Eni Faleomavaega

Mr. FALEOMAVAEGA

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

Mr. FALEOMAVAEGA. Mr. Speaker, I again thank my good friend the gentleman from Arizona for his management and his eloquent remarks concerning his support of this legislation. I rise today in support of this bill I introduced to protect the voting rights of active duty service members and overseas voters whose home of residence is American Samoa. This issue is not new to the people or the American Samoa legislature. The truth is this matter has been before the people and our local leaders for the past 6 years. Since 1998 I have written to our Governors, past and present. I have written and testified before our local legislature, and copies of my testimony and letters and local responses have been made part of the committee record. Mr. Speaker, during the 107th Congress, I introduced H.R. 3576, a bill to establish primary elections which would have made sure that the American Samoa Delegate was elected by a majority of the votes cast. When introducing this bill, I pointed out that both Guam and the Virgin Islands were once bound by the 2-week Federal runoff requirement but established primary elections to resolve similar problems of sending out and receiving back absentee ballots in time for those votes to be counted. Although I suggested that American Samoa could benefit from modeling its Federal election procedures after Guam and the Virgin Islands, American Samoa chose not to support this bill and cited as its reason that primary elections were too costly. Mr. Speaker, given the importance and urgency of this bill, I want to thank members of the House Committee on Resources, both Democrats and Republicans, who have unanimously voted in favor of this legislation. H.R. 2010 is the right thing to do. As a Vietnam veteran, I will not rest until we fully guarantee that our active duty service members have the right to vote in Federal elections in the territory. To alleviate any concerns that I will personally benefit from this legislation, I offered an amendment in the nature of a substitute for purposes of changing the effective date of this bill from January 2004 to January 2006. This amendment was unanimously supported in markup by the House Committee on Resources and, as such, any change in law will not go into effect until the 2006 election cycle. Mr. Speaker, at this time I thank the men and women from American Samoa who are serving on active duty at a time when our Nation is at war. I wish our active duty service members the very best and I pray for their safe return as it would be true for all members of our armed services currently serving all over the world. I also want to thank Chairman Pombo of the Committee on Resources and Ranking Member Rahall for their unwavering support of H.R. 2010 and for bringing this historic bill to the House floor for consideration and for a vote. Again, this is a bipartisan bill. I urge the Members of this body to join us in protecting the voting rights of our active duty military men and women who currently serve all over the world representing our great Nation. Again, I urge my colleagues to support this bill. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 2010, a bill I introduced to protect the voting rights of active duty service members and overseas voters whose home of residence is American Samoa. This issue is not new to the people or the American Samoa Legislature. The truth is this matter has been before the people and our local leaders for the past 6 years. Since 1998, I have written to our Governors, past and present. I have written and testified before our local Legislature, or FONO, and copies of my testimony, my letters, and local responses have been made part of the Committee record. I have also brought this matter to the attention of my constituents through press releases, newsletters, radio and TV programs. In 2001, I conducted a Congressional survey and 85 percent of those surveyed agreed that American Samoa's overseas voters and active duty service members should be afforded the same rights and privileges as every other American serving in the U.S. Armed Forces. Unfortunately, American Samoa's overseas voters and military men and women have been disenfranchised from the political process and have been denied the right to vote in the federal elections held in the Territory. In part, this has been due to two complications. One, American Samoa law has required uniformed and overseas voters to register to vote in person and this has been contrary to the Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Voting Act of 1975. While I am pleased that our Legislature is working to address the local registration process, our uniformed and overseas voters have also been denied the right to vote as a result of Public Law 95-556 passed on October 31, 1978. Federal, or PL 95-556, provides for the Territory of American Samoa to be represented by a nonvoting Delegate to the United States House of Representatives and mandates that if no candidate receives a majority of the votes cast, on the fourteenth day following such election, a runoff election shall be held between the candidates receiving the highest and second highest number of votes cast. Like the Governor of American Samoa, the Honorable Togiola T.A. Tulafono, I believe this 1978 federal law requiring a runoff election to be held only 14 days after the general election creates, as Governor Togiola says, ``a situation where it is virtually impossible for American Samoa's Election Office to send out absentee ballots to the men and women in the military and expect to receive them back in time for those votes to be counted in a run-off election.'' Given that our mail is delayed and our air service is limited to two flights a week, Governor Togiola and I agree that some measure should be put in place to assure that the votes of our military men and women are counted and that this injustice is corrected. During the 107th Congress, I introduced H.R. 3576, a bill to establish primary elections and which made sure that American Samoa's Delegate was elected by a majority of the votes cast. When introducing this bill, I pointed out that both Guam and the Virgin Islands were once bound by the two week federal runoff requirement but established primary elections to resolve similar problems of sending out and receiving back absentee ballots in time for those votes to be counted. Although I suggested that American Samoa could benefit from modeling its federal election procedures after Guam and the U.S. Virgin Islands, the American Samoa Government (ASG) chose not to support this bill and cited as its reason that primary elections were too costly. Given ASG's financial difficulties and out of respect for its concerns, I introduced H.R. 4838 which called for voting by plurality in lieu of primary elections. As I explained when introducing H.R. 4838, 49 of the 50 states use plurality voting to elect their Representatives to Congress. The countries of Tualauta and Itu'au in American Samoa also elect their representatives by plurality vote. Plurality voting minimizes costs to the local government and also provides active duty service members and other overseas voters an opportunity to participate fully in the federal election process. Despite these benefits, ASG also chose not to support this bill. This time, the former and late Governor Tauese P.F. Sunia stated that he believed ``the intent of Congress when they established majority vote was to ensure a strong mandate for American Samoa's Delegate.'' To be clear about this, I would like to provide this body with a legal history of how election law was determined for American Samoa. In 1951, President Harry S Truman issued Executive Order 10264 which transferred administrative responsibility for the islands of American Samoa from the Secretary of the Navy to the U.S. Secretary of the Interior. The Secretary of the Interior, in turn, appointed our Governors. In 1960, the people of American Samoa adopted a Constitution. The Constitution was revised in 1966 and was approved by the Secretary of the Interior on June 2, 1967. In 1967, the Revised Constitution of American Samoa provided for an elected Legislature, or Fono, consisting of a Senate and a House of Representatives. However, it did not provide our people with the right to elect our own Governor and Lieutenant Governor and, at the time, American Samoa was the only remaining off-shore area of the United States which did not have a popularly elected Governor and Lieutenant Governor. On June 10, 1976, Congressman Phil Burton, Chairman of the House Subcommittee on Interior and Insular Affairs, took notice of American Samoa's situation and introduced a bill to make it possible for our Governor and Lieutenant Governor to be popularly elected rather than appointed by the Secretary of the Interior. As staff counsel to the Committee on Interior and Insular Affairs, Congressman Burton instructed me to draft this legislation which the U.S. House of Representatives overwhelmingly passed by a landslide vote of 377 to 1. Instead of sending his bill to the Senate, Congressman Burton decided to consult further with the Secretary of the Interior, Rogers C.B. Morton, about American Samoa's unique political status as an unincorporated and unorganized territory which was and is unlike the organized