Eni Faleomavaega

Mr. FALEOMAVAEGA

Mr. FALEOMAVAEGA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in honor of a pioneer, a leader, an advocate, and a dear friend, Pat Luce-Aoelua, who recently passed away in Los Angeles, California. Pat was born in Fagatogo, American Samoa in 1944 to Ioane Afele Levi and Fanuaea Vaitupu Tu'ufuli Levi and was adopted by American missionaries, Maurice and Corabelle Luce, in 1946. Later, Pat and her adoptive parents immigrated to California in 1952 where Pat attended school and began her career. She received her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from California State University at Sacramento and her Master of Science in Counseling from the University of California at Davis. Pat was the Executive Director of the National Office of Samoan Affairs (NOSA) that was based initially in San Francisco and later moved its headquarters to Carson, California. She, together with other Samoan community leaders in California, founded NOSA in 1976 to bridge the federal and state agencies with the local Samoan communities. Some of the community leaders included Senator and Paramount Chief Galeai Tu'ufuli, High Talking Chief Leuluso'o Leatutufu, and Matau Taele. Pat and NOSA made sure that they worked closely with the elder chiefs and local Samoan church organizations in advocating for Samoans and Pacific Islanders both on the state and federal level, in better assisting the needs of the elderly, and providing opportunities for the younger generation. In the late 1970s, Pat was very active within the Samoan community in northern California. As she became more involved in the 1980s, Pat was instrumental in allowing American Samoans to become eligible for Federal funding and programs through the Native American programs. She also spearheaded the movement in passing state legislation in California providing for the identification and tabulation of Pacific Islanders as an ethnic group in the California state and county systems. Pat is not only a leader amongst the Samoan community but especially within all of the Asian and Pacific American communities throughout all the U.S. In 1980, through Pat's leadership and diligence, she was able to fight for the inclusion of Pacific Islanders as an identifier in the U.S. Census, a category that remains today. Pat's philosophy was ensuring that much of the needs of the Pacific Islanders could be addressed with the use of data collected through the decennial census and other government surveys. Although Pat has left us and began a new journey, her legacy will remain vigilant through torch bearers made up of the many new young Pacific Island leaders who have been under Pat's tutelage over the past three decades who today are working closely with their communities and advocating for those who are disenfranchised. I want to take this time to offer my personal condolences to Pat's husband, Tuimavave Aoelua, their only daughter--Corabelle, and to their many families and friends who are mourning the loss of one of Samoa's strongest daughters. I pray the Lord will comfort them during this tragic time. Pat will be greatly missed. Ia manuia lau malaga.

Mr. FALEOMAVAEGA

Mr. FALEOMAVAEGA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today with deep sympathy to offer my condolences to the family and friends of a beloved daughter of American Samoa, Christine ``Tina'' Michelle Drabble-McCormack, who passed away early on the morning of July 9, 2012 in Phoenix, Arizona following a 6-year battle with melanoma. Christine, who was known as ``Tina'' among family and friends, was born on May 30, 1971 in American Samoa, the eldest child of Thomas Hingston Drabble of Te Puke, New Zealand and Ta'alolo `Chande' Lutu- Drabble of Pago Pago, American Samoa. As a young girl, Tina attended South Pacific Academy, a private school where her father was one of the founders. At the early age of 9, she learned how to play golf from her uncle Fuga Tolani Teleso and she was selected as a member of the American Samoa Team in the 10 and under age group in the Junior Golf World Competition in San Diego, California, placing 2nd World and 1st Place International. In the following years, Tina would continue to represent American Samoa, serving as an American Samoa Flag Carrier in the 15-17 age group Junior Golf World Competition and earning additional 2nd and 3rd place World trophies, and an additional 4th place and two 1st place International trophies among junior golfers. In 1985 she became a member of the American Samoa Team in the South Pacific Mini Games in the Cook Islands, where her team won the gold medal. Two years later, at the age of 15, she participated in another gold-winning American Samoa team in the renowned South Pacific Games held in New Caledonia in 1987. That year, Tina also won the Individual Silver Medal. Tina attended Seabury Hall in Maui, Hawaii where she attained a 4.0 High School Grade Point Average in all four years. She was also the only female golfer on the school's all-male golf team. During high school, she also represented American Samoa in the three Fijian Ladies Opens in Suva, Fiji and the Fijian Ladies Classics in Deuba, Fiji in 1989, 1990 and 1991. She won all six of them. After high school, Tina was accepted at Stanford University and Brigham Young University in Utah but chose New Mexico State University for its golf program. She graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Accounting & Marketing and was selected as Captain of her college golf team. Before turning pro in 1996, Tina participated in the United States Amateur Links, finishing second to Natalie Gulbis, who is now one of the LPGA's top golfers. After Tina turned Professional, she played at the Futures Tours and won at Bay Hill Country Club. In 2007, a year after she was diagnosed with cancer, Tina was selected as an American Samoa Flag Carrier in the 2007 South Pacific Games in Apia, Samoa, where she culminated her career by winning the Individual Gold Medal for American Samoa. After college, Tina worked at Ashcraft Investment Company in Encinitas, California, as a Special Assistant to her dad at Sadie's Inn & Sadie's by the Sea in American Samoa and briefly at PICED, an educational development center in American Samoa. Tina was 41 years old in May this year. It is a very sad time for not only the Drabble family, but also for our American Samoan community. We have lost a beautiful young lady whose contribution to the people of American Samoa, especially as a sportswoman, will always be an inspiration to our young people. Tina was not only an ambassador of the Samoan people to the world but she was also a loving daughter, sister, and friend. I cannot imagine what a terrible experience it is for any parent to witness their child's life slowly coming to an end and I cannot find any words sufficient enough to comfort the Drabble family. In closing today, I can only extend my heartfelt sympathy to the Drabble family, especially Mr. Tom Drabble, Tina's father, and Mrs. Ta'alolo `Chande' Lutu-Drabble, Tina's mother, who has also been Tina's full time caregiver and patient advocate in the final stages of her daughter's life. In the Book of Matthew we read, ``Blessed are they who mourn, for they shall be comforted.'' I pray that the comfort of God will give Tina's family strength and that through the tremendous sorrow, memories of Tina's life and her beautiful spirit will bring lasting joy to all who loved her. Tina, you will surely be missed. Ia manuia lau faigamalaga.

