[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 43 (Wednesday, March 31, 2004)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E497]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        IN SUPPORT OF H.R. 3550

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                       HON. ENI F.H. FALEOMAVAEGA

                           of american samoa

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, March 31, 2004

  Mr. FALEOMAVAEGA. Mr. Speaker. I rise today in support of H.R. 3550, 
the Transportation Act--A Legacy for Users (TEA-LU). I am pleased that 
my good friends Chairman Don Young and Ranking Member Jim Oberstar of 
the House Transportation Committee have agreed to increase 
transportation funding for the Territories.
  Congresswoman Madeleine Bordallo (Guam), Congresswoman Donna 
Christensen (VI) and I have worked on this issue for the past year and 
Congressman Nick Rahall, Ranking Member of the House Resources 
Committee, has supported our efforts.
  As a result of our work, the Territorial Highway Program (which 
includes American Samoa, Guam, the U.S. Virgin Islands and CNMI) will 
be increased from $33 million to $40 million for FY 04, FY 05 and FY 
06. For FY 07, FY 08 and FY 09, funding will increase to $50 million. 
Despite the Transportation Act (now known as TEA-LU) being $100 billion 
less than what was originally proposed, the Territorial set aside will 
increase by 23.6%.
  Moreover, I have worked closely with Chairman Young and Ranking 
Member Oberstar to include $14 million for high priority projects in 
American Samoa. This funding is in addition to American Samoa's annual 
federal highway funds and will be used for village road improvements, 
drainage mitigation, shoreline protection and upgrades and repairs of 
the Ta'u ferry terminal facility.
  In consultation with the Honorable Togiola Tulafono, Governor of 
American Samoa, I have asked the Committee to set aside $9.4 million 
for village road improvements in the Eastern, Western, Central and 
Manu'a districts of American Samoa.
  In further consultation with Senator Tuaolo Fruean and High Paramount 
Chief Mauga and members of the Pago Pago council of chiefs, we have 
also set aside $1 million for drainage mitigation for Pago Pago village 
roads.
  In consultation with Senator Tago Suilefaiga, Representative 
Fagasoaia Lealaitafea and Representative Mary Taufete'e and members of 
the Nuuli council of chiefs, we have set aside $1 million for shoreline 
protection and drainage mitigation for Nuuli village roads.
  In consultation with Senator Faamausili Pola and members of the Ta'u 
village council of chiefs, we have set aside $1.6 million to upgrade 
and repair the Ta'u harbor facility.
  Finally, in consultation with Senator Faiivae Galea'i, Senator 
Lualemaga Faoa and members of the Leone and Malaeloa councils of 
chiefs, we have set aside $1 million for drainage mitigation for 
Malaeloa-Leone village roads.
  Again, I thank my colleagues, both Democrat and Republican, and I 
also thank the local leaders of American Samoa, including Governor 
Togiola, for working closely with me to make sure that American Samoa's 
needs are addressed in this historic and important initiative.
  I urge passage of this bill and I again commend Chairman Young and 
Ranking Member Oberstar for their leadership and support.

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