[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 92 (Wednesday, July 7, 2004)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1302]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 H. CON. RES. 410--RECOGNIZING THE 25TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE ADOPTION OF 
        THE CONSTITUTION OF THE REPUBLIC OF THE MARSHALL ISLANDS

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                       HON. MADELEINE Z. BORDALLO

                                of guam

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, July 6, 2004

  Ms. BORDALLO. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of House Concurrent 
Resolution 410, which recognizes the 25th anniversary of the adoption 
of the Constitution of the Republic of the Marshall Islands (RMI) and 
expresses our nation's gratitude for our shared commitment to the 
principles of democracy and freedom.
  Over the past 25 years and since attaining their independence as a 
sovereign nation, the RMI has emerged to become one of the greatest and 
most reliable democratic allies of the United States. Our special 
relationship with the RMI, embodied in the Compact of Free Association 
renewed last year, has helped fulfill the two principal U.S. objectives 
in the Western Pacific of forging strategic alliances and establishing 
democratic systems of government. The RMI was the first of the three 
former entities of the United Nations administered Trust Territory of 
the Pacific Islands, to adopt their own Constitution and gain their 
independence. Their example and influence helped stabilize the Pacific 
Region and win the cold war.
  For over 400 years, the people of the Marshall Islands were subjected 
to foreign and colonial control. The Spanish, the Germans, the 
Japanese, and the Americans all took control of the islands, named for 
English explorer John Marshall who visited the islands in 1799, at one 
time or another. Today, the people of the Marshall Islands strive to 
retain and preserve their identity and traditions. In many respects, 
they have been amazingly successful, even as they have faced and 
embraced the forces of Westernization and globalization. In January, I 
had the good fortune of visiting their beautiful country as a member of 
the Congressional Delegation led by Mr. Pombo, the Chairman of the 
House Resources Committee. While in Majuro, we met with President 
Kessai Note, as well as elected officials from Bikini, Enewetak, 
Rongelap and Utrok. We also visited the U.S. Army's Ronald Reagan 
Ballistic Missile Test Site on Kwajalein Atoll, which is a testament to 
the strength and dependability of U.S.-RMI relations. With 40 years of 
cooperation, the Missile Test Site has provided a critical role in 
development and success of our nation's missile defense and space 
programs.
  On Sunday, July 4th, this nation celebrated our freedom and 
democratic progress. It has now been 228 years since our founding 
fathers declared our nation's independence and our democratic form of 
government. As we reflect upon our democratic experiment and the values 
we cherish as Americans, it is also fitting that we recognize those who 
embrace these same values and freedoms. The United States has a proven 
and trusting friend in the Republic of the Marshall Islands. As we 
continue to build our relationship, let us work to resolve the 
remaining issues that the nuclear testing era brought for the benefit 
of our strategic partnership and special relationship.
  I want to thank the gentleman from Arizona, Mr. Flake, and my good 
friend from American Samoa, Mr. Faleomavaega, for their leadership in 
introducing this resolution and for their firm commitment to sustaining 
and strengthening the friendship between the people of the United 
States and the people of the Marshall Islands. Lastly, I want to 
recognize and congratulate the Marshalls' Ambassador to the United 
States for his efforts in strengthening the relationship between our 
governments, the Honorable Banny de Brum. Si Yu'os Ma'ase and Komol 
tata.

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