Mr. FALEOMAVAEGA

Mr. FALEOMAVAEGA. Madam Speaker, the Conference Agreement on H.R. 4348, Surface Transportation Extension Act of 2012 unfairly places the financial burden on the smaller territories--American Samoa, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI), Guam, and the U.S. Virgin Island (USVI). Specifically, the agreement would result in a 20- percent reduction for each of the smaller territories under the Territorial and Puerto Rico highway program (Div A, Title 1, Subtitle A, Section 1114) for FY 2013 and FY 2014. The territorial highway program underscores federal commitments to sustain economic development in the territories as well as to ensure safe highways in our communities. Funding from the territorial highway program has provided for the construction and improvement of highways and roads, critical infrastructure for commerce and transportation in the territories. Mr. Speaker, any cuts to these critical funding could prove devastating to the economies of the smaller territories, yet we face the same challenges--the high cost of energy and transportation--as everyone else across the country. Similarly, the initial version of the Highway Reauthorization bill that the House passed earlier this year would have replaced the Highway Trust Fund as the funding source for the Territorial Highway Program, with a less stable source. For these reasons, the territorial delegates wrote a joint letter to the Conference Committee on April 26. We specifically highlighted the need to maintain the current funding levels for the territorial program. In addition, we asked that the territories be made eligible for certain discretionary grants and planning grants programs. I am pleased that the conference agreement would keep the Highway Trust Fund as the funding source for the Territorial Highway Program. While I am disappointed to know that the smaller territories are given the brunt of the budgetary cuts to bear, I am hopeful however that the territories would be made eligible for certain discretionary grants and planning grants programs. These additional grants could help mitigate some of the financial issues as a result of the proposed reduction.

Mr. FALEOMAVAEGA

Mr. FALEOMAVAEGA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong opposition to this resolution to hold in contempt Attorney General of the United States Mr. Eric Holder. This contempt resolution does no good in moving along the investigation of the gun-walking operations across our borders nor in the investigation of the death of Border Patrol Agent Brian Terry, whose killing was associated with the recovery of two firearms linked with Operation Fast and Furious. Last year, the House Oversight Committee initiated an investigation into allegations of this operation in the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms and Explosives, or ATF, field division in Arizona. Over the past year, the committee has extended its investigation by requesting thousands of pages of documents from the Department of Justice and interviewing about two dozen officials. In response, the Department has made extraordinary attempts, in my opinion, to accommodate these requests by submitting over almost 8,000 pages of documents. Attorney General Holder has also testified before the committee about nine times on this matter. But the current contempt debate has lost its focus. This debate is no longer about gun-walking and Operation Fast and Furious. Having already discovered that Fast and Furious was the fourth in a series of gun- walking operations run by ATF's Phoenix field division in Arizona, dating back from the time of former President George W. Bush's administration, and finding no evidence of wrongdoing on the part of the Attorney General, the committee is now turning their focus to a single letter sent by the Department of Justice's Office of Legislative Affairs to Senator Grassley on February 4, 2011, which initially denied allegations of gun-walking. The Department has acknowledged that its letter was inaccurate and has formally withdrawn the letter. The Department has also turned over 1,300 pages of internal deliberative documents relating to how it was drafted, showing that staffers who drafted the letter relied on inaccurate assurances from ATF leaders and officials in Arizona who ran the operation. Again, the focus has shifted from the real matter of investigation and bringing justice to Agent Brian Terry's family. During the 16-month investigation, the committee refused all Democratic requests for key witnesses and hearings, as well as requests to interview any Bush administration appointees. For example, the committee refused a public hearing with Ken Melson, the head of ATF, as well as a hearing or even a private meeting with former Attorney General Mukasey. Attorney General Holder has worked in good faith, in my opinion, Mr. Speaker, to respond to the committee's requests and even met with the bipartisan leaders from both Chambers last week, offering to provide additional documents regarding the Fast and Furious initiative. His offer was rejected, and even yet the committee has continue to move the goal posts by demanding additional internal deliberative documents from after the February 4 letter that is now in question. Mr. Speaker, this resolution is the concluding step of what has turned out to be, in my opinion, an unfair process of defaming a public servant who has thus far made all good-faith efforts to cooperate with the Oversight Committee. Mr. Speaker, to suggest that today's debate and deliberations on this proposed contempt resolution against Attorney General Holder is a profound example of democracy at its best may also be considered a sad day--a sad day for our Nation and a recognition of the fact that there has been a failure of the system to function properly. I would respectfully urge the Speaker not to bring this resolution to the floor and allow the leadership of both sides of the Oversight Committee not to give up, and continue the dialogue, continue the deliberation, and not to question the motives and integrity of our colleagues on the committee, but solve the problem that is before us today, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. FALEOMAVAEGA

Mr. FALEOMAVAEGA. Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the gentleman from Texas, the chairman of the Judiciary Committee, Mr. Lamar Smith, for his leadership and support of this legislation, as well as my good friend, Congressman Conyers, the ranking member of the Judiciary Committee for his support. I especially want to express my appreciation and thanks to the chairwoman of our congressional Asian Pacific Caucus, Ms. Judy Chu, not only as the chief sponsor of this legislation but for her dynamic leadership in bringing this bill to the floor today. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of House Resolution 683, a resolution of regret for the Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882. The Chinese Exclusion Act was the first major law restricting immigration to the United States to enforce a 10-year moratorium on Chinese immigrant laborers and denying naturalization to those who were already in the United States. Enacted on the premise that Chinese labors ``endangered the good order of certain localities,'' the law was largely motivated by economic fears by our fellow Americans who felt that Chinese laborers were to blame for unemployment and the declining wages in the West. Through the Geary Act of 1892, the Chinese Exclusion Act was extended for another 10 years before becoming permanent in 1902, and it was only repealed by the Magnuson Act of 1943, when China became an ally of the United States during World War II. Even then, the new law only allowed 105 Chinese immigrants per year, a much lower quota than immigrant quotas from other countries and regions of the world. Large-scale Chinese immigration was only finally allowed again with the Immigration Act of 1965, some 80 years after the Chinese Exclusion Act. Like their counterparts from European countries, Chinese immigrants in the 19th century came to the United States in search of opportunities for a better life. Since the first wave of Chinese immigrants to the United States, the Chinese American community has contributed greatly to the development of our Nation, and it is a shame that these discriminatory practices and fear-based laws split up Chinese families and prevented them for decades from pursuing the American Dream. For example, Chinese laborers made up the majority of the Central Pacific railroad network workforce that connected the First Transcontinental Railroad through the Sierra Mountains into the Western States. Of course, that final spike was done in the State of Utah. The completion of the railroad--with the help of these Chinese laborers-- would later mobilize other industries and pave the way for a more connected and prosperous America. But the Chinese Exclusion Act, Mr. Speaker--the first law restricting entry of an ethnic working group--stifled Chinese immigrants' ability to lend their skills to the betterment of our Nation and become a part of the American family. Because this law was validated by leaders in our Nation, it gave credence to the underlying notion that certain groups did not deserve fair treatment in our Nation. The policy sent a clear message that Chinese immigrants were not qualified for the American Dream. Furthermore, it set a precedent for later policies against immigrant groups such as the National Origins Act of 1929, which barred Asian immigration, and our shameful policy of interning some 100,000 Americans born in the United States but who happened to be of Japanese ancestry. This is one reason why I always admired our Nation, Mr. Speaker, and our form of democracy, and that is, it tries to correct its mistakes from the past. While our Nation has come a long way since this legislation was enacted 130 years ago, let us continually be reminded in our diverse country to uphold the founding principle of our Nation: that all men and women are to be treated equally and fairly under the law. With that, I urge my colleagues to pass this bill.

