[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 91 (Tuesday, July 6, 2004)]
[House]
[Pages H5155-H5158]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
RECOGNIZING THE MARSHALL ISLANDS
Mr. FLAKE. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the
concurrent resolution (H. Con. Res. 410) recognizing the 25th
anniversary of the adoption of the Constitution of the Republic of the
Marshall Islands and recognizing the Marshall Islands as a staunch ally
of the United States, committed to principles of democracy and freedom
for the Pacific region and throughout the world, as amended.
The Clerk read as follows:
H. Con. Res. 410
Whereas the Marshall Islands were ruled under a succession
of colonial regimes, including under Spanish and German rule,
followed in the 20th century by Japanese rule under the
League of Nations system for governance of territories;
Whereas military activities of Imperial Japan based in the
Marshall Islands before and during Word War II established
the strategic importance of the Marshall Islands in the
Pacific;
Whereas the Marshall Islands were liberated from Japanese
military occupation in some of the most horrific battles of
World War II, during which brave Marshallese people risked
their lives to aid the Armed Forces of the United States and
its allies;
Whereas in 1947 Congress approved a trusteeship agreement
with the United Nations Security Council under which the
United States became the administering power with plenary
powers of government in the Marshall Islands;
Whereas during the United Nations trusteeship period the
United States fulfilled its commitment to promote the
progress of the Marshall Islands toward democratic self-
government and self-determination, leading to the
establishment of local self-government that culminated in a
constitutional convention in which delegates representing the
people of the Marshall Islands proposed that they be
constituted as a self-governing nation;
Whereas in accordance with the enabling measures adopted by
the United States as administering power of the Marshall
Islands, which encouraged and fully supported the emergence
of the Marshall Islands as a duly constituted nation based on
the freely expressed will of the people, in 1979 the people
of the Marshall Islands adopted their own constitution and
subsequently declared their form of government to be a
republic;
Whereas the Constitution of the Republic of the Marshall
Islands established a parliamentary governmental system with
separation of powers and a ``Bill of Rights,'' guaranteeing
democracy and freedom for the Marshallese people based on the
rule of law, limited government, and individual liberty;
Whereas the United States and the duly constituted
Government of the Republic of the Marshall Islands adopted a
Compact of Free Association to define government-to-
government relations between the United States and the
Marshall Islands as two sovereign nations under mutually
agreed terms upon termination of the United Nations
trusteeship for the Marshall Islands;
Whereas the promulgation of a national constitution made
possible the termination of the United Nations trusteeship in
1986 and the emergence of the Republic of the Marshall
Islands as a sovereign nation in free association with the
United States under the Compact of Free Association, forming
an alliance that preserves the close and special political,
social, economic, and military relationship between the two
countries that developed during the trusteeship period;
Whereas the United States has no closer alliance with any
nation or group of nations than it does with the Republic of
the Marshall Islands under the Compact of Free Association,
which continues the strategic partnership and role of the
Marshall Islands in United States strategic programs based in
the Marshall Islands, which began at the end of World War II
and has continued under the trusteeship and Compact to
promote the mutual security of the United States and the
Marshall Islands;
Whereas the Republic of the Marshall Islands is a model for
transition of formerly non-self-governing territory ravaged
by war to a sovereign political status as a stable democracy,
a success story for institution building and recovery from
conflict not only
[[Page H5156]]
for the Pacific region but throughout the world;
Whereas in light of the shared history of the United States
and the Republic of the Marshall Islands and special
relations under the Compact of Free Association, it is
entirely fitting for Congress to recognize the 25th
anniversary of the adoption of the Constitution of the
Republic of the Marshall Islands, recalling the importance of
duly constituted self-government in the self-determination
process leading to national sovereignty for the Marshall
Islands; and
Whereas the Republic of the Marshall Islands has remained
one of the staunchest allies of the United States during the
cold war and the war on terrorism, and the voting record of
the Republic of the Marshall Islands as a member state in the
United Nations General Assembly is unparalleled by any other
country, further demonstrating the shared commitment of the
two nations to promote democracy and global peace: Now,
therefore, be it
Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate
concurring), That Congress--
(1) recognizes the 25th anniversary of the adoption of the
Constitution of the Republic of the Marshall Islands; and
(2) recognizes the Republic of the Marshall Islands as a
staunch ally of the United States, committed to principles of
democracy and freedom for the Pacific region and throughout
the world.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from
Arizona (Mr. Flake) and the gentleman from Missouri (Mr. Clay) each
will control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Arizona (Mr. Flake).
