Aumua Amata Radewagen

Mrs. RADEWAGEN

Mrs. RADEWAGEN. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 774) to strengthen enforcement mechanisms to stop illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing, to amend the Tuna Conventions Act of 1950 to implement the Antigua Convention, and for other purposes, as amended.

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 materials on the bill under consideration.

Mrs. RADEWAGEN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. As the Congresswoman from American Samoa, I can confidently say that fishing and the jobs it provides are one of the biggest issues of our territory. It is a way of life. It has shaped our culture, our customs, and our traditions, and that must continue. It is for that reason that I am a cosponsor of H.R. 774, the Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated Fishing Enforcement Act of 2015. Sometimes referred to as ``pirate fishing,'' illegal, unreported, and unregulated--or IUU--fishing is a wide range of fishing activities that fail to comply with national, regional, or global fisheries, conservation, and management requirements. These unlawful practices impact various sectors of our seafood industry, which is certainly true in respect to our tuna industry in American Samoa. By nature, the impact of IUU fishing is difficult to quantify, though some estimates suggest that it results in economic losses between $10 billion to $23 billion worldwide annually. The effects of IUU fishing aren't only felt on the decks of our fishing boats, the impacts that we are talking about here can be felt all the way to your dinner plate. The intent of H.R. 774 is to ensure that the fishermen that I represent can operate on a level playing field with foreign nation vessels. Specifically, the bill aims to identify and regulate illegal foreign fishing vessels that are hurting our fishermen's ability to provide for their families. I do have to say that, while I am a cosponsor of this legislation, I wish that we would have been able to come to an agreement on language that I had proposed specific to the actions and regulations administered by the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission, of which American Samoa is a participating territory. The intent of my language was to ensure that the Commission could not act in a manner that would hurt our fishermen more than those of other participating foreign nations. All I want is for our fishermen in American Samoa to be on a level playing field with foreign nation vessels to be able to provide for their families. While we were not able to reach consensus on my proposed language, I look forward to working with my fellow committee colleagues toward a solution to help the fishing industry in American Samoa. Remaining fair and true to our fishermen is so important in the territory that I represent because the fishing industry is the economic driver of many of our communities. While I will continue to work on those ideas legislatively in another vehicle, this is a good bill, and I urge my colleagues to support it. I reserve the balance of my time.

Mrs. RADEWAGEN

Mrs. RADEWAGEN. Mr. Chair, I would like to commend Chairman Calvert, Ranking Member McCollum, and the Appropriations Committee staff for their efforts in bringing this important bill to the floor. I would also like to congratulate Chairman Calvert on his leadership in overseeing this measure and his continued success as chairman of the subcommittee. I want to take this opportunity to highlight just a small portion of the needs and shortfalls that the territories are facing. In particular, I want to bring to your attention some of the funding issues facing American Samoa. Each year, the Office of Insular Affairs provides grant funds to American Samoa for the operation of local government, including the judiciary, Department of Education, and the local hospital. The purpose of this program is to fund the difference between budget needs and local revenues. Mr. Chairman, the world has changed much since the inception of this program to assist American Samoa government operations, and additional needs have arisen. Local revenues have remained relatively constant; the infrastructure has become dated and in disrepair, and outside influences, particularly China, have begun to make inroads into the region with the development of a port in the neighboring independent Samoa and future plans for a naval base in the same area. We have also seen a dramatic spike in world conflict since the inception of the program. This increased military activity by both friendly and hostile nations has simultaneously created the need for increased border security, an element severely lacking in American Samoa and one not funded under the current parameters of the program. American Samoa is also facing severe infrastructure deficiency, which has caused undue hardship to both our people and businesses that rely upon our roads, airport, and port. In fact, the recent decision by the NOAA National Weather Service to terminate weather observation service in American Samoa, which our local airport relies upon for flight operations, has prompted the need for the construction of a tower at Pago Pago International Airport. This facility would serve as a standard control tower and would also contain the weather monitoring service after NOAA ceases operations in American Samoa. Mr. Chairman, my home district was devastated by a tsunami on September 29, 2009, that killed many of our people. I was there at the time. If it hadn't been for the fact that I had a scheduled meeting at that very time and was already awake, I could have been killed by the wave. We lost our tuna cannery the day after the tsunami, which was half of our private sector employment. We also are suffering from the prolonged recession here in the States and suffered another setback with the recent longshoremen's strike that exposed just how dependent we are on outside resources. Chairman Calvert, I encourage the committee that, when considering funding levels for the territories, to keep in mind our economic and geographic isolation and the extreme disparity in opportunities for growth between these regions and the States. Mr. Chairman, I look forward to working with the committee to increase funding for the territories which will help alleviate the many issues we are facing.

