the new home to elements of the 3rd Marine Expeditionary Force. It is projected that nearly 8,000 active duty Marines and their dependents will be relocated from Okinawa to Guam. As you know, Madam Speaker, our U.S. territories fall under the jurisdiction of the House Natural Resources Committee, specifically under the Subcommittee on Insular Affairs. As chairman of the Subcommittee, I had the unique opportunity to travel to Japan and to the Pacific over the August recess to convene a field hearing on Guam on the proposed U.S. military buildup and the challenges the island's community will face due to the impact of relocating so many U.S. forces. I was impressed by briefings we held with U.S. Navy ADM William French and U.S. Air Force BG Douglas Owens. Both were extremely forthright about the strategic value of Guam in defending our Nation and developing relationships and training opportunities with our allies, including Japan, so that our interests in the Asia-Pacific region are secured. In fact, while in Guam, our military was conducting ``Operation Valiant Shield'' which was a military exercise between our forces and those of our allies in the Pacific and Asia. I was equally impressed with the patriotism of the people of Guam and the support they have shown for the relocation. This is not to say that there are no concerns throughout the community on what the impact of Marines will mean to the services provided to the Government of Guam. Any community would have concerns on education, healthcare, law enforcement, infrastructure, etc. It is my hope that as the buildup continues, the Congress will consider these impacts on the island community and work to mitigate such problems for the benefit of the community ``outside the gates.'' On my return from Guam, I also had the opportunity to meet with officials from the Japanese Defense and Foreign Ministries to be briefed on their progress in the realignment of U.S. Forces in Japan. In addition to meeting with Deputy Foreign Minister Haneda, we were informed by the Senior Coordinator for Japan-U.S. Security Affairs, Keiichi Ono and the Deputy Director General for Realignment Initiatives Daikichi Momma and their team, that Japan is moving forward with the things they need to do to fully implement the realignment and that they would be mindful to take into account concerns raised about the impact of the realignment on the territory and people of Guam. Madam Speaker, I am proud to express my appreciation and that of my constituents to the people of Japan for their continued strong alliance and for their role in enhancing stability in the Asia-Pacific region and their efforts in the global war on terrorism. I urge my colleagues to support adoption of H. Res. 508.

Mrs. CHRISTENSEN

Mrs. CHRISTENSEN. Madam Speaker, I rise at this moment of deep sadness on the passing of Dr. Sylvester McDonald of St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands. On behalf of my family, staff and the 110th Congress of the United States of America, I extend my most heartfelt sympathies to the family and friends of Dr. McDonald, affectionately known as ``Dr. Mac.'' To those of us who grew up with his children and their extended family he was the much beloved, ``Uncle Syl.'' Dr. Sylvester O. McDonald was born on September 12, 1919, to John and Madalene McDonald in Kingston, Jamaica. In 1941, he left Jamaica to study at Howard University, where he met and married Eirene Canegata in 1943. This union lasted 60 years and produced 4 children: Genevieve (Rosie) Lambert, Judith Richardson, John McDonald, and Michael McDonald. After graduation from Howard University Medical School in June 1949, and completion of an internship at Harlem Hospital in New York City, he came to St. Thomas where he joined the Municipal Hospital Staff on August 1, 1950. He continued his work there until June 1953, when he entered the U.S. Army where he served until October 1955. Upon his return to St. Thomas, he joined the staff of the Knud Hansen Hospital. In 1958, he left St. Thomas to begin a Residency in Orthopedic Surgery at Queens Hospital Center in Jamaica, New York and the Hospital for Crippled Children in Newark, New Jersey. Upon completing the residency in 1962, he rejoined the hospital staff at Knud Hansen Hospital. During his service with the Health Department he served in many capacities including Acting Commissioner of Health, Chief of Surgery, Medical Director and Orthopedic Consultant to Charles Harwood Hospital in St. Croix from 1962 through 1974. There he held Orthopedic Clinics on a weekly basis and performed Orthopedic Surgery when necessary. He also served as President of the Virgin Islands Medical Society, Vice President of the Executive Committee, member of the Clinical Pathological Conference Committee and member of the Accreditation Committee. Professional affiliations include the American Academy of Family Physicians, National Medical Association, and American Medical Association. He also carried on a private practice in family medicine where he treated all who sought his help with utmost respect, courtesy, and patience. He retired from the Hospital in October 1982 and from private practice in 1985. In 1982, he began his service as Campus Physician at the University of the Virgin Islands which he continued until he was unable to do so. Throughout his life, ``Dr. Mac,'' as he was affectionately known, remained a very spiritual person. After his retirement, he attended Mass and Holy Communion daily, and served as a Eucharistic Minister at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Parish. His favorite pastimes were spending time with his family, his daily walks and a swim or soak on Magens Bay. Dr. Mac was one of the most revered physicians in the Virgin Islands. During his distinguished medical career, and through his various executive positions, he remained the epitome of the family and community doctor. The entire Virgin Islands has been truly blessed to have had such a skilled physician and caring and compassionate human being as a part of our lives. We will be forever grateful for the legacy ``Dr. Mac'' has left behind--a legacy that will surely continue to inspire and positively impact future generations of physicians, healthcare professionals and all Virgin Islanders. Madam Speaker, I know that entire Congress joins my family and me in wishing Dr. Mac's family the fullness of God's love and peace during this difficult time of grief. May they all be sustained by the many wonderful memories that will remain with all of us forever and may ``Dr. Mac/Uncle Syl'' rest in peace.