General Leave
Mr. FLAKE. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may
have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and include
extraneous material on the concurrent resolution under consideration.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentleman from Arizona?
There was no objection.
Mr. FLAKE. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, the United States and the Marshall Islands share deep
bonds of history and friendship. We have enjoyed the uniquely close
alliance over the past half century. The ties between us stretch back
to World War II when we struggled together to liberate the Marshall
Islands from Japanese occupation.
During the intervening decades, these bonds of blood have grown into
an abiding alliance. The Congress reaffirmed that alliance late last
year when we approved the amended Compact of Free Association between
the United States and the Republic of the Marshall Islands, which
extended the strategic and economic ties between our two countries.
When the Marshallese people adopted their Constitution in 1979, they
formed a democratic government, committed to the rule of law and
individual liberty. It was a critical development in their transition
from the U.S.-administered trust territory into a sovereign independent
nation.
The people of the United States saw our shared ideals of freedom and
democracy take root among our friends in the Pacific; and when full
sovereignty followed in 1986, we gained a stalwart ally in the
community of nations.
I commend this effort to commemorate that event and our continuing
alliance with the Republic of the Marshall Islands, which deserves our
unanimous support.
Mr. Speaker, I have had the opportunity a couple of times now to
visit the Marshall Islands, once years ago and again this January, and
to be able to visit with President Note and other members of the
Parliament and other ministers as well and to visit a couple of the
islands and to witness the friendship firsthand with the Marshallese
people.
It is significant to note that nearly a hundred Marshallese citizens
have actually been serving with our Armed Forces in Iraq and other
theatres of war. They have been a very staunch ally of ours, and I
think it is also significant to note that in the United Nations, the
United States has no better friend and ally than the Marshallese. The
Marshall Islands votes with the United States 99 percent of the time.
That is something that is not shared with any other country or nation.
So we owe a debt of gratitude to the Marshallese people; and to
recognize them for the adoption of their Constitution 25 years ago, I
think, is a significant step. It means a lot to them, and it should
mean a lot to us.
There is also another reason that it is important that we recognize
the Marshall Islands for what they do and have done for us in the past.
Our nuclear testing dates back to the 1950s when we did Operation Bravo
and in other operations where we tested nuclear devices, and the
Marshallese people have cooperated and helped us in that regard for
over a half century; and for that we owe a debt of gratitude.
From the military base at Kwajalein, I was able to see our base there
and see what we are currently doing today; and it is a great operation
there, and we have the full cooperation of the Marshallese, which makes
it much easier to accomplish what we need to.
They have been a stable democracy in the Pacific for over 25 years,
and this is due in part to the fact that the United States during the
U.N. trusteeship period fulfilled its commitment to promote democratic
self-government and self-determination for the Marshall Islands. These
efforts led to the establishment of local self-government, and this
culminated in a constitutional convention in which delegates
representing the people of the Marshall Islands proposed that they be
constituted as a self-governing nation.
This happened, and in 1979 the people of the Marshall Islands adopted
their own Constitution and declared themselves a republic. This
Constitution established a parliamentary governmental system with
separation of powers and a bill of rights guaranteeing democracy,
freedom, and limited government for the Marshallese people.
{time} 1415
Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. CLAY. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of this resolution and would
first like to commend my colleague, the gentleman from Arizona (Mr.
Flake), for introducing this important measure as well as the gentleman
from Illinois (Chairman Hyde), and the ranking member, the gentleman
from California (Mr. Lantos), for their strong support for this
resolution.
Mr. Speaker, House Concurrent Resolution 410 recognizes the 25th
anniversary of the adoption of the Constitution of the Republic of the
Marshall Islands. Given the extremely close bilateral relationship
between our two nations and the important role played by the people of
the Marshall Islands in our Nation's victory in World War II, it is
appropriate that we commemorate this important day in the history of
the Marshall Islands.
The United States has no greater friend in the Western Pacific than
the government of the Marshall Islands. The United States maintains an
important military facility at Kwajalein Atoll, and young Marshallese
men and women serve in the United States Armed Forces. The Marshall
Islands has been a strong supporter of American policy at the United
Nations and a good friend to an embattled ally of the United States,
the State of Israel.