territories of Guam and the Virgin Islands. As a result of their consultations, the two agreed that Secretary Morton would issue a Secretarial Order (No. 3009) authorizing the American Samoa Government to pass enabling legislation to provide for an elected Governor and the Lieutenant Governor. Secretary's Order No. 3009 amended American Samoa's Constitution to specifically provide for an elected rather than an appointed Governor and Lieutenant Governor. Secretary's Order 3009 was also in keeping with the will of the majority of voters of American Samoa who voted in favor of electing their own Governor and Lieutenant Governor in a plebiscite that was held on August 31, 1976. Furthermore, Chairman Phil Burton introduced legislation on August 2, 1978 to provide that the Territory of American Samoa be represented by a nonvoting Delegate to the U.S. House of Representatives. I was also tasked with drafting this legislation which became Public Law 95-556 and was made effective October 31, 1978. I can assure you that in the case of the Delegate, American Samoa's federal election laws were patterned after those of the Virgin Islands and Guam. At the time, consideration was not given to whether or not majority or plurality voting should be established for American Samoa. Congress simply enacted legislation to provide American Samoa with representation in the U.S. Congress. We could not foresee some 25 years ago that American Samoa's men and women would serve in record numbers in the U.S. Armed Forces making it nearly impossible (given American Samoa's limited air and mail service) for active duty service members to participate in runoff elections held two weeks after general elections. Today, we are keenly aware that this requirement to hold a runoff election 14 days after the general election is wrong. To right this wrong and after further consultations with our local leaders, I introduced H.R. 2010 which includes the suggestions of Governor Togiola. In a letter dated September 11, 2003, Governor Togiola informed me that he had reviewed the copy of H.R. 2010 that I sent to him and that he was satisfied that this bill will provide an immediate solution to address the concerns we have regarding the voting rights of our men and women in the military services. In a letter dated September 15, 2003, I thanked Governor Togiola for his support. Although we have had some differences regarding this issue, Governor Togiola and I have always agreed that our military men and women should have the right to vote especially when they contribute almost a million dollars per year in taxes to our local government. I am pleased that Governor Togiola is now happy with this bill and I again commend him for supporting its passage. I also want to thank the President of the American Samoa Senate, the Honorable Lutu Tenari S. Fuimaono, for his support. In a letter dated October 28, 2003, President Fuimaono stated that he fully supports H.R. 2010 and that he wishes Chairman Pombo the best of luck in moving forward on the bill. Finally, I would like to say that H.R. 2010 is an historic bill. It is a bill that immediately restores the voting rights of our overseas voters and active duty military members. It is also a bill that makes clear in no uncertain terms that the American Samoa Legislature is vested with the authority it needs to establish primary elections for the office of the Delegate, if it so chooses. H.R. 2010 also protects American Samoa's future in the U.S. Congress. Without H.R. 2010, future Delegates could miss out on key committee assignments as a result of delayed outcomes and run-off elections. Like Governor Togiola, I do not believe American Samoa's future should be weakened or disadvantaged and this is one more reason I appreciate his support of H.R. 2010. Given the importance and urgency of this bill, I thank the members of the House Resources Committee, both Democrats and Republicans, who have unanimously voted in favor of this bill. H.R. 2010 is the right thing to do and, as a Vietnam veteran, I will not rest until we fully guarantee that our active duty service members have the right to vote in federal elections held in American Samoa. To alleviate any concerns that I will personally benefit from this legislation, I offered an amendment in the nature of a substitute for purposes of changing the effective date of this bill from January 2004 to January 2006. This amendment was unanimously supported at mark-up by the House Resources Committee and, as such, any change in law will not go into effect until the 2006 election cycle. As I have repeatedly stated, H.R. 2010 in no way, affects how the American Samoa Government chooses to elect its local leaders and, having made every change requested of me by our local leaders and after years of good-faith efforts on my part, I believe the time has come to do right by our overseas voters and men and women in the military. Our sons and daughters have fought and died to preserve our freedoms and I will do everything I can to protect their right to vote. At this time, I thank the men and women from American Samoa who are serving on active duty at a time when our Nation is at war. I wish our active duty service members the very best and I pray for their safe return. I also thank the Honorable Richard Pombo, Chairman of the House Committee on Resources, and Ranking Member Nick Rahall, for their unwavering support of H.R. 2010 and for bringing this historic bill to the House Floor for consideration and vote. Again, Democrats and Republicans of the House Resources Committee joined together to unanimously pass H.R. 2010 and I now urge members of this body to join with us in protecting the voting rights of active duty military members and overseas voters whose home of residence is American Samoa. Attachments 04/05/00--Faleomavaega to ASG Governor Sunia, Lieutenant Governor, President of the Senate and Senators, Speaker of the House and Representatives, Attorney General. 11/20/01--Faleomavaega to ASG Governor Sunia, Lieutenant Governor, President of the Senate and Senators, Speaker of the House and Representatives. 12/20/01--Faleomavaega to ASG Governor Sunia, Lieutenant Governor, President of the Senate and Senators, Speaker of the House and Representatives. 01/02/02--Governor Tauese Sunia to Faleomavaega, ASG Lieutenant Governor, President of the Senate and Senators, Speaker of the House and Representatives, Chief Election Officer. 01/28/02--ASG Speaker of the House to Faleomavaega, ASG Governor, Election Office, President of the Senate. 02/27/02--Faleomavaega to ASG Speaker of the House. 03/05/02--Faleomavaega to ASG Senate President and Senators. 05/23/02--Faleomavaega to ASG Governor Sunia, Lieutenant Governor, President of the Senate and Senators, Speaker of the House and Representatives. 07/10/02--ASG President Pro Tem and Speaker of the House to the Honorable James Hansen, Chairman of U.S. House Committee on Resources, ASG Governor Tauese Sunia, Senators, Representatives, Chief Election Office, the Honorable Nick Rahall (Ranking Member of the U.S. House Committee on Resources), Congressman Eni Faleomavaega, Members of the U.S. House Committee on Resources. 07/11/03--Governor Tauese Sunia to Faleomavaega, Chairman of the U.S. House Committee on Resources, ASG President of the Senate and Senators, Speaker of the House and Representatives, Chief Election Officer. 07/15/02--Faleomavaega to the Honorable Nick Rahall, Ranking Member, U.S. House Committee on Resources. 07/15/02--Faleomavaega to the Honorable James Hansen, Chairman, U.S. House Committee on Resources. 07/23/02--Faleomavaega to ASG Governor Sunia, Chairman and Ranking Member of the U.S. House Committee on Resources, Deputy Assistant Secretary of the U.S. Department of the Interior, ASG Lieutenant Governor, President of the Senate and Senators, Speaker of the House and Representatives, Chief Election Officer. 07/23/02--Faleomavaega to the Honorable James Hansen, Chairman, U.S. House Committee on Resources. 07/23/02--Faleomavaega to the Honorable Nick Rahall, Ranking Member of the U.S. House Committee on Resources. 09/05/02--Faleomavaega to ASG Governor Tauese Sunia. 09/05/02--Faleomavaega to ASG President of the Senate and Senators. 09/05/02--Faleomavaega to ASG Speaker of the House and Representatives. 09/12/02--Faleomavaega Statement before the American Samoa Legislature. 05/07/03--Faleomavaega to ASG Governor Togiola Tulafono, Lieutenant Governor, President of the Senate and Senators, Speaker of the House and Representatives. 09/05/03--Senator Te'o J. Fuavai to Faleomavaega. 09/11/03--ASG Governor Togiola Tulafono to Faleomavaega, ASG Lieutenant Governor, President of the Senate and Senators, Speaker of the House and Representatives. 09/15/03--Faleomavaega to ASG Governor Togiola Tulafono, Lieutenant Governor, President of the Senate and Senators, Speaker of the House and Representatives. 09/19/03--Senate Resolution. 10/16/03--Faleomavaega to Senator Te'o J. Fuavai. 10/27/03--President of ASG Senate, Lutu Fuiamono, to Faleomavaega. 10/28/03--Office of the Governor to Lieutenant Governor, Aitofele T.F. Sunia. 07/21/76--Congressional Record, Providing for an Elective Governor and Lieutenant Governor of American Samoa. 10/03/78--Congressional Record, Providing the Territory of American Samoa with a Nonvoting Delegate. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. FALEOMAVAEGA

