Rubén Gallego actually said...

"We are here today imploring you, the leaders of the U.S., to help us become the South Pacific hub from which U.S. engagement reaches out to our brothers, sisters, friends, and allies in these most str..."

"We are a very patriotic community that revels in its relationship with the United States."

"Make no mistake, when the U.S. neglects the Pacific, China and other foreign powers will move in and offer the support to our Pacific nation neighbors."

"We are not naive enough to think that this is all it takes, but these are the types of building block initiatives that bolster the strategically necessary relationships between the U.S. and our brothe..."