_ CONGRESSIONAL RECORD —HOUSE May 7, 197 a petition from the district of Ponare on this matter. These are not just 5- or 10-percent cuts. These important and Necessary programs are scheduled ta be cut by 44 percent between the current fiscal year and fiscal 1930, and a further 25 percent between fiscal 1980 and fiscal 1981. For the next fiscal year they inclide reductions of 45 percent in education and 40 percent in health programs; all programs for the elcerly are to be termincted at the end of fiscal year 1979. The Micronesians cannot possibly afford to fund these programs out of their own revenues, which are extremely limited. Section 104 does not require the indefinita continuation of any Federal program. It merely requires that the Congress haye the opportunity to approve the terminution of the prograins it has authorized. Of course, we must all make sacrifices in the current mood of austerity. But shculd we allow these drastic reductions to be bnpesed on those who cannot speak for themselves in this Chamb?r, those to whom we have international lecal oblcaticns as administerinv authority of the trustecship? Ys this the way to maintain the goeai will and friendsnip of a people whose arra covers 3 million seuare miles in the stra‘tecic Western Pacific Ocean? Obviously not. I urge my colleozues to support these fovernment retaining contro! over the entire precess of income tex collections. Under the present language, this bill Would encroach In this area of local jurisdiction. While this is not the main intent of Section, I with local Governor, the overall language of this am in complete agreement Guam officials, including our who believe that they must retain jurisdiction over the tax process to the fullest extent possible. I therefore am prepared to ask that the U.S. Senate amend the appropriate section to leave the control of tax collections in the hands of the Governor in favor of some modified language which would still provide greatly increased Federal assistance to Guem in the area of tax collections. I am convinced that Guam does require help in this area. For too long, we have been running far be- ing minority members of the committee, Don CLausrn, Keitu SEsrLrus, and Bos Lasomansrno, for taking an immense amount of their time and effort to produce this remarkable measure. As 2 co‘sponsor of this bill, Iampleased by most provisions in section IT of H.R. 3756 which relate to my own coneressional district of Guam. Thanks to Mr, BurTON’S fenerotus assistance and the understanding and support of the minority rnembers of the committee, we have created what I helieve to be a fine measure that will not be inflationary and yet still meets the legitimate needs of the territories. I do have one reservation about HR, 3756, however. This deals with that section which provides for a Federal take- over of the income taxcollections for Guam and the Virgin Islands by the Federal Government. As presently drafted, this section would unquestion-~ ably enhance the yeneral revenue position of Guam by increasing revenue colJections aud saving the government of Guam an estimated $2.4 million In administrative costs now associated with running a tax department. Yet, some have raised legitimate ques-_ tions about the importance of the local The SPEAKERpro tempore. The gen- tleman. from California (Mr. PHILLIP Burrow) is recognized. (Mr. PHILLIP BUBTON asked and was given permission to revise and extend his* remarks.) GENERAL LEAVE Mr. PHILLIP BURTON, Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members mayhave the balanceof this legisla tive day in which to revise and extend their remarks on the bill under consideration. The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the gentileman from California? There was no objection. Mr, PHILLIP BURTON. Mr. Speaker, today we have before us the annual au- thorization for the insular areas. These are American Samoa, Guam, the Northhind in tax collections. Too many have ern Mariana Islands, the Trust Territory escaped paving their taxes and this must of the Pacific Islands, and the Virgin Isbe halted. I have long believed that it is lands. unfair for the U.S. Government to reSince the current authorization for. the tain the ability to take Guam entirely in trust territory expires at the end of fiscal its hands while binding Guam with the 1980, the bil extends the authorization ta burden of adrainistrating tax laws it make certain that there is no evap between cannot chante. - the time that the anthorization expires I ask for the continued support of my and the time that the trusteesnip is ter- collecguss as we seek a solution to this “minated. Also, in connection with the vexing problem, Thank yrou.s Mr. PHILLIP BURTON. Mr. Speake I have no further requests fortime. The SPEAMER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the genfleman from California (Mr. Pryruire important provisions.@ : Qo Mr. WON PAT. Mr, Speaker, I rise in support of the bill, H.R. 3756, a bill BuRTON) that the House suspend the which authorizes certain funds for Guam rules and pass the bill, H.R. 3756, as and other U.S. territories, amended. The measure is, I believe, an etrcellent The question was ‘taken: and (twoeffort by the full House Intericr Comthirds having voted in favor thereof) the mittee to tackle the more severe probrules were suspended and the bill, as leins facing America’s offshore terri- - amended, was passed. tories. A great deal of credit must go to A motion to reconsider was laia on the the chairman of the Subcommittee on table. National Parks and Insuhur Affairs, Con- fressman PHituip Burton, and the lead- H 2757 AMENDING DATE THAT SECTION OF COVENANT TO FSTARLISH A COMMONWEALT?E OF THE NORTHERN MARIANA . ISLANDS BECOMES end of the trustecship, there is’one out“ standing matter that we SHI:need to re- solve. Part of our responsibility was met last year when the rest of tifle IT claims—. those that resulted from actions taken after the United States had secured the islands—was paid out to those Micronesians who were owed damages. Still remaining to be paid, however, are title I claims and this measure pro-~ vides that 50 percent of these claims, as determined by the Claims Commission established by the U.S. Congress in 1971. shall be authorized for those people owed € this money for the last 35 years. Additionally, the bill estaplishes a comprehensive medical programfor the peo~ ple of the atolls of Bikini, Enewetak, Rengelap, and Utirik of the. Northern Marshalls. All of these people were vic- tims cf U.S. nuclear testing in the Pacific in the 1940's and 1950's. And since it is Mr. PHILLIP BURTON. Mr, Speaker, not known to what extent their health I call up the bill (H.-R. 3758) to amend has been impaired, they must bs continuthe date that section 601 of the Covenant ally monitored and cared for by medical to Establish a Commonwealth of the authorities, and this is provided in H.R. Northern Mariana Islands in Political 3756. Union with the United States of AmerFor the Northern Mariana Islands. we ica becomeseffective, and ask unanimous © have authorized funds fer 2 hospital and consent for its immediate consideration. health care system. Their current hosThe Clerk read the title of the bill. pital facility consists of a number of The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there prefabricated units haphazardly conobjcction to the request ot the gentleman nected and woefully inadequate to meet from California? their health care needs both at present There was no objection. and in the future. Studies done for the The Clerk read the bill as follows: Northern Mariana Islands have concluded there is no alternative to this . HR. 3753 Be it enacted by the Senate and House course of action. Of Representatives of the United States of For the Northern Marianas. Guam, America in Congress assembled, That, notand the Virgin Islands, the bill directs withstanding the provisions of section 1003 the Secretary of the Treasury to assiume of the Covennnt to Fstablish a Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands in Political Unton with the United States of America, approved March 24, 1976 (90 Stat 263), the provisions of section 601 of said Covenant shall not take edtect until Janu- ary1, 1982, responsibility for administration anden- forcement of the collection of Federal income taxes in these areas. In no way is it intended that there be any kind of retroactive responsibility on the part of the Treasury Department prior to the x