Aumua Amata Radewagen

Mrs. RADEWAGEN

Mrs. RADEWAGEN. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on this measure.

Mrs. RADEWAGEN. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (S. 1608) to provide for the expansion of the Starr-Camargo Bridge near Rio Grande City, Texas, and for other purposes.

Mrs. RADEWAGEN

Mrs. RADEWAGEN. Mr. Speaker, I have no further speakers, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mrs. RADEWAGEN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 7159, the Pacific Partnership Act. I was proud to be the lead Republican on this bipartisan bill introduced by the gentleman from Hawaii (Mr. Case). As a grateful and proud Pacific Islander, I remind my colleagues that the United States is a Pacific nation, from the West Coast of the continental U.S., to Hawaii, to American Samoa, to the Northern Mariana Islands, to Guam. The Pacific is critically important to American interests, American values, and to the Americans I have the privilege to represent. However, in recent years, the Chinese Communist Party has mounted an aggressive campaign to increase its influence among Pacific Island countries. The 2022 security pact between Beijing and the Solomon Islands was seen by many as an alarming wake-up call. The CCP is pressuring island nations to overturn their recognition of Taiwan, illegally fishing in their exclusive economic zones, and bribing local law enforcement to influence local elections. While Congress has done its job to extend the Compacts of Free Association for another 20 years, those only focus on three Pacific Island countries. There are 11 other countries who need our attention. The United States has enduring cultural, historic, economic, and people-to-people connections with the Pacific Islands. We just opened up an embassy in Vanuatu, but we must do more. Pacific Islands are strategically crucial to the United States. For that reason, the Pacific Partnership Act requires the State Department to submit to Congress a Strategy for Pacific Partnership that describes our goals for engaging with the Pacific Islands in the diplomatic, defense, and economic domains. It gives Congress the oversight visibility to ensure that the executive branch formulates and implements a strategy that addresses the many shared threats facing Pacific Island countries. It also requires that we coordinate and collaborate with our allies and partners, like Australia, Taiwan, Japan, and New Zealand, to ensure that our programs directed toward the Pacific Islands are nonduplicative and complementary. The Pacific Partnership Act will help to better focus the United States' engagement with Pacific Island nations. Mr. Speaker, I support the bill, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mrs. RADEWAGEN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time. Mr. Speaker, in closing, I thank, again, my friend from Hawaii, Mr. Case, for leading this bill that we introduced together. The Pacific Partnership Act will help ensure that our area of the world receives the attention it requires in U.S. diplomatic, defense, and economic policymaking. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this important bill, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mrs. RADEWAGEN. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on this measure.

Mrs. RADEWAGEN. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 7159) to bolster United States engagement with the Pacific Islands region, and for other purposes, as amended.

Mrs. RADEWAGEN

Mrs. RADEWAGEN. I yield myself the balance of my time. In closing, I thank Congresswoman Manning and Congresswoman Young Kim for leading this bipartisan effort to take on Huawei and other CCP companies. I urge all Members to support H.R. 4741, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mrs. RADEWAGEN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 4741, the Securing Global Telecommunications Act, introduced by my colleague from North Carolina, Congresswoman Manning, and the gentlewoman from California, Congresswoman Young Kim. Telecommunications, including 5G, are critical to U.S. national security. The United States cannot let Chinese military companies, like Huawei, attempt to dominate this sector through unfair trading practices, including IP theft and illegal subsidies. Because of the CCP military-civil fusion strategy, we know that any valuable information flowing through a Huawei network can and will be sent to the CCP and its military. The United States and our partners and allies must lead in the development of this technology and set the rules of the road at multilateral bodies, such as the International Telecommunication Union. Cooperation among partner and allied countries is critical for ensuring that trusted vendors are the backbone for this infrastructure. The Securing Global Telecommunications Act will help us outcompete the CCP in this foundational technology. This bill requires the Secretary of State to develop a strategy to promote secure telecommunication infrastructure globally, including mobile networks, data centers, and 6G and beyond. It also requires reports on how the CCP and Russia are undermining the ITU and how we are coordinating with partners and allies to counteract their malign influence. The United States cannot sit back and allow a CCP military company to build the networks that carry the world's data. For these reasons, I urge my colleagues to support the Securing Global Telecommunications Act, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mrs. RADEWAGEN. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on this measure.

Mrs. RADEWAGEN. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 4741) to require the development of a strategy to promote the use of secure telecommunications infrastructure worldwide, and for other purposes.

