[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 62 (Wednesday, May 18, 1994)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: May 18, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
 DEVELOPMENT OF ARTICLES OF RELATIONS AND SELF-GOVERNMENT FOR INSULAR 
                       AREAS OF THE UNITED STATES

                                 ______


                             HON. DON YOUNG

                               of alaska

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, May 17, 1994

  Mr. YOUNG of Alaska. Mr. Speaker, on November 22, 1993, I introduced 
legislation to provide consultations for the development of Articles of 
Incorporation for territories of the United States. The intent of that 
legislation, H.R. 3715, was to establish a mechanism for full self-
governance and political empower- ment in our territories consistent 
with international decolonization and the principles of self-
determination.
  Based on the interest and concerns raised from the insular areas, I 
am introducing a new proposal. The new legislation has been broadened 
in scope but retains the same intent of providing full self-governance 
and political empowerment in the United States insular areas. It 
enables the insular areas to utilize the same mechanism for options 
other than incorporation.
  Under the new legislation, the governor of an insular area many 
request the President of the United States to enter into consultations 
for the development of Articles of Relations and Self-Government to 
achieve a full measure of self-government through political integration 
into the United States or through another arrangements with the United 
States. Political integration refers to the full extension of the 
United States Constitution and such measures which provide for 
political empowerment. Alternatively, an insular area may seek 
``another arrangement with the United States'' which could be 
independence or free association.
  At the request of an insular area government, and not later than 
December 31, 1997, the President would designate a personal 
representative to consult and develop, with representatives designated 
by the government of the insular area, Articles of Relations and Self-
Government. The proposed Articles and a report on the consultations 
would be forwarded to the Congress within 1 year after the appointment 
of the United States Representative. These proposed measures would be 
submitted to Congress no later than December 31, 1998, to provide time 
for the Congress to enact implementing legislation before the end of 
the decade, which has been named the ``Decade for the Eradication of 
Colonialism'' by the United Nations.
  Upon enactment by the Congress of a resolution approving Artices, the 
legislation would be submitted to the citizens of the insular area in a 
plebiscite. The question to approve the resolution would be organized 
by the government of the insular area and would take effect in 
accordance with the terms of the resolution upon ratification by a 
majority vote in the insular plebiscite.
  The United States areas included in the proposal are American Samoa, 
Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin 
Islands. These United States flag areas are identical to those named in 
H.R. 3715.
  The last section of the bill, General Insular Area Processes, 
clarifies that the process for developing the status of insular areas 
provided for by this legislation is meant to be in addition to any 
other process for addressing issues in relationship between the United 
States and an insular area. A number of the insular areas have Federal 
or insular area acts which relate to addressing issues in the U.S.-
insular relationship. The enactment of this legislation is not meant to 
prevent or limit any of these efforts. Consistent with the principle of 
self-determination, the process is optional on the part of each insular 
area.
  With nearly 4 million U.S. citizens living in U.S.-flag areas without 
the full extension of the United States Constitution, I feel strongly 
that it is necessary to provide a clear process agreed to by Congress 
and the President for our fellow citizens to achieve a full measure of 
self-government through political integration with the United States or 
another arrangement for self-government. The time constraints of the 
proposed process, the deadlines and one year negotiating requirement, 
are necessary to insure real measurable progress in such matters of 
fundamental importance to the citizens of the insular areas and the 
United States.
  The following is the text of the bill to provide consultations for 
the development of Articles of Relations and Self-Government for 
insular areas of the United States:

                                 H.R.--

       Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of 
     the United States of America in Congress assembled,

     SECTION 1. FINDINGS.

       (a) Findings.--The Congress finds that:
       (1) The United States of America has long been committed to 
     making it possible for all peoples to exercise their inherent 
     rights of self-government.
       (2) While the nearly four million citizens of the insular 
     areas of the United States of America are United States 
     citizens (or, in the case of American Samoa, United States 
     nationals) and have achieved local self-government, they do 
     not fully participate in the Federal decisionmaking process 
     although they are subject to Federal laws, rules, and 
     regulations.

     SEC. 2. PURPOSE.

       The purpose of this Act is to provide a process whereby the 
     citizens of United States insular areas can achieve a full 
     measure of self-government through political integration into 
     the United States or through another arrangement with the 
     United States.

     SEC. 3. ARTICLES OF RELATIONS AND SELF-GOVERNMENT.

       (a) General Authorization.--Before December 31, 1998, the 
     President and the government of an insular area may develop, 
     and submit to the Congress, proposed measures to enable the 
     citizens of the insular area to exercise greater powers of 
     self-government or greater participation in the Federal 
     system.
       (b) Appointment of United States Representative.--At the 
     request of the government of an insular area transmitted not 
     later than December 31, 1997, the President shall designate a 
     personal representative to consult and develop in good faith 
     with representatives designated by the government of the 
     area, Articles of Relations and Self-Government.
       (c) Submission Deadline.--The proposed Articles and a 
     report on the consultations shall be submitted to the 
     Congress within one year after the appointment of a 
     representative under subsection (b).
       (d) Ratification.--Upon enactment of a resolution approving 
     the proposed Articles, the legislation shall be submitted to 
     the citizens of the insular area in a plebiscite organized by 
     the government of the insular area and shall take effect in 
     accordance with the terms of such resolution if ratified by a 
     majority vote in that plebiscite.
       (e) Insular Area Defined.--For the purpose of this Act, the 
     term ``insular area'' includes America Samoa, Guam, the 
     Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, the 
     Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands.

     SEC. 4. GENERAL INSULAR AREAS PROCESSES.

       The process for developing the status of insular areas 
     provided for by this Act shall be in addition to any other 
     process for addressing issues in the relationship between the 
     United States and an insular area established by or initiated 
     pursuant to any other Federal or insular area Act and 
     enactment of this Act is not intended to prevent or limit 
     such efforts.

                          ____________________