The Marshall Islands is also a strong and flourishing democracy,
having recently completed free and fair elections in 2003 for its
legislature. In fact, Members of Congress welcomed Marshallese
President Kessai Note to Washington, D.C. a few weeks ago. President
Note discussed the future of relations between the United States and
the Marshall Islands and the need for the U.S. Congress to carefully
examine the Changed Circumstances Petition submitted by the Marshall
Islands.
In short, Mr. Speaker, the Marshall Islands is a strong, democratic
ally of the United States and a strategically important position. We
must do all we can to further solidify relations between our two
nations.
I urge my colleagues to support House Concurrent Resolution 410.
Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as she may consume to the gentlewoman
from California (Ms. Watson).
Ms. WATSON. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding me time.
Mr. Speaker, it brings me a great deal of fulfillment and joy to
recognize the 25th anniversary of the adoption of the Constitution of
the Republic of the Marshall Islands. Given the extremely close
bilateral relationship between our two nations, and the important
[[Page H5157]]
role played by the people of the Marshall Islands in our Nation's
victory in World War II, it is appropriate that we commemorate this
important day in the history of the Marshall Islands.
On the personal side, I had the pleasure to be the Ambassador to
Micronesia. As you know, Micronesia and the Marshall Islands are right
in the same region, and the islands of Micronesia are under a Compact
of Mutual Agreement, as are the Marshall Islands. As they work their
way into the 21st century, it is with our support as they build their
democracy in islands that are thousands of miles away. We can be proud
of the relationship we have had with them for the past 20 years as they
build their nations into a brighter, more prosperous future.
Mr. CLAY. Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I
yield back the balance of my time.
Mr. FLAKE. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, I appreciate the gentleman's comments and just to say
again that we had the opportunity, myself and the gentleman from
California (Chairman Pombo) of the Committee on Resources, to travel
with Secretary Gale Norton, Secretary of the Interior, to the Marshall
Islands earlier this year, and were able to meet with the President and
others. I know they appreciate this gesture, and we have no greater
friend than the Marshall Islands.
Mrs. CHRISTENSEN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H.
Con. Res. 410, to recognize the 25th anniversary of the Constitution of
the Republic of the Marshall Islands and that the Marshall Islands is a
staunch ally of the United States. I want to begin by commending my
friend, the Gentleman from Arizona Mr. Flake, for his leadership in
introducing this worthwhile resolution of which I am an original
cosponsor.
The Republic of the Marshall Islands suffered for 400 years under the
colonial regimes of Spain and Germany. In the 20th century, under the
League of Nations system for governance of territories, Japan governed
the Marshall Islands. During World War II, the Marshall Islands were
liberated from Japanese rule through the cooperation between the
Marshallese people and the Armed Forces of the United States.
In a 1947 agreement between Congress and the United Nations Security
Council, the United States assumed trusteeship of the Marshall Islands.
During the period from 1947 to 1979, the United States promoted
democratic self-government and self-determination in the Marshall
Islands. In 1979, the Marshall Islands adopted their own constitution
and declared themselves the Republic of the Marshall Islands.
Since that time, the Republic of the Marshall Islands has proved
itself a staunch ally of the United States and a model for transition
from a non-self-governing territory ravaged by war to a stable and
democratic example of institution building for the Pacific region and
the rest of the world.
On June 17, 2004, President of the Republic of the Marshall Islands,
Kessai Note wrote to U.S. Senator Daniel Akaka expressing his continued
concern for the people of Ailuk Atoll near which the United States
tested the thermonuclear weapon Bravo in 1954. The people of Ailuk and
others still suffer from the fallout of those tests. I support
President Note in his desire to have the people of Ailuk receive the
support and assistance they badly need.
Mr. Speaker, this is worthy resolution, which is deserving of all our
support and I urge all my colleagues to support its passage. And I look
forward to the continued friendship of the United States and the
Republic of the Marshall Islands.
Mr. Burton of Indiana. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the
25th anniversary of the adoption of the Constitution of the Republic of
the Marshall Islands, and to pay tribute to a staunch ally of the
United States and a people committed to the principles of democracy and
freedom for all people of the Pacific region and the world.