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

Mr. FALEOMAVAEGA. I thank the gentleman from Arizona for again his management of this proposed legislation. Mr. Speaker, this bill was introduced by the gentlewoman from North Carolina, Mrs. Dole, and in compliance also a companion bill was introduced in the House by my good friend the gentleman from North Carolina (Mr. McIntyre). As stated by the previous speaker, Mr. Speaker, S. 1663 is noncontroversial legislation that would correct the boundaries of an otherwise protected area located near the mouth of the Cape Fear River in North Carolina. I want to thank again Chairman Gilchrest and Ranking Member Pallone of the Subcommittee on Fisheries Conservation, Wildlife and Oceans for their contributions in making an improvement to this proposed legislation. The technical corrections contained in the new maps that would be adopted through passage of this bill have been painstakingly reviewed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and all local property owners to ensure their accuracy. In fact, I cannot recall another comparable bill that has undergone such a thorough review. In this regard again I want to congratulate and praise the House sponsor of companion legislation, H.R. 2501, the gentleman from North Carolina (Mr. McIntyre), for his perseverance in seeing this process through. The gentleman from North Carolina's diligence and persistence have resulted in a final product that addresses the legitimate needs of his constituents. Most important, Mr. Speaker, this legislation respects and upholds the integrity of the John H. Chafee Coastal Barrier Resources System. For that reason, I urge my colleagues to support this bill.

Mr. FALEOMAVAEGA

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

Mr. FALEOMAVAEGA. Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank the gentleman from Arizona (Mr. Renzi) and the majority of the committee for the management of this legislation. I also would be remiss if I did not extend my personal commendation to the gentleman from North Carolina (Mr. Jones), the chief sponsor of this legislation, which has been carried on for the past several Congresses. I congratulate the gentleman from North Carolina (Mr. Jones) for his tenacity and persistence in moving this legislation. Mr. Speaker, in the course of the last several hundred years, a herd of wild horses has established itself on the Shackleford Banks area of Cape Lookout, North Carolina. The herd developed on the banks because of shipwrecks and abandonment. When the national seashore was established, there were approximately 100 wild horses on the barrier island. Over the years, the National Park Service has taken steps to control the herd size to prevent damage to park resources. As the majority explained, this bill makes a number of slight adjustments in the management of the herd as a means to ensure their long-term survival. Mr. Speaker, H.R. 2055 is a workable solution to the wild horse management needs at Cape Lookout, and we support adoption of the legislation by the House today. Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. FALEOMAVAEGA

Mr. FALEOMAVAEGA. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Arizona (Mr. Renzi) for management of this proposed legislation. I commend the gentleman for his tremendous knowledge of sea turtles. I know there are a lot of turtles in Arizona, and I commend him for his assistance in passage of this legislation. Mr. Speaker, this bill has the bipartisan support not only of the chairman of our Subcommittee on Fisheries Conservation, Wildlife and Oceans, the gentleman from Maryland (Mr. Gilchrest), but also the ranking member, the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Pallone), the gentlewoman from Guam (Ms. Bordallo), and others who are cosponsors of this legislation. Marine turtles have been swimming in the world's oceans for an estimated 100 million years. Unfortunately, marine scientists speculate that certain species, such as the Pacific leatherback, may become extinct in the next 5 to 30 years unless the world takes notice of many threats confronting sea turtles. I am proud to be a cosponsor of H.R. 3378, which would establish a new international conservation matching grant program to protect marine turtles, especially their nesting habitats, around the globe. I applaud, again, the chairman of our fisheries subcommittee for his leadership, and also the Committee on Resources chairman, the gentleman from California (Mr. Pombo), and the ranking member, the gentleman from West Virginia (Mr. Rahall), for their leadership and support of this legislation. Again I urge my colleagues to support this bill.

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

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

Mr. FALEOMAVAEGA

Mr. FALEOMAVAEGA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to former President Ronald Reagan who passed away on Saturday June 5, 2004. At this time, I extend my deepest condolences to his loving wife, Nancy, and his children, and I join with our Nation in mourning the loss of a great leader. Ronald Wilson Reagan was born in Tampico, Illinois to Nelle Wilson and John Edward ``Jack'' Reagan. In 1928, Ronald Reagan graduated from Dixon High School where he served as student body president. From 1928- 1932, Reagan attended Eureka College, a small liberal arts institution in Illinois. He majored in economics and sociology. In 1937, Reagan enlisted in the Army Reserve as a Private and was soon promoted to 2nd Lieutenant in the Officers Reserve Corps of the Cavalry. While in the Army, an agent for Warner Brothers discovered Ronald Reagan. In 1940, Reagan wed Jane Wyman. In 1942, the Army Air Force called Reagan to active duty. He was assigned to the 1st Motion Picture Unit in Culver City, California where he made over 400 training films. Reagan was discharged from the Army in 1945 at the rank of Captain. After the war, Reagan resumed his acting career and in 1952 wed Nancy Davis. In 1956, Reagan campaigned as a Democrat for Eisenhower. In 1960, he campaigned for Richard Nixon. In 1962, he officially changed his party registration to Republican. In 1966, Reagan was elected Governor of California and was re-elected in 1970. On November 4, 1980, Ronald Reagan Wilson became the 40th President of the United States. Ronald Reagan wished to be remembered as the President who wanted Americans to believe in themselves. We will remember him for much more. We will remember Ronald Reagan as a political leader who worked diligently to stimulate economic growth, increase employment and strengthen national defense. He was ``The Great Communicator'' whose words and actions spoke of honor and peace. Through his convictions, we witnessed the fall of the Berlin Wall and the end of the Cold War. ``Peace through strength'' is what he sought and achieved. In his own words taken from 1986 as he sought to comfort us after the Challenger Disaster, ``We will never forget [him], nor the last time we saw [him] . . . as he prepared for [his] journey, and waved good-bye, and `slipped the surly bonds of earth' to `touch the face of God.' ''

