[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 124 (Friday, September 21, 2001)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1697]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




        NATIONAL DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION ACT FOR FISCAL YEAR 2002

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                               speech of

                        HON. ROBERT A. UNDERWOOD

                                of guam

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, September 20, 2001

  The House in Committee of the Whole House on the State of the Union 
had under consideration the bill. (H.R. 2586) to authorize 
appropriations for fiscal year 2002 for military activities of the 
Department of Defense, to prescribe military personnel strengths for 
fiscal year 2002, and for other purposes:
  Mr. UNDERWOOD. Mr. Chairman, this amendment would extend the 
opportunity to vote in the November 2002 federal elections through the 
electronic voting system proposed by this bill to uniformed services 
personnel from the U.S. territories and the District of Columbia. These 
voters are from Guam, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin 
Islands, American Samoa, and the District of Columbia who are currently 
serving away from their homes as active duty military personnel. The 
Department of Defense estimates that nearly 15,000 uniformed services 
personnel would become eligible to participate in the system as a 
result of this amendment. In addition, it would grant spouses and 
eligible dependents of these uniformed services personnel the ability 
to participate as well.
  The voting system under this bill is intended to facilitate and 
demonstrate a more efficient and convenient system that would increase 
voter participation among U.S. military service personnel stationed 
around the world. My amendment allows access to this voting system for 
all eligible military personnel regardless of where they may be 
registered to vote.
  I appreciate the support of Military Personnel Subcommittee Chairman 
McHugh and urge your support for my amendment, which protects and 
extends the voting rights of our men and women in uniform from the U.S. 
territories and the District of Columbia.

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