Political Quotes

“I present this amendment. It is designed to reprogram funds to reimburse the government of Guam for expenditures on behalf of immigrants from three newly created independent nations in 1986. By way of background, three countries were created out of the former trust territory of the Pacific Islands, and the United States negotiated a treaty with each government, allowing unrestricted immigration to the United States. In 1986, three new nations were created out of the trust territory of the Pacific Islands, and unrestricted in-migration was allowed into the United States. These are the only countries of the world that have that right, and by virtue of Guam's proximity, most of the immigration has been to the island of Guam, so that today approximately 6 percent of our population is composed of these immigrants. At the same time that these nations were created out of congressional action in recolonizing the trust territory, Mr. Chairman, an obligation was made to the people of Guam that any educational and social costs attendant to this in-migration would be paid for. In the course of over 8 years some $70 million has been expended by the government of Guam on behalf of these immigrants, and to date only $2 rac{1}{2} million has been spent. My amendment requests $4 rac{1}{2} million, and this is in accordance with an administration request earlier this year.”