Mr. FALEOMAVAEGA

Mr. FALEOMAVAEGA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor our fallen heroes and to pay tribute to our current military men and women who are serving our Nation in a time of war. I especially want to thank American Samoa's warriors for the sacrifices they have made so that you and I and future generations may live in peace. American Samoa's sons and daughters have served in record number in every U.S. military engagement from WWII to present operations in our war against terrorism. Our active duty service members are also serving in Operation Iraqi Freedom. In March of this year, over 65 soldiers from American Samoa's Army Reserve Unit were deployed to Iraq and recently we received word that other units from American Samoa will soon follow. Last year, American Samoa lost two young warriors to the war in Iraq. In August 2003, SPC Farao Kevin Letufuga died in Mosul, Iraq and it was with heavy hearts that CSM Iuniasolua Savusa and I accompanied his body home. Specialist Letufuga served as a member of the 101st Airborne Division. He is the son of Mr. Fetineia'i and Siniva Letufuga of Aoloau, American Samoa. On October 27, 2003, PVT Jonathan I. Falaniko was killed in Baghdad, Iraq in a rocket propelled grenade attack. Twenty-year-old Jonathan Falaniko had been in the U.S. Army for less than 6 months. He attended basic training at Fort Leonard Wood, MO, in May 2003 and was deployed to Iraq in August 2003. Private Falaniko was then assigned to the 70th Engineer Battalion under the 1st Armored Division, Engineers Brigade of which his father, Ioakimo Falaniko, was the command sergeant major and the most senior enlisted soldier. CSM Ioakimo Falaniko has been serving with distinction in the U.S. Army for over 26 years and is still serving in Iraq. Command Sergeant Major Falaniko is from the village of Amanave, American Samoa and his wife Maliana is from Aua. Their son was laid to rest at the National Cemetery in Arlington on Friday, November 7, 2003. I was privileged to be invited by the Falaniko family to speak at Private Falaniko's services. It was a very solemn and inspiring service that was also attended by LTG Robert Flowers, Commander of the Army Corps of Engineers, and the Sergeant Major of the Army, Jack Tilley. In Samoan culture, it is customary to make speeches so that for generations to come the name of our fallen heroes will not be forgotten. This is why I am pleased that we are observing a moment of silence today and are reserving a special section of the Congressional Record for Members to honor fallen soldiers from their districts and to offer their thoughts on Memorial Day. In remembrance of Specialist Letufuga and Private Falaniko, I rise today to say that these two young men lived and died honorably as true Samoan warriors. They gave their lives so that you and I may live in freedom. Across America, many others have also died while protecting our Nation and today I pay special tribute to them. To those who have lost their sons and daughters and husbands and wives, I say let us honor their patriotism, love of country and willingness to serve and sacrifice to bring about peace and freedom in a troubled world. To our veterans and current service members, and especially to American Samoa's Reserve unit now serving in Iraq, I would like to close by saying I am proud of you. As a Vietnam Veteran, I commend you for your courage and I thank you for your service to our country. May God bless you and may God bless America.

