February 25, 1980 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD— HOUSE the Secretary to make everyeffort to be as flexible as possible in meeting this responsibility. Like Guam and the Virgin Islands, the mineral rights to their submerged Jands are transferred within this bill to the American Samoa government. The persuasiveness of Mr. Eni Hunkin, our staff counsel and of Governor Coleman convinced us to act on this matter. The Senate struck all sections requiring the IRS to collect customs and taxes in the Virgin Islands and Guam. We re- Tuctantly accept (at Mr. Won Part’s instance, as it affects Guam) this decision at this time, with the understanding that much needed full discusston and debate on this subject will take place this year when the Senate committee considers Senator Jo1nston’s approach to this complex matter. The Senate added to the House-passed version of H.R. 3756 the Matsunaga amendment, otherwise known as S. 1119, a bill that on its own had passed the Senate earlier in 1979. This new section 603 is designed to see that the Congress is kept informed regarding any plans by the U.S. Government to transport to or store spent nuclear fuel or high-level radioactive waste in any of the territories. We agree with the Senate that this language is necessary ta make abso- lutely certain that before any such pro- 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 flexibility the proposed site, congressional hearings are held to hear all sides of the matter; and in short, that full debate is assured before any decision is made, One of the amendments we offer here today as section 608 is only a technical amendment, What it does is update some references in three earlier laws (the Historic Preservation Act of 1986, the Arche- ological Data Act of 1960, and the National Outdoor Recreation Act of 1963) and extend these three acts to include any of these insular areas that had inadvertently been left out to date. And that, we believe, covers. any changes to date between the House and Senate versions. With the amendments we offer today, we think we have a very good bill in H.R. 3756, one that addresses in as broad a@ manner as possible the variety of problems and needs facing these insular areas today and in the foreseeable future. We urge our colleagues in the House and in the Senate to support passage of this piece of legislation as quickly as pussible so that it can be sent on without delay to the President for his signature so that implementation of the provisions therein can begin. Mr, LAGOMARSINO. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of HLR. 3756, as amended. On May 7, 1979 the House passed the territorial omnibus bill. Since then, it has been under deliberation by the other body. In general, I any. pleased with the product; however, additional amend- Red Cross, there were no fatalities in spite of damage. the tremendous property table matter. What needs to be done is to exploit these resources. In conjunction with the,’ . Department of Energy and the Nationa’ Center for Arpropriate Technology—air\ Although the President declared the fields of education and health will con- tinue during the posttrusteeship period. Although this is a major concession on the part of the administration, the role . isiand a major disaster area and recon-~ of Congress in mandating Federal pro- struction assistance is either in place or on its way, the problem of.rebuilding will be with us for years to come. The situation is similar to that in Guam a few years ago when that island was hit by a devastating typhoon. Under the Federal Emergency Management Acministration, cated to restore facilities to their original condition. But therein lies the problem. Majuro must be rebuilt in order to withstand the onslaught of future wave and tidal action. The flimsy construction ’ that existed previously on the island explains, in part, the tremendous damage that we witness today. Therefore, I call upon the Secretary of the Interior in conjunction with the Pederal Emergency Management Administration to coordinate their reconstruction efforts. Some of the Federal funds authorized to the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands by this legislation should be matched with FEMAfundsin order that a new Majuro can arise from the ruins, capable of withstanding the most severe weather conditions. Nowhere is the energy crisis more severe than in America’s offshore areas. Island people are totally dependent upon adequate transportation and communication systems for their livelihood. Unfortunately, the infrastructure, which the U.S. Government has sponsored 1n the off-shore arcas, is totally dependent upon petroleum products for energy— gasoline to power the vehicles and outboard motors; diesel to run the electric generators and keep the fishing boats in operation; jet fuel to maintain contact with the outside world; butane to keep the family stoves lit. Consequently, the impact of the energy shortage—both the rising cost and the Hmited supply—has created significantly more problems than on the mainland. What I aim calling for is ments and considerations are required in &@ comprelensive survey to identify and order to meet the current situation in put to use alternative sources of energy. Some of the possibilties In a tropical America’s insular areas. Section 101 provides authorization for dsiand environment include: hydroelcc- continuance of the government of the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands, In energy conversion (OTEC), and the distillation of industrial alcohol from vege- in reaching a settlement, equitable to exceptionally capable agency with terriboth America and the Micronesian torial experience—the Secretary of the States. Interior should survey all potentials and For example, in the Trust Territory of initiate, with no further delays, energy the Pacific Islands, high waves and tidal projects using off-the-shelf items, whenaction smashed into the Island of Majuro ever available, to alleviate the plight of in the Marshall Islands on November 27 the offshore areas. and again on December 3, 1979. In this Futurepolitical status negotiations bedisaster, 5,500 peaple—more than half of tween the Americans and the Microthe community—-were rendered tempo- nesians have reached a critical stage rarily homeless with near total damage wherein today’s decisions are apt to be to public facilities, such as water, sewer, tomorrow's law. In the January round power, and ‘communication systems. of negotiations, the U.S. negotiating team Thanks to the gallant efforts of Defense conceded that Federal programs and Department personnel and the American services, as mutually agreed upon, in the posals are approved by the executive _only sufficient Federal funds can be allo- branch, there is full public disclosure of #1229 tric generation, wind power, solar power, tidal action, biomass, ocean thermal grams is only implicit. Accordingly, H.M. 3756 is amended to establish without question congressional authority in these areas. If Federal educational heaith cara programis are to be altered or terminated © in Micronesia, explicit congressional consent must first be acquired. The Commonwealth of the Northern. Mariana Islands is the newest addition to the American political family. Like any youngster, although eager to accommedate, this new government lacks ex- perience, especially in administering complex legal codes such as the internaly nl Revenue System. Consequently, 3756 is amended to assist in incomefe administration and collection in the Northern Marianas. In this regard, I would like to point out that in fairness, residents of the Northern Marianas will not be held liable for inadvertent tax ir- regularities preceding implemention of this legislation. Under the terms of the Covenant To Establish a Conumonwealth of the North- . ern Mariana Islands in Political Union with the United States, residents of the Northern Marianas must abide by the Internal Revenue Code in paying their territorial income tax. This amendment delays implementation of this provision until January 1, 1982, providing prepara- tion time for the Commonwealth to be~ come familiar with the complex nature of the IRC. In the interim, the local tax code of the Northern Marianas will continue in effect. In this regard, it is not our intent to create a tax haven in the Northern Marianas. Therefore, we once again, direct the attention of the Secretary of the Treasury to this situation and request his close surveillance of future investment patterns in the Marianas, As for the Virgin Islands, it is unfor- tunate that- the other body failed to recognize the dire financial situation of the territorial government. For the most part, this fiscal crisis has been caused by adherence to inappropriate federal laws and regulations and is only temporary in nature, If either the tax in~ centives for stimulating new industry.in ¢