Pedro Pierluisi

Mr. PIERLUISI

Mr. PIERLUISI. 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. PIERLUISI

Mr. PIERLUISI. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 817) supporting the goals and ideals of National Domestic Violence Awareness Month and expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that Congress should continue to raise awareness of domestic violence in the United States and its devastating effects on families and communities, and support programs designed to end domestic violence, as amended.

Mr. PIERLUISI. Mr. Speaker, I request 5 legislative days during which Members may revise and extend and insert extraneous material on House Resolution 817 into the Record.

Mr. PIERLUISI. I yield myself as much time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of House Resolution 817, supporting the goals and ideals of National Domestic Violence Awareness Month and expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that Congress should continue to raise awareness of domestic violence in the United States. I would also like to thank Congressman Al Green for bringing this resolution forward. It is an important bill and deserves much attention. National Domestic Violence Awareness Month is recognized in the month of October. As such, communities and many groups hold events to educate the public about the violence that affects millions of women, men and children every single day. Domestic violence advocacy increases awareness and helps battered people seek the help they desperately need. Domestic violence is the willful intimidation, assault, battery, sexual assault or other abusive behavior perpetrated by an intimate partner against another. It is an epidemic that affects men, women and children in every community regardless of age, sex, economic status, nationality or educational background. One in every four women will experience domestic violence in her lifetime, and those who report domestic violence are more likely to commit suicide. In addition, the costs of domestic violence exceed $5.8 billion each year. As evidenced by these staggering statistics, domestic violence has far-reaching effects on society. When we think of domestic violence, we often think of women being the victims, yet men suffer from domestic violence as well. Male victims are less likely than women to report violence and to seek services due to the stigma associated with being a male victim or concerns about not being believed. Both men and women respond to interpersonal violence with feelings of disbelief, ridicule and shame that only enhance their silence. Our attention to domestic violence has grown, but we need to do more to raise awareness of this problem because it can serve as a dangerous, never-ending cycle. Whether domestic violence is present in couples or in marriages, children who witness violent behavior are more likely to carry domestic violence into their adult relationships. Research shows that children witnessing domestic violence and living in an environment where violence occurs may experience some of the same trauma as abused children. They may become fearful, aggressive or withdrawn. Adolescents may exhibit risk-taking behaviors, such as abusing drugs and alcohol, running away, engaging in sexual promiscuity and participating in criminal activity. All of these behaviors have an effect on society as a whole, and we can break the chain of domestic violence through ongoing education and comprehensive universal support. We must remember that domestic violence victims are our mothers, fathers, sisters and brothers. Congress must continue to lead in making our Nation aware of domestic violence and its impact on our society. We can galvanize public awareness for victims of domestic violence. Therefore, I urge my colleagues to support House Resolution 817. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. PIERLUISI. I do have one additional speaker. I would like to say that the victims of domestic violence in America--women, men, children--are looking up to us to take the lead, to make sure that this epidemic does not continue. They're particularly vulnerable, and they want us to relate to them; they want us to support them, and the best way we can do that is by being aware and by taking the lead and making sure that there are Federal programs as well as State initiatives that make sense and make a difference. Without adding anything else, I now yield 5 minutes to the sponsor of this resolution, the gentleman from Texas, Congressman Al Green.

Mr. PIERLUISI. I yield the gentleman an additional 2 minutes.

Mr. PIERLUISI. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to vote for the resolution supporting the goals and ideals of National Domestic Violence Awareness Month, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. PIERLUISI

Mr. PIERLUISI. Madam Speaker, I rise to express my concern with Subtitle B of Title II of H.R. 2990, entitled ``Non-Foreign Area Retirement Equity Assurance.'' This Subtitle would transition federal employees in certain non-foreign areas, including Puerto Rico, from non-foreign cost-of-living allowances (``COLAs'') to locality pay. The legislation is no doubt the result of a well-meaning effort to create uniformity in how various areas of the contiguous and non-foreign areas of the United States are treated. However, because the legislation would significantly change the system governing pay and benefits for affected federal employees, a full vetting of this issue--including the holding of a hearing--is necessary before the House can prudently consider the legislation. More than 41,000 white-collar federal civilian employees are stationed in the following ``non-foreign'' areas outside the contiguous United States: Alaska, Hawaii, Guam, the Commonwealth of Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. These employees receive non-foreign COLAs, in addition to their regular pay, to compensate them for the higher living costs they face in the non- foreign areas. Replacing non-foreign COLAs with locality pay would represent a significant change to the manner in which pay, retirement, and other benefits are calculated. First, non-foreign COLAs and locality pay are calculated according to two different measurements. Non-foreign COLAs are based on cost-of-living differences between the affected areas and Washington, DC. By contrast, locality pay is based on cost-of-labor differences between federal and nonfederal workers in the same geographic area. Second, a non-foreign COLA is not added to an employee's basic rate of pay when calculating retirement and other benefits. Locality pay, by contrast, is counted toward those benefits. Third, COLA payments may not be taxed at the federal level; locality pay is federally taxed. Because these differences between non-foreign COLAs and locality pay would have a substantial impact on the manner in which a federal employee's pay and other benefits are calculated, it is imperative that Congress carefully examine this legislation. In particular, concerns have been raised that the legislation may not sufficiently address the varying labor markets in the territories, which could result in decreased locality pay levels or reduced locality pay rates being applied in the territories. At this time, I am not in a position to fully assess the merits of these claims. However, this is precisely why a hearing by the committee of jurisdiction is necessary. The House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform and its Federal Workforce Subcommittee are well-positioned to address the concerns that have been expressed. However, by considering this legislation under suspension of the rules and outside the House's normal procedures, the House has taken away this important opportunity. Too much is at stake for the Congress to act in such a hasty manner. I urge my colleagues to reconsider the House's approach to this legislation.

