[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 71 (Thursday, May 17, 2012)]
[House]
[Page H2826]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




              THE ASIA PACIFIC REGION IN THE 21ST CENTURY

  (Ms. HANABUSA asked and was given permission to address the House for 
1 minute.)
  Ms. HANABUSA. Madam Speaker, we have begun the debate on the NDAA, 
and we all know that this is the legislation that's going to set forth 
our policy when it comes to the military for this upcoming fiscal year.
  You've heard some of my colleagues and how they feel about portions 
of the NDAA. All points well taken, but I ask that we look at it from a 
different perspective.
  Let us look at the NDAA in light of what the President said in 
November of 2011. When he addressed APEC, he said, The 21st century is 
for the Pacific; and we are pivoting to the Asia Pacific. And what does 
that mean? He went on to say, How the 21st century does and how it's 
defined--whether it's one in conflict or one in controversy--is going 
to be determined by the Asia Pacific region.
  So what is it that we need in the Asia Pacific region? We need our 
allies and trade partners to feel safe and confident. And guess what. 
They look to our military for that. That is also something that the 
NDAA critically addresses. How the military is in the 21st century and 
our peace in the Pacific will be determined by them.

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