Mr. FALEOMAVAEGA

Mr. FALEOMAVAEGA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the Asian- Pacific American community on the 20th anniversary of Asian-Pacific American Heritage Month. The achievements and successes of Asian-Pacific Americans demonstrate, above all, that the greatness of our Nation lies in its diversity. And no other community in the U.S. represents the diversity of our great Nation more than the Asian-Pacific American community. An inherently diverse population, Asian-Pacific Americans comprise over 45 distinct ethnicities and over 100 language dialects. Now numbering 18.5 million people, the Asian-Pacific American community grew 46 percent in the past decade--more than any other major racial group. The Pacific Islander population, while significantly smaller in comparison to the overall APA population, has also grown at a rapid rate over the past decade. According to the 2010 Census, the Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander, NHPI, population grew to over 1.2 million, an increase of 40 percent over the past decade. The NHPI population in the U.S. traces their roots to several island cultures in the Pacific. They include Native Hawaiians, Samoans, Tahitians, Tongans, and Tokelauans; Chamorros, Marshallese, Palauans, Chuukese, Mariana Islanders, Saipanese, Carolinians, Kosraeans, Pohnpeians, Yapese, and the people of Kiribati; as well Fijians, Solomon Islanders, Papua New Guineans, and the people of Vanuatu--all who have made their home in this great Nation. Pacific Islander heritage runs deep in NHPI communities across the Nation and the ancient cultural values of service to the family and the village carry on in NHPI's service to our Nation. In any arena of society in which Pacific Islanders have attained success, one common thread we see is their unending devotion to giving back to the community. Just last Friday, I had the honor of speaking at the funeral of a beloved son of Samoa and NFL Great, Junior Seau, who not only shined on the football field but who also devoted much of his time off the field to helping underprivileged youth through the Junior Seau Foundation. I was fortunate enough to have been able to meet Junior and one memorable occasion was right here in the Nation's capital. In 2005, I had the privilege of attending an award ceremony at the White House to witness President George W. Bush present to Junior the distinguished President's Volunteer Service Award for his work in helping youth through the Junior Seau Foundation. I remember Junior's genuinely humble spirit evident of his continuous connection to his roots and humble beginnings. And many others follow in these steps. Even stars such as Dwayne ``The Rock'' Johnson, who by the way was recently awarded ``Action Star of the Year'' at the prestigious CinemaCon Awards Ceremony, are heavily invested in enriching the lives of those less fortunate. Pacific Islanders also have paid the ultimate sacrifice in defending the freedoms of our Nation. As a Vietnam veteran, I would be remiss if I do not say something to honor and respect the hundreds of thousands of Asian-Pacific Americans who serve and have served in our armed forces. In closing, as we celebrate Asian-Pacific Heritage Month this May, let us also honor our Asian-Pacific Americans who display the virtue of servanthood in every arena of society, and especially those who have dedicated their lives to serving our Nation in the U.S. Armed Forces, including those from my district of American Samoa. Let us pay tribute to their sacrifice as we celebrate our heritage and freedoms.

Mr. FALEOMAVAEGA

Mr. FALEOMAVAEGA. Madam Speaker, It is with great pleasure to rise today in support of the Violence Against Women Act. In doing so, I am reminded of an old Samoan belief that the female siblings are the ``tama sa'' or sacred child in the family. They are to be treated with respect, care and love--offenders of this ancient taboo often faced extreme consequences. Madam Speaker, I am in full support of reauthorizing the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA). While I fully support reauthorization of an Act of Congress that since 1994 has been an essential tool to protect victims of domestic and sexual violence, I do however have some major concerns with H.R. 4970, legislation before us today. Unlike the Senate reauthorization bill, S. 1925, introduced by Senators Patrick Leahy and Mike Crapo and was passed by the Senate last month with strong bipartisan support, H.R. 4970 introduced by my colleague Ms. Sandy Adams, will effectively bring more harm than protect victims of domestic violence. Madam Speaker, unlike S. 1925, H.R. 4970 offers no protection for Indian spouses abused on tribal land. Under a 1978 Supreme Court decision, non-Indians cannot be prosecuted by tribal courts for crimes committed on tribal land. Last July, the Justice Department recommended that Congress give tribes local authority to prosecute non-Indians in misdemeanor domestic and dating violence cases. Madam Speaker, the Senate reauthorization bill, S. 1925, will do just that. It will recognize certain tribes' concurrent jurisdiction to investigate, prosecute, convict, and sentence persons who assault Indian spouses, intimate partners, or dating partners, or who violate protection orders, in Indian country. It recognizes that tribal nations may be best able to address in their own communities--neither the United States nor any State would lose any criminal jurisdiction as a result. Madam Speaker, H.R. 4970 on the other hand, completely ignores this ongoing injustice against Indian spouses, wives or partners, on tribal lands. I am also disappointed that certain provisions in H.R. 4970 would strip away some of the existing protection for immigrant victims of abusive relationships. As it stands now, VAWA allows battered immigrants to petition for their own immigrant status, independent of their abusive spouses and thus freeing them from their spouse's abuse and control. If enacted however, H.R. 4970 will allow immigration officers to interview an alleged offender and consider the information obtained in making a determination about the adjudication of a battered immigrant's petition for status. This allows abusers to manipulate the immigration process to cause further harm on the victim. Moreover, it will reveal confidential information necessary to protect the victim and her children from the unwanted advances of an abusive spouse or partner. Madam Speaker, in the ancient Samoan culture, it is a great shame to the male sibling if any harm or injury happens to the ``sacred child''. It is within this cultural context, and also with a deep sense of fairness and justice that I urge my colleagues to pass the Senate reauthorization bill. The house bill H.R. 4970, while it was written with good intention, does not do justice for the women of this country.

