On the recordJuly 8, 2015
I would like to commend Chairman Calvert, Ranking Member McCollum, and the Appropriations Committee staff for their efforts in bringing this important bill to the floor. I would also like to congratulate Chairman Calvert on his leadership in overseeing this measure and his continued success as chairman of the subcommittee. I want to take this opportunity to highlight just a small portion of the needs and shortfalls that the territories are facing. In particular, I want to bring to your attention some of the funding issues facing American Samoa. Each year, the Office of Insular Affairs provides grant funds to American Samoa for the operation of local government, including the judiciary, Department of Education, and the local hospital. The purpose of this program is to fund the difference between budget needs and local revenues. Mr. Chairman, the world has changed much since the inception of this program to assist American Samoa government operations, and additional needs have arisen. Local revenues have remained relatively constant; the infrastructure has become dated and in disrepair, and outside influences, particularly China, have begun to make inroads into the region with the development of a port in the neighboring independent Samoa and future plans for a naval base in the same area. We have also seen a dramatic spike in world conflict since the inception of the program.…