Mrs. CHRISTENSEN

Mrs. CHRISTENSEN. Mr. Speaker, H.R. 2107 fulfills my commitment to my constituents to continue the effort to create a Chief Financial Officer for the Territory. This is the third time that this legislation has been on the floor of the House. However, the other body failed to act on it in the previous two Congresses. When I first introduced the idea of a CFO for the Virgin Islands in 2005, I did so in response to the concerns, complaints and distrust of government voiced by my constituents and as a measure to prevent the territory, which was experiencing a serious financial crisis, from falling into the abyss of fiscal insolvency. I believed then, as I do now, that having such an office in our government, free of political pressures and with the statutory responsibility and authority to certify revenue projections and prevent deficit spending, could assist our government to establish sound financial practices which would put the Islands on the path to improved financial management going forward. Because of our long history of poor financial management and practices, an office such as this would also help to immediately restore the confidence of the Federal Government and others in our ability to be fiscally transparent and accountable. As I have said on this floor and in many other settings, in drafting H.R. 2017 I looked at the example and record of what having such a position has meant to the financial management and fiscal health of the District of Columbia. After having decades of fiscal mismanagement and protracted deficits, the District today enjoys annual balanced budgets and surpluses under the stewardship of a Chief Financial Officer; an office that was voluntarily retained by the city after the mandated office went away with the end of their Financial Control Board. Both the general public and elected leadership of the District recognize the benefits of having an impartial arbiter, free from the pressures of politics, managing their finances--something I strongly believe my community can benefit from as well. When I first introduced this bill the territory's long-term debt totaled $1 billion. Fiscal crises have been narrowly averted through repeated borrowing. Such borrowing and debt creation has led to the $3 billion debt reported by Governor De Jongh in April of this year--a practice he has already stated he will not continue. There are those, Mr. Speaker, who will ask why I am doing this at this time, particularly because the islands just 7 months ago, inaugurated a new governor whose background is in financial management and who has been a good friend and political ally. I want to be perfectly clear that I have every confidence in Governor John de Jongh and his administration and believe that they will do a first rate job of managing the territory's finances. He has already begun to do so. I am re-introducing this bill because my constituents continue to see it as a necessary measure, and because, like the CFO in Washington, DC, it can assist our governor in his stated goal of paying our obligations and bringing the territory's finances into balance. It would also be a way to provide apolitical and indisputable information on the financial state of our government, as well as bridge any divisions between the administration and the legislature in the interests of expediting a positive and sustainable agenda for the people of the Virgin Islands. As also happens up here, there is often disagreement between the Governor (and his financial team) and the Legislature as to the precise fiscal condition of the territory and the true revenue projections for the coming fiscal year. A CFO, in my view, would take the uncertainty out of this equation and allow our legislature and governor to work better together because they would both get their numbers from the same independent source. Additionally, the departments of government, semi- autonomous agencies and labor unions would be better able to plan, and the people of the Virgin Islands in general would have information on how the millions of federal dollars coming to the Virgin Islands are being spent. The bill as being passed today contains certain changes. I have revised it with respect to providing a financial management system because such a system is already in the process of being implemented. In recognition of and in deference to the upcoming constitution to be drafted by the people of the Virgin Islands, the bill before us calls for the term of the Chief Financial Officer to expire at the implementation of a ratified Virgin Islands Constitution or in 5 years, whichever comes first. All four previous Constitutional documents have contained a provision similar to what is proposed in this legislation, and it is my hope that our Fifth Constitutional Convention will present a document for the ratification of the people of the Virgin Islands that will make this legislation unnecessary. In conclusion Mr. Speaker, I want to thank my friend and colleague, the Chairman of the Resources Committee, the gentleman from West Virginia, Nick Rahall, without whose support this bill would not be on the floor today. I also want to thank my friend Ranking Member Don Young for his support as well. Mr. Speaker, it has been said that ``heavy is the burden that one who is called to lead bears''. Pursuing enactment of this bill has not been an easy burden to bear but is an important one, which I am proud to bear. I urge my colleagues to support passage of H.R. 2107.

