Gregorio Sablan

Mr. SABLAN

Mr. SABLAN. Madam Speaker, I request 5 legislative days during which Members may revise and extend and insert extraneous material on House Resolution 337 into the Record.

Mr. SABLAN. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of House Resolution 337, which increases awareness of child maltreatment and urges communities to support children and families. Every April, the President issues a proclamation for National Child Abuse Prevention Month, and at the same time, he releases the previous year's data on child abuse and neglect. Last year's data was very unsettling. In 2007, State and local child protective services investigated nearly 5.8 million cases of child abuse or neglect. Out of these cases, protective services confirmed that 794,000 children were victims of maltreatment in 2007. Of the nearly 800,000 cases in 2007, 59 percent of them were classified as child neglect, 4.2 percent of cases involved psychological mistreatment, 7.6 percent involved sexual abuse, 10.8 percent of the victims suffered physical abuse, and 13.1 percent of the children suffered from multiple mistreatments. The reports of child deaths from abuse and neglect are even more startling. An estimated 1,760 children died in 2007 as a result of abuse and neglect. Of these children who died, a disturbing 75 percent were under the age of four. Over half of the child fatalities were a year or younger. These statistics, of course, are only cases of child maltreatment which have been reported to police or social services. This month is a time not only to spread awareness of maltreatment, but also to recognize those organizations dedicated to preventing child abuse and neglect. I would like to thank Representative Granger for bringing this bill to the floor. I urge my colleagues to take this serious issue into consideration and to support this measure and set aside time to create awareness of child maltreatment. I reserve the remainder of my time.

Mr. SABLAN

Mr. SABLAN. Mr. Speaker, the covenant to establish a Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands in political union with the United States of America defines the unique relationship between the Northern Mariana Islands and the United States, recognizing United States sovereignty but limiting, in some respects, applicability of Federal law. The commonwealth accordingly enjoys a greater degree of autonomy than most United States territories. The covenant was negotiated over the course of 27 months, from December 1972 to February 1975, by the Marianas Political Status Commission, made up of representatives of the Northern Mariana Islands and a delegation representing the United States. The proposed covenant was signed by negotiators on February 15, 1975, and unanimously approved by the legislature of the Mariana Islands District of the United Nations Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands on February 17, 1975. On June 17, 1975, the covenant was submitted to Northern Mariana Islands voters in a plebiscite. At the time, 95 percent of eligible residents had registered to vote, and of the 95 percent of all registered voters who cast ballots in the plebiscite, 78.8 percent voted to approve the covenant. The covenant was subsequently approved by this House on July 21, 1975, and by the Senate on February 24, 1976. On March 24, 1976, President Gerald Ford signed Public Law 94-241, enacting the covenant. Some provisions became effective on that date. Remaining provisions became effective on January 9, 1978, and November 4, 1986. On January 9, 1978, the Northern Mariana Islands Government was established, and the first elected governor took office. On November 4, 1976, qualified residents of the Northern Mariana Islands became United States citizens. On May 8, 2008, President George W. Bush signed Public Law 110-229 and gave to the Northern Mariana Islands the seat in Congress that I presently have the privilege to occupy. Today, Mr. Speaker, the people of the Northern Mariana Islands mark the 33rd year of the date when the covenant took effect. The 33 years of our political relationship, Mr. Speaker, has been beneficial to both the Northern Mariana Islands and to the United States, such that the political agreement continues to be celebrated by very proud citizens in that most western part of the United States. I join my people in their celebration and bring their joy to this Congress. Thank you for the opportunity to share this joyful and historical day with Congress, the Nation and with the American people.

Mr. SABLAN

Mr. SABLAN. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. H.R. 1388 answers President Obama's call to service and helps Americans invest in their communities by greatly expanding potential service opportunities and increasing educational and other benefits. Provisions like those in the GIVE Act are especially effective in the Northern Mariana Islands. They allow our young people to help their communities while also doing something positive for themselves. In these areas of high unemployment, community service programs like those in the GIVE Act allow participants to receive benefits, including health care, earn money for college, receive important career and technical training, make connections with potential employers, and develop confidence, self-esteem, and leadership skills. Not just that, but participants are also able to give back to those around them, providing support for the people and communities that are suffering during these tough economic times. This is what America is all about. We hope that this program, along with the President's call to action, strengthens our citizens' pride in themselves, their communities, and their Nation, and allows them to feel like they are truly a part of the American Dream. For these reasons, I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 1388, the GIVE Act.

Mr. SABLAN

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

Mr. SABLAN. I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. SABLAN. 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. SABLAN. Mr. Speaker, I request 5 legislative days in which Members may revise and extend their remarks and insert extraneous material on House Resolution 60 into the Record.

Mr. SABLAN. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 60) recognizing and commending University of Oklahoma quarterback Sam Bradford for winning the 2008 Heisman Trophy and for his academic and athletic accomplishments.

