"The residents of our insular areas are stewards of some of the most beautiful and environmentally sensitive areas under the U.S. flag. It is so important that we work diligently to preserve and enhance this inheritance." Ron de Lugo, Former Chairman of the Subcommittee on Insular and International Affairs 

The United States presently maintains sovereignty over five inhabited territories that vary in population, land mass, economic power, and political development. Congresswoman Donna M. Christensen (D-VI) is the chairwoman of the Subcommittee on Insular Affairs, which was re-established in the 110th Congress and has the primary