Gregorio Sablan: “My amendment increases funding for territorial assistance initiatives managed by the Interior Department. The assistance…”

“My amendment increases funding for territorial assistance initiatives managed by the Interior Department. The assistance benefits the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, which I represent, but also the United States territories of American Samoa, Guam, and the United States Virgin Islands, as well as America's allies in the Pacific, the Republic of Palau, the Federated States of Micronesia, and the Republic of the Marshall Islands. {time} 1530 The assistance will continue our commitment to help all of these areas to develop economically and become more self-sufficient. Mr. Chairman, much remains to reach these goals. The 2010 Census revealed that poverty levels in the islands remain three to five times the national average, and median income in the Northern Marianas is only $20,000 compared to $53,000 nationwide. The most recent gross domestic product data for the islands, reported by the Bureau of Economic Analysis, found that in the Virgin Islands, real GDP declined 5.4 percent in 2013 and declined 2.4 percent in American Samoa. In contrast, the real GDP for the United States, excluding the territories, increased 2.2 percent in 2013. So we have a lot of catching up to do. Interior has been very responsible in recent years, focusing technical assistance funds in a way that really will help our areas develop economically.…”