Mr. SABLAN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself as much time as I may consume. I rise today to congratulate the University of Oklahoma Sooners' quarterback, Sam Bradford, for winning the Heisman Trophy Award, and I thank Congresswoman Fallin for introducing this resolution. Mr. Speaker, the Heisman award is the Nation's most prestigious collegiate football award, and while Sam Bradford's outstanding athletic record has made him a most deserving candidate for the award, his qualities off the field also deserve to be recognized. Sam Bradford received the Heisman Trophy on December 13, 2008, and became the first person of Native American descent and only the second sophomore in Heisman history to win the award. Bradford won the recognition of Heisman voters by breaking the NCAA freshman touchdown passing record with 36 touchdown passes and by breaking the NCAA record with a passing efficiency rating of 186.28. He set two school records by throwing for 48 touchdown passes in a single season and by passing for 468 yards in a single game against the University of Kansas. With Bradford at the helm, the Sooners posted more points in a single season than any other team and brought the team to a 12-1 season record. Winning the Heisman award is a tremendous accomplishment, but I believe we should also recognize his accomplishments off the field. Excelling in the classroom with a 3.95 grade point average, Sam Bradford epitomizes what a student athlete should be. He is an active citizen of the Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma, and is a member of the University of Oklahoma's Fellowship of Christian Athletes. Considering the demands of a Division I football program, his involvement off the field is to be commended. Mr. Speaker, once again, I congratulate the University of Oklahoma's quarterback, Sam Bradford, for his outstanding year, and I urge my colleagues to pass this resolution. I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. SABLAN. Does the gentleman from Kentucky have any further speakers?

Mr. SABLAN. Mr. Speaker, once again I congratulate University of Oklahoma quarterback Sam Bradford for his outstanding year, and I urge my colleagues to pass this resolution.

Mr. SABLAN

Mr. SABLAN. 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. SABLAN. Mr. Speaker, has the gentleman from Kentucky any further speakers?

Mr. SABLAN. Once again, I express my support for National Girls and Women in Sports Day, and I urge my colleagues to support this resolution.

Mr. SABLAN. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 114) supporting the goals and ideals of ``National Girls and Women in Sports Day''.

Mr. SABLAN. I yield back the remainder of my time, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. SABLAN. Mr. Speaker, I request 5 legislative days during which Members may revise and extend their remarks and insert extraneous material regarding House Resolution 114 into the Record.

Mr. SABLAN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself as much time as I may consume. I rise today in support of House Resolution 114, which recognizes February 4, 2009 as the 23rd National Girls and Women in Sports Day, and it also urges an increase in awareness of the importance sports plays in the lives of girls and women. In 1987, the National Girls and Women in Sports Day began to celebrate the work of Olympic volleyball player Flo Hyman to advance gender equality in athletics. Today, National Girls and Women in Sports Day seeks to honor the struggle and achievements of women in athletics. The participation rates of women and girls in sports has risen dramatically. Currently, more than 3 million girls participate in high school sports compared to less than 300,000 girls in 1971. The number of women playing college sports has increased from 32,000 to 171,000 in a little over 30 years. However, in spite of this impressive growth, the money and opportunities for males to participate in sports are still much greater than those available to females. The benefits of sports participation cannot be overstated. High school girls who participate in athletics are more likely to have a healthy mind and body. Specifically, girls who play sports have better grades and are more likely to graduate compared to girls who do not participate in athletic activities. The risk of breast cancer, osteoporosis and obesity in girls is also reduced with as few as 4 hours of exercise a week. Participating in sports helps promote healthy habits and improves self-esteem. These very traits have proven effective in combating eating disorders. Since 90 percent of people with eating disorders are female and 86 percent are under the age of 20, participating in sports can provide girls and young women across the Nation the necessary tools for success. Females who participate in sports are more likely to have a better body image and are less likely to suffer from psychological disorders. Every February, we highlight the accomplishments of female athletes with National Girls and Women in Sports Day. I would like to take this opportunity to note the accomplishment of a female athlete from the Northern Mariana Islands. Her name is Yvonne Deleon Guerrero Bennet. Yvonne has rewritten all the Micronesian records in sprint events. During the recent Oceania Area Championships, she made the finals in the 100, 200 and 400 meter events, setting records all along the way. For her accomplishments, she was voted Female Athlete of the Year by the Northern Marianas Amateur Sports Association. Off the track, Yvonne is an honor student. On National Girls and Women in Sports Day, we remember the women who fought for equality in sports, and we celebrate the many girls and women, such as Yvonne Bennet, who are benefiting from the path paved by women like Flo Hyman. Mr. Speaker, once again, I express my support for National Girls and Women in Sports Day. I thank Representative Sires for introducing this important resolution, and I urge my colleagues to support this resolution. I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. SABLAN

Mr. SABLAN. Mr. Chair, during rollcall vote No. 23 on H.R. 384, I mistakenly recorded my vote as ``no'' when I should have voted ``aye.''