The Compact gives the United States military control of an area as large as, as Congressman Faleomavaega said, the State of Texas.

The relationship between the United States and the Republic of Palau will only grow in importance.

I would like to commend Congressmen Wittman and Kind for introducing H.R. 3117.

Finally, my own bill, H.R. 2236, the Wildlife Refuge System Conservation Semipostal Stamp Act is on our agenda.

My bill would do the same for America's National Wildlife Refuge System, which has an operations and maintenance backlog of $3.4 billion after decades of underfunding.

I want to thank the 48 Republican and Democrat cosponsors of my bill, including our first witness today, Congressman Dingell.

I am looking forward to our witnesses on Congressman Young's bill, H.R. 2714, which relaxes rules on the sale and export of sea otter pelts.

I commend Congressman Cicilline for introducing H.R. 2027, and I ask that his testimony be submitted for the record.

I believe that America's Wildlife Refuge System has proven to be a great investment for our country.

I believe it is an excellent step in the right direction to help maintain the refuge system.

I have been with Ducks Unlimited for 21 years, and I have been coming up here for 21 years on behalf of the organization.