Guam National Heritage Area Study

Floor Speech

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Mr. WESTERMAN. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Madam Speaker, H.R. 2899, offered by Mr. San Nicolas of Guam, requires the Secretary of the Interior to conduct a study to assess the suitability and feasibility of designating areas within the island of Guam as a national heritage area.

Archaeological evidence indicates that the Mariana Islands were one of the first places settled by seafaring peoples. The last 400 years of Guam's history are marked by administrations of three different nations: Spain, the United States, and Japan. After the Spanish- American War in 1898, Guam was ceded to the United States as an unincorporated territory.

Guam's rich history and culture merit consideration for national heritage area status.

I support Congressman San Nicolas' bill to study areas within the island of Guam to determine whether they merit designation as a national heritage area in the future.

Madam Speaker, I urge adoption of the bill, and I reserve the balance of my time.

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Mr. WESTERMAN. Madam Speaker, again, I urge adoption of the bill, and I yield back the balance of my time.

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