Jon L. Christensen: “I rise in support of H.R. 2643, the proposed Fiscal Year 2008 appropriations for the Department of Interior…”

“I rise in support of H.R. 2643, the proposed Fiscal Year 2008 appropriations for the Department of Interior, Environment, and other related agencies. I commend Chairman Norman Dicks, and his Appropriations Subcommittee for the work he has done in responding to the needs of the Department of Interior in carrying out its mission to protect our Nation's resources. As Chairwoman of the Natural Resources Subcommittee on Insular Affairs which has jurisdiction over all U.S. territories, I want to especially acknowledge the work of Chairman Dicks to increase funding to Interior's Office of Insular Affairs so it can respond to the changing needs and priorities of our U.S. Insular areas and the relationships we have with the freely associated states in Micronesia. The Subcommittee on Insular Affairs convened an oversight hearing in February over that portion of the President's proposed Fiscal Year 2008 Interior budget which had a direct effect on the Department's ability to assist our U.S. territories and freely associated states.”