Treating American Samoa And Northern Mariana Islands As Separate States For Certain Criminal Justice Programs
Floor Speech
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Mr. Speaker, as representative of a district with 28,000 Samoan Americans, the largest Samoan population in this country, I rise today in support of H.R. 3353, which will provide for American Samoa and the Northern Mariana Islands to be treated as States for criminal justice funding.
This legislation will protect the people of these islands by securing the resources necessary to employ criminal justice programs that are most capable of addressing the specific needs in their area. It's kind of like asking why I wouldn't think that the city of Long Beach and the city of Los Angeles wouldn't garner equal funding appropriately.
I thank Chairman Conyers and Chairman Scott, as well, for their leadership in bringing forth this bill. I also applaud Congressman Sablan, the sponsor of this legislation, for his dedicated leadership on this issue and many others that have been promoting the interests and safety of the people of the Northern Marianas and American Samoa, which is represented by ENI FALEOMAVAEGA.
When we amend the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 to treat American Samoa and the Northern Mariana Islands as separate States, we will allow the appropriation of funding for vital criminal justice programs that will keep these communities safe. And they deserve them.
There are over 66,000 people living in American Samoa, and there are over 48,000 people living in the Northern Marianas. Each of these islands has their own unique culture, history, and their own way of dealing with things, including their challenges. The people of these islands deserve separate funding under this legislation that will allow them to appropriately and innovatively address their specific criminal justice issues. Protecting communities and fighting crime requires not just a fair share of funding, but it also requires flexibility to apply for the funding in a way that suits that specific community.
I have traveled to American Samoa. I had an opportunity to go there this year. And we worked on the earthquake and the subsequent tsunami. And many people in my district helped to bring tons and tons of items, over 90,000 tons to be specific, to help the people in the communities. Having learned about their culture, government, and their unique identity, I am certain that passing this bill is the right thing and the fair thing to do. Again, as Representative of this district, I stand in full support of the efforts today. It's imperative that we pass this legislation now, without delay.
I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting H.R. 3353.
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