Political Quotes

“Madam Speaker, I rise to express my concerns about the Senate Amendment to H.R. 6523, the Ike Skelton National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2011. The Senate amendment struck Title XVII of the underlying bill, once again, denying the people of Guam the promise of closure and justice on the matter of Guam War Claims. The text of Title XVII was a compromise that eliminated payments to descendents of survivors of the brutal occupation that were subjected to personal injury. I support that compromise; in fact, I am an original co-sponsor of H.R. 44, the Guam World War II Loyalty Recognition Act. It is important that we bring closure to this long standing injustice for the people of Guam. It is even more important given that the realignment of Marines from Okinawa to Guam will begin in earnest over the coming year. I have travelled to Guam on a number of occasions and have been so impressed by the patriotism of the people led by Governor Felix Camacho and First Lady Joann Camacho, and I recognize the importance of this legislation to the Chamorro people. I look forward to working with Congresswoman Madeleine Bordallo and Incoming Chairman Congressman Buck McKeon, incoming Chairman of the House Armed Services Committee, to address this matter in next year's defense authorization bill. It is time to finally bring closure to this long standing matter for the people of Guam which is so strategic for our nation's defense and where America's day begins.…”