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 will not oppose the provisions of this bill. I ask that my colleagues support this legislation.

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. FALEOMAVAEGA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H.R. 4904, a bill to express the policy of the United States regarding the United States relationship with Native Hawaiians. There are well over 200,000 Native Hawaiians living in Hawaii. I suspect there are approximately another 100,000 living throughout the continental United States. In number, Native Hawaiians are the largest indigenous group of people living in the United States today. As one of Polynesian ancestry, I thank God that the Kanaka Maoli, or the Hawaiian people, have not become an extinct race. Given the unfortunate turn of historical events that have now made Native Hawaiians strangers in their own lands, it is only by the grace of God that Native Hawaiians now number over 300,000. Mr. Chairman, the Kanaka Maoli are my kin. For purposes of giving you a sense of who we are, I would like to share with you something Captain James Cook once noted about the Kanaka Maoli, or Polynesian, nation. Captain Cook observed that the Kanaka Maoli nation established settlements from as far north as Hawaii and as far south as Actearoa (or what is now known today as New Zealand). In between, the Kanaka Maoli settled in Samoa, in Tokelau, in Tuvalu, parts of Fiji and Tonga. The Kanaka Maoli nation also stretched as far east as Rapanui (now known as Easter Island) and constituted what Cook considered the largest nation on the earth. Since Cook's time, we have had our fair share of romantic writers coming to the South Seas depicting our women coming out of the Garden of Eden on moonlit, tropical shores with the scent of romance forever in the air. We've also had our share of anthropologists who think they know more about us than they know about themselves. We do not need anymore Margaret Meads or Derek Freemans to describe to the world who we are as a people. We know how we first came into being. We know our past and are committed to our present. We are here today to define our future. Mr. Speaker, as we proceed today, I would like to add this thought for the record. When we discuss the rights of Native Hawaiians, we in effect discuss the inalienable rights of any people. As such, what happened historically to Native Hawaiians in effect happened to all of us. In this context, I would like to present the following for consideration. More than 100 years ago, ambitious descendants of U.S. missionaries and sugar planters, aided by the unauthorized and illegal use of U.S. military forces, overthrew the sovereign nation of Hawaii then ruled by Queen Lili'uokalani. More than one hundred years later, the United States Congress issued a formal apology acknowledging that the Native Hawaiian people never relinquished their right to their sovereignty or their sovereign lands. Earlier this year, Senator Daniel Akaka, the first Polynesian and Native Hawaiian to sit as a United States Senator, introduced S. 2899 to express and define a firm policy of the United States Congress and the U.S. government regarding its relationship with the Native Hawaiian people. Our distinguished colleague, Congressman Neil Abercrombie, did the same in this body. I am honored that both bills have been approved by their respective committees of jurisdiction and that H.R. 4904 is being considered by the House today. The purpose of this measure is to clarify the political relationship that exists between Native Hawaiians and the federal government. Specifically, the measure provides the Native Hawaiian community with an opportunity to form a government-to-government relationship with the United States within the context of the U.S. Constitution and federal law. The bill provides a process for Native Hawaiians to organize a Native Hawaiian governing body, or essentially a Native Hawaiian government. The bill also authorizes the Native Hawaiian governing body to negotiate with the state of Hawaii and other appropriate officials and agencies of the federal government regarding such long-standing issues as ceded lands currently controlled by both the state and federal governments. The bill also protects education, health, and housing programs that have been established by federal law to benefit Native Hawaiians. The bill does not relinquish the claims of Native Hawaiians to their Native lands. The bill does not address the issue of lands. For the Native Hawaiians who oppose this bill because they feel it predetermines a political status, I say to them--the bill is a beginning. It is a measure for organization. It is an act of empowerment. It gives voice to those whose voices have historically been made mute. As Senator Akaka has noted, this measure provides Native Hawaiians with a seat at the table of government. It provides authority for Native Hawaiians to define their future and participate in the process of choice. It provides Native Hawaiians with the opportunity to choose their own leaders to represent them before state and federal agencies. It assures that the United States Congress, as part of its constitutionally mandated authority, duly recognizes, accepts and acknowledges Native Hawaiians as a sovereign people in the same way that Native Americans and Native Alaskans are recognized under the U.S. Constitution. More than 150 people presented oral testimony at the Joint Congressional Hearings in Hawaii. Many more have presented written testimony. Though some are opposed, those representing major Hawaiian organizations and associations lend their full support for the bill. The bill has been revised to reflect the input of the Native Hawaiian community. I fully support the bill and urge my colleagues to give it their full support also.

