George Miller: “Mr. Speaker, at the request of my distinguished colleague, the gentleman from Guam (Mr. Underwood) who is traveling to…”

“Mr. Speaker, at the request of my distinguished colleague, the gentleman from Guam (Mr. Underwood) who is traveling to his district on official business, I urge this body to support House Resolution 494, the Guam centennial resolution. This resolution recognizes Guam's 100-year relationship with the United States, but more importantly, it reaffirms this body's commitment to Guam's request to address the issue of status. One hundred years ago the United States acquired Guam, along with the Philippines and Puerto Rico, after the Spanish-American war. Guam's relationship with the United States since 1898 has been characterized by Guam's strategic location in the Asian Pacific region. Soon after its acquisition, Guam was primarily acquired as a coaling station by American ships. Since then Guam has expanded its role to become America's bridge to the Asian-Pacific region. It boasts the only $10 billion military infrastructure west of the international dateline, as well as a $3 billion civilian economy. Mr. Speaker, Guam's unique relationship with the United States not only stems from its strategic value, but in part can be explained through the understanding of Guam's history with the United States.”