Mrs. CHRISTENSEN

Mrs. CHRISTENSEN. Mr. Speaker, I stand in strong opposition to the S. 1927, the Senate FISA bill and urge all of my Democratic colleagues, who are the last remaining protectors and defenders of our Constitution and democracy, to oppose it as well. Benjamin Franklin is quoted as having said something to the effect of, ``He who would sacrifice liberty for security deserves neither.'' Mr. Speaker, I would say that this bill before us purports to offer security, but what it does is it gives someone who has proven untrustworthy the ability to wiretap conversations of any one of us he deems a threat, and thus trashes the 4th amendment--something the President, Alberto Gonzales and all of us took an oath to uphold as part of our Constitution. I want to take this opportunity, Mr. Speaker, to remind everyone that President Bush and the Attorney General have every authority needed to do surveillance of any phone conversation or wire communication between persons who they have substantive reason to suspect is involved in activities against our government and the American people. And they don't even have to get the FISA court order before in cases where time lost would put us at increased risk; they can go ahead and go to the court up to 72 hours later. H.R. 3356, the bill we passed last night, was drafted with the input and blessing of Admiral Mike McConnell before he was advised to oppose it by his Commander in Chief. It provides the authority he said would be what is needed, without trampling the rights that you, I and every American hold dear. I urge my colleagues to vote this measure down and bring back H.R. 3356 the bill the Director of National Intelligence says does what he, his office and our country needs. And should our Republican colleagues and the President prevail tonight, we ought to begin tonight to reverse the overly broad authority given.

Mrs. CHRISTENSEN

Mrs. CHRISTENSEN. I'm proud to be here, Mr. Speaker, to stand in strong support of the Children's Health and Medicare Protection Act of 2007. We also have additional champs in Chairmen Dingell, Rangel, Stark and Pallone, as well as the Speaker and the Democratic leadership. Today, we're fulfilling a commitment we made on the first day of this Congress to take care of America's children. By passing H.R. 3162, we will take the first step to insuring the 6 million low-income, now uninsured children in this country, including many who are racial and ethnic minorities; and we'll be investing in a healthier future for them and our country by ensuring they get comprehensive care. In CHAMP we also fulfill a commitment to our seniors and persons with disabilities, especially those of low income, to remove some of the remaining barriers to Medicare. This bill helps children and seniors. And we are beginning to help bring provider payments in line with the rising cost of providing medical care as well as to start the reform this country needs. This legislation is not only good for our children, our seniors, and our disabled, it is good for our country. If we only extended CHIP, as our Republican colleagues suggested, it would cause 800,000 children to lose coverage. We can't do that. Support this bill. Reject the motion to recommit.