Mr. PIERLUISI

Mr. PIERLUISI. Mr. Speaker, I rise on behalf of myself and my four colleagues from the U.S. territories to express our concern with Section 14103 of the Conference Report on H.R. 2346, the Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2009, relative to a funding prohibition on the release or transfer of individuals currently detained at U.S. Naval Station, Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. Today, my colleagues and I have written a letter to President Barack H. Obama to convey this concern. I submit the text of our letter for print and inclusion in the official Record. Washington, DC., June 16, 2009. President Barack H. Obama, The White House, Washington DC. Dear Mr. President: We write to respectfully request that your Administration not release or transfer any individual who is currently detained at U.S. Naval Station, Guantanamo Bay, Cuba to any territory of the United States. The Supplemental Appropriations Act (H.R. 2346), which is expected to be approved by Congress later this week, prohibits the use of funds made available in the Act to release or transfer any individual detained at Guantanamo Bay to the 50 states or the District of Columbia. However, the Act technically does not prohibit the use of funds to release or transfer such individuals to any of the U.S. territories. Although we have no reason to believe that your Administration intends to release or transfer any detainees to the U.S. territories, we write to express our concern about any decision in this context that may treat the territories differently than the 50 states or the District of Columbia. The safety of the U.S. citizens and nationals residing in the territories is no less important than the safety of their fellow Americans residing in the 50 states. We are certain that your Administration fully subscribes to this view and, therefore, that you will treat the territories the same as the 50 states and the District of Columbia with respect to the release or transfer of individuals detained at U.S. Naval Station, Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. We thank you for your attention to this important matter. Sincerely, Pedro R. Pierluisi. Madeleine Z. Bordallo. Donna M. Christensen. Eni F.H. Faleomavaega. Gregorio Kilili Camacho Sablan.

Mr. PIERLUISI

Mr. PIERLUISI. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H.R. 1741, and I want to commend Congressman Cummings for his terrific work on this bill. H.R. 1741 will provide funding to States and to territories so they can create or can improve their witness protection programs. Priority for funding would be given to those jurisdictions with the highest rates of violent crime. Violent crime continues to plague many of our communities. Many of those crimes were likely observed by one or more bystanders. Whether these witnesses choose to come forward or choose to remain in the shadows, many of those crimes will depend, in large part, on whether they feel safe cooperating with law enforcement. It is, therefore, critical to the effective functioning of our criminal justice system that government at all levels has the means to provide for witness security. As Attorney General of Puerto Rico, I have worked with many witnesses who have received threats that they or their loved ones would be harmed if they testified against a defendant. Not unreasonably, some of these witnesses ultimately chose to remain silent. Others elected to plunge ahead despite the risks, motivated by a sense of civic duty. The key point is this: Choosing between providing information that may deliver a criminal to justice and protecting one's own safety is a choice that no witness should be forced to make. Since 1970, the Federal government has operated its own successful witness protection program. In light of a 2006 report by the Department of Justice that found that witness intimidation was pervasive and increasing, the need to support similar programs at the State and territorial levels is beyond question. Therefore, I respectfully urge my colleagues in this Chamber to support H.R. 1741.

Mr. PIERLUISI

Mr. PIERLUISI. I rise today in strong support of House Resolution 230, which has been introduced by my friend and colleague, Mr. Baca, and recognizes the historical significance of Cinco de Mayo. For the people of Mexico, Cinco de Mayo is an important symbol of freedom, liberty, and self-determination. In our country, Cinco de Mayo is a celebration of the rich history and culture that Mexican Americans have brought to the United States. Hispanics are the fastest-growing minority group in the United States. There are 30 Hispanic Members of Congress, including many Mexican Americans, representing constituencies from all around the country. Tomorrow, millions of Americans will join our neighbors to the south in celebrating Cinco de Mayo. This day serves as an important reminder of Mexico's proud history and of the many contributions that Mexican Americans have made to this country. I urge my colleagues to help recognize Cinco de Mayo, and to support House Resolution 230.

