ay 7, 1979 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD--HOUSE - steps necessary to prevent this from occurring. In addition, the Northern Mavianas government is directed to take any action necessary to deal locally with any other preblems that might temporarily occur hecause of this delay. As far as the American Memorial Park in Saipan goes, we includ? a technical amendment to last year’s bill which rings into conformity with other parks the operations and maintenance casts as distinguished from development costs. In no way do we intend by this language to attempt to obtain any interest in this land belonging to ‘the Northern Marianas. Last year the House approved language that eliminated future interest payments on a Federal loan that was granted ta the government of Guam in 1963 to offset both typhoon and World War IT damage. Also included in last year’s House-approved language was a provision crediting interest payments made to date toward the principal. Once arain, we are including this and hopeful that the other body will see its way to helping the government of Guam by approving of it. Another provision in the Guam section allows the Secretary of the Interior to extend tne guarantee provision now in existing law so that.the Guam Power Authority will be able to refinance its indebtedtess to cover its obligations. Also, for Guam as well as for the Northern Marianas, the bill authorizes the Secretary of the Treasury to administer and enforce customs in these areas. Guam, in particuiar, has become the entryway for iNeca!l drug traffic into the United States und this provision is in- tended to help prevent this from con- tinuing. : In the section on the Virgin Islands, we extend for 10 years an act that expires this year which authorizes the ’ Virgin Islands government to issue bonds. We also convey title from the US. Government to the Virgin Islands gov- ernment of certain parcels of land no longer needed by us. The Department of Interior requested much of this language of us and so it is included. In no way is this provision to be construed to include Water Island, which is federally owned at present. As far as Water Island goes, we provide that no extension, renewal, or renegotiation of the master lease can be made prior to 1992 expiration date without the express consent of the House Interior Committee and the Senate Enerry and Natural Resources Committee. This is designed to protect the interests of both the United States and Virgin Islands governrnents. It was brought to our attention that in last year's omnibus act, language that was intended to have the Unitcd States pick up the cost of collecting customs and taxes under 28(a) of the Virgin Islands Revised Organic Act was not hav- ing the desired effect. Instead of bene- fiting the financially hard-pressed Virgin Islands government, we discovered that due to a contract between the Virgin Islands government and Hess Oil, the bulk of the benefits were to go to the oil company. A provision to remeiy H 2755 phis situation has been included in this ill. ‘ For American Samoa, we provide that the Federal Comptroller's salary and House passed similar provisions only to be overruled by the other body. Sonie of the inhabitants of Bikini. Enewetak, Rongelap, and Utirix wer expenses be paid by the Interior Depart- subjected to radiation hazards as a rek. ment. This is the current practice, it -sult of U.S. nuclear testing in the Pac:itc. should be noted, and we are merely in- For the first timé, section 103 establishes suring that it be part of statutory law. a comprehensive medical progrum uncer Additionally, we provide that custams the direction of the Secretary to insure be administered and enforced by the proper medical treatment in the future. Secretary of the Treasury, at no cost te As @ result of the Micronesian future the American Samoa govenment, should _ political status negotiations, the adminthe Governor request this service. istration has deemedit advisable to terAnd finally, we mandate for the De- minate all Federal programs to Micropartment of Interior the implementation nesia by 1981. In our opinion, the adof title V in the 1977 omnibus territories ministration is too optimistic in believing bill (Public Law 95-134). To date little that a satisfactory conclusion to the neProgress has been made by the Depart- gotiations will occur by 1981. Moreover, ment under the 1977 act. Hence, my col- Federal programs to the Micronesicns leagues on the committee and I believe are 4 congressional mandate and should this action is necessary. While title V not be terminated at the whim of the affects all departinents and agencies, we are only making it mandatory for the Department of the Interior since it is the lead agency for these insular areas. Although Mr. Wox Par (Guam) and Mr. Evaus (Virgin Islands) have ex- pressed their opposition to the IRS collection provision, we have bipartisan agreeinent that this provision is mast executive. Consequentiy, section 104 requires the express permission of Conzre_s to cease the application of .Pe2eral programs to the Trust Territury of the Pa- cific Island. . : Section 201 and 501 directs the Secre-tary of the Interior to pay the salaries and expenses of the Federal comptrollers in the Northern Marianas Islands and Guam. This merely makes a inatter os important and shoulda remain in the bilL My coNeasues and © believe we are Jaw what has been a matter of practice offering 2 good constructive bill for these - under executive agreement. insular arenas and we urge the support Medical facilities in the Northern of all Members of the House. Mariana Isiands are woefully inadequate Mr. LAGOMARSINO. Mr. Speaker, I and fall below the minimum standard yield myself such time as I may consume. (Mr. LAGOMARSINO asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.) : : Mr. LAGOMARSINO, Mr. Speaker, I rise In support of H.R. 3756. The biil represents the combined efforts and experience of both majority and the minority members of the Committee on Interior and Insular Affairs. Countless hours of discussicns with territorial leaders, business representatives, Federal officials and technicians are reflected in its provisions which in summary areas follows: Section 101 provides authorization for continuance of the government of the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands. tn extending this authorization beyond 1981—the administration's target date for termination of the U.N. trusteeship—. we demonstrate our misgivings in the current trend of Micronesia’s future political status negotiations and provide the administration with more time in which to reach a settlement, equitable to both America and the Micronesian States, - In 1971, the Conpress established a U.S. Claims Commission to ascertain Micronesian World War II claims. $34 million in claims were awarded; however, only $10 millfon—$5 million by the United States, $5 million by the Japanose—have thus far been paid. An authorization pre- Sently exists wherein the United States will pay the remainder when the Japanese meet their share. Thus far, the Japanese have not honored their obliga- tion nor, do they show any indication that they ever will. Accordingly, section 102.permits the United States to pay its share—that is 50 percent—of the $24 million in outstanding claims. In both the 94th and the 95th Congresses, the necessary to qualify for HEWprograms. . Section 202 authorizes $24.4 million—in accordance vith a territorial study—to bring health care on a par with other t U.S. offshore areas. Section 203 directs the Secretary of the Treasury to assume responsibility for income tax collection and custom opera- tions in the Northern Marianas. In tis regard, I would like to point out here as well as for the other offshore areas in H.R. 3756 that in fairness, residents of the territories will not be held liabte for tax irregularities preceding implementa- tion of this legislation. : Under the terms of the Covenant to Establish a Commonwealthcf the Northern Mariana Islands in Political Union with the United States, residents of the Northern Marianas will abide by the Internal Revenue Code in paying the ter- vitorial income tax. Section 204 delays implementation of this provision unti! January 1, 1982, providing preparation time for the Common:realth to becomes familiar with the complex nature of the IRC, In the interim, the Jocal tax code of the Nothern Marianas will continue in eect. In this regard, it is not our intent to create a tax haven in the Northern Marianas. This is especially true for the residents of Guam. Wedirect the atten- tion of the Secretary of the Treasury to this situation and request his close surveillance of future investment patterns. Section 205 is a technical amendment which makes clear that title to the park land on Saipan is not transferred to the Federal Government, which would contravene the terms cf the covenant, and separates development from operational and maintenance funds. . Section 301 and section 402 direct the Secretary of the Treasury to administer *