[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 169 (Thursday, November 20, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2362]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




     INCREASING THE WAIVER REQUIREMENT FOR CERTAIN LOCAL MATCHING 
   REQUIREMENTS TO AMERICAN SAMOA, GUAM, THE VIRGIN ISLANDS, OR THE 
              COMMONWEALTH OF THE NORTHERN MARIANA ISLANDS

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                       HON. DONNA M. CHRISTENSEN

                         of the virgin islands

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, November 18, 2003

  Mrs. CHRISTENSEN. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 1189, to 
increase the waiver requirement for certain local matching requirements 
for grants to American Samoa, Guam, the Virgin Islands or the 
Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands. I want to commend my 
colleagues Eni Faleomavaega and Madeleine Bordallo for introducing the 
bill, which would increase the matching waiver requirement for the 
first time in twenty years.
  Last year the Resources Committee unanimously passed a similar bill 
jointly sponsored by our former colleague from Guam Robert Underwood, 
Eni Faleomavaega and myself and I'm pleased that we are once again 
taking this action.
  Mr. Speaker, as I indicated, it has been nearly twenty years since 
this law has been revisited. While territorial economies have improved 
each government, particularly my own, the government of the U.S. Virgin 
Islands continues to be challenged with rising unemployment, decreased 
government revenues, and attracting new capital for diversification. 
H.R. 1189 will help broaden U.S. territories' access to Federal grants 
by increasing the amount Federal agencies shall waive to $500,000.
  The bill also seeks to end the inconsistent manner in which 48 U.S.C. 
section 1469(a) is applied by clarifying that the matching waiver 
applies to all federal agencies and departments making grants to the 
U.S. territories, not just the Department of Interior (DOI). The bill 
also requires DOI to provide a report to Congress on the effect of the 
updated waiver requirement.
  It is my hope also Mr. Speaker, that Federal agencies will apply the 
waiver not just to grants awarded to the territorial governments, but 
also to non-profit organizations and other eligible non-governmental 
entities in the territories. Non-profit organizations in the 
territories fulfill a significant role in our communities. Groups such 
as Lutheran Social Services, the St. Croix Community Foundation and the 
V.I. Resource Center help meet the needs of the homeless, the 
disadvantaged, and those whose lives are buffeted by tough economic 
times. Their work is often supported by federal grants. Without such 
Federal assistance, the non-profit organizations in the territories 
would struggle to meet their missions and most would not be able to 
maintain the current level of assistance to our communities.
  In conclusion, Mr. Speaker, I want to thank Chairman Pombo and 
Ranking Member Rahall for their willingness to support and shepherd 
this bill through the legislative process. I also want to particularly 
thank our former colleague Bob Underwood, who for most of his tenure in 
the House, made increasing the matching waiver for the territories one 
of his highest priorities. I urge my colleagues to support passage of 
this bill.

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