Mr. FALEOMAVAEGA

Mr. FALEOMAVAEGA. Madam Speaker, I would certainly be remiss if I did not extend my commendation to the gentleman from New York and to my good friend and colleague from Puerto Rico for their leadership and their service in bringing this legislation to the floor, also and more especially to Chairman Smith and our ranking member, Mr. Conyers, for their support in bringing this bill to the floor for consideration. Madam Speaker, I fully support the fundamental purpose of this bill, which is to create and integrate Blue Alert plans throughout the 50 States and the U.S. territories in order to disseminate information when a law enforcement officer is seriously injured in the line of duty. This program is similar to the Silver Alert public notification system, which broadcasts information about missing persons, especially seniors with Alzheimer's disease; or the America's Missing: Broadcasting Emergency Response, known mainly as the AMBER Alert, a public notification system about a missing child. Similarly, the intent of this legislation is to expeditiously apprehend the offenders that kill or hurt law enforcement officers. Law enforcement officers put their lives on the line every day to protect and to serve the public. Each year, hundreds of law enforcement officers are killed or seriously injured in the line of duty. On average, one law enforcement officer is killed in the line of duty every 53 hours. Last year, 173 officers had been killed, up to 13 percent from 153 killed in the line of duty 2 years ago. The Blue Alert system is a cooperative effort among local, State, Federal authorities, law enforcement agencies, and the general public. It provides a description of an offender who is still at large and may include the description of the offender's vehicle and license plate information. Madam Speaker, I am concerned to learn just this morning that the initial provision for a grant program to be made available to States and territories in support of the Blue Alert system is nowhere to be found in the language of the bill. Instead, the current bill language will only provide that the Attorney General shall assign an existing officer of the Department of Justice to act as the national coordinator of the Blue Alert communications network. Madam Speaker, while knowing that the Blue Alert system is not mandatory, resources should be made available to the 50 States and territories in order for the Blue Alert system network to work effectively and efficiently, otherwise the initial purpose of this bill will not be met under the current bill text before us today. However, I fully support the needs of the Blue Alert system. I urge that a grant program be made available to ensure that the law enforcement officers in the 50 States and territories are provided equal and fair treatment. Again, I want to thank Chairman Smith and Ranking Member Conyers for their support of this bill, and I urge my colleagues to support this legislation.

Mr. FALEOMAVAEGA

Mr. FALEOMAVAEGA. Mr. Speaker, I could not help but listen with tremendous interest, and also to commend my good friend from Oklahoma, who also is the cochairman of our Native American Congressional Caucus. I fully associate myself with the eloquent remarks that he has made in addressing the needs of this legislation that needs to be passed. I also want to commend my good friend from Utah and the gentleman from New Mexico for their management of this piece of legislation that is so important to our Native American community.

Mr. FALEOMAVAEGA

Mr. FALEOMAVAEGA. Mr. Speaker, I want to commend my good friend, the chairwoman of our Foreign Affairs Committee, as well as our ranking member, Mr. Berman, for bringing this legislation. And I am in full support, and I do associate myself with the comments and the statements made earlier by our great chairman as well as our ranking member, Mr. Berman. I urge my colleagues to support this piece of legislation.

Mr. FALEOMAVAEGA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H.R. 4240, to reauthorize the North Korean Human Rights Act of 2004, and for other purposes. First, I want to thank House Foreign Affairs Chairwoman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen of Florida and Ranking Member Howard Berman of California for their leadership on this very critical issue. I also want to thank all the cosponsors and supporters of this legislation. This is an important piece of legislation because of the humanitarian assistance the U.S. provides North Korean refugees and for the promotion of democracy and freedom in North Korea. H.R. 4240, or the Ambassador James R. Lilley and Congressman Stephen J. Solarz North Korea Human Rights Reauthorization Act of 2012, will allow the U.S. to continue to work with foreign countries in the assistance and migration of North Korean refugees to the U.S. It will also urge foreign countries, especially China, to stop the punishment and return of North Korean refugees. Importantly, H.R. 4240 will assist those who are providing humanitarian aid to North Koreans who are outside of North Korea. Given that the U.S. has one of the largest Korean populations outside of the Korean Peninsula with millions who have ties to North Korea, the U.S. must continue its firm commitment to the aid of refugees and advocacy of human rights for the victims in North Korea. Even after the death Kim Jong-Il, North Korea continues to deprive its people of the most basic human rights. Both the international media and nongovernmental organizations continue to report of the severe military crackdown and brutal punishment for those who attempt to defect from North Korea. Although it is estimated that there are less than 200 North Korean refugees who have resettled in the U.S. since 2004, I strongly believe that we must empower the North Korean people by continuing to promote democratic values and support of human rights programs. On a personal note, I think it is only appropriate that this legislation is named in honor of the late Ambassador Lilley and the late Congressman Solarz who were the champions of human rights issues for the people of North Koreans. I even had the privilege to work closely with the late Congressman Solarz, who was Chairman of the East Asian and Pacific Affairs, the same subcommittee of which I am the Ranking Member today. I am grateful for his leadership and understanding of the Asia Pacific region. Just as Ambassador Lilley and Congressman Solarz worked hard to protect the human rights of the North Korean people, we must remain vigilant in helping the people of North Korea who struggle daily to escape the oppression and tyranny of the North Korean regime. Again, I thank Chairwoman Ros-Lehtinen and Ranking Member Berman for their leadership and I urge my colleagues to pass H.R. 4240.

Mr. FALEOMAVAEGA

Mr. FALEOMAVAEGA. Mr. Speaker, it is imperative that the United States and the international community understand that a nuclear- capable Iran is a global threat and a danger to the United States and, just as important, to the State of Israel, where Iranian leaders have continued to threaten Israel's existence by pledging that Israel must be wiped off the map. This is a direct threat to our closest ally in the Middle East. Iran's reckless attitude continues to be a stimulus for the instability in the Middle East. My greatest fear is that a nuclear- capable Iran will cause other countries in the region to also build their own nuclear program. With that, Mr. Speaker, I want to associate myself with the eloquent statements made earlier by our good chairman, Chairman Ros-Lehtinen, and my good friend, Ranking Member Berman. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H. Res. 568, expressing the sense of the House of Representatives regarding the importance of preventing the Government of Iran from acquiring a nuclear weapons capability. I want to thank House Foreign Affairs Chairwoman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen of Florida and Ranking Member Howard Berman of California for their leadership on this very important matter. I also want to thank all the cosponsors and supporters of this critical resolution. H. Res. 568 reiterates the United States policy against the Government of Iran from ever acquiring nuclear arms capability and expresses the U.S.'s strong support for ensuring that the universal rights and aspirations for democracy of the Iranian people are protected. It is imperative that the U.S. and the international community understand that a nuclear-capable Iran is a global threat and a danger to the U.S. and just as important to the State of Israel where Iranian leaders have continued to threaten Israel's existence by pledging that Israel must be ``wiped off the map.'' This is a direct threat to our closest ally in the Middle East. Iran's reckless attitude continues to be a stimulus for instability in the Middle East. My greatest fear is that a nuclear-capable Iran will cause other countries in the region to build their own nuclear weapons. The United Nations Security Council has passed many resolutions demanding the suspension of Iran's nuclear program but it has fallen on deaf ears. In 2011, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has reported that Iran's nuclear program was suspected of having ``possible military dimensions'' in their program and that Iran has continued to enrich uranium to levels that are capable of building a nuclear weapon. The U.S. and our international community must continue to enforce economic and political sanctions on Iran. I certainly commend President Obama and his Administration for maintaining his position in not ``taking any options off the table'' in preventing Iran from ever having a nuclear weapon. The Administration must continue to pressure Iran to agree in having full and complete cooperation with the IAEA in addressing concerns relating to their nuclear activities. I thank Chairwoman Ros-Lehtinen and Ranking Member Berman again for their leadership and I urge my colleagues to pass H. Res. 568.