Mrs. CHRISTENSEN

Mrs. CHRISTENSEN. Madam Speaker, H.R. 2107 fulfills my commitment to my constituents to continue the effort to create a Chief Financial Officer for the Territory. This is the third time that this legislation has been on the floor of the House. However, the other body failed to act on it in the previous two Congresses. When I first introduced the idea of a CFO for the Virgin Islands in 2005, I did so in response to the concerns, complaints and distrust of government voiced by my constituents and as a measure to prevent the territory, which was experiencing a serious financial crisis, from falling into the abyss of fiscal insolvency. I believed then, as I do now, that having such an office in our government, free of political pressures and with the statutory responsibility and authority to certify revenue projections and prevent deficit spending, could assist our government to establish sound financial practices which would put the Islands on the path to improved financial management going forward. Because of our long history of poor financial management and practices, an office such as this would also help to immediately restore the confidence of the Federal Government and others in our ability to be fiscally transparent and accountable. As I have said on this floor and in many other settings, in drafting H.R. 2017, I looked at the example and record of what having such a position has meant to the financial management and fiscal health of the District of Columbia. After having decades of fiscal mismanagement and protracted deficits, the District today enjoys annual balanced budgets and surpluses under the stewardship of a Chief Financial Officer; an office that was voluntarily retained by the city after the mandated office went away with the end of their Financial Control Board. Both the general public and elected leadership of the District recognize the benefits of having an impartial arbiter, free from the pressures of politics, managing their finances--something I strongly believe my community can benefit from as well. When I first introduced this bill the territory's long-term debt totaled $1 billion. Fiscal crises have been narrowly averted through repeated borrowing. Such borrowing and debt creation has led to the $3 billion debt reported by Governor De Jongh in April of this year--a practice he has already stated he will not continue. There are those, Madam Speaker, who will ask why I am doing this at this time, particularly because the islands just seven months ago, inaugurated a new governor whose background is in financial management and who has been a good friend and political ally. I want to be perfectly clear that I have every confidence in Governor John de Jongh and his administration and believe that they will do a first rate job of managing the territory's finances. He has already begun to do so. I am re-introducing this bill because my constituents continue to see it as a necessary measure, and because, like the CFO in Washington, DC, it can assist our governor in his stated goal of paying our obligations and bringing the territory's finances into balance. It would also be a way to provide apolitical and indisputable information on the financial state of our government, as well as bridge any divisions between the administration and the legislature in the interests of expediting a positive and sustainable agenda for the people of the Virgin Islands. As also happens up here, there is often disagreement between the governor (and his financial team) and the legislature as to the precise fiscal condition of the territory and the true revenue projections for the coming fiscal year. A CFO, in my view, would take the uncertainty out of this equation and allow our legislature and governor to work better together because they would both get their numbers from the same independent source. Additionally, the departments of government, semi- autonomous agencies and labor unions would be better able to plan, and the people of the Virgin Islands in general would have information on how the millions of Federal dollars coming to the Virgin Islands are being spent. The bill as being passed today contains certain changes. I have revised it with respect to providing a financial management system because such a system is already in the process of being implemented. In recognition of and in deference to the upcoming constitution to be drafted by the people of the Virgin Islands, the bill before us calls for the term of the Chief Financial Officer to expire at the implementation of a ratified Virgin Islands Constitution or in five years, whichever comes first. All four previous Constitutional documents have contained a provision similar to what is proposed in this legislation, and it is my hope that our Fifth Constitutional Convention will present a document for the ratification of the people of the Virgin Islands that will make this legislation unnecessary. In conclusion, Madam Speaker, I want to thank my friend and colleague, the Chairman of the Resources Committee, the gentleman from West Virginia, Nick Rahall, without whose support this bill would not be on the floor today. I also want to thank my friend Ranking Member Don Young for his support as well. Madam Speaker, it has been said that ``heavy is the burden that one who is called to lead bears''. Pursuing enactment of this bill has not been an easy burden to bear but an important one; which I am proud to bear. I urge my colleagues to support passage of H.R. 2107.

Mrs. CHRISTENSEN

Mrs. CHRISTENSEN. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent for the immediate consideration in the House of the bill (H.R. 2120) to direct the Secretary of the Interior to proclaim as reservation for the benefit of the Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians a parcel of land now held in trust by the United States for that Indian tribe.

