February 28, 1980 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE the provision altogether. The Senate ac- tion was based on the history of the present authority which has seen the Virgin Islands obtain guarantees for $31 million in obligations of which only $21 million had been drawn down, only $5 millicu. of which had been obligated, and only $2 million of which had ac- tually been expended as of the cate of the committee hearing. The committee believes that it is an unwise practice for the Virgin Islands government to in- crease their long-term debt and their immediate debt service problems in advance of their actual ability to obligate funds. We do recognize, however, that there are a variety of capital projects of immediate benefit to the Virgin Is- lands which could be funded through this provision. In order, therefore, to provide the maximumflexibility to the Virgin Islands government, while insuring that the Virgin Islands government will not needlessly increase its debt obligations, we have agreed to a 5-year extension of the bonding authority, with the provision that any sums guaranteed buf not obligated would revert to the Federal Government at the expiration ofthe 5 years. The next amendment offered by the House would provide that Federal agen~ cies shall waive any requirement for local matching funds under $100,000 from American Samoa or the Northern Mariana Islands. This provision is useful in that it recognizes the enormous administrative burdens imposed upon the government of American Samoa (which has a total population of only 30,000) and the Northern Mariana ‘Islands (which has a total population of only 16,000) in seeking to take advantage of small programs otherwise available to the territories. The next amendment offered by the House was proposed by Congressman Won Par. That amendment would convey to the territories of Guam, the Vir- gin Islands, and American Samoa the mineral rights reserved to the Federal Government underthe Territorial Sub- merged Lands Act. The original reseryation was insisted upon by the House although it was inconsistent with the purposes of the Territorial Submerged Lands Act, which was designed to accord the territories with treatment equivalent to the coastal States of the United States. The final amendment offered by the House would provide technical amend- ments to certain Federal programs to recognize that the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands will become a territory of the United States uponter- mination of the trusteeship agreement, and musé be specifically named, together with other territories, in legislation, and S 2085, cent funding of capital improvement projects in the territories. One provision of this legislation eliminates any matching requirement imposed by the Depart- all those directly or indirectly subjeeted to radiation damage are covered by this medical program. . The proposed section 407 has been a ment of the Interior on programs to the subject of concern and controversy durterritories. Some concern had been ex- ing Senate action on H.R. 3755. The dispressed by the administration that this tinguished gentlemen from Alaska, SenProvision would be inconsistent withthe ator Srevens, and others opnosed the President's proposal. I would note that Senate amendment which deleted the the administration does not intend to extension of the guarariteed tonding auoffer any new authorizing legislation, thority granted to the Virgin Islands in but has simply adopted the 90-percent Public Law 94-392. After a number of inrequirement as an elementof its budget- formal discussions, the provision in secary process in its submission to the Ap- tion 407 was avreed tu. It authorizes a 5propriations Committees. I do not be- year extension of the bonding uuthoz~ Neve that there is any necessary conflict ity to the Virgin Islands government, between the administration’s proposal Under a reverter clause, all funds borand the Congress ability to render a final rowed, bub not obligated at the end of 5 judgment on the appropriate level of years would be returned to the lending Federal support for necessary capital institution from which they were borprojects. Both the authorizing and ap~ rowed. It is my hope that this proposal. propcriating committees will continue to will encoursge the early obligation of review projects on a case-by-case basis funds to meet some of .the capital imand will provide whatever level of fund- provement nosds of the territory. ing is appropriate in the particular cirThe House also has added a new sec~ tion which would convey, without: cost, cumstances.3 oo @ Mr. HATFIELD. Mr. President, I sup- certain U.S. property to the Virgin Isport the House amendments to the Om- Jands government. Two years from the nibus Territories bill, H.R. 3756. This date of enactment, the former district version of H.R. 3756 represents a good court bulding would be transferred to compromise which was crafted from the the territory. Apparently, this unused original House bill and the Senate- office space is needed by the Virgin Ispassed amendments. In its present form, ..- Iands government. I have been assurred the measure authorizes appropriations by the distinguished gentlemann from and provides for other legislative author- . Louisiana, Senator Jounsron, that if Sty for insular areas of the United States: within the next 2 years the GSA plans to which are under the jurisdiction of the - utilize this building and so informs our Senate Committee on Energy and Nat- committee, that this transfer of title will be reexamined in lizht of this informaural Resources. Title I deals with the Trust Territory tion. It is my understanding that the of the Pacific Islands. The first section Congress has not received an official Provides for an open end, open-year au- comment from GSA on plans fer the futhorization for the trust territories. “Al- ture use of this facility. Notwithstanding though I am a member of the Interior that fact, with this assurance from the Appropriations Subcommittee, my con- Senator, I will not object to the House . . cern remains for this type of a provision. amendment, In the past, the authorizing committee has fulfilled a critical role in guiding the Appropriations Committee with funding levels for the trust territory as well as other insular areas, In my judgment, our efforts have assisted the Micronesians in obtaining higher levels: of funding for much needed programs and projects. These needs constantly change and should be reviewed periodically. The Senate voted to depart from the traditional practice of annual authorization due to the anticipated termination of the trusteeship in 1981, and also due to strong support by leaders from the trust territory for the open-ended authorization, The Senate agreed to this House provision, but added specific authorization for certain projects. The list of projects is not intended to be exclusive to the addition of any needed future project or program. I trust that this pro- There is another House amendment which deserves special mention at this time—proposed section 607, This section, in effect, would convey from the United States to the territories certain oil, gas, and mineral deposits in- submerged lands. By way of background, the general subject jurisdiction over submerged lands was raised this year during Senate markup of H.R. 3758. At the markup and later during Senate floor consideration, an amendment was adopted which would clarify or confirm the jurisdiction of Puerto Rico over its submerged lands. It wes stressed in legislative history that the Senate intended to merely reaffirm existing. policy relat- ing to the jurisdiction of Puerto Rico over its submerged lands extending 3 leagues from shore. Section 607 deals with the U.S. policy on submerged lands which was enunci- vision will not have any negative effect ated in the “Territorial Submerged on our continuing efforts to provide ade- * Lands Act of 1974.” The 1974 act conwould not be automatically included simveys title of the submerged Jand on the ply because they were a part of the trust quate funding for the trust territory. Another important provision in the coastline up to 3 miles to the territorial territory previously. first title establishes a comprehensive governments of Guam, the Virgin IsOnefinal point needs to be made with and Integrated medical program for the lands, and American Samoa. At the same respect to this legislution. On February people of the Marshall Islands who were time, however, it exempts expressly 14, 1980, the President transmitted a exposed to US. nuclear testing, The from the conveyance, U.S. rights to oil, message to the Congress outlining his Unnited States owes a solemn responsi- fas, and certain other minerai deposits. proposed territorial policy. A part of that ’ bility to the innocent victims of our nuThis exemption for oil and gas rights policy proposed that henceforth the ad- clear testing program. This provision ex- was insisted upon by the House during ministration was committed to 90 per tends existing programs to assure that action on the 1974 act. On the other