Mr. FALEOMAVAEGA

Mr. FALEOMAVAEGA. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from California (Mr. Honda) for yielding to me and not only for his leadership but as chairman of the Asian Pacific American Caucus and for him to request this Special Order to allow Members of this institution to pay tribute and to recognize the contributions of our Asian Pacific American community to our Nation. I think with some sense of perspective in history, Mr. Speaker, when we talk about the Asian Pacific American region, we talk about all those countries that comprise Asia as a region as well as those Pacific Island nations. The Asian Pacific region constitutes two-thirds of the world's population. This region also has six of the 10 largest armies in the world. The U.S. commercial and trade relations with this Asian Pacific region far exceeds other regions of world. In fact, the U.S. trade with the Asian Pacific region is twice that of Europe alone. As I recall, Senator Inouye once made the observation that for each 747 that flies across the Atlantic, four 747s fly between the Asian Pacific region and our Nation. Americans whose roots are from the Asian Pacific region are over 13 million strong and among the fastest growing demographic group in the United States today. Permit me to share with my colleagues an overview of some of the contributions that Asian Pacific Americans have given to our Nation. Just 3 months ago, a world renowned Chinese American physicist, Dr. Chien-Shiung Wu, perhaps little known to the average American, passed away quietly in her home in New York. For decades she dedicated her life to the study of beta decay. She was born in Shanghai, and in her youth studied with Nobel Laureate E.O. Lawrence, the inventor of the cyclotron at U.C.-Berkeley, where Dr. Wu also received her doctorate degree in physics. For some 30 years, Dr. Wu taught physics at Columbia University. In 1957 she won the Nobel Prize in physics for her work on emission of electrons from radioactive nuclei. I think there are approximately 10 other Nobel Laureates who are of Asian Pacific ancestry in the field of physics, mathematics, and chemistry. A couple of years ago, Time Magazine featured as its Man of the Year Dr. David Ho. Dr. Ho is a Chinese American who was born and raised in Taiwan. His family moved to the United States when he was a young man, and he is now a leading scientist in the field of medicine and has been recognized for his research efforts to find a cure for HIV/AIDS. For several decades now, Dr. Makio Murayama, a Japanese American, conducted vital research in the United States that laid the groundwork for combating sickle-cell anemia. In 1973 Dr. Leo Esaki, a Japanese American as well, was awarded the Nobel Prize in physics for his electron tunneling theories. And in the field of engineering, few have matched the architectural masterpieces created by the genius of Chinese American I.M. Pei. In the fields of law and finance, the names of prominent Asian Pacific American corporate leaders and legal scholars are too numerous to mention. One need only to read our Nation's top newspapers and periodicals to document that Asian Pacific American students, both in secondary schools and universities, are among the brightest minds our Nation offers to the world. We have every expectation that they now and will in the future contribute their talents and expertise to solve major issues and problems now confronting our Nation today. In the fields of entertainment and sports, the late Chinese American kung-fu martial arts expert Bruce Lee captivated movie audiences around the world by destroying the common stereotype of the passive, quiet Asian Pacific American male. Now another sports and movie icon is moving his way through the movie industry and is believed to be the heir apparent to Sylvester Stallone and Arnold Schwarzenegger, Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger. His name is Dwayne Johnson, commonly known today as the Rock. The Rock is a former World Wrestling Federation champion wrestler and has completed his third movie. First it was The Scorpion King, then The Rundown, and now Walking Tall. And just a unique thing about the Rock, Mr. Speaker, is that his father is African American and of European descent, but his mother is pure Samoan Polynesian. Now just about every Samoan claims kinship with the Rock, including myself, Mr. Speaker. When we talk about sports, for example, golf, Mr. Speaker, it is ironic that the two best golfers in the world are of Asian Pacific descent. Tiger Woods's mother is Thai. Vijay Singh from the island of Fiji is of Asian descent. And as mentioned earlier by my colleagues from the State of Hawaii, we have a new Tiger Woods among the women's professional golfers, and this is a 14-year-old junior golfer from the State of Hawaii. She is Michelle Wie. About 4 decades ago, Mr. Speaker, a native Hawaiian named Duke Kahanamoku shocked the world by winning the Olympic gold medal for the United States in swimming, followed by Dr. Sammy Lee, a Korean American, who also won the Olympic gold medal in high diving. Dr. Lee told me during the 1988 Olympics in Korea that in his day, because he was nonwhite, he was not allowed to train along with his fellow Olympic American athletes. So he had to become creative by performing high dives off cliffs and tall trees. Despite all this, he still won the gold medal for our country. And what can you say about Greg Louganis, the Samoan American, perhaps the best high diver ever in the world. Dr. Lee, who was his former teacher, I asked him in Korea, ``Why is it that Greg Louganis is such a fantastic high diver?'' He said, ``Eni, look at his legs. Because of the power that he gets from his legs,'' this high diver named Greg Louganis, ``he is able to perform more difficult tricks in his routines when he does this.'' I think everybody knows that Greg Louganis has been the greatest diver ever known to the world. Let's talk about the National Football League. We have had Asian- Pacific Americans who have also made All-Pro: Charles Ane with the Detroit Lions, Rockney Freitous with the Detroit Lions; Luther Elliss; and the perennial All-Pro, Junior Seau, formerly with the San Diego Chargers, now with the Miami Dolphins. We have Jesse Sapolu with the Forty-Niners and Dan Saleaumua with the Kansas City Chiefs, and also Jim Nicholson, also formerly with the Kansas City Chiefs. We also have Asian-Pacific Americans who are making their mark on history, not in our country, but in Southeast Asia. About 20 years ago, an 18-year-old Samoan kid named Saleva'a Atisanoe, then weighing only 384 pounds was an All-State football player who had intended to play college football. While walking Waikiki Beach with his buddies, he was immediately brought to the attention of the famous Native Hawaiian sumo wrestler and teacher, Jesse Kuhaulua--or Takamyama--as he was known throughout Japan. After convincing Saleva'a's parents to have their son try sumo wrestling as an optional sport, Takamyama brought this Samoan young man to Japan. Saleva's left with only a little lavalava and a t-shirt on his back and started a training program so rigorous and demanding that very few foreigners make it through the first 6 months. Saleva'a told me that he trained every day for 6 or 7 hours. His body took every form of pain and physical punishment including stretching, pushing, pulling. If you want to know how rigorous the training is and what a sumo wrestler has to do in order to be successful in this ancient sport, let me just say that a 500 pound man must be able to do the splits just like a seasoned ballerina dancer does at an opera concert. Saleva'a's name was later changed to Konishiki, and he weighed in at 570 pounds and at six feet in height. Konishiki took the entire sumo wrestling world to a different level. His successes in winning his matches within 2 years usually would take most sumo wrestlers 5 years to achieve. Although he achieved the second highest level in sumo, which was Ozeki, Konishiki became a household name throughout Japan, and was forerunner to two other Polynesian sumo wrestlers who eventually became Yokozuma or grand champion. Indeed, two Americans of Polynesian descent scaled even greater heights by attaining the highest status--Yokozuna or Grand Champion--in this ancient Japanese sport of sumo wrestling. A Native Hawaiian, Chad Rowen, or Akebono as he is known in Japan became Yokozuma. Of course, he weighed about 500 pounds and stood six feet eight inches tall. The other was Samoan-Tongan American Peitani Fiamalu also known as Musashimaru. He tipped the scale at 550 pounds and stood six feet four inches. Mr. Speaker, if I may, I would like to now direct my attention to another area in our Nation's history, where Members of our Asian Pacific American community were severely challenged. As a Vietnam veteran, it would be ludicrous for me not to say something to honor and respect the hundreds of thousands of Asian Pacific Americans who served then and now in all the branches of the U.S. Armed Forces. As a former member of the U.S. Army's Reserve unit known today as the 100th Battalion and 442nd Infantry Combat Group, I would be remiss if I did not tell you about the contributions of the tens of thousands of Japanese American soldiers who volunteered to fight our Nation's enemies in Europe in World War II. Some of us may not be aware of the fact that after the surprise attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941, by the Imperial Army of Japan, there was such a public outcry for an all-out war against Japan, and days afterwards our President and the Congress formally declared war. But caught in this crossfire were hundreds of thousands of Americans, Americans, mind you, who just happened to be of Japanese ancestry. Our national government immediately implemented a policy whereby over 100,000 Americans of Japanese ancestry were forced to live in what then called relocation camps, but actually in my opinion they were more like prison camps or concentration camps. Their lands, homes and properties were confiscated without due process of law. Mr. Speaker, it is also a time in our Nation's history when there was so much hatred and bigotry and racism placed against our Japanese American community. Yet, despite all this, leaving their wives, their parents and brothers and sisters behind barbed wire fences in these prison camps, the White House accepted the request of tens of thousands of Japanese Americans who volunteered to join the Army. As a result of this request for service, two combat units were organized. One was known as the 100th Battalion, also known as the Purple Heart Battalion; and the other was known as the 442nd Infantry Combat Group. Both were sent to fight in Europe. In my humble opinion, Mr. Speaker, history speaks for itself in documenting that none have shed their blood more valiantly for our Nation than the Japanese American soldiers who served in these two combat units while fighting enemy forces in Europe in World War II. The military records of the 100th Battalion and 442nd Infantry are without equal. These Japanese Americans suffered an unprecedented casualty rate of 314 percent, and received over 18,000 individual decorations, many of them awarded posthumously, for bravery and courage in the field of battle. For your information, Mr. Speaker, 52 Distinguished Service Crosses were awarded to these two units. 560 Silver Stars and 9,480 Purple Hearts were awarded to the Japanese American soldiers of the 100th Battalion and 442nd Infantry Group. However, I find it unusual that only one Medal of Honor was given. Nonetheless, the 442nd Combat Group emerged as the most decorated combat unit of its size in the history of the United States Army. In fact, Mr. Speaker, President Truman was so moved by their bravery in the field of battle, as well as that of the contributions of African American soldiers World War II, that President Truman issued an executive ordered to desegregate all branches of the Armed Forces. It was while fighting in Europe that Senator Inouye lost his arm while engaged in battle against two German machine gun posts. As a result of his valor, Senator Inouye was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross. Four years ago, a congressional mandate was issued calling for review of the military records of these two combat units, and I was privileged to attend the White House ceremony where President Clinton presented 19 Congressional Medals of Honor to the Japanese Americans of these two units. Senator Inouye was one of the recipients of the Medal of Honor. The fact of the matter is, Mr. Speaker, these Japanese-Americans paid their dues in blood to protect our Nation from its enemies and it is a shameful black mark on the history of our country that when the patriotic survivors of the 100th Battalion and 442nd Infantry returned to the United States, many were reunited with their parents, brothers and sisters who were locked-up behind barbed-wire fences, living in prison camps--and could not even get a haircut in downtown San Francisco because they looked Japanese--despite the fact that they, too, were Americans. My dear friend and former colleague and now U.S. Secretary of Transportation, Norman Mineta, and Congressman Bob Matsui from Sacramento remember well the early years of their lives in these prison camps. Secretary Mineta told that one of the interesting features of these prison camps were postings of machine gun nests all around the camp--and everyone was told that these machine guns were posted to protect them against rioters or whatever. But then Secretary Minea observed--if these machine guns are posted to guard us, why is it that they are all directed inside the prison camp compound and not outside? Mr. Speaker, I submit that the wholesale and arbitrary abolishment of the constitutional rights of these loyal Japanese-Americans should forever serve as a reminder and testament that this must never be allowed to occur again. When this miscarriage of justice unfolded during WWII, Americans of German and Italian ancestry were not similarly jailed en masse. Some declare that our treatment of Japanese Americans during WWII was an example of outright racism and bigotry in its ugliest form. After viewing recently the Holocaust Museum in Washington, I understand better why the genocide of some 6 million Jews has prompted the cry, ``Never Again, Never Again!'' Likewise, I sincerely hope that mass internments on the basis of race alone will never again darken the history of our great Nation. To those that say, well, that occurred decades ago, I say we must continue to be vigilant in guarding against such evil today. Not long ago, we had the case of Bruce Yamashita, a Japanese-American from Hawaii who was discharged from the Marine Corps officer training program in an ugly display of racial discrimination. Marine Corps superiors taunted Yamashita with ethnic slurs and told him, ``We don't want your kind around here. Go back to your own country.'' The situation was made worse by the Commandant of the Marine Corps, a four star general, who appeared on television's ``Sixty Minutes'' and stated, ``Marine officers who are minitories do not shoot, swim or use compasses as well as white officers.'' The Commandant later apologized for his remarks, but it was a little too late. After years of perseverance and appeals, Mr. Yamashita was vindicated after proving he was the target of vicious racial harassment during his officer training program. The Secretary of the Navy's investigation into whether minorities were deliberately being discourage from becoming officers resulted in Bruce Yamashita receiving his commission as a captain in the Marine Corps. Mr. Speaker, I am also greatly disturbed by media coverage in recent years involving illegal political campaign contributions made by a small minority of the Asian-Pacific American Community. The media has implied that the Asian Pacific American community as a whole is suspect and corrupt and I find this racial scapegoating to be repugnant and morally objectionable. Playing-up fears of the ``Asian Connection'' serves to alienate Asian-Pacific Americans from participating in our political process. When Americans raise money, it is called gaining political power. But when Asian-Pacific Americans begin to participate, we are accused of being foreigners trying to inflilrate the mainstream of our Nation's political system. On this note, remember the Oklahoma City bombing incident? Americans of Arab descent were immediately targeted and investigated as terrorists by local and Federal law enforcement agencies. An Anglo turned out to be the bomber which leads me to say that it is wrong to stereotype and this type of negative stereotyping must and should not continue. In conclusion, I think Bruce Yamashita's case and the hysteria surrounding Asian-Pacific American political contriibutions bear implications not just for the military and the media but for our society as a whole. It begs the question, how long do we as Asian Pacific Americans and other minorities have to be considered as lesser Americans? I applaud Captain Yamashita and others like him who have spoken out to ensure that racial discrimination is not tolerated. During this month, as we recognize the diverse experiences and contributions our Asian-Pacific American community has made to our great Nation, I would hope that we will take inspiration from the examples I have shared with you this evening. Mr. Speaker, when I envision America, I don't see a melting pot designed to reduce and remove racial differences. The America I see is a brilliant rainbow--a rainbow of ethnicities and cultures, with each ethnic group proudly contributing in its own distinctive and unique way--making America better for now and generations to come. Asian- Pacific Americans wish to find a just and equitable place in our society that will allow them--like all Americans--to grow, to succeed, to achieve and to contribute to the advancement of the great Nation. This is why I would like to close my remarks by asking all of us here tonight, what is America all about? I think it could not have been said better than on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial in the summer of 1963 when an African-American minister named Martin Luther King Jr. poured out his heart and soul to every American who could bear his voice, when he uttered these words. ``I have a dream. My dream is that one day my children will be judged not by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character.'' That is what I believe American is all about.

