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. FALEOMAVAEGA. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.

Mr. FALEOMAVAEGA. Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time. Mr. Speaker, I urge adoption of this resolution, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. FALEOMAVAEGA. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. I want to commend my good friend, the gentleman from Guam, for his earlier comments. He certainly is quite modest by saying that he is just a social studies teacher. The fact of the matter is, Mr. Speaker, he holds a doctorate in education from the University of Southern California. Some of my friends have described this university as the university of solid connections. My preference is that he should have attended the University of California at Berkeley where I matriculated, but I certainly want to commend my friend from Guam for his excellent comments. And I commend the gentleman from Nebraska, the chairman of the House Asia-Pacific Affairs Subcommittee, for his leadership as a chief sponsor of this legislation. Mr. Speaker, I deeply commend the chairman of our committee Mr. Gilman, for his strong leadership and introduction of this thoughtful measure which fosters positive relations between America and this important region of the world; important enough, Mr. Speaker, to note that the Pacific covers one-third of the earth's surface. I think we have to keep that in mind. I am proud to join Asia-Pacific Affairs Subcommittee Chairman Doug Bereuter and the subcommittee's ranking Democrat, Howard Berman, as an original cosponsor of House Concurrent Resolution 189. Mr. Speaker, America has had a long and extraordinarily deep relationship with our friends and allies in the Pacific region. Before and since World War II, we have fought alongside our allies to preserve peace and nurture democracy in the Pacific. Today, America continues this commitment through support of and participation with the region's most important organizations--the South Pacific Commission [SPC], the South Pacific Forum, and the South Pacific Regional Environmental Program [SPREP]. United States involvement with these leading regional organizations reflects the fact that America has substantial interests in the South Pacific--whether that be in the areas of investment and trade, strategic security and nuclear nonproliferation, democratic government and human rights, or protection of the Pacific marine environment which encompasses one-third of the Earth. The resolution before our colleagues underscores that the concerns of the South Pacific governments often dovetail with America's interests, and it is vital that the United States continue to participate in these regional organizations and to support the important work of the South Pacific Commission, the South Pacific Forum, and the South Pacific Regional Environmental Program. The resolution further recognizes the significant contributions of two other important institutions in the South Pacific region--the East- West Center in Hawaii and the Pacific Islands Conference. In 1960, the U.S. Congress established and funded the East-West Center to foster mutual understanding and cooperation among the governments and peoples of the Asia-Pacific region. Mr. Speaker, the East-West Center has done an outstanding job with this mission, and in particular has significantly promoted positive and deeper relations between the United States and the South Pacific nations. In 1980, the East-West Center facilitated the establishment of the Pacific Islands Conference, the only regional organization to bring together all heads of government in the South Pacific without regard to political status. Meeting every 3 years, the Pacific Islands Conference of Leaders identifies and targets critical areas of research in furtherance of the region's trade, environment, and development. This research is subsequently conducted by the East-West Center's Pacific Islands Development Program. With U.S. support, the efforts of the East-West Center and the Pacific Islands Conference have contributed to progress for responsible and sustained economic development in the South Pacific region. Mr. Speaker, I would ask our colleagues to join us in adopting this worthy legislation which reaffirms the value of the historically close ties between the United States and the Pacific Island nations, and calls for continued U.S. engagement in the affairs of the South Pacific region. I would urge passage by the House of House Concurrent Resolution 189.

Mr. FALEOMAVAEGA. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Guam [Mr. Underwood], a distinguished colleague and friend of mine, a very valued member of the Committee on National Security.

Mr. FALEOMAVAEGA

Mr. FALEOMAVAEGA. Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I yield back the balance of my time, and I again urge the adoption of this resolution.

Mr. FALEOMAVAEGA. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of this resolution and I yield myself such time as I may consume. I commend the chairman of the Committee on International Relations and certainly the gentleman from New Jersey, who is the chief sponsor of this resolution, for bringing it before the floor of the House. The conflict in Moldova has gone on too long, Mr. Speaker. The sides should intensify efforts to reach a political solution. Russian troops are in Moldova against the expressed wish of the Moldovan Government. Russia agreed and signed an agreement to withdraw its forces. The Congress here is calling on Russia to do the right thing and abide by that agreement. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this resolution. Mr. Speaker, I reserve 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 the gentleman from Virginia for yielding me time, and I want to compliment the gentleman and certainly our friends on the other side of the aisle for bringing this resolution honoring Americans who fought in the cold war to the floor. Mr. Speaker, I do not know if the world realizes or appreciates the fact that our Nation has expended well over $5 trillion to win the cold war. However, I do not think we can ever place just a monetary value on our commitment in the cold war. Most important is the list of young men and women of our country that sacrificed their lives in this struggle. The fact that we won the war in such a positive way, helped to make this Nation certainly the most powerful Nation of all. But it is not solely because of that, but because of our belief in the principles of democracy that we fought for so valiantly for the past 40 years that has made America great. Mr. Speaker, I certainly commend the gentleman for sponsoring this resolution, and I thank the gentleman from Virginia for yielding.