Mr. PIERLUISI

Mr. PIERLUISI. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H.R. 1139. I want to commend my colleague on the Judiciary Committee, Congressman Weiner, for introducing this bill. As I remarked during the committee markup, this bill has special significance for me. In 1994, as Attorney General of Puerto Rico, I worked alongside the Clinton administration to secure passage of the legislation that established the COPS program. As someone whose own family has been deeply touched by violent crime, I'm unbending in my belief that the most basic human right a government owes to its citizens is a right to personal security. The COPS program is rooted in this premise. Thanks to the COPS program, over $160 million in grants have been awarded to law enforcement agencies in Puerto Rico to hire new officers, improve school safety, and purchase crime-fighting equipment. No statistic, however, can capture the true impact the COPS program has made. The numbers of lives saved, crimes prevented, and families spared the pain of losing a loved one, these numbers are beyond calculation. All we hear from our colleagues from the Republican side are concerns about the cost of this bill. Well, all I should say is that if there is any cost that is justified, it's the cost of protecting our people. I urge my colleagues to support this bill.

Mr. PIERLUISI

Mr. PIERLUISI. Mr. Speaker, 92 years ago, President Wilson signed a bill and the people of Puerto Rico became U.S. citizens. Puerto Rico's relationship with the United States is as close as it is complex. In some instances, promises of equal treatment took too long to redeem, and there are aspects of the relationship that should trouble men and women of conscience. But like so many American stories, this is a chronicle of progress and a determined march towards a more perfect union. For me, as for millions of my constituents, the pride we feel in being Puerto Rican is matched by the pride we feel in being American citizens. To those who express concern that any further strengthening of the bond between Puerto Rico and the U.S. will result in a weakening of Puerto Rico's identity, I submit that history and experience demonstrate otherwise. The people of Puerto Rico have been fighting for our country ever since they became citizens. American soldiers from Puerto Rico, fiercely proud of their country and their island roots, provide powerful testimony that these feelings complement, rather than contradict, one another. Mr. Speaker, on this anniversary, I salute the 4 million U.S. citizens of Puerto Rico.

Mr. PIERLUISI

Mr. PIERLUISI. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H.R. 44. I want to begin by commending the gentlelady from Guam (Ms. Bordallo), who has worked tirelessly for years to steer this important bill through the legislative process. Ms. Bordallo's legislation was approved by the House in 2007 but was not taken up by the Senate. I believe that passage of her bill is long overdue, and I respectfully urge my colleagues in both Chambers to support it. H.R. 44 will acknowledge the courageous loyalty shown by the U.S. nationals of Guam during the Japanese occupation in World War II. Chairman Rahall, in remarks delivered several years ago, summarized life in occupied Guam in stark terms: ``For more than 2\1/2\ years, brutal atrocities were committed against the people of Guam. The horrific acts of public beheadings, beatings and rapes were burned into the memories of parents and children. And in an island community of 22,000, everyone knew one another, and so no one escaped the tragedies of war-time occupation.'' Mr. Speaker, this bill is more than a symbolic gesture. It reflects the view that solemn speeches about sacrifice and loyalty are nice, and they are necessary, but they are not enough. This legislation embodies the determination of a grateful Nation to move beyond rhetoric and to provide tangible assistance to a relatively small universe of U.S. citizens whose bravery and suffering have yet to be adequately addressed.

Mr. PIERLUISI. I will continue. Ms. Bordallo's bill would authorize the Federal Government to pay compensation to two categories of persons; first, to living Guam residents who were seriously injured or interned during the occupation; and second, to the surviving family members of those Guam residents who were killed or seriously injured in the course of their occupation. The eligibility criteria established by the bill are fair and transparent, and the amount of compensation prescribed is reasonable. Mr. Speaker, H.R. 44 would essentially implement the recommendations of the Guam War Claims Review Commission, which was established by the Congress. The Review Commission submitted its final report in June 2004. The report concluded that the war claims process created in 1945 to compensate the people of Guam was deficient in key respects. The Commission observed that many residents of Guam missed the window in which to file claims as a result of language barriers, high illiteracy rates, and the lack of newspapers and telephones on the island.

Mr. PIERLUISI. Thank you so much. The Commission recommended that the United States provide additional compensation to the two categories of claimants I mentioned earlier. Mr. Speaker, it is likely that more pages have been written about World War II and its aftermath than any other subject. Today, we have an opportunity to write an important new chapter about an aspect of the conflict that has not received the attention it deserves. I am proud to join Ms. Bordallo in what is clearly a sacred mission for her and the good people of Guam and in what ought to be viewed as a worthy endeavor by all Americans.

Mr. PIERLUISI

Mr. PIERLUISI. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H.R. 1. As the Congressional Budget Office has just confirmed, the bill will have a very positive impact on our Nation's economy. I am particularly grateful for the inclusion of Puerto Rico and the other U.S. territories in most of the bill's provisions. The territories are an integral part of the United States and thus deserve to benefit fully from our ongoing efforts to revitalize the economy. As the final version of this bill is worked out, I will continue to seek more equitable treatment for the U.S. citizens of Puerto Rico in those few areas where I believe improvements should still be made. For example, I will continue to make the case that Puerto Rico should receive an increase in Medicaid funding that better reflects the island's legitimate needs and does more to address the negative impact that the current spending cap is having on the Commonwealth's finances.