Mr. FALEOMAVAEGA

Mr. FALEOMAVAEGA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today with deep sympathy in order to offer my condolences to the family and friends of a beloved son, father, brother, uncle, leader, an NFL great, and a son of American Samoa, Junior Seau, whose life ended tragically on the morning of May 2, 2012, in Oceanside, California. It is a very sad time for, not only the national sports world, but also for our Polynesian community. We have lost a Samoan brother who was an icon in football and a pioneer for many of our Polynesian sons who are in the National Football League. A beautiful life has come to a tragic end, yet we remember Junior as a young man full of life, a charismatic leader able to light up any room, a devoted son and father and community leader. We remember the strength of this unique individual, a true Samoan warrior. Junior was born Tiaina Baul Seau, Jr., on January 19, 1969, in San Diego, California, to American Samoan parents Mr. Tiaina Seau, Sr., of the village of Aunu'u, and Mrs. Luisa Mauga Seau of the village of Aoa. After Junior was born, the family returned to American Samoa where Junior grew up for several years before returning to the San Diego area. Junior attended Oceanside High School where he lettered in football, basketball, as well as in track and field for the Oceanside Pirates. In football, he was a starter at linebacker and tight end, and received numerous awards for his achievements as a student athlete. In 1987, the year he graduated, Parade Magazine selected Seau to its high school all-American team. He was also named California Interscholastic Federation San Diego Section Defensive Player of the Year, All-North County, Avocado League Offensive Player of the Year, as well as being named to California's all-academic team, with a 3.6 grade point average. After graduating high school, Seau played for the University of Southern California Trojans from 1987 to 1990, and in 2009, would be inducted into the USC Hall of Fame. In the 1990 NFL draft, Junior was drafted into the First Round and 5th Overall Pick by the San Diego Chargers. Seau immediately became the heart and soul of the Chargers' defense, earning the nickname ``Tasmanian Devil'' for his passion and explosive athletic skill on the field. In the locker room and on the field, Seau had an innate ability to motivate his teammates. He was named the NFL's Defensive Player of the Year in 1998 and 1999, and was voted the Chargers' Most Inspirational Player in 1997 and 2002. Junior played in 12 consecutive Pro Bowls from 1991 to 2002, the most of any player in the history of the Chargers, and he tied for the third longest streak ever in the NFL. He was also selected All-Pro six times in his career, and led the Chargers to their first ever Super Bowl appearance in 1995. After 13 years in San Diego, Junior played 3 years for the Miami Dolphins where he received the Miami Dolphins' Don Shula Leadership Award for 2 consecutive years. After only 1 day of retirement in 2006, he answered the call by the New England Patriots, and became defensive co-captain during the Patriots' 18 0 season, which took the team to the Super Bowl in 2008. Junior finally retired in 2010, having played 20 seasons in the NFL and finishing with a career of 1,849 tackles, 56.5 sacks, 18 interceptions, three forced fumbles, and 21 pass deflections. Junior Seau is widely acknowledged as one of the best linebackers in NFL history, but his passion and success in football was paralleled in his community involvement and in his work off the field. In 1992, Junior established the Junior Seau Foundation, giving San Diego area youth ongoing support for programs that inspired them to face life's challenges with enthusiasm, hope and dignity. Since its inception, the foundation has distributed nearly $4 million to organizations providing services to children and young adults, including over $800,000 in scholarships through the Scholars of Excellence program and over $330,000 in Junior's ``Shop with a Jock'' program, which provides for underprivileged youth to shop alongside a professional college athlete for Christmas gifts for their families. In April 2007, The Wall Street Journal ranked the Junior Seau Foundation, as the 13th largest Professional Athlete Foundation based on assets. As much as he was an outstanding football player, Junior will also be remembered as a humanitarian, as a supporter for those who needed help the most, as a dear friend, and as a motivational figure. He was a charismatic leader who could not walk into a room without having an effect on those around him. He was loved by everyone who knew him, and his magnetism both on and off the field impacted fans nationwide and any individual he encountered. When one speaks of Samoans in the NFL, Mr. Speaker, Junior Seau is one of the first names that comes to mind. Junior was an ambassador for Asian and Pacific Americans, and through his success, he was able to broaden the public's understanding and appreciation of our Polynesian people. Reaching the NFL is a dream of many young men, but Junior Seau gave young Samoan men an image of success in the league--something that they could aspire to. In closing today, I would like to offer words of comfort to the Seau family, especially Mr. Tiaina Seau Sr. and Mrs. Luisa Seau, Junior's parents, as well as Junior's children, his siblings, and his extended family, or as we say in Samoan his aiga. In the Book of Romans, Chapter 12, Verse 15 we are called to ``rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep.'' In all of Junior's amazing accomplishments throughout his life, we have rejoiced with the Seau family, sharing your joy. And now in this time of great sorrow, we stand with you, though with heavy hearts, sharing in your grief. Ia manuia lau faigamalaga. (Have a blessed journey home), Junior.

Mr. FALEOMAVAEGA

Mr. FALEOMAVAEGA. Mr. Chair, I am in strong support for funding the National Sea Grant College Program in H.R. 5326, making appropriations for the Departments of Commerce and Justice, Science, and Related Agencies for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2013, and for other purposes. First, I want to commend the Administration and my colleagues in the Congress for not making any significant budgetary changes for our National Sea Grant College Program, or Sea Grant, given our budget limitations and push for fiscal responsibility. The National Sea Grant College Program, through the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, continues to play a significant role in the stewardship of our lakes and oceans. Our coastal communities have continued to work closely with Sea Grant's national network of more than 30 universities in all parts of the U.S, including our Territories. Like our land-grant universities, Sea Grant conducts research, training, and extended science-based projects that are beneficial for the conservation and use of our aquatic and coastal resources. I strongly believe that we as a nation are not investing enough in Sea Grant as we have done so with land-grant universities. In the last decade, the U.S. has imported an astonishing almost 20 million tons of seafood from around the world. I feel that this is an opportunity, through the many training and research programs by Sea Grant, we can continue to diversify and support a more sustainable seafood supply. Sea Grant also prepares and supports our local communities by providing the necessary data and scientific information so that they may be able to make sound decisions that would provide for better water quality, more sustainable and healthy ecosystems, or adaptation to climate change. I want to recognize the positive strides Sea Grant has made not only in our Territories but also our coastal and Great Lake states. I urge my colleagues to support funding for our National College Sea Grant Program.

