[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 82 (Thursday, June 12, 1997)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1195-E1196]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


             CORRECTING PERCEPTIONS ABOUT GUAM AND THE CNMI

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. ROBERT A. UNDERWOOD

                                of guam

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, June 12, 1997

  Mr. UNDERWOOD. Mr. Speaker, recently many Members have expressed 
interest in the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands [CNMI]. 
Some have described it as a model of economic policy, others as a 
blemish on the fabric of American values. On March 19, 1997, Mr. DeLay 
submitted an extension of remarks in which he discussed the economic 
situation in the CNMI. In the context of these remarks, Mr. DeLay made 
several comparisons between the CNMI and Guam.
  Unfortunately, political, governmental, historical, economic, and 
demographic differences make such comparisons misleading. For example, 
in 1995, the total work force in the CNMI was 37,393; 32,522--87 
percent--of which were foreign born. Considering the number of foreign 
guest workers the NMI is importing, their level of unemployment should 
be very low. However, the unemployment rate among U.S. citizens in the 
CNMI is over 14 percent while on Guam it is about 8 percent. If the 
NMI's unemployment rate was any higher it would raise serious questions 
about the use of their foreign guest worker program.
  Because Guam does not have a similar guest worker program and 
complies with Federal minimum wage and labor standards, one cannot take 
this or other isolated economic statistics and make direct comparisons 
between the CNMI and Guam. Guam currently pays the prevailing wage 
which can be four times the minimum wage. However, Mr. DeLay is correct 
that Guam's economy is hindered by certain economic policies, but these 
obstacles originate from the Federal Government, not from Guam itself.
  In an effort to correct this situation, the people of Guam, through 
the Draft Guam Commonwealth Act, are seeking a new relationship with 
the United States and a comprehensive review of the application of 
Federal laws on Guam. Through this legislation Guam is working toward 
removing those Federal obstacles to stimulate economic growth and 
establishing a new political relationship with the Federal Government.
  It is important to note that Guam does not want to use the CNMI as a 
model of labor, immigration, or economic policy. We do not desire to 
use greater autonomy and control over immigration to establish a 
massive guest worker program to fuel a low wage garment industry. 
Rather we seek to stem the flow of immigration to our island which is 
suffering as a result of the application of Federal immigration. Guam 
needs some guest workers, but this program must be consistent with our 
basic principles of justice and fairness.
  Contrary to many reports circulating around Congress, the CNMI is 
neither a den of labor iniquity or a model of economic freedom. I hope 
that as the debate surrounding the CNMI continues that members remember 
the historical context in which the NMI joined the American family and 
don't turn this into a battle ground for a debate on the national 
minimum wage issue.
  I appreciate Mr. DeLay's support for increased local control for the 
territories. I invite all Members who support local control to support 
Guam's desire for a commonwealth status which is consistent with this 
position. I look forward to working with Mr. DeLay and other Members of 
Congress on this critical issue.

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