Mrs. CHRISTENSEN

Mrs. CHRISTENSEN. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent for the immediate consideration in the House of the bill (H.R. 673) to direct the Secretary of the Interior to take lands in Yuma County, Arizona, into trust as part of the reservation of the Cocopah Indian Tribe, and for other purposes.

Mrs. CHRISTENSEN

Mrs. CHRISTENSEN. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Natural Resources be discharged from further consideration of the bill (H.R. 2107) to create the Office of Chief Financial Officer of the Government of the Virgin Islands, and for other purposes, and ask for its immediate consideration in the House.

Mrs. CHRISTENSEN

Mrs. CHRISTENSEN. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H.R. 176, the Shirley A. Chisholm-U.S. Caribbean Educational Exchange Act of 2007 and urge my colleagues to support its adoption. As an original cosponsor of this important bill, I want to congratulate my friend and colleague, the Honorable Barbara Lee for her hard work in getting the bill to the floor today. Mr. Speaker, U.S.-Caribbean educational exchanges have been on the forefront of multilateral discussions in recent years. Many believe that education exchanges are an excellent means to developing and protecting democratic values. And while the U.S. has not particularly focused on educational advancement in the Caribbean, other nations have. Thousands of Caribbean students participate in exchange programs to distant parts of the globe, yet the U.S. has no specific exchange program for Caribbean scholars. This legislation would establish in the State Department's Office of Public Diplomacy a U.S.-Caribbean educational exchange program for high school, undergraduate and graduate students, as well as scholars. It would also enable the U.S. Agency for International Development to develop a regional strategy to expand existing early education initiatives. And the legislation would allow both State Department and USAID to use public-private partnerships to implement the program. The State Department has repeatedly advocated educational exchanges as one of the best means of public diplomacy. For decades, the Caribbean, our ``Third Border,'' has been one of the U.S. staunchest allies with strong democratic traditions. We've seen how critical the adherence to these democratic ideals has been given how quickly the governments of the region were able to maintain order and rebuild in the wake of the recent devastating hurricane seasons. Furthermore, the leadership in these affected countries was cultivated right here in the U.S. In fact many of today's Caribbean leaders have received post- secondary education in the United States, and have used their different fields of training to strengthen Caribbean democracy and community involvement. From 2003-2005, 217 Caribbean leaders participated in U.S. exchange programs that centered on innovative ways to fight drug trafficking, anticorruption and good governance policies. We should continue these efforts and expand them to include the future leaders of the Caribbean. As the only member in Congress whose district is in the English speaking Caribbean, I am well aware of the exciting possibilities that H.R. 176 holds. Mr. Speaker, our Caribbean neighbors are among the most stable democracies in the world and some of our oldest friends. Too often we take them for granted though and don't give to them as much as we demand from them. While it will not solve all of the problems with our relationship of late, H.R. 176 will serve as a meaningful gesture of good faith and friendship going forward. I urge my colleagues to support passage of H.R. 176.

Mrs. CHRISTENSEN

Mrs. CHRISTENSEN. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent for the immediate consideration in the House of the bill (H.R. 31) to amend the Reclamation Wastewater and Groundwater Study and Facilities Act to authorize the Secretary of the Interior to participate in the Elsinore Valley Municipal Water District Wildomar Service Area Recycled Water Distribution Facilities and Alberhill Wastewater Treatment and Reclamation Facility Projects.

Mrs. CHRISTENSEN. Mr. Speaker, H.R. 31 will help the Elsinore Valley Municipal Water District build a recycled water treatment and distribution system. This fast-growing area in southern California is heavily dependent on water from rivers and storage reservoirs that are hundreds of miles away. The modest financial assistance provided by H.R. 31 will help southern California reduce its reliance on imported water and help to sustain water supplies during droughts. We have no objection to this non-controversial bill. The bill was ordered to be engrossed and read a third time, was read the third time, and passed, and a motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