Mr. FALEOMAVAEGA

Mr. FALEOMAVAEGA. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. I certainly would like to commend the gentleman from Pennsylvania who is the chief sponsor of this legislation and am most appreciative of his comments. We do not have any additional speakers, but I want to say to the gentleman from Pennsylvania that hopefully sometime in the future I look forward to visiting the Clarion Wild River and perhaps even asking other Members. I can say also to the gentleman from Pennsylvania, we have a very sensitive appreciation of what it means to try to pass legislation for not 1 year, not for 2 years, 3 years, but for 4 years. Sometimes our friends from downtown are not exactly very cooperative of some of the things that we here as Members have tried to do in formulating pieces of legislation. With that, Mr. Speaker, I want to commend again the gentleman from Pennsylvania for bringing this piece of legislation to the floor and having the sense of bipartisanship and support of this bill. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. FALEOMAVAEGA. Mr. Speaker, H.R. 3568 would designate 51.7 miles of the Clarion River in Pennsylvania, as a component of the national wild and scenic rivers system. I would note for the Record that we are being asked to proceed to designate the Clarion River despite the fact that the wild and scenic river study that this House authorized in the 102d Congress has not been completed. However, we had favorable testimony on this proposal from the administration, the bill's sponsor, and the local community. That being the case we will not object H.R. 3568, and I urge my colleagues to support this legislation. Mr. Speaker, I reserve 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 would be remiss if I did not also express the gentleman from Virginia's sentiments in expressing to the gentleman from Florida, as chairman of the subcommittee, for the outstanding job that he has done and the spirit of bipartisanship that we were able to work out the differences in bringing us to the floor at this point in time. I want to note that for the Record to the gentleman from Florida for the tremendous job that he has done in bringing this legislation to fruition.

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

Mr. FALEOMAVAEGA. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume to concur in the remarks made earlier by the gentlewoman from Maryland. She certainly has been a great advocate of our work force in the civil service, and I am sure that because the legislation is not exactly a perfect one that, hopefully, in the next Congress, some of the sentiments and concerns she has expressed earlier will be taken seriously. Mr. Speaker, I also want to recognize the contributions of the members of the subcommittee, the gentleman from Pennsylvania [Mr. Holden], the gentleman from Vermont [Mr. Sanders], and the gentlewoman from Illinois [Mrs. Collins] absolutely the senior Democrat, the ranking member of the full committee, for the tremendous contributions that she has rendered for our government in all these years that she has served in this capacity as a member of the Committee on Government Reform and Oversight. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. FALEOMAVAEGA. Mr. Speaker, due to a conflict in scheduling and because of a prior commitment in his congressional district, the gentleman from Virginia [Mr. Moran] who is also the senior Democrat of the subcommittee, has requested that I assist him in managing this bill before the House. In doing so, Mr. Speaker, and on behalf of the gentleman from Virginia and Members from this side of the aisle, I am pleased to rise in support of Senate bill 868 and the managers' amendment offered by the gentleman from Florida [Mr. Mica]. Senate bill 868 is a simple bill first proposed by the Office of Personnel Management after the tragic bombing in Oklahoma City. It makes it easier for Federal employees to donate unused annual leave to their counterparts who have been adversely impacted by a disaster or national emergency. This bill passed the Senate unanimously last October and recently passed the Government Reform and Oversight Committee on voice vote. To this legislation, Mr. Mica is offering a manager's amendment that incorporates other important provisions. The first makes important reforms to the Thrift Savings Plan and enables employees to participate in the plan earlier and to invest their funds in two new plans. The Thrift Savings Plan is a very successful retirement plan that enables Federal employees to save for their retirement. The provisions in this legislation will also provide Federal employees the same flexibilities enjoyed by their private sector counterparts who participate in 401(k) plans. This provision also allows Federal employees to borrow against their accounts for any reason. The second provision is the Veterans Employment Opportunities and Improvement Act. This legislation has passed the House by voice vote and makes some positive reforms in the application of our veterans' preference laws. By attaching this provision to S. 868, the majority expects that we will be able to engage the Senate in a conference on this legislation and break the current deadlock. Finally, the manager's amendment incorporates a provision that was introduced by Senator Sarbanes and passed the Senate by voice vote. This is more a technical provision and will help remedy a situation that affects only a limited number of employees. I support the effort to enact this correction. Again, I support this legislation and the manager's amendment. I hope it will have my colleagues support as well. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this legislation. Mr. Speaker, I reserve 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, on the eve of the Republic of China's 85th anniversary--this October 10, 1996--I wish to congratulate Taiwan for the outstanding accomplishments of this thriving and vibrant democracy of 21 million people. Taiwan is one of the world's most compelling economic success stories, rising from World War II's destructiveness to become a global trading power with foreign exchange reserves today second only to Japan. Taiwan must also be commended for its significant progress toward democratization, which came to full bloom this year with Tawian's first Presidential elections. These historic elections were conducted democratically and peacefully, despite the threats and provocations issued by the People's Republic of China. In light of these achievements, Taiwan deserves not only our admiration, but support for Taiwan's drive for greater participation in the affairs of the international community. Taiwan's aspirations to be an active member of international organizations of the world community are well-founded. It has all the necessary qualifications: a sound political system, a much-admired world-class economy, and a genuine desire to maintain peace and stability in East Asia, and around the globe. As noted recently by Taiwan's chief representative to Washington, Dr. Jason Hu, Taiwan's people only seek to receive fair treatment with dignity in the international community. The goal of participation within the global community of governments is, in my opinion, not the same as seeking independence. On this 85th anniversary celebration for Taiwan, I would urge our colleagues to call upon the world's governments and international organizations to open their doors to Taiwan and extend upgraded ties to this most deserving friend and democracy.

