I am here in support of H.R. 2499, the Puerto Rico Democracy Act of 2009.

a Delegate in Congress from the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands

I am asking the committee to accept the list of water and sewer projects that EPA has compiled.

This is the first time in history that the people of the Northern Mariana Islands, a United States commonwealth since 1978, have had a representative in Congress to speak on their behalf before this committee; and for this, I am grateful…

I feel the terrible responsibility of being the lone voice in Congress to try and raise awareness of the gulf between my constituents and the rest of the Nation.

For so much of what Americans here on the continent take for granted in their everyday lives, it is not available to my constituents--Americans, too--8,000 miles away.

I am very pleased with the commitments or the attention that the oceans and climate change has been, are being given.