Madeleine Bordallo

I, therefore, strongly support the efforts to bring just and due Federal recognition for the Native Hawaiians.

It is important that Congress recognize, protect and respect these indigenous practices.

I stand in solidarity with our colleagues from Hawaii in supporting H.R. 2314 and am a close sponsor.

We must ensure that the rights of Native Hawaiians are recognized and respected.

We must quickly ascertain the causes of and vectors for the spread of White-Nose Syndrome to avoid what could be an ecological and economic disaster, if it remains unchecked.

While I commend this action, the severe mortality and the sudden spread of White-Nose Syndrome demonstrate the need for a rapid response beyond closing caves where bats live.

I represent the Territory of Guam in the Pacific. We have a lot of bats in the Pacific area.

I urge everyone to work together to get this military movement right.

Obviously, one of the impediments to executing these funds that I am confident this Congress will authorize and appropriate for is the completion of the draft environmental impact statement (EIS) and the record of decision.

I also want to express my general support for the $787 million in total military construction funding.

This is a very important hearing for me and my constituents.

I am concerned that the Fish and Wildlife Service is significantly under-resourced to undertake and complete the actions it is required to.

I join my colleagues from the territories in requesting that the Subcommittee specifically include language in its mark allowing the EPA Administrator to reserve up to one-half of 1 percent of the amounts to be appropriated to the Clean…

I request an appropriation of not less than $600,000 for the Guam waterworks Authority under the Environmental Protection Agency's State and Tribal Assistance Grants account.

I have also requested an appropriation of $75,000 to preserve ancient Chamorro cave art within the Guam National Wildlife Refuge.

I want to go on record as saying that this is a great program, and I like to learn today that expanding the authorities of the Secretary to build upon it is certainly something I support.

The halt in further implementation of this system allows us time to get the process right and make sure it is fair and equitable for all civilian employees in DOD.

Guam is in the midst of a major military realignment, and the key component of this realignment is the transfer of 8,000 marines and 9,000 dependents from Okinawa, Japan, to Guam.

We really need another program like that explicitly on the Arctic, particularly now that it is more accessible and about to be developed.

As Chair, I am going to have to hold you to the five minutes.

Thank you very much, Professor Eagle, for your comments.

Thank you very much, Mr. Secretary, for your statement, and for providing those insights into the efforts of the State of Massachusetts to thoughtfully plan for the different uses of our oceans.

This is the energy strategy I believe that we should be aspiring to in the OCS.

Our challenge then is to ensure that new drilling, or any energy development in the OCS, is done responsibly.

There will always be risks; however, no matter how far we have come, there are some areas that are too sensitive to risk to oil and gas development.