“The Compacts of Free Associations are agreements that the United States has with the Freely Associated States (FAS).  In brief, the United States agrees to provide federal funding to the FSM and RMI and in turn both agree to provide the U.S. with certain defense rights including use of eleven defense sites on Kwajalein Atoll where the U.S. Department of Defense has established a multi-billion dollar anti-ballistic missile testing facility,” Congressman Faleomavaega said.

         “As I have said before, the Asia Pacific region is critically important to U.S. security interests.  Without the support of our friends in the region, U.S. security could be compromised.  This is why I am pleased to serve as the Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Asia and the Pacific and I am especially pleased that our Subcommittee is playing an important role in reviewing the terms of the agreements that have now been reached between the U.S. State Department and the Freely Associated States.”

         “The U.S. State Department has been primarily responsible for negotiating the agreement on behalf of the White House.  The agreement is not yet finalized but on Wednesday June 18, 2003, the International Relations Subcommittee on Asia and the Pacific held a hearing on the reauthorization of the Compacts.  Thankfully, during this hearing, the State Department agreed with me that American Samoa’s tuna operations should be protected and has now corrected the language before submitting the resolution to Congress.”

         “While I am grateful that American Samoa’s tuna industry has been protected, I have serious concerns about the future of the FSM and the RMI,” Congressman Faleomavaega said.  “Although the FSM signed the Compact agreement on May 14, 2003 and the RMI signed on April 30, 2003, both the House and Senate must agree to the Compact before the President can make the agreement binding.  However, before the agreement becomes binding, I am hopeful that Congress will agree to restore education funding and other program assistance to the FSM and RMI.”

         “In discussions with the State Department, it has been brought to my attention that there has been some confusion relating to the Compact and the continued eligibility of the FSM and RMI for federal education programs.  Given these circumstances, I have written directly to the Chairman and Ranking Member of the House Committee on Education and requested their personal support in reauthorizing Head Start funding for the FAS.  I have also asked for their support of Pell Grant funding when reauthorization is considered next year.”

         “I believe the Freely Associated States have made many sacrifices and contributions on and in behalf of the United States.  In fact, the U.S. used the Marshall Islands as a nuclear testing ground and detonated more than 67 nuclear bombs, including the first hydrogen bomb which was 1,000 time times more powerful than the bombs dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki during WWII.  The results were and continue to be devastating,” Congressman Faleomavaega said.

         “As the only Pacific Islander on the House Committee on International Relations, I believe reauthorizing Head Start funding for the FAS is the right thing to do.  I am also convinced that both Republican and Democratic Members on the International Relations Committee share a view similar to mine when it comes to providing for the educational needs of the FAS and I am sure that many of us also agree that Pell grant funding should be reauthorized for both when the matter is brought before Congress next year.” 

         “I am also convinced that my colleagues on the House Committee on Resources are supportive of these efforts.  In fact, like the International Relations Committee, the Resources Committee held a hearing on Thursday July 10, 2003 to consider and review the terms of the Compact.  During this hearing, it was clear that the U.S. negotiators failed to include funding for critical programs, like FEMA, and left both the FSM and RMI to turn to Congress for assistance.  As a result, I have made it clear that I intend to introduce an amendment or a series of amendments to address the serious concerns I have about our responsibility and obligation to provide the FSM and RMI with the federal assistance they need to become economically self-sufficient.”

         “I am pleased to have joined with Chairman Pombo and Ranking Member Rahall of the Resources Committee as well as Chairman Hyde and Ranking Member Lantos of the International Relations Committee and my good friend, Chairman Jim Leach of the International Relations Subcommittee on Asia and the Pacific, to introduce H.J. Res. 63 in the U.S. House of Representatives.  The outcome of H.J. Res. 63 will determine our relationship with the FSM and RMI for the next twenty years.  For the sake of all parties,” Congressman Faleomavaega said, “I am hopeful that we will be able to resolve some serious concerns and reach an agreement by September that will protect U.S. security interests and that will also more fully provide for the economic and social needs of the Freely Associated States.”