Mr. FALEOMAVAEGA

Mr. FALEOMAVAEGA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of House Concurrent Resolution 105, to authorize the use of the Emancipation Hall in the Capitol Visitor Center for the Lei Draping Ceremony on June 24, 2012, to celebrate the birthday of the great warrior, King Kamehameha. I want to thank my colleagues, Ms. Hanabusa and Ms. Hirono, for their leadership, and to all the members of the Hawaiian congressional delegation for their support of this important legislation. I also want to take this opportunity to commend my good friend, Senator Daniel Akaka, for his stewardship on this and many other issues benefiting the people of Hawaii. Senator Akaka has been an integral part of the Lei Draping Ceremony for the past 36 years, and it is befitting that his outstanding service and dedication to the people of Hawaii will be recognized in next month's ceremony. Mr. Speaker, for more than 40 years, the Hawaiian congressional delegation and the Hawaii State Society of Washington, D.C., has hosted the Lei Draping Ceremony on or about the second week of June to coincide with the celebration of King Kamehameha Day in the State of Hawaii. Because King Kamehameha's statue has been moved to the Emancipation Hall of the U.S. Capitol Visitor Center, it now requires the enactment of a congressional resolution to authorize this annual celebration; hence, House Concurrent Resolution 105 is being considered before the House today. Mr. Speaker, for some 2,000 years, the Hawaiian Islands existed under some tremendous rivalries among the Native Hawaiian warring chiefs. After almost 10 years of fighting, King Kamehameha brought all of the Hawaiian Islands under one rule, thus fulfilling an ancient prophecy that one day a high chief will be born and will defeat the chiefs of the other islands and thereby bring all the eight Hawaiian Islands under one rule. Mr. Speaker, King Kamehameha, while a mountain of a man--standing at 6 feet, 8 inches tall and weighing about 300 pounds and a great warrior of many feats--perhaps is better known for his foresight and for the peace and stability he brought to the Hawaiian Islands. He was shrewd in building prosperity for his people by encouraging agricultural development and promoting commercial trade in Europe, and even with the United States. While he was open to new ideas, he was cautious and circumspect in the old ways. It was said that before the unification of the Hawaiian Islands in 1782, King Kamehameha, during a raid, came across two unarmed fishermen, and as he attempted to slay the fishermen, his foot was caught between two rocks. In defending themselves, the two fishermen immediately hit King Kamehameha on the head with a large paddle, broke it, and left him for dead. King Kamehameha survived, and some 12 years later, the fishermen were caught and brought before the King. Rather than seeking revenge on the fishermen, King Kamehameha set them free with gifts. From then on, King Kamehameha, declared what is known now today in Hawaiian history as the Law of the Splintered Paddle, or Mamalahoe, as known among the Hawaiian people. The Law of the Splintered Paddle has become the basis of many modern human rights laws regarding the treatment of unarmed men, women, and children and that they are not to be harmed when traveling along the roadside. In his time, King Kamehameha strived to maintain the sovereignty of his people. He created a unified legal system and did not allow non- Hawaiians to own land. These efforts came at the height of colonialism in the Pacific region, when one after another Pacific island succumbed to the colonial powers. Mr. Speaker, I submit to you and to my colleagues and to the American people that the Native Hawaiian, King Kamehameha, was one of the greatest warrior chiefs who has ever lived among the Polynesian people. For anyone who has ever visited the Hawaiian Islands--now, proudly, the 50th State of our Nation--just think that during the late 1700s, he, with a fleet of some 900 war canoes and with some 20,000 warriors, embarked upon one of the greatest feats in military history--to unite the Hawaiian Islands under Kamehameha's rule, which took almost 10 years to achieve. And for some 100 years, King Kamehameha and his descendents ruled the Hawaiian Islands as an independent and sovereign nation. King Kamehameha, indeed, was a true warrior of the first order. He was a master of the ancient Hawaiian martial arts, known to the Hawaiians as lua. We Samoans call it limalama. He fulfilled another prophesy, whereby anyone who would move what was known as the Naha Stone, which weighed only 4,500 pounds--Kamehameha moved the stone, again, fulfilling another prophecy that whoever was able to move the Naha Stone would rule the Hawaiian Islands. Kamehameha fulfilled that prophesy. Of interest also, Mr. Speaker, King Kamehameha's military tactics are still being studied at our West Point Military Academy at New York. In sports, he was a master surfer. In those days, the surfboards weighed over a hundred pounds. Can you imagine a 6-foot, 8-inch man surfing with a board that is about a hundred pounds in weight? Another famous ancient Hawaiian sport was to jump off the high cliffs just to jump in the ocean. But one of the sports that King Kamehameha was very famous for--specialized in--was the idea that three spears would be thrown at you, and what he would do is let two spears pass you, then he would carry two spears, catch the other two spears, and bury the remaining two spears. Try that, Mr. Speaker, and see if you might be able to do this. The bottom line, Mr. Speaker, is I want to thank the gentlelady from Hawaii (Ms. Hanabusa) for her sponsorship of this legislation. Let's pass House Concurrent Resolution 105. And I thank my friend from Mississippi for his assistance in managing this bill.

Mr. FALEOMAVAEGA

Mr. FALEOMAVAEGA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to condemn last week's launch of a multistage rocket by the North Korean military. Fortunately, the launch failed and the missile disintegrated within a couple of minutes. However, that does not mean a future experiment like this by the North Korean government could not succeed, given that the rocket--which was ostensibly carrying a ``weather satellite''--could just as easily deliver nuclear or chemical weapons over a long distance, threatening the peace and security of Northeast Asia and the Western Pacific. The words of the Security Council's statement in response to the launch deserve repetition, and I request that the full text--which was read out by the United States Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Ambassador Susan Rice--be inserted into the Congressional Record: ``The Security Council strongly condemns the 13 April 2012 (local time) launch by the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, DPRK. ``The Security Council underscores that this satellite launch, as well as any launch that uses ballistic missile technology, even if characterized as a satellite launch or space launch vehicle, is a serious violation of Security Council resolutions 1718 (2006) and 1874 (2009). ``The Security Council deplores that such a launch has caused grave security concerns in the region. ``The Security Council demands that the DPRK not proceed with any further launches using ballistic missile technology and comply with resolutions 1718 (2006) and 1874 (2009) by suspending all activities related to its ballistic missile programme and in this context re- establish its pre-existing commitments to a moratorium on missile launches. ``The Security Council agrees to adjust the measures imposed by paragraph 8 of resolution 1718 (2006), as modified by resolution 1874 (2009). The Security Council directs the Committee established pursuant to resolution 1718 (2006) to undertake the following tasks and to report to the Security Council within 15 days: (a) Designate additional entities and items; (b) Update the information contained on the Committee's list of individuals, entities, and items, S/2009/205 and INFCIRC/254/Rev.9/ Part.1, and update on an annual basis thereafter; (c) Update the Committee's annual work plan. ``The Security Council further agrees that, if the Committee has not acted pursuant to the paragraph above within 15 days, then the Security Council will complete action to adjust these measures within an additional five days. ``The Security Council demands that the DPRK immediately comply fully with its obligations under Security Council resolutions 1718 (2006) and 1874 (2009), including that it: abandon all nuclear weapons and existing nuclear programmes in a complete, verifiable and irreversible manner; immediately cease all related activities; and not conduct any further launches that use ballistic missile technology, nuclear tests or any further provocation. ``The Security Council calls upon all Member States to implement fully their obligations pursuant to resolutions 1718 (2006) and 1874 (2009). ``The Security Council expresses its determination to take action accordingly in the event of a further DPRK launch or nuclear test.'' In contrast to the behavior of the North Korean regime, the strong alliance between the United States and the Republic of Korea has been a pivotal relationship in world affairs since we fought side by side in the Korean War six decades ago. Out of that conflict was born one of the most significant dividing lines of the Cold War, a demilitarized zone that splits the Korean Peninsula and marks the divide between communist and democratic Asia. The partnership between the U.S. and the Republic of Korea has held this line for more than six decades. So, in light of North Korea's provocative actions, it is particularly important that we acknowledge our deep and abiding friendship with South Korea. As a key member of the Six-Party Talks to denuclearize North Korea, the Republic of Korea shares an important responsibility for broader security in Northeast Asia. We share this responsibility, and this is why I urge my colleagues to join me in condemning the North Korean missile launch and in compelling the North Korea regime to eliminate its nuclear program.