Mr. FALEOMAVAEGA

Mr. FALEOMAVAEGA. Mr. Speaker, it is my great honor to rise to today in support of H.R. 3147, To Designate a Federal Building in Ogden, Utah as the ``James V Hansen Federal Building''. Chairman Hansen and I served together in this House for 14 years. As Chairman of the House Resources Committee, Jim Hansen was instrumental in securing passage of several pieces of legislation crucial to the needs of my constituents in American Samoa. Jim was a champion of good causes, an exemplary leader, and more importantly, my friend. At this time I urge all my colleagues to support this legislation which recognizes and honors Chairman Hansen's legacy of service.

Mr. FALEOMAVAEGA

Mr. FALEOMAVAEGA. Mr. Chairman, I rise today in support of H.R. 3550, the Transportation Act--A Legacy for Users (TEA-LU). I am pleased that my good friends Chairman Don Young and Ranking Member Jim Oberstar of the House Transportation Committee have agreed to increase transportation funding for the Territories. Congresswoman Madeleine Bordallo, Congresswoman Donna Christensen and I have worked on this issue for the past year and Congressman Nick Rahall, ranking member of the House Resources Committee, has supported our efforts. As a result of our work, the Territorial Highway Program (which includes American Samoa, Guam, the U.S. Virgin Islands and CNMI) will be increased from $33 million to $40 million for FY04, FY05 and FY06. For FY07, FY08 and FY09, funding will increase to $50 million. Despite the Transportation Act (now known as TEA-LU) being $100 billion less than what was originally proposed, the Territorial set aside will increase by 23.6 percent. Moreover, I have worked closely with Chairman Young and Ranking Member Oberstar to include $14 million for high priority projects in American Samoa. This funding is in addition to American Samoa's annual Federal highway funds and will be used for village road improvements, drainage mitigation, shoreline protection and upgrades and repairs of the Ta'u ferry terminal facility. In consultation with the Honorable Togiola Tulafono, Governor of American Samoa, I have asked the Committee to set aside $9.4 million for village road improvements in the Eastern, Western, Central and Manu'a districts of American Samoa. In further consultation with Senator Tuaolo Fruean and High Paramount Chief Mauga and members of the Pago Pago council of chiefs, we have also set aside $1 million for drainage mitigation for Pago Pago village roads. In consultation with Senator Tago Suilefaiga, Representative Fagasoaia Lealaitafea and Representative Mary Taufete'e and members of the Nuuli council of chiefs, we have set aside $1 million for shoreline protection and drainage mitigation for Nuuli village roads. In consultation with Senator Faamausili Pola and members of the Ta'u village council of chiefs, we have set aside $1.6 million to upgrade and repair the Ta'u harbor facility. Finally, in consultation with Senator Faiivae Galea'i, Senator Lualemaga Faoa and members of the Leone and Malaeloa councils of chiefs, we have set aside $1 million for drainage mitigation for Malaeloa-Leone village roads. Again, I thank my colleagues, both Democrat and Republican, and I also thank the local leaders of American Samoa, including Governor Togiola, for working closely with me to make sure that American Samoa's needs are addressed in this historic and important initiative. I urge passage of this bill and I again commend Chairman Young and Ranking Member Oberstar for their leadership and support.

Mr. FALEOMAVAEGA

Mr. FALEOMAVAEGA. Mr. Speaker. I rise today in support of H.R. 3550, the Transportation Act--A Legacy for Users (TEA-LU). I am pleased that my good friends Chairman Don Young and Ranking Member Jim Oberstar of the House Transportation Committee have agreed to increase transportation funding for the Territories. Congresswoman Madeleine Bordallo (Guam), Congresswoman Donna Christensen (VI) and I have worked on this issue for the past year and Congressman Nick Rahall, Ranking Member of the House Resources Committee, has supported our efforts. As a result of our work, the Territorial Highway Program (which includes American Samoa, Guam, the U.S. Virgin Islands and CNMI) will be increased from $33 million to $40 million for FY 04, FY 05 and FY 06. For FY 07, FY 08 and FY 09, funding will increase to $50 million. Despite the Transportation Act (now known as TEA-LU) being $100 billion less than what was originally proposed, the Territorial set aside will increase by 23.6%. Moreover, I have worked closely with Chairman Young and Ranking Member Oberstar to include $14 million for high priority projects in American Samoa. This funding is in addition to American Samoa's annual federal highway funds and will be used for village road improvements, drainage mitigation, shoreline protection and upgrades and repairs of the Ta'u ferry terminal facility. In consultation with the Honorable Togiola Tulafono, Governor of American Samoa, I have asked the Committee to set aside $9.4 million for village road improvements in the Eastern, Western, Central and Manu'a districts of American Samoa. In further consultation with Senator Tuaolo Fruean and High Paramount Chief Mauga and members of the Pago Pago council of chiefs, we have also set aside $1 million for drainage mitigation for Pago Pago village roads. In consultation with Senator Tago Suilefaiga, Representative Fagasoaia Lealaitafea and Representative Mary Taufete'e and members of the Nuuli council of chiefs, we have set aside $1 million for shoreline protection and drainage mitigation for Nuuli village roads. In consultation with Senator Faamausili Pola and members of the Ta'u village council of chiefs, we have set aside $1.6 million to upgrade and repair the Ta'u harbor facility. Finally, in consultation with Senator Faiivae Galea'i, Senator Lualemaga Faoa and members of the Leone and Malaeloa councils of chiefs, we have set aside $1 million for drainage mitigation for Malaeloa-Leone village roads. Again, I thank my colleagues, both Democrat and Republican, and I also thank the local leaders of American Samoa, including Governor Togiola, for working closely with me to make sure that American Samoa's needs are addressed in this historic and important initiative. I urge passage of this bill and I again commend Chairman Young and Ranking Member Oberstar for their leadership and support.

