Benjamin Gilman: “House Concurrent Resolution 180 was the result of a very productive meeting members of this committee had with…”

“House Concurrent Resolution 180 was the result of a very productive meeting members of this committee had with representatives from almost all the South Pacific Island nations. Our delegate from American Samoa [Mr. Faleomavaega] was instrumental is arranging that discussion. He and his energetic staff have been very helpful in educating all of us and stressing the importance of the South Pacific region. As we continue our policy of foreign aid retrenchment around the world, we should make certain that the United States remains actively engaged in the South Pacific region through continued membership and financial support for key regional organizations. These include the South Pacific Regional Environmental Programs and the U.N. Global Conference for the Development of Small Island States. I would also point out to my colleagues that we share many cultural values with the people in the South Pacific region and that we continue to have many strategic political and economic interests at stake in that part of the world.”