Political Quotes

“I send to the desk, for appropriate reference, legislation on behalf of myself and Senator Akaka that the administration has provided me in response to my request for a drafting service. This legislation represents the language that the administration believes will implement its recommendations contained in the most recent report on the Federal-CNMI Initiative on Labor, Immigration, and Law Enforcement in the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands. In 1994, Congress directed this Initiative in Public Law 103-332 and provided $7 million for fiscal years 1995 and 1996 with an additional $3 million for fiscal year 1997. In testimony before the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources, the administration committed to provide an annual report on the progress of the Initiative. Partially in response to concerns that had been raised about conditions in the Commonwealth, Senator Akaka and I visited Saipan in February of last year. In addition to extensive briefings and meetings with Commonwealth officials, we also met with Federal agency personnel and the U.S. attorney. We also visited a garment factory and talked with some Bangladesh workers who had not been paid and who were living in appalling conditions. We were assured that corrective action would be taken.”