[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 196 (Monday, December 19, 2011)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2317]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 CONFERENCE REPORT ON H.R. 2055, CONSOLIDATED APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 2012

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                       HON. MADELEINE Z. BORDALLO

                                of guam

                    in the house of representatives

                       Friday, December 16, 2011

  Ms. BORDALLO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 2055, the 
Consolidated Appropriations Act for 2012. While this bill is not 
perfect, it makes critical investments in education, military 
construction and civilian infrastructure requirements on Guam, Wall 
Street reform, and clean energy, and it ensures that our government 
remains funded through the remainder of Fiscal Year 2012. I thank 
Chairman Hal Rogers and Ranking Member Norm Dicks, and all my 
colleagues on the Appropriations Committee, for maintaining critical 
funding that supports our Armed Forces and ensures that Guam and the 
U.S. Territories receive necessary support from the Federal Government.
  If passed, H.R. 2055 would appropriate $33 million for civilian 
infrastructure improvements on Guam through the Department of Defense 
Office of Economic Adjustment in response to the realignment of U.S. 
Marine Corps forces to Guam. The bill would provide the necessary 
appropriation and sufficient authorization for the Secretary of Defense 
to utilize these funds specifically to address the need for vehicles 
and supplies for civilian student transportation, the construction of a 
cultural repository for cultural artifacts unearthed during current and 
future military construction, and the construction of a mental health 
and substance abuse facility in Guam. The funding for this 
infrastructure was done through a validated process and in accordance 
with the Economic Adjustment Committee criteria. These infrastructure 
improvements are critical to ensuring that Guam is able to sustain the 
additional military presence anticipated from the build-up, and the 
funds fulfill an agreement made between the Administration and the 
Government of Guam.
   I am, however, very concerned with cuts that were made to the 
Department of the Navy for military construction projects directly 
relating to the U.S.-Japan Roadmap for Realignment Implementation. The 
bill removes approximately $155 million in military construction 
projects that support the Marine Corps requirements for the realignment 
of forces from Okinawa to Guam. The removal of these funds ignores the 
Administration's efforts to improve our military posture in Asia, and 
it further delays inevitable investments that will be necessary to 
support the realignment. Further, I am concerned that cutting funds for 
increment 2 of the North Ramp Utilities project wastes nearly $20 
million in previously appropriated funds. However, I do appreciate the 
support for the Guam Strike requirements at Andersen Air Force Base. 
Guam Strike is an important program that helps to provide necessary ISR 
and Strike capabilities at Andersen Air Force Base. I appreciate the 
Committee's continued support of this program.
  This bill also includes much needed support for Guam, and the U.S. 
Territories. Specifically, it provides more than a million dollars for 
infrastructure on Guam to support sustainable energy projects. The 
people of Guam currently face some of the highest energy costs in the 
Nation, and funding will help alleviate those costs and reduce our 
dependence on imported oil. The bill also increases funding for the 
Assistance to Territories program by nearly $5 million above the 
President's Budget request. However, I am concerned about the reduction 
in funds to the Empowering Insular Communities fund. This new account 
would strengthen the foundations of economic development in the 
territories by addressing challenges preventing reliable delivery of 
critical services needed to attract investment. I hope that the 
additional funds in the Assistance to Territories fund can be used to 
meet this new program's needs.
   In addition, once passed, this bill will significantly improve the 
implementation of the Compacts of Free Association. The Compacts are an 
important national security arrangement for our Nation; however, the 
impacts of Compact migration have placed a significant financial strain 
on the Government of Guam and similarly affected jurisdictions, in the 
form of education and health care costs, and other social services.
   This bill funds a new position within the Department of the 
Interior's Office of Insular Affairs (OIA) dedicated to working on 
Compact impact issues. It will direct the Department to work with the 
Freely Associated States to develop a comprehensive plan to mitigate 
the costs of Compact migration. The plan seeks to better inform 
potential Compact migrants of the original intent of the migration 
provision of the Compacts, which is to provide educational and 
employment opportunities to FAS citizens and to avoid reliance on 
social services. The plan also seeks to improve access to health care, 
specifically dialysis treatment in the FAS. Over time, OIA's improved 
coordination with the FAS will reduce the need for FAS migrants to seek 
medical treatment in Guam or other jurisdictions. Finally, the plan 
would improve screening procedures for potential migrants with 
communicable diseases, or a criminal history.
  Earlier this year, I cosigned a letter to the Department of the 
Interior requesting it begin working with the FAS on these issues. I 
commend the Committee for including these provisions in this 
legislation. I expect these policies will significantly improve the 
implementation of the Compacts, and ease the financial burdens 
currently placed on the local governments in affected jurisdictions.
  Mr. Speaker, H.R. 2055 sets critical spending priorities for the 
Federal Government and fulfills Congress' most fundamental duty to 
provide the resources necessary to keep our government running. Given 
the difficult budget environment, the bill makes difficult choices in a 
responsible manner. Moreover, the bill ultimately provides critical 
support for Guam and the U.S. territories, and I urge my colleagues to 
support this bill.

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