Mr. FALEOMAVAEGA

Mr. FALEOMAVAEGA. Mr. Speaker, over the past 3 years, President Obama has passed legislation, has introduced crucial programs, and has offered important tax incentives to restore economic security to middle class families across our Nation. Immediately after assuming office, President Obama created a middle class task force that is targeted at raising middle class living standards and at giving the middle class a voice in the White House. President Obama also expanded small business loan programs in order to give small business owners access to credit and in order to boost job creation. He also extended the 2010 payroll tax cut through 2012 to give the average working family $1,000 a year and to give increased Federal student aid to low-income college students. Mr. Speaker, I commend President Obama's bold leadership and vision, and I commend him for his commitment to restoring economic security for our middle class families across America.

Mr. FALEOMAVAEGA

Mr. FALEOMAVAEGA. Madam Speaker, rising gas prices are hitting families hard, adding to what is already a tough economic situation for our citizens across the Nation. That is why I commend President Obama for his all-of-the-above energy strategy, which includes a strong commitment to domestic oil production. Oil and gas development has increased in every year of the Obama administration, and domestic oil production is now at an 8-year high. Furthermore, our foreign dependence on oil is at a 16-year low. Last year, we cut net oil and petroleum imports by 1 million barrels a day. President Obama has also offered millions of acres of land for lease and has improved safety measures to prevent future spills. The President has also proposed opening up more undiscovered offshore oil and gas resources for development in the Gulf of Mexico. I thank President Obama for his leadership in increasing oil production so that our Nation, our country, will depend less on imported foreign oil.

Mr. FALEOMAVAEGA

Mr. FALEOMAVAEGA. Mr. Speaker, 3 years ago, the American auto industry was on the verge of collapse, and millions of American jobs were in jeopardy. When President Obama decided to rescue the American auto industry, many critics opposed him. But, today, the auto industry is resurging thanks to the tough decisions our President made in times of economic crisis. President Obama stood by the American business community and our auto industry. As a result of his firm commitment and demonstration of leadership, jobs were saved. Some 1.4 million jobs were going to be lost up and down the supply chain of the auto industry if President Obama had not taken action to provide for the needs of millions of American families at a time of such great economic insecurity in our Nation. And now it's paying off. The auto industry has added more than 200,000 jobs in the last 2\1/2\ years. Last but not least, General Motors Company is once again the world's top auto manufacturer. In 2011, profits were $7.6 billion, its largest ever. Mr. Speaker, I commend President Obama for the bold decisions he made to rescue our Nation's auto industry, and I thank him for standing with our country's workers and for leading our Nation out of the most serious economic recession since the Great Depression of 1929.

Mr. FALEOMAVAEGA

Mr. FALEOMAVAEGA. Madam Speaker and to my colleagues here in the great Chamber of the people's House, the House of Representatives, I know of no other place in the world, only in America, that a man whose father was a devout Muslim from Kenya, Africa, who was married to a white woman from the great State of Kansas--and with all due respect to our birther friends, this man was born in the great State of Hawaii; this man is none other than Barrack Hussein Obama--could become our President, Madam Speaker, our President of all of the United States of America and its territories. I want to share with my colleagues one of the most critical issues as advocated seriously by President Obama, and that is in the field of education. I commend President Obama for his commitment to providing every child in America access to a complete and competitive education all the way from cradle to career. In recent years, the United States has drastically fallen behind other countries when it comes to education. In the most recent Programme for International Student Assessment Report published in 2009, researchers ranked the performance of 15-year-olds internationally and found that the United States ranked 17th in reading, 24th in science, and 30th in math. To make America competitive once again, Madam Speaker, President Obama has introduced several key initiatives that focus on early childhood education, that reform and invest in K 12 education and restore America's leadership in higher education. In his first major action of his Presidency, President Obama signed the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, which makes significant investments in education. The act included $5 billion for early learning programs as well as programs for children with special needs. The President has also introduced accountability standards for Head Start to ensure that early childhood programs are continuing to deliver quality services. In addition, nine States have also received approximately $500 million from the Race to the Top-Early Learning Challenge fund to create systems of high quality early learning and development programs. The President has also set a goal for the United States to have the highest proportion of college graduates in the world by the year 2020. To reach this goal, the President focused on K 12 teaching and learning. The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act provided $77 billion to strengthen elementary and secondary education, including $48.6 billion to stabilize State education budgets and to encourage States to ensure that all schools have highly qualified teachers, improve achievement in low-performing schools, and ensure college and career readiness. The President also has invested to make sure that teachers are supported as professionals in the classroom, while also holding them more accountable. Effective teachers will be rewarded, and States will be encouraged to remove ineffective teachers from the classroom. The President has also supported innovation in the classroom, such as the expansion of high quality charter schools, investments in the Race to the Top competition between States, and also providing flexibility for States who are looking for greater relief under the No Child Left Behind Act. The President also introduced the ``Educate to Innovate'' campaign, which is aimed to improve the participation and performance of America's students in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. President Obama has also introduced measures to make college more affordable. Under the President's leadership, the maximum Pell Grant amount has been raised to $5,500. The new ``Pay As You Earn'' proposal will also give about 1.5 million students the ability to cap their loan payments at 10 percent of their monthly income and allow debt forgiveness balance after 20 years of payments. The President's plan will enable an estimated 6 million students and recent college graduates to consolidate their loans and reduce their interest rates. Colleges and universities will also be rewarded based on their ability to offer relatively lower tuition costs and provide value to especially low-income students. Madam Speaker, if we prepare America's children with a high quality education, we enable them to succeed in today's global economy. Furthermore, our ability to educate America's children will determine the economic competitiveness of our great Nation. And as our President has recently stated, no issue will have a bigger impact on the future performance of our economy than education. Once again, Madam Speaker, I commend President Obama for his commitment to helping our children succeed from cradle to career. I thank him for his bold leadership and vision for the future of our children and our great Nation.