Mr. FALEOMAVAEGA

Mr. FALEOMAVAEGA. Mr. Speaker, I would be remiss if I do not especially recognize and compliment my good friend from Alabama (Mr. Bachus) for not only his management of the legislation on the floor, but for his outstanding leadership as chairman of the Subcommittee on Domestic and International Monetary Policy that provides jurisdiction for this kind of legislation. Mr. Speaker, I do want to thank the gentleman for his assistance and for his tireless efforts to bring this legislation down to the floor. I would like to also compliment and thank my good friend, the gentlewoman from the District of Columbia (Ms. Norton), and her outstanding leadership and her tireless efforts for the past couple of years in bringing this to the attention, not only to the attention of our colleagues, but also especially the merits of this legislation and why we are here now today. Mr. Speaker, I also would like to thank the gentleman from Delaware (Mr. Castle) for his outstanding assistance in garnering support from both sides of the aisle in seeing that this legislation is taking corrective action of what was done previously; and, of course, I want to thank my good friend, the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Waters) representing our side of the aisle, in bringing this legislation now to the attention of the Members. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support strongly of H.R. 5010, a bill to amend the Circulating Quarter Dollar Program Act to include the District of Columbia and the U.S. territories. Before proceeding, I would like to echo the sentiments expressed by my good friend, the gentlewoman from the District of Columbia, (Ms. Norton). I wished that her pleadings for all of these years would not be taken as a political issue but to do only that which is right. Mr. Speaker, 600,000 U.S. citizens paying income taxes, and they have no representation here in the halls of the Congress. I think there is tremendous contradiction to the whole principle of democracy and what representation is. As an example, taxation without representation is what she represents today. I wish my colleagues would not look upon her as a Democrat or a Republican, but as a representative of 600,000 income tax-paying citizens of our Nation. Mr. Speaker, I recall years ago when the question of the territories of Alaska and Hawaii were brought to the attention of the Members, and there was concern whether we were going to have two Democratic Senators' or two Republican Senators' representation on political issues but not on the principle. They thought that Hawaii was going to be a Republican State; that is not the case today. They thought that Alaska was going to be a Democratic State; it is not the case. The point here is that representation truly ought to be brought for full consideration of this Chamber, and I sincerely hope and I fully support the contention and the efforts made by my good friend, the gentlewoman from the District of Columbia (Ms. Norton). The District of Columbia definitely needs representation, and that is all they are asking for, and we ought to do that which is right. Mr. Speaker, it comes as no surprise that I am a strong supporter of this bill. It would add six additional jurisdictions to the Commemorative Coin Program Act by extending the program an additional year. Mr. Speaker, in the 105th Congress, when we passed the Commemorative Coin Program Act, the insular areas and the District of Columbia were omitted from the legislation. Current law authorizes the minting of 25-cent coins to commemorate each of the 50 States through state-specific designs on one side of the coins. It is a 10-year program with five States being honored each year. This bill amends current law by adding an 11th and part of the 12th year to the program. During this period, the District of Columbia and the five insular areas would also be recognized through the minting of 25-cent coins. Commemorative designs on one side of the coins will be selected by the Secretary of the Treasury in consultation with the chief executives of these areas. This legislation is very timely, Mr. Speaker; and I would also like to note that my district this year celebrated its 100th year of its most unique political relationship with the United States, and many Americans are not aware of this. It certainly would be a special honor to see this legislation enacted into this year. American Samoa has had a long and proud history of supporting the United States ever since the traditional leaders of the main island of Tutuila ceded their island to the United States on April 17, 1900, and then his Majesty King Tuimanua of the Manua Islands ceded his islands in July 1904. Tutuila's beautiful harbor is the deepest in the South Pacific and the Harbor of Pago Pago was used as a coaling station for United States Naval ships in the early part of the century; and it was a major staging area for some 30,000 Marines during World War II, as it was part of our military strategy of troop movements to Micronesia to the Solomon Islands and Guadalcanal and other areas of the Pacific. To this day American Samoa serves as an important refueling station for U.S. ships as well as military aircrafts. Mr. Speaker, American Samoa has many of its sons and daughters who serve in all branches of the Armed Forces, and they serve very proudly. Congress has recognized American Samoa's proud heritage on numerous occasions and many of my constituents have served honorably in special recognition especially of this Union for 100 years now. Mr. Speaker, I believe it is only fitting to acknowledge the centennial anniversary of our relationship with the United States in this commemorative coin. I ask my colleagues to support this legislation.