Mr. FALEOMAVAEGA

Mr. FALEOMAVAEGA. Mr. Speaker, again, I rise in support of H.R. 2584, a bill I introduced to assist our friends from Utrok Atoll as they continue efforts to resettle and rehabilitate their islands as a result of the effects of the United States nuclear testing in the Republic of the Marshall Islands (RMI). At this time, I would like to thank Chairman Richard Pombo and Ranking Member Nick Rahall of the Resources Committee for their continued support of Pacific Island issues. I would also like to thank my distinguished colleagues and co-sponsors--Congressmen Anibal Acevedo-Vila, Dan Burton, John Doolittle, Elton Gallegly, Jeff Flake, and Congresswoman Madeleine Bordallo. I would also like to thank members of the Senate for voting in favor of this legislation. The purpose of this legislation is to authorize the Secretary of Commerce to convey a decommissioned, operable NOAA vessel to the Government of Utrok. The vessel will be used to provide support for radiological monitoring, rehabilitation and resettlement of Utrok, an atoll that is part of the Republic of the Marshall Islands. During the 1940s and 50s, many of the Marshall Island atolls were devastated by the effects of U.S. nuclear testing activities. From 1946 to 1958, the United States detonated 67 nuclear weapons in the Marshall Islands, representing nearly 80 percent of all atmospheric tests ever conducted by the United States. If one were to calculate the net yield of these tests, it would be equivalent to the detonation of 1.7 Hiroshima bombs every day for 12 years. On March 1, 1954, at 6:45 a.m. at the Bikini Atoll in the Marshall Islands, the United States detonated the Bravo shot, a 15 megaton hydrogen bomb 1,000 times more powerful than the bomb dropped on Hiroshima. Acknowledged as the greatest nuclear explosion ever detonated, the Bravo test vaporized 6 islands and created a mushroom cloud 25 miles in diameter. Residents of Utrok atoll were forced to evacuate 72 hours after the miscalculated Bravo shot. Two months later, the U.S. assured the people of Utrok that it was safe to return home. The U.S. now acknowledges that it was a grave mistake to return the people to Utrok only 2 months after the detonation of Bravo. Utrok residents have since suffered severe health problems and genetic anomalies. Today, the people of Utrok are seeking to rehabilitate their home island so that it is a safe place to live. Last year, a comprehensive scientific report recommended a potassium fertilizer treatment to accompany the ongoing resettlement process on Utrok, a treatment which would suppress the remaining radioactive Cesium-137 in the soil and prevent its further uptake in the food supply. In addition, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) concluded a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Utrok that committed the DOE to build a Whole Body Counting (WBC) facility in order to monitor radioactivity levels in the people of Utrok. This new facility is located about 265 miles away in Majuro and will be used to ensure that the potassium fertilizer regime is effective and the administration of the fertilizer treatment is done properly. However, Utrok residents are responsible for their own transportation to Majuro. Transportation by plane is expensive and available only once per week. Air service is also unreliable as the Utrok runway is in disrepair and the airline often declines to land. Travel by commercial ships, although less expensive, is infrequent. One solution to help facilitate transport between Utrok and Majuro is to transfer a decommissioned NOAA vessel to the Utrok Atoll Local Government. In addition to transport of Utrok residents to the WBC facility, the vessel will be used for moving several tons of potassium fertilizer, transporting equipment and materials for radiological remediation, and transporting USDA food supplies. Because of the Cesium-137 contamination in locally grown food, at least 50 percent of the diet of Utrok residents must be imported to limit the risk of radiological poisoning. The Utrok Atoll Local Government fully supports this measure and adopted a resolution (022-03) on July 4th 2003 stating that the NOAA vessel transfer would be ``one of the crucial needs that will fully support our future goals to develop, rehabilitate and resettle the atoll after the aftermath of the Bravo fallout.'' The Utrok Government also expects the ship to be available for use by other atolls for their respective communities, who will help pay for the ongoing maintenance of the vessel. As the Ranking Member of the House International Relations Subcommittee on Asia and the Pacific, I am hopeful that this bill will remind Congress of our ongoing responsibility to the people of RMI for the mistakes the United States made regarding its nuclear testing activities in the Asia Pacific region. Once again, I thank my colleagues in the House and Senate for their support and I urge final passage of this important legislation.

Mr. FALEOMAVAEGA

Mr. FALEOMAVAEGA. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding me time. Mr. Speaker, I would not be standing here if it had not been for the able leadership and certainly the sensitivity and the commitment from the gentleman from Delaware (Mr. Castle) for all these years that we have worked tirelessly in providing for this legislation that we now come to this most historic occasion in presenting this proposed legislation before our colleagues and hopefully in my desire that we pass it. Mr. Speaker, this is not a Republican or a Democratic issue. This is an American issue. We are talking about the lives of some 5 million of our fellow Americans who live in the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the District of Columbia and the insular areas. I want to thank the gentleman from New York (Mr. King) for his sponsorship of this legislation and our colleague, also from New York (Mrs. Maloney), for her support as the ranking member of the subcommittee. And certainly I would be remiss if I did not thank the gentleman from Massachusetts (Mr. Frank) for his support. It saddens me, Mr. Speaker, for all these years that we have tried earnestly to provide passage of this legislation, that there is still some misunderstanding or misinformation among some of our colleagues to the point it saddens me that even some may have this idea that we are not worthy enough, we are not worthy enough as those of us fellow Americans coming from the District of Columbia, from the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, where some 3.8 million Americans, U.S. citizens, live, that we do not deserve the privilege of circulating just a quarter dollar in honor of the contributions that we have also made for all these years to the greatness of our Nation. I am reminded of a fellow Chamorro who is a retired Marine brigadier general, a former Member and colleague of ours, Mr. Ben Blaz, and he made this statement I have never forgotten over the years. He said to his colleagues here in this Chamber, we are equal in times of war, but we are not equal in times of peace. Mr. Speaker, this legislation would amend the popular 50 States Commemorative Coin Program Act to include six new designs emblematic of the District of Columbia, American Samoa, Guam, Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands and the Northern Mariana Islands. Designs on the reverse side of each quarter dollar issued during 2009 will be selected by the Secretary of the Treasury in consultation with the chief executive officers of these areas. All five congressional delegates are and were original cosponsors of this bipartisan measure. This measure was first introduced in the 106th Congress and passed overwhelmingly in the House by a vote of 377 to 6. Unfortunately, the 106th Congress ended before the Senate was able to consider our bill. Again, in the 107th Congress, we introduced H.R. 4005, identical legislation which also passed the House and was received in the Senate in October of 2002. Once again, the Senate was unable to consider this matter before the 107th Congress adjourned. Now we have introduced H.R. 2993; and we are hopeful, Mr. Speaker, that the House and Senate will pass this legislation before the 108th Congress adjourns. At this time, I also want to thank the gentlewoman from the District of Columbia (Ms. Norton) for her leadership, and I also want to thank our delegates who have worked tirelessly to ensure that this legislation is considered. Speaking on behalf of my own district in American Samoa, I believe it is only fitting for Congress to acknowledge our relationship with the United States, which has now been in place for other 104 years. Many fellow Americans have never heard of American Samoa. American Samoa has had a long and proud history of supporting the United States. The traditional leaders of the islands of Tutuila and Aunu'u ceded our islands to the United States in 1900. Four years later, the King of Manu'a and his chiefs ceded the Manu'a Islands. In the early part of the century, the harbor of Pago Pago, which was much sought after, was used as a coaling station for U.S. naval ships; and during World War II, these islands became a staging area for some 30,000 soldiers and Marines before they were sent to Tarawa and Guadalcanal and other parts of the Pacific during World War II. To this day, American Samoa serves as a refueling point for U.S. naval ships and military aircraft. American Samoa also has a per capita enlistment rate in the U.S. military which is as high as any State or territory. I have had to personally carry two of my soldiers who recently died from Iraq in that terrible conflict. Our sons and daughters have served in record numbers in every U.S. military engagement since World War II to the present operations in Iraq. We have stood by the United States in good times and bad times, and I believe this relationship should be acknowledged with the issuance of a commemorative coin. Mr. Speaker, H.R. 2993 affords us an opportunity to recognize the special contributions of the insular areas. I urge my colleagues to vote in favor of the legislation.