Mrs. RADEWAGEN

Mrs. RADEWAGEN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time. Mr. Speaker, I thank Mr. Connolly as well as Chairman McCaul and Ranking Member Meeks for this opportunity to recognize the importance of trilateral cooperation between the United States and our allies South Korea and Japan. Our shared democratic values and strategic cooperation are critical to the peace and security of the Western Pacific, especially as we face challenges and provocations posed by the Chinese Communist Party and North Korea. Mr. Speaker, I urge unanimous support for this resolution, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mrs. RADEWAGEN. Mr. Speaker, I have no additional speakers, and I reserve the right to close.

Mrs. RADEWAGEN. Mr. Speaker, I have no speakers, and I continue to reserve the balance of my time.

Mrs. RADEWAGEN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of this resolution underscoring the vital importance of trilateral cooperation among the U.S., Japan, and South Korea. I thank the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Connolly) and his 22 bipartisan cosponsors for introducing this text, which received unanimous support from the Committee on Foreign Affairs at our markup 4 months ago. As the Chinese Communist Party and North Korea work to destabilize the Indo-Pacific region, we find ourselves in a pivotal moment where democracies must unite against authoritarianism. A trilateral partnership among the U.S., Japan, and South Korea exemplifies this unity, with two of our allies putting aside their historical differences to tackle the pressing challenges of our time. This resolution acknowledges that as China and North Korea escalate their military activities in the region, our three nations are fortifying defense capabilities to deter and address these threats. It also promotes increased collaboration in technology, economics, and diplomacy while celebrating the shared democratic values that underpin our alliances. By working with Japan and South Korea, we can dissuade the CCP and North Korea from acting recklessly. Democracy will, and always will, prevail. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support H. Res. 1056, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mrs. RADEWAGEN. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on this measure.

Mrs. RADEWAGEN. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 1056) recognizing the importance of trilateral cooperation among the United States, Japan, and South Korea.

Mrs. RADEWAGEN

Mrs. RADEWAGEN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time. Mr. Speaker, I thank Chairman McCaul and Ranking Member Meeks for bringing to the floor my bill ensuring that our adversaries do not continue to steal American technology and trade secrets is a bipartisan priority. I urge all Members to support H.R. 6606, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mrs. RADEWAGEN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of my bill, H.R. 6606. Export controls are an important tool to ensure that American technology and items which are normally sold for commercial purposes cannot be used for nefarious purposes by our adversaries. Currently, those adversaries are using technological and economic espionage to steal everything they can from the American people and to undermine our security and our industrial base. H.R. 6606 clarifies U.S. policy to ensure that export controls can be used against those who want to steal America's trade secrets. It ensures that the most powerful tools we have in our policy toolbox can be used against economic espionage, as well. This bill is a clear and important message to our adversaries. We will not allow the stealing of American trade secrets. H.R. 6606 deserves our unanimous support. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mrs. RADEWAGEN. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and to include extraneous material on this measure.

Mrs. RADEWAGEN. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 6606) to amend the Export Control Reform Act of 2018 relating to the statement of policy.

Mrs. RADEWAGEN

Mrs. RADEWAGEN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of my bill, H.R. 6062, which repeals the outdated statute requiring amendments to American Samoa's Constitution be ratified by Congress. I want to thank Chairman Westerman and Subcommittee Chair Hageman for their efforts to move this bill through committee, and I thank Ranking Members Grijalva and Leger Fernandez for making this a bipartisan effort. I would also like to extend my sincere gratitude to my fellow territorial Delegates, Delegate Moylan and Delegate Sablan, for their cosponsorship and support. The original piece of legislation that H.R. 6062 repeals was moved through without regular order, and over the past several decades, multiple attempts were made to walk back the bill and allow the necessary hearings and oversight to occur. Today that misstep has been corrected. H.R. 6062 provides equal treatment among the U.S. territories, as no other territory has a similar restriction on editing their local laws. It is a critical and key piece of legislation for American Samoa, allowing us to enact constitutional changes as approved by our people without the burden of unnecessary bureaucracy in Washington. This bill is designed to restore the essential structure of our government to what it was intended to be, providing a much-needed adjustment to the previous 1983 law. The 1983 law, as it stands, is inconsistent with the principles of local self-government over local affairs, an area where Congress has rightly delegated local authority to us. The current law imposes restrictions that are outdated and counterproductive, hindering our ability to govern ourselves effectively. This bill is about more than just procedural changes. It is about reaffirming our commitment to self-governance and democratic values. By removing unnecessary obstacles, we are reinforcing the principle that the people of American Samoa have the right and the ability to govern themselves.