Mrs. RADEWAGEN. At a time when we are faced with the need to reduce funding in many areas of government, I thank the committee for preserving the budgetary assistance to American Samoa. I want to thank the chairman for his kind words and continued leadership, and I look forward to working with him to ensure that the territories are given the same opportunity as the States.

Mrs. RADEWAGEN

Mrs. RADEWAGEN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in memory of Master Sergeant Tantalagia Sotoa Numera, or known to his family and friends simply as ``Tuni'', who passed away on June 1 at the age of 86. Tuni was born on February 27, 1929, in Pago Pago, American Samoa to parents, Taua and Siao Numera. Following his childhood on the islands, and at the young age of 23, Tuni enthusiastically fulfilled his childhood dream of serving in our nations armed forces and joined the U.S. Marine Corps. During Tuni's 27 years of service in the Marine Corps, he would fight in two wars and serve 8 total combat tours. Tuni saw his first action in Korea, but it wouldn't be his last . . . not by a long shot. Master Sergeant Numera served 7 combat tours in the jungles of Vietnam. During his first tour in Vietnam, Tuni was wounded in combat for which he received the Purple Heart. While this would be more than enough sacrifice to one's nation for even the toughest and most patriotic of soldiers, it wasn't for Tuni. He would return to those jungles where he was initially wounded, 6 more times. When once asked by a friend ``why did you serve 7 tours in Vietnam?'' he replied . . . ``I was looking for the guy that shot me during my first tour.'' This is a perfect example of just how much of a true Leatherneck he was. Master Sergeant Numera was awarded numerous decorations during his career in the Marines, including: the Navy & Marine Corps Medal, the Bronze Star, and of course the Purple Heart, with a Gold Star, which is the equivalent of two Purple Hearts. Known for his irresistible smile and grand sense of humor, Tuni was always at the center of whatever was going on and always had a kind word or helping hand to those who needed it. Tuni also enjoyed a number of recreational activities, including fishing, bowling, playing poker, watching westerns, and TV shows like Walker Texas Ranger. Perhaps the only things that Tuni loved more than his country were his faith in God and his beautiful family. Tuni is survived by his wife, Eleanor; children, Zina, Trinidad, Cynthia, Anthony, Jeffrey, Michael, Elena, and Christina; ``adopted sons,'' Vincent, and Mike; 26 grandchildren, and 15 great-grandchildren. This man was obviously very loved by all who knew him and we all mourn their loss. Mr. Speaker, I ask all Members of the U.S. House of Representatives to join me recognizing the lifelong service and dedication to our nation that was exemplified by Master Sergeant Numera and honor him by continuing to uphold those values that we cherish as Americans and for which Tuni dedicated his life.

Mrs. RADEWAGEN

Mrs. RADEWAGEN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in memory of Staff Sergeant (SSGT) Faleagafulu Ilaoa, who lost his life while serving our great nation. Ilaoa, whose parents hailed from the village of Leone, American Samoa was born on April 6, 1948, in San Francisco, CA, SSGT Ilaoa spent his youth like many of us do . . . dreaming of one day serving his country in our armed forces. Never to be deterred from his goals; following graduation from high school, Ilaoa joined the Air Force as a Military Policeman. These men not only serve as police officers to their fellow service members, but also participated in rescue operations, often in hostile territory. On Monday, May 13, 1975, the U.S. merchant ship Mayaguez was seized by Khmer Rouge forces off the coast of Cambodia. The following evening a rescue operation to save those on board the merchant vessel was launched by the Air Force's 56th Security Police Squadron (SPS). At around 8:30 in the evening, on route to the Mayaguez, the Chinook helicopter carrying the 23 security police operators, including SSGT Ilaoa disappeared from radar approximately 40 miles from their base in a remote area of Northwest Thailand. To this day, the cause of the crash, whether it was mechanical malfunction, pilot error or enemy fire, is not known. Mr. Speaker, I ask all Members of the U.S. House of Representatives to join me recognizing the sacrifice of all who lost their lives on this mission and I personally would like to salute SSGT Ilaoa for his service to our nation and the proud legacy he left for all American Samoans.

