[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 146 (2000), Part 4]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 5855]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]


[[Page 5855]]

 COMMEMORATING THE ONE YEAR ANNIVERSARY OF THE TRAGIC ACCIDENT AT THE 
                     NAVAL BOMBING RANGE IN VIEQUES

                                 ______
                                 

                     HON. CARLOS A. ROMERO-BARCELO

                             of puerto rico

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, April 13, 2000

  Mr. ROMERO-BARCELO. Mr. Speaker, almost one year ago on April 19, a 
tragic accident at the Vieques bombing range claimed the life of a 
civilian employee of the Navy, David Sanes Rodriguez. That tragedy 
brought to the forefront longstanding concerns for the safety, health 
and welfare of the 9,300 Americans citizens that reside in Vieques and 
has been the catalyst for discussions nationwide.
  On January 31st, 2000, the Department of the Navy, the Administration 
and the Governor of Puerto Rico reached an agreement on the future of 
the range which formed the basis for the Presidential Directives. To 
underscore their support for the agreement, the Secretary of the Navy, 
with the approval of the Secretary of Defense, presented to the 
Congress legislative initiatives that will, first, transfer the Navy 
land on the western end of Vieques to the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico 
and, second, seek approval for the transfer of $40 million dollars for 
economic incentives.
  With these initiatives, Congress has the opportunity to ensure that 
national security and military readiness requirements are balanced with 
the rights, health, safety, and welfare of the American citizens of 
Vieques, while taking into account their contributions to the national 
defense.
  As the sole elected representative of the four million American 
residents in Puerto Rico I support the agreement and am joined by 
Puerto Rico's Legislature, Mayor of Vieques, Governor Rossello and 
former Governors Ferre and Hernandez Colon.
  The past year has been a critical time for all of us and it is my 
hope, that as we mark this significant anniversary, we can move forward 
together.

                          ____________________