Mrs. RADEWAGEN

Mrs. RADEWAGEN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life of Tini Apelu Manuleleua who passed away on Friday, June 7, 2024, at the age of 84. Tini was born and raised in Pago Pago, American Samoa, and was a veteran of the U.S. Air Force. Tini joined the Air Force and proudly served from 1956 to 1960. He held an E-4 High Security Clearance to code and decode messages as a Teletype Operator, typing 133 WPM. He went on to work at RCA, Watkins and Johnson, and Santa Clara County as a Counselor specifically working with the Polynesian community. We honor his legacy and thank him for his service. He is survived by siblings Katherine Bitgood, Tolu Misa, Alavine Tuala, and Laila Manuleleua as well as his children, Eddie Achica, Lucy Achica-Woods, Mona Lozada, George Achica, Eugenia Delatorre, Virginia Manuleleua, Jerry Manuleleua, and Daniel Peters and their families made up of 10 grandchildren, 19 great grandchildren and 1 great-great grandchild. He will be missed.

Mrs. RADEWAGEN

Mrs. RADEWAGEN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to thank Lieutenant Colonel Kelsey Rousey for her dedicated service to the people of American Samoa and all the Pacific Islands as Deputy to the House Liaison Division in the U.S. Army's Office of the Chief, Legislative Liaison. In American Samoa, our men and women of the Armed Forces are very important to us The people of our islands take great pride in being patriotic Americans and our people are known for a high rate of service in our military In particular, our U S Army recruiting center ranks number one in the nation in enlistment rate. To that end I would like to recognize all the work LTC Rousey has done to serve our country throughout her career, so far. She received her commission through the ROTC program at John Carroll University, as Transportation Officer. She has an extensive list of military awards and decorations including the Bronze Star Medal, the Meritorious Service Medal with four oak leaf clusters, the Army Commendation Medal with three oak leaf clusters, and the Meritorious Volunteer Medal. She was instrumental in sharing the Army message throughout the House of Representatives and Congress. In congratulating this outstanding officer today, we also express our deep appreciation to all who serve, including the many in uniform from American Samoa serving with distinction all over the world. In thank Kelsey for her outstanding leadership and her commitment to our Soldiers, American Samoa, and our great Nation. Best wishes to her and her family as she departs for Pennsylvania and the U.S. Army War College I thank her for her service and her tone dedicated to our beautiful island. God bless you on your journey (Fa'amanumia le Atua i ou ala. Soifua).

Mrs. RADEWAGEN

Mrs. RADEWAGEN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 1792, the South Pacific Tuna Treaty Act, which I introduced along with my original cosponsor, Ed Case of Hawaii. As Representatives of the beautiful islands of American Samoa in the South Pacific, a marine economy which depends on a fishing economy like Hawaii, I applaud our Water, Wildlife and Fisheries Subcommittee Chair Cliff Bentz of Oregon and Ranking Member Jared Huffman of California for their bipartisan support implementing this treaty with my friends and neighbors in the South Pacific. This bill implements into statute the most recent changes to the South Pacific Tuna Treaty that was negotiated between NOAA and other signatory countries to the treaty. These changes are important to support the American fishing fleet in the South Pacific where many boats call the port in American Samoa home. These changes improve the operation, condition, and flexibility for the fleet, which is America's last true distant water fishing fleet. The 1987 treaty enables American tuna purse seine vessels to fish in the exclusive economic zones of 16 Pacific Island nations and is key to the ongoing operations of America's South Pacific tuna fleet, including the 11 purse seiners based in American Samoa. In 2016, the treaty signatories agreed to several amendments to the treaty; however, those changes have not yet been reflected in U.S. law, leaving South Pacific tuna fishermen in a state of uncertainty for years. H.R. 1792 will fix these issues. Mr. Speaker, I also thank U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary for International Fisheries Kelly Kryc and American Tunaboat Association Executive Director William Gibbons-Fly who testified in support of the bill at last July's hearing. Finally, I thank Chairman Westerman and Ranking Member Grijalva who guided the Natural Resources Committee to unanimously approving H.R. 1792 at last October's markup. ``Live long and prosper.'' ``Soifua ma ia manuia.''