Mrs. CHRISTENSEN

Mrs. CHRISTENSEN. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 180, the Darfur Accountability and Divestment Act of 2007. I am proud to be a cosponsor of this important and timely legislation to authorize States to divest from companies in Sudan, and to prohibit new federal contracts with companies doing business with the genocidal regime in Khartoum. Current estimates indicate that as many as 450,000 people have been killed and over 2.5 million have been displaced due to the ongoing genocide in the Darfur region of Sudan. The security situation on the ground is continuing to deteriorate and the violence is spreading to surrounding countries. As a member of the CBC and an African American, I joined my colleagues in support of H. Res. 333, in the last Congress, to designate the weekend of July 15-17 as a National Weekend of Prayer and Reconciliation for Darfur. The tragic and unforgivable/unforgiving genocide occurring in Darfur is as significant as acts of terrorism on which we are more focused. Over a million people, driven from their homes, now face death from starvation and diseases as the Government and militias attempt to prevent humanitarian aid from reaching them. These acts of genocide, civil terrorism, and inhumanity must stop! And the legislation we are considering today will go a long way in achieving this result. The Darfur Accountability and Divestment Act of 2007 requires the Secretary of the Treasury to create a list of companies who have a direct investment in or are conducting business operations in Sudan's power, mineral, oil, or military equipment industries. The list will be published in the Federal Register six months after enactment, and every six months thereafter. Many of our constituents are standing up and demanding that their hard earned money not be used to support a pariah government that is killing its own people. In passing H.R. 180 today we will be doing our part help protect the Sudan divestment movement at the State level and to help it continue to grow. I urge my colleagues to support passage of this bill.

Mrs. CHRISTENSEN

Mrs. CHRISTENSEN. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 days to revise and extend their remarks on the 10 measures previously considered.

Mrs. CHRISTENSEN

Mrs. CHRISTENSEN. Mr. Speaker, in 1790, the Non-Intercourse Act was enacted reserving the right to acquire land, or an interest in land, owned by an Indian tribe in the United States. It was intended to prevent third parties from taking advantage of Indians by prohibiting the lease, transfer, encumbrance or conveyance of lands from an Indian tribe without Federal approval. Our colleague, Representative Peter DeFazio, introduced the pending measure to exempt the conveyance of non-trust lands made by a Tribe located in Oregon. In this particular case, the law is preventing this Tribe from fully engaging in non-gaming economic development on fee land because Federal approval is required for leases between the Tribe and third parties. I urge my colleagues to support this measure. The bill was ordered to be engrossed and read a third time, was read the third time, and passed, and a motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

Mrs. CHRISTENSEN. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent for the immediate consideration in the House of the bill (H.R. 2863) to authorize the Coquille Indian Tribe of the State of Oregon to convey land and interests in land owned by the Tribe.

Mrs. CHRISTENSEN

Mrs. CHRISTENSEN. Mr. Speaker, this legislation is similar to the bill we just considered in that it also deals with an exemption from the Non-Intercourse Act. Our colleague, Representative Dale Kildee, introduced this measure to exempt the conveyance of non-trust lands made by Tribe located in Michigan. In this particular case, the law is preventing this Tribe from fully engaging in non-gaming economic development. The pending measure is necessary so that the Tribe can sell fee lands bought for investment purposes and to otherwise engage in real estate investment. I urge my colleagues to support this measure. The bill was ordered to be engrossed and read a third time, was read the third time, and passed, and a motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

Mrs. CHRISTENSEN

Mrs. CHRISTENSEN. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Natural Resources be discharged from further consideration of the bill (H.R. 2963) to transfer certain land in Riverside County, California, and San Diego County, California, from the Bureau of Land Management to the United States to be held in trust for the Pechanga Band of Luiseno Mission Indians, and for other purposes, and ask for its immediate consideration in the House.

Mrs. CHRISTENSEN

Mrs. CHRISTENSEN. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent for the immediate consideration in the House of the Senate bill (S. 375) to waive application of the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act to a specific parcel of real property transferred by the United States to 2 Indian tribes in the State of Oregon, and for other purposes.

Mrs. CHRISTENSEN

Mrs. CHRISTENSEN. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent for the immediate consideration in the House of the bill (H.R. 1696) to amend the Ysleta del Sur Pueblo and Alabama and Coushatta Indian Tribes of Texas Restoration Act to allow the Ysleta del Sur Pueblo tribe to determine blood quantum requirement for membership in that Tribe.