<home> -- <press releases> -- <May 21, 2003>

Congresswoman Bordallo Speaks on
FY 2004 National Defense Authorization Act

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – May 21, 2003 – Washington, D.C. – Congresswoman Bordallo spoke today in support of H.R. 1588, the Fiscal Year 2004 National Defense Authorization Act of 2004. The legislation, which authorizes the activities of the Department of Defense for the coming year, contains a number of important provisions for Guam that were included through Congresswoman Bordallo’s efforts as a member of the committee. The legislation contains three amendments included by Congresswoman Bordallo which would benefit Guam.

The first authorizes an increase in the number of nominations to a military academy that a Delegate may make, raising the number Guam can nominate from two to three. The second authorize a new pilot program that would, for the first time, specifically require that the Department of Defense consider the eradication of invasive species, not just the protection of endangered species, when developing its land use management plans for military installations on Guam. The final amendment authorizes $1.7 million for the construction of the Victor Wharf Fender System to assist with the docking of the submarine fleet home ported in Guam. In addition, $24.9 million is authorized for the construction of a new Medical/Dental Clinic at Andersen Air Force Base.

Enclosed is Congresswoman Bordallo’s statement in support of 1588.

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May 21, 2003

Statement on H.R. 1588, the FY 2004
National Defense Authorization Act of 2004

Mr. Speaker, as a member of the House Armed Services Committee, I rise in support of the Bill before us. Let me briefly highlight three provisions of which I am most proud.

First, the legislation increases the number of nominations to a military academy that a Delegate may make. Specifically the provision increases the number of nominations for Delegates from Guam and the Virgin Islands from two to three and the Delegate from American Samoa’s nominations from one to two. I would like to especially thank Chairman McHugh and Ranking Member Snyder for their support of this provision.

Second, the Act authorizes a new five-year pilot program for invasive species eradication on military installations in Guam. This would for the first time, specifically require the Department of Defense to consider the eradication of invasive species when developing its land use management plans. I would like to thank Chairman Hefley and Ranking Member Ortiz for their support of this provision.

Third, the legislation includes two military construction projects for Guam in Fiscal Year 2004. It authorizes $1.7 million for the construction of the Victor Wharf Fender System to assist with the docking of the submarine fleet home ported in Guam. In line with the Administration’s request, the legislation also authorizes $25 million for the construction of a new Medical and Dental Clinic at Andersen Air Force Base.

Much could be said as to the procedure by which contentious aspects of this legislation have appeared, such as the civil service provisions. Many of these provisions have nothing to do with the spirit of the National Defense Authorization before us. Nonetheless, I am pleased that we have taken action to strengthen the defense of our nation and look to the next opportunity at conference to address the deficiencies of this Bill identified by my colleagues. I thank Chairman Hunter and Ranking Member Skelton for managing this challenging process and yield back the balance of my time.

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Contact: Neil Weare in Washington, D.C., at (202) 225-1188 or Joaquin Perez in Guam at (671) 477-4272.