Mr. FALEOMAVAEGA

Mr. FALEOMAVAEGA. Mr. Speaker, in the 2 years since President Obama signed the Affordable Care Act into law, millions of Americans have already experienced firsthand its important benefits and the economic security it provides. Because of President Obama's bold reforms, Medicare is now stronger for seniors, and women can now get lifesaving mammograms at no extra cost. Children won't lose their coverage just because they were born with preconditions like asthma. Altogether, families across the Nation are seeing how health reform is saving lives and saving money. For example, 86 million Americans have received free preventive health care, and 180 million are now protected from some of the worst health insurance abuses. An additional 2.5 million young adults now have health insurance, and 47 million Americans now benefit from a stronger Medicare program. Now prescription drug discounts have saved 3.6 million Medicare recipients an average of $600. Mr. Speaker, President Obama's landmark health care reforms are already helping millions of Americans save lives and live healthier lives. I commend President Obama for making the tough decisions that have given more Americans access to an affordable quality health care program.

Mr. FALEOMAVAEGA

Mr. FALEOMAVAEGA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today with sadness to pay tribute to His Majesty King George Tupou V of the Kingdom of Tonga, who passed away yesterday. I was privileged to have known His Majesty King George Tupou for many years, and I will remember him as a noble leader who was passionate about serving his people. King George Tupou V assumed the throne in 2006, and after the death of his father, His Majesty King Taufa'ahau Tupou IV, he led the Pacific's only remaining monarchy into a more democratic form of government, introducing Tonga's first popularly elected Parliament and Prime Minister 2 years ago. He was known as a progressive leader who promoted the private sector, technological advances, and many more as an open economy. As fellow Polynesians, the people of American Samoa share many historical and cultural ties with the people of Tonga, and we join together in giving our deepest condolences to Her Majesty Queen Mata'aho, the royal family, and the good people of Tonga.

Mr. FALEOMAVAEGA

Mr. FALEOMAVAEGA. Madam Speaker, increasing American manufacturing is central to President Obama's vision for an economy built to last. The American manufacturing industry has expanded for 30 straight months. For the first time since the 1990s, we are creating manufacturing jobs again. The past 2 years, American manufacturers have created nearly 400,000 jobs across the country. Because of President Obama's decisive actions, we've also experienced a revival in the automotive industry. In the last 2\1/2\ years, the auto industry alone has added more than 200,000 jobs. Furthermore, General Motors Company once again is the number one company in the world, and it recently announced its largest annual profits in history, thanks again to President Obama's determination to assist this important industry to get back on its feet. Because of President Obama's leadership, the United States also is on track to meet his goal of doubling exports within 5 years. Now more and more consumers around the world are buying products stamped with the three magic words, ``Made in America.'' The vitality of the American manufacturing industry is crucial to the economic recovery of our Nation. I commend President Obama for his commitment to our manufacturing industry and, most of all, for his bold leadership and vision.

Mr. FALEOMAVAEGA

Mr. FALEOMAVAEGA. Mr. Speaker, President Obama recently announced $30 million in new funding as part of his energy research strategy to reduce our reliance on foreign oil and to provide Americans with new choices for vehicles that do not rely on gasoline. This crucial investment in advanced energy research will promote American innovation to diversify our Nation's energy resources and create new jobs. Under President Obama's leadership, America is now producing more oil than at any time in the last 8 years, and our dependence on foreign oil is at a 16-year low. Over the last 3 years, the Obama administration has approved dozens of new pipelines and has opened millions of acres for oil and gas exploration. The Obama administration has also implemented the toughest fuel economy standards in history, which will cut oil consumption by 12 billion barrels and save American families $1.7 trillion over the next 10 years. Mr. Speaker, I commend President Obama for taking these important steps to promote and to enhance our Nation's energy needs.

Mr. FALEOMAVAEGA

Mr. FALEOMAVAEGA. I do want to thank the gentlelady from the Virgin Islands for managing the time for our colleagues in this Special Order that has been taken to honor our good friend who has just passed away, Congressman Don Payne. Congressman Don Payne was my classmate. We sat next to each other for the past 23 years as members of the House Foreign Affairs Committee. We were talking about the situation where it looked very interesting as proud Americans, and yet we knew something was missing here in terms of the activities of how our foreign policies have come about, in doing things about our relationship with other countries, so Don Payne was committed to looking after the needs of what are our foreign policies towards Africa. My commitment was to find out what are our foreign policies towards the Asia and the Pacific region. I want to share this little interesting thought with my colleagues. When Don Payne and I first became members of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, hardly any of the members wanted to be on the Asia and the Pacific or Africa subcommittees. The mentality here in Washington was entirely towards Europe and the Middle East. Being members of these two subcommittees was almost like the pits. They were not even on the radar screen, weren't even given any real sense of priority or interest. I want to say to my colleagues that it has been truly an honor to be sitting next to my brother, Don Payne, and to commit to the idea that as a champion and advocate for the needs of the poor, the great champion of human rights throughout the world, not just towards Africa, but all other regions of the world, Don Payne and I worked on the plight, the needs of the people of West Papua, New Guinea. I always have remembered Don Payne's admonition to me every time we discussed issues about fairness and equality. He said, Eni, let me just remind you of what Martin Luther King, Jr., once said: ``In the end, we will not remember the words of our enemies, but the silence of our friends.'' I think it's so true in terms of what he instituted in my own heart and mind: you can't just sit back and just let things go by. We've got to be out there being proactive and expressing ideas that will solve the many issues and the problems that we are faced with, not only in our own country, but throughout the world. I want to express my deepest sympathies and condolences to the family of my brother, Congressman Don Payne. And I'm reminded of the saying, ``blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called the children of God.'' This truly was a peacemaker, whom I've had the honor and privilege of witnessing his life as an example not only to our colleagues, but certainly to the Members of the American people. Both in deed and by his conduct, Don Payne was truly a statesman, and his voice will be surely missed in the years to come. Mr. Speaker, I am so happy to see that so many of our colleagues are here to pay special tribute to this great man, a gentle man, and yet by such great tremendous example showing us what we should be doing: going about and helping other people. I want to wish him well. We have a saying in my culture, ``Ia manuia lau faiga malaga''--``May you have a good voyage.''