Mr. FALEOMAVAEGA

Mr. FALEOMAVAEGA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of House Concurrent Resolution 364 which recognizes more than 5 decades of strategic partnership between the United States and the people of the Marshall Islands in the pursuit of international peace and security. During World War II, the Marshall Islands were a strategic battleground. In 1944 and as a result of the heroic efforts of U.S. Armed Forces as well as the courageous assistance of the people of the Marshall Islands, the islands were successfully liberated from Japan's oppressive regime and a new cooperative partnership between the United States and the Marshalls was forged. By 1947, the Republic of the Marshall Islands (RMI) became one of six entities in the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands (TTPI) established by the United Nations and administered by the United States. This alliance obligated the United States to foster the development of self-governance and promote economic, social, and educational advancement of the people of the RMI. However, on March 1, 1954, at 6:45 a.m., at the Bikini Atoll in the Marshall Islands, the United States detonated the Bravo shot, a 15 megaton hydrogen bomb 1,000 times more powerful than the bomb dropped on Hiroshima. Acknowledged as the greatest nuclear explosion ever detonated, the Bravo test vaporized 6 islands and created a mushroom cloud 25 miles in diameter. While U.S. servicemen on Rongerik Atoll were evacuated within hours of the blast, Marshallese residents of Utirik and Rongelap were left behind for at least a day, resulting in their exposure to significant radiation. At the time of their removal, the people of these atolls were already suffering burns and loss of hair. Also returned prematurely to their atolls, the people of Rongelap and Utirik received additional exposure causing many to believe that they were used to study the effects of radiation on human beings. Recently declassified information contains strong indications that human experimentation using the people of the exposed atolls was indeed part of the nuclear testing program in the Marshall Islands. These tests exposed the people of the Marshalls to severe health problems and genetic anomalies for generations to come. Yet the United States has not made good on its promise to compensate citizens of the Marshall Islands for loss or damage to property and person resulting from the nuclear testing program which the Government of the United States conducted in the Marshall Islands between June 30, 1946 and August 18, 1958. From 1946 to 1958, the United States detonated 67 nuclear weapons in the Marshall Islands, representing nearly 80 percent of all atmospheric tests ever conducted by the United States. If one were to calculate the net yield of these tests, it would be equivalent to the detonation of 1.7 Hiroshima bombs every day for 12 years. Conducted in peacetime, the effects of the U.S. nuclear testing program in the Marshall Islands continues to be devastating and funds provided by the United States under the Compact of Free Association are grossly inadequate to provide for health care, environmental monitoring, personal injury claims, or land and property damage. I believe the survivors of U.S. atomic tests conducted in the Marshall Islands deserve just compensation and I am pleased that at a minimum H. Con. Res. 364 recognizes the historic contribution the people of the Marshall Islands have made in the cold-war struggle to preserve international peace and promote nuclear disarmament. Today, the RMI provides use of its islands for the United States to develop a deployable missile defense system to reduce the risks of nuclear missile attacks and this is just another example of the RMI's unmatched record of working in conjunction with the leadership of the United States in pursuit of international peace and security. I commend the people of the Marshalls for their commitment to the rights and well-being of the peoples of the world and I recognize with solemn regard the sacrifices they have made so that you and I and future generations may live in peace. I commend Chairman Richard Pombo of the House Resources Committee for introducing this legislation of which I am an original cosponsor. I thank my good friend for his leadership and for recently leading a congressional delegation to the Pacific Territories where we met with island leaders, including those from the Marshall Islands. Chairman Pombo invited Secretary Gale Norton to accompany us on this visit and I commend both the Secretary and the chairman for traveling to the Pacific Territories to see firsthand the difficulties we are facing in the region. As the ranking member of the House International Relations Subcommittee on Asia and the Pacific, I also want to thank Chairman Jim Leach of the Subcommittee on Asia and the Pacific for sponsoring this legislation and for working with Chairman Pombo and me to move this legislation to the International Relations Committee for mark-up. I also thank Chairman Henry Hyde and Ranking Member Tom Lantos of the International Relations Committee for their support. Finally, on behalf of the people of American Samoa, I again recognize with solemn regard the sacrifices our Pacific Island cousins have made in pursuit of international peace and I am hopeful that one day the U.S. Congress will declare March 1 as a national day of remembrance for the survivors of U.S. nuclear tests in the Marshall Islands.

Mr. FALEOMAVAEGA

Mr. FALEOMAVAEGA. Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of H. Con. Res. 15, commending India on its celebration of Republic Day. India is the world's largest democracy and Republic Day is India's second most important national holiday. India became a Republic on January 26, 1950, adopting a written Constitution and electing its first democratic parliament. Prior to independence, India was under British rule. Today, India stands with the people of the United States. The Republic of India and the United States have a common bond of shared values and a strong commitment to democratic principles. We are also united in the war against terrorism. As the Ranking Members of the International Relations Subcommittee. I will not rest until Pakistan makes good on its promises to end cross border terrorism, shut down its terrorist training camps, and cease the transfer of nuclear technology to rogue nations and third parties. I commend India for its continued commitment to peace and for promoting the ideals of equality for all citizens, regardless of faith, gender or ethnicity. I also pay tribute to Mahandas Mahatma Gandhi who is recognized as the father of India's nonviolent struggle for independence. Finally, I express my appreciation to Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee for his leadership in cultivating strong ties with the United States and for initiating historic talks with Pakistan in hopes of decreasing tensions in South Asia. I also knowledge the contributions of His Excellency Lalit Mansingh, Ambassador of the Republic of India, who has represented the interests of India before the U.S. Congress in a manner that has strengthened U.S.-India relations. I also applaud the efforts of Sanjay Puri, founder and Executive Director of an organization working to influence policy on issues of concern to the Indian American community. With a membership of 27,000, this organization is giving more than 2 million Indian Americans a voice in the political process and I believe both India and the United States are fortunate to have more than 27,000 Indian Americans working with us to address important issues like terrorism, trade, HIV/AIDS, and immigration. Again, I applaud the efforts of so many and I commend India on its celebration of Republic Day.

Mr. FALEOMAVAEGA

Mr. FALEOMAVAEGA. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from Oregon (Mr. DeFazio).

Mr. FALEOMAVAEGA. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume to again commend the gentleman from Arizona for his management of this proposed bill, and also thank my good friend, the gentleman from Oregon, for his insights and understanding of the bill and what it will do to benefit the people of Oregon. Mr. Speaker, I have no additional requests for time, and I yield back the balance of my time.

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

Mr. FALEOMAVAEGA

Mr. FALEOMAVAEGA. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume to again urge my colleagues to support this proposed bill. Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. FALEOMAVAEGA

Mr. FALEOMAVAEGA. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the distinguished gentleman from Texas (Mr. Stenholm), our most senior ranking member on the Committee on Agriculture, and certainly commend him for his expertise on agriculture-related issues.

Mr. FALEOMAVAEGA. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the distinguished gentleman from California (Mr. Filner).