Mrs. RADEWAGEN

Mrs. RADEWAGEN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in observance of Asian- Pacific American Heritage Month. I extend my warm wishes to all Asian- Pacific Americans (APA), whose contributions to our society cannot be understated. From our unique culture, culinary practices and art, to the construction of vital infrastructure and contributions to science and technology, APA's have always been at the forefront of American innovation. In 1977, Congress declared the first week of May as Asian-Pacific American Heritage week; and in 1992 passed a resolution that set aside the entire month to recognize APA's and the many contributions that they have made to American culture, science and industry. As the Senior, APA Republican in Congress, I want to take this opportunity to celebrate the beginning of Asian-Pacific American Heritage Month. I could not be more proud of the influence and contributions of those who came before me. It is their memory and sacrifices that drive me while performing my duties as the Member of Congress who represents American Samoa and I look forward to continuing the important work that they began. Mr. Speaker, I ask all Members of the U.S. House of Representatives to join me in recognizing the many contributions that APA's have made to this great nation and I ask that we carry this spirit throughout the entire year.

Mrs. RADEWAGEN

Mrs. RADEWAGEN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in recognition of the 100th anniversary of Australian and New Zealand Army Corps (ANZAC) Day. First held on April 25, 1916, ANZAC Day was originally dedicated to commemorating those Australian and New Zealand forces that fought in the Gallipoli Campaign in World War I. Today, ANZAC Day is set aside to recognize all Australian and New Zealand forces who have ``served and died in all wars, conflicts, and peacekeeping operations and the contribution and suffering of all those who have served.'' We call ours Veterans Day. As the Delegate from the U.S. Territory that is geographically closest to New Zealand and the third closest to Australia, I am proud to recognize the servicemen and women from our partners in the region. The long-standing relationship between the United States and our partners in the South Pacific cannot be understated. Whenever we have found ourselves standing to defend the spirit of freedom and democracy around the globe, we have always been able to rely upon our friends in New Zealand and Australia to be standing right beside us. Our shared ideals and hopes for the planet ensure that our bond is strong and lasting, and I want to recognize the servicemen and women of Australia and New Zealand for the sacrifices they have made to uphold these common traits. Mr. Speaker, I ask all Members of the U.S. House of Representatives to join me in recognizing the sacrifices and dedication of the servicemembers of our friends in Australia and New Zealand.

Mrs. RADEWAGEN

Mrs. RADEWAGEN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 1367, to amend the Expedited Funds Availability Act to clarify the application of that Act to American Samoa and the Northern Mariana Islands. I would first like to thank Chairman Hensarling, and Ranking Member Waters as well as the House Financial Services Committee staff who worked so hard to get this bill to the floor. I appreciate their dedication as do the people of American Samoa and the CNMI. As you know, the isolation of American Samoa, both geographically and economically, lends itself to difficulties in financial transactions that take place between American Samoa and those off island. Many times, our citizens and businesses must wait an exorbitant amount of time before they can receive off-island funds that have been sent to them. These delays often cause hardships that are both unnecessary and unfounded. H.R. 1367, will eliminate the excessive delays that the people of American Samoa must currently deal with in order to receive funds sent to them from off-island. Again, I would like to thank Chairman Hensarling and Ranking Member Waters for their consideration of this measure that will greatly improve the lives of the people of American Samoa. Mr. Speaker, I ask all Members of the U.S. House of Representatives to vote in favor of this bill that will bring American Samoa and the CNMI into the fold financially in regards to off island transactions.

Mrs. RADEWAGEN

Mrs. RADEWAGEN. Madam Chair, I rise today in support of H.R. 527, the Small Business Regulatory Flexibility Improvements Act. Madam Chair, for too long, small businesses have had to conform to a ``one size fits all'' approach. The intent of the original law, which was passed in 1980, was to lessen the burden on small businesses when conforming to regulatory issues. Since that time Federal Agencies have abused certain loopholes in the codes, to enforce often arbitrary costs to those businesses. These additional expenditures are far too often the difference between a small business thriving or going under. I know that in the Territory of American Samoa, our local economy is absolutely dependent upon small businesses and their success. This legislation will enable those who own small businesses across the nation and the territories to have a greater degree of certainty when planning for the future of their business, by allowing for input into the regulatory process from the business owners themselves. This legislation will also require those rule making agencies to regularly review the regulations that are already on the books and what impact they are having small businesses. Madam Chair, I want to thank Chairman Chabot and the Small Business Committee staff for their hard work in bringing this bill to the floor, and I firmly voice my support for H.R. 527, the Small Business Regulatory Flexibility Improvements Act and urge my colleagues in the House to also support this important measure.