It is perhaps fitting that on May 29, 2004, America dedicated the
National World War II Memorial in recognition of the duty, sacrifices,
and valor of the members of the Armed Forces of the United States who
served in World War II. The beginnings of our Nation's close
relationship with the people of the Marshall Islands are deeply rooted
in that titanic struggle. In 1944, risking their lives to aid the Armed
Forces of the United States and our Allies, the Marshallese people
joined with the U.S. to liberate the Marshall Islands from Japanese
military rule. Some of the most horrific battles of World War II
occurred on the Marshall Islands before the Japanese military
occupation was finally put to an end. The momentous events brought
together the people of these two great lands in a common bond that has
resulted in more than five decades of friendship and strategic
solidarity between the Marshall Islands and the U.S. That relationship
is as strong today as it ever was.
Comprising 30 atolls and 1,152 islands, the Republic of the Marshall
Islands represents a total land mass that is almost equivalent in size
to Washington, D.C., but covers roughly 770,000 square miles of the
western Pacific Ocean. Unfortunately, due to the vastness of the
world's largest ocean, and the distance between us, the culture,
history, and people of the Marshall Islands are largely unknown to most
Americans, except perhaps as the place where the United States tested
more than 67 nuclear weapons during the development of our Nation's
strategic arsenal. Although that testing left a legacy that we continue
to address to this day, it would prove critical to the success of our
country during the Cold War.
The United States nuclear testing program put the people of these
remote islands on the front line in the Cold War struggle to preserve
international peace, promote nuclear disarmament, support nuclear
nonproliferation, and provide facilities critical to the development of
a deployable missile defense system. The hardships and suffering
endured by Marshall Island citizens during the testing program directly
contributed to the positive and peaceful end to the Cold War. Their
importance to the emergence of democracy across the globe cannot be
understated. The people of the United States, and indeed the entire
Free World, owe the people of the Marshall Islands an enormous debt of
gratitude for their sacrifices.
The Republic of the Marshall Islands has an unmatched record of
working in conjunction with the United States in the pursuit of
international peace and security, the rights and well-being of the
peoples of the world, and in the War on Terror. I have been fortunate
to have many great friends who hail from the Marshall Islands, and I
will never forget the openness and kindness with which I was received.
I congratulate the people of the Marshall Islands on the 25th
Anniversary of their Constitution; and I commend them for the undying
commitment to democracy and freedom. The United States is fortunate to
have such a loyal friend and ally in the Pacific region. I look forward
to a long and mutually beneficial relationship between our two great
Nations for many more years to come.
Mr. ABERCROMBIE. Mr. Speaker, throughout my tenure in Congress, I
have worked closely with the Republic of the Marshall Islands (RMI) on
many issues arising in the Pacific region. The RMI has always been, and
continues to be, a great ally of the United States and is dedicated to
international peace and freedom. Therefore, I rise today in support of
H. Con. Res. 410.
By the beginning of the 1900's, the RMI was annexed by Spain,
Germany, and Japan. In 1934, the Allied invasion and occupation of the
RMI began. In 1947, the RMI became one of six entities in the Trust
Territory of the Pacific Islands established by the United Nations with
the United States as the Trustee. Throughout all these years of being
occupied, the people of RMI never lost their self-identity or hope for
their own country. This hope grew in the decades after World War II as
a local form of self-government was established. This led to the
convening of a constitutional convention.
In 1979, the people of the RMI adopted a constitution and chose their
form of government, a republic. With separation of powers and a Bill of
Rights listing guaranteed rights, the RMI is based on the same
principals and freedoms that the United States was founded on hundreds
of years ago. Similar to our founding, it was the will of the people
driving the process and making the decisions.
The RMI is now a sovereign nation. As a sovereign nation, the RMI has
aligned itself closely with the U.S., particularly in a number of
defense and strategic issues. Recently, we have renewed our mutually
beneficial relationship by reauthorizing the Compact of Free
Association. This has guaranteed that our alliance will continue for
another 15 years.
I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting this resolution and
recognize the 25th anniversary of the adoption of RMI's constitution.
Their commitment and dedication to peace and democracy should be
commended.
Mr. FLAKE. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Culberson). The question is on the
motion offered by the gentleman from Arizona (Mr. Flake) that the House
suspend the rules and agree to the concurrent resolution, H. Con. Res.
410, as amended.
The question was taken.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the opinion of the Chair, two-thirds of
those present have voted in the affirmative.
Mr. FLAKE. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.
The yeas and nays were ordered.
[[Page H5158]]
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX and the
Chair's prior announcement, further proceedings on this motion will be
postponed.
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