USVI delegate chairs insular budget hearing
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| Published on Saturday, March 3, 2007 |
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WASHINGTON, USA: In the first such hearing in the last 12 years, US Virgin Islands Delegate to Congress Donna M. Christensen presided over the House Natural Resources Subcommittee on Insular Affairs hearing on the Fiscal Year 2008 Budget Request for the Department of Interior's Office of Insular Affairs. Christensen welcomed the testimony of territorial governors from American Samoa and Guam and Deputy Assistant Secretary of Interior for Insular Affairs on issues pertaining to the budget and economic conditions on the islands.
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| Delegate Donna Christiansen |
"It is my hope as chair of this subcommittee and with the assistance of my colleagues to explore whether adequate resources are being given to OIA to enable them to address the unique, important challenges and needs that are faced by the most vulnerable members of our American family, the residents of the Insular Areas," the Chairwoman said. Christensen was joined by Resident Commissioner Luis Fortuno of Puerto Rico and Delegate Madeline Bordallo of Guam in questioning the governors and Assistant Secretary. Both Fortuno and Bordallo noted that the reinstitution of the subcommittee was "historic" and an "important moment" for all the territories as it signals a "greater focus on federal policy and how it affects the territories."
Both governors also expressed their appreciation. "I would like to express my appreciation to you and to the members of the Committee for holding this hearing to better understand the needs and concerns of the Pacific Island territories on this most important issue for the people of Guam and our Pacific Island brothers and sisters," said Governor Felix Perez Camacho, who spoke of the need for increased assistance to accommodate infrastructure needs as the Pacific island territory prepares for expansion of US military bases located there.
"With the increase of US military assets to Guam expected over the next 10 years, the government of Guam has begun preparation to receive an estimated 8,000 to 12,000 military personnel and their dependents," he said.
Noting that "much of the infrastructure needs to be completely replaced," he called for a federal interagency group to guide the government and the military command in "understanding what is needed to respond to this tremendous growth and impact to the Guam community now and in the future."
"I thank you for this opportunity to convey the importance of this funding for the territory of American Samoa, our operations and our economic development," Governor Togiola Tulafono told the committee. Stating that American Samoa has made extraordinary progress in recent decades, he also thanked the Department of Interior for requesting funding for its undersea fiber-optic cable. Noting that the territory does not "have the development options that are available to most of the US" he asked the committee for continued assistance in the diversification of the economy. "There could be very serious additional contingency costs for the federal government if the canneries were to leave American Samoa," he said.
Deputy Assistant Interior Secretary for Insular Affairs David Cohen said that the OIA's top two priorities for the insular areas are to promote private sector economic development and accountability for the federal financial assistance provided to the insular areas. He said that the OIA budget "continues to focus on increasing self-sufficiency of insular areas" through programs such as the Technical Assistance program which provides funding for critical infrastructure such as wastewater systems, hospitals and schools. He said that OIA has worked to help the territories identify their competitive advantages and identify industries that have the most potential for success.
Christensen questioned Cohen on many Virgin Islands issues to include assistance for small business development, assistance in funding to meet court ordered mandates that strain insular budgets, and support for the institution of a chief financial officer. Deputy Assistant Secretary David Cohen told the subcommittee that Insular Affairs was actively promoting small business development and would look at the possibility of assisting the territories in meeting their court ordered mandates. He said that in light of the financial situation in the territories, he could support a chief financial officer if there was no opposition from the territorial governor.
A Senate Committee visit to the Northern Marianas Islands precluded the attendance of their governor and congressional representative at the hearing. US Virgin Islands Governor John deJongh did not attend because of a scheduling conflict. Both submitted statements for the record. | | | | Reads : 164 | | | |
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