[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 67 (Wednesday, May 22, 2002)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E882]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   INTRODUCING A BILL TO PROVIDE IMPACT AID FUNDING FOR MICRONESIAN 
                                CHILDREN

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. PATSY T. MINK

                               of hawaii

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, May 21, 2002

  Mrs. MINK of Hawaii. Mr. Speaker, today I introduce a bill to provide 
Impact Aid funding for Micronesian children living in the United 
States. You might ask why should we? What is their special status that 
justifies this payment?
  The Compact of Free Association negotiated by the DoD and the State 
Department with the Republic of the Marshall Islands and the Federated 
States of Micronesia in 1985, and with the Republic of Palau in 1986, 
enhanced the security of our nation. The Compact of Free Association 
gives the United States authority over security and defense matters in 
this region. It prevents other countries from entering into military 
alliances with the Republic of the Marshall Islands, the Federated 
States of Micronesia, and the Republic of Palau. Such military 
alliances could threaten the security of our nation.
  In the period between 1918 and 1941, foreign powers did occupy these 
islands. And as history will recall, many WWII battles were fought in 
the islands fortified and occupied by Japan. After WWII the United 
States took over jurisdiction, and we inflicted grave harm to many of 
the islands' residents when the U.S. military tested 66 atomic and 
hydrogen bombs between 1946 and 1958. The long lasting effects of these 
tests are still felt by people living at Bikini, Enewetok, and other 
atolls, and many have moved to the United States to live and to find 
health care.
  In exchange for the sacrifices they have made in the Compact of Free 
Association, the United States allows citizens of the Republic of the 
Marshall Islands, the Federated States of Micronesia, and the Republic 
of Palau to freely enter the United States without visas as 
nonimmigrant residents within the parameters laid out in the Compact of 
Free Association. Their status is as ``habitual'' residents which 
places them in limbo and for example, they can not qualify for food 
stamps.
  According to the 2000 Census, 115,247 Micronesians are living in the 
United States. Many of these families live in low income or public 
housing, which does not provide local schools with the funds they need 
to educate Micronesian children. Our public schools accept the 
financial burden for educating Micronesian children, even though the 
federal government created this obligation and should pay for it.
  Our nation is responsible for the education of these children in 
exchange for the military benefits our nation currently receives from 
Micronesia. Our government must take a more active role and help pay 
for these children's education. It's unfair to make these innocent 
children unwelcome pawns of our national defense policy.
  My bill will treat Micronesian children living in the United States 
as military dependents and consequently allow schools to count them for 
the purpose of obtaining Impact Aid funding. It will give local schools 
the extra funds needed to ensure other children in their district do 
not pay for the cost of our defense strategy.
  I urge my colleagues to cosponsor this bill and fulfill the 
obligation created by the Compact of Free Association.

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