Mr. FALEOMAVAEGA

Mr. FALEOMAVAEGA. Mr. Speaker, S. 1834 simply amends the Indian Environmental General Assistance Program Act of 1992 to change the authorization of funds available under the program from the current level of $15 million to ``such sums as may be necessary''. Funding levels will still be subject to inclusion in an appropriations bill and submitted each year to Congress. This program awards general assistance grants to Indian tribal Governments to enhance their ability to manage environmental programs on Indian lands. To date approximately 100 tribes have received multi media grants allowing them to develop and implement environmental protection procedures. However the need far outweighs the current limit on funding. $28 million is included in appropriations language for fiscal year 19997 for this program. With the grant assistance from this program, Indian tribes have developed comprehensive environmental programs in the areas of solid and hazardous waste management, water and air quality, and pesticide management. The Penobsoct Indian Nation of Maine has established an award winning water resources program. This program had been nationally recognized as a model for State-Tribal-Federal cooperation. Some tribes have been able to clean up solid and hazardous waste sites on their land with the help of this program. Still other tribes have closed open-air dumps, established recycling programs, identified leaking underground storage tanks and potential superfund sites. Mr. Speaker, the cost of this program is minimal compared to the return this nation, in cooperation with American Indian nations, gains. I urge my colleagues to support passage of this bill. Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I yield back the balance of my time.

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

Mr. FALEOMAVAEGA

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

Mr. FALEOMAVAEGA. Mr. Speaker, I am unaware of any problems with this legislation, H.R. 3497. The bill would alter the boundaries of a national forest in the State of Washington to facilitate a land exchange that appears to be in the public interest. I understand the bill has the support of the various interested parties and I have no obligation to the legislation.

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. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Florida [Mr. McCollum] for his comments, and also as the chief sponsor of this piece of legislation. I am sure that the good residents of his district as well as the good people of Florida will benefit from this piece of legislation when it is passed. Again in the spirit of bipartisanship on this committee I would like to thank him, and certainly also the gentleman from Florida [Mr. Mica] for his support, and again I ask my colleagues that we support this piece of legislation. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. FALEOMAVAEGA. Mr. Speaker, H.R. 3155 amends the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act by designating the Wekiva River and its tributaries in the State of Florida for study and potential addition to the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System. The administration testified in favor of the measure and we also understand that there is local support for such a study. The information to be gained from such a study should be helpful in providing for the care and use of these river resources. As such we have no objection to H.R. 3155, and I ask my colleagues to support this legislation. I want to commend the gentleman from Florida [Mr. McCollum] for introducing this bill and again thank members of the Committee from both sides of the aisle for their support of this measure. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.