[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 35 (Friday, February 24, 1995)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E435]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                         GUAM COMMONWEALTH ACT

                                 ______


                        HON. ROBERT A. UNDERWOOD

                                of guam

                    in the house of representatives

                       Friday, February 24, 1995
  Mr. UNDERWOOD. Mr. Speaker, it is my honor today to introduce the 
Guam Commonwealth Act, an act which embodies all the hopes and dreams 
for a better future for the people of Guam. The Guam Commonwealth Act 
would structure a better relationship between Guam and the Federal 
Government, and would ensure that Guam has sufficient political and 
economic tools to provide a secure future for our children and for 
future generations of Chamorros.
  Today I call on the Federal Government to expand the Contract With 
America to include a contract with Guam. This contract with Guam would 
say that the indigenous people of Guam, the Chamorros, would reserve 
for themselves the decision over their future political status. This 
contract with Guam would say that Guam would be freed from economic 
constraints that have impeded our progress as a people. And this 
contract with Guam would say that our new relationship with the Federal 
Government would be based on mutual respect, and mutual consent.
  I have chosen this bill as my first in the 104th Congress, just as it 
was my first bill in the 103d Congress, because the resolution of our 
political status must be the first priority of the Federal Government 
in its relations with Guam. And the desire to take our place as a new 
Commonwealth is the first and foremost goal of the representatives of 
the people of Guam.
  The long road to Commonwealth began in January 1982 with the first 
political status plebescite that allowed the voters of Guam to choose a 
status from among: status quo, statehood, incorporation, commonwealth, 
independence and free association. Later that year a runoff plebescite 
was held between statehood and commonwealth. An overwhelming 73 percent 
of the voters chose commonwealth, launching us on a journey that leads 
to the 104th Congress, and the introduction of the Guam Commonwealth 
Act today.
  I know that this bill still has a long road to travel, but this 
journey pales in comparison to the epic struggle of the Chamorro people 
that began 474 years ago with the first contact with the outside world. 
The culmination of that struggle still eludes us, but the creation of 
the Commonwealth of Guam begins a new era of self-reliance, self-
respect and self-governance for the people of Guam. I am honored to 
introduce the Guam Commonwealth Act today, and I am ready to tell 
Guam's story to the Congress and the Nation.


                          ____________________