Mr. FALEOMAVAEGA. Mr. Speaker, if the gentleman would yield further, now that we are on the subject of professional football, I hope it is not just to be playing in the NFL, but I am sure that our people from the insular areas, from Puerto Rico, that we would also like to see our sons and daughters in medicine, law, engineering and in business, all different walks of life. I realize that sometimes when they see Samoans they have a very different stereotyping of my people. They think that we are mean, that we are violent, but we are really very nice people, as long as you do not provoke us.

Mr. FALEOMAVAEGA. Mr. Speaker, I would be happy to. We have 16 Samoans that currently play in the NFL out of a humble population maybe out of 200,000 nationwide. That means for every 12,000 Samoans living here in the United States, we produce one NFL player, Mr. Speaker. Maybe we need to have a couple more Samoans.

Mr. FALEOMAVAEGA. Mr. Speaker, I know that two of our colleagues are absent because of the tremendous distance, our resident commissioner from Puerto Rico (Mr. Romero-Barcelo) and the delegate from Guam (Mr. Underwood) would have been more than happy to participate in our deliberations this afternoon. Mr. Speaker, I just wanted to note their absence, but I know they would have been more than happy to participate, but cannot because of the long distances that we have to travel coming in between. I want to thank the gentleman from Alabama (Mr. Bachus) for noting the service that those of us who come from the insular areas and our good friend, the gentlewoman from the District of Columbia, we serve in the armed forces just as well, we bleed. I think it is time also that sometimes our friends from the 50 States of our Union could give us the proper recognition. After all, we can always print money, but we can never print that life when it comes back in a body bag. I know my good friend, the gentleman from Alabama, he and I served in the Army together. We know what that means. And I think this is what America is all about. Mr. Speaker, I want to thank my good friend, the gentlewoman from the District of Columbia, for recognizing the service of our insular areas.

Mr. FALEOMAVAEGA. Mr. Speaker, will the gentleman yield?

Mr. FALEOMAVAEGA

Mr. FALEOMAVAEGA. Mr. Speaker, I do not have any additional speakers, so I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. FALEOMAVAEGA. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. FALEOMAVAEGA. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to my good friend, the gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Kildee).

Mr. FALEOMAVAEGA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H.R. 4643, a bill to provide for the settlement of issues and claims related to the trust lands of the Torres-Martinez Desert Cahuilla Indian Nation. The Torres-Martinez Indian Reservation was created in 1876 to include 640 acres of land in the Coachella Valley south of California. The reservation was enlarged in 1891 and again in 1909. During this period, the Salton Sea was created covering thousands of acres of the reservation. The Salton Sea did not recede as expected and today approximately 11,000 acres of reservation land remain flooded. Litigation over several issues surrounding the reservation has been ongoing for decades and the House has previously passed legislation in support of Torres-Martinez' goal of obtaining usable and economically viable reservation land. During the term of this Congress, further disagreement has arisen and considerable effort has gone into resolving these new differences. It is my understanding that earlier today an agreement acceptable to all parties was reached and that this new agreement has been incorporated into the manager's amendment being offered today. I want to thank the gentleman from Alaska (Mr. Young), the chairman of our House Committee on Resources, the gentleman from California (Mr. George Miller), the ranking minority member of the full committee, in our efforts to helping the Torres-Martinez tribe obtain additional productive land for their reservation. I also want to particularly commend the gentlewoman from California (Mrs. Bono), the chief sponsor of this legislation, for her tireless efforts in this legislation and her willingness to sponsor a bill to incorporate the provision of a fairly complex agreement. We would not be here today if she had not done so. I also want to give particular public recognition and my compliments and commendation to my good friend, the gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Kildee), who has worked tirelessly for the past several years in giving his assistance and full participation in the negotiations between this tribe and other tribes in California. This has really helped tremendously in bridging the differences among not only the tribes but State officials. Mr. Speaker, this is a good example of legislation in which not every party got everything that they wanted but it is something that they have indicated they can live with, and I know that it does give the Torres-Martinez tribe at last some useful land for their reservation. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this legislation. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from California (Mr. George Miller).

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 object to the vote on the ground that a quorum is not present and make the point of order that a quorum is not present.

Mr. FALEOMAVAEGA. Mr. Speaker, H.R. 2984, as amended, would direct to the Bureau of Reclamation, subject to applicable law, to convey a portion of the Pick-Sloan Missouri Basin flood control and irrigation project to the Loup Basin Reclamation District, the Sargent River Irrigation District and the Farwell Irrigation District in Nebraska. This legislation, as amended, it is my understanding that the administration supports it and at a later point in time I will reserve the right to vote on this suspension bill. Mr. Speaker, 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 thank my good friend, the gentleman from Maryland (Mr. Gilchrest) for his management of the legislation and on the floor. Mr. Speaker, this bill authorizes a number of relatively small structures for water retention and watershed management in California's Colusa Basin. The bill, as amended, now requires a reasonable level of local cost sharing to help cover project planning, design and environmental compliance expenses. I thank the gentleman from California (Mr. Ose) for his sponsorship of this bill, and I urge my colleagues to support this legislation. Mr. Speaker, 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 want to compliment the gentleman from South Dakota for an excellent presentation, especially as the chief sponsor of this legislation. Mr. Speaker, I do not have any additional speakers, so I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. FALEOMAVAEGA. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, H.R. 4226 authorizes the Secretary of Agriculture to sell or exchange nine administrative sites on approximately 367 acres of land in the Black Hills National Forest in South Dakota. Funds from the sale or exchange of the lands which are valued at around $2.4 million will be used to relocate, consolidate and upgrade administrative offices through land acquisition and construction of facilities. Construction costs to combine four district ranger offices into two new buildings are estimated to be around $4 million. Mr. Speaker, the bill also authorizes $2.1 million to be appropriated for the construction of a laboratory facility in the Rocky Mountain Research Center in Rapid City, South Dakota. This facility is to be allocated with one of the administrative sites acquired or constructed through the sale of the lands. The existing research station center is in need of significant repair and does not meet OSHA and the provisions of the Americans With Disabilities Act requirements. The administration supports this legislation, it has bipartisan support from my colleagues on both sides of the aisle, and I urge my colleagues to support this legislation. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. FALEOMAVAEGA

Mr. FALEOMAVAEGA. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H.R. 2798, the Pacific Salmon Recovery Act introduced by the gentleman from California (Mr. Thompson). I know that the gentleman from California (Mr. Thompson) gladly would have been here to offer his statement of support, but those of us from the most western part of the United States find it very difficult to make our flights on time on a day like Monday, but I am sure that he would have been happy to be here to present his statement in support of this legislation. Mr. Speaker, as many Members of the House are aware, salmon are an important part of the economy of the West Coast of the United States and are fished both commercially and recreationally. They are also very important to tribal custom and tradition, and their decline in the past decade has been widely felt throughout the region. Already 25 varieties of salmon in the Pacific Northwest in California have been listed as endangered or threatened under the Endangered Species Act, and more listings are very likely to occur. The causes of this decline are many, but can be predominantly attributed to habitat loss, water diversions, and river alteration. Mr. Speaker, restoration of salmon stocks will be difficult and the work to restore habitats and modify water uses can only be successful with the full participation of State and local governments. For that reason, the States and the administration support a coast-wide salmon recovery effort to be implemented by the States and the coastal tribes. Approximately $58 million was appropriated in this effort last year and the House Committee on Appropriations has allocated additional funding this year contingent upon an authorization. Mr. Speaker, H.R. 2798 would provide that authorization. It has broad bipartisan support of the States, the administration, and fishing and conservation groups, and I urge my colleagues to support this important legislation. Mr. Speaker, 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 rise in support of H.R. 1651, which was passed by the House last year. As my colleague and dear friend from Maryland (Mr. Gilchrest) on the other side of the aisle has explained it, this bill contains several provisions intended to improve fisheries conservation, management, and data collection. It was approved unanimously by the Senate, the other body, last month; and I do urge my colleagues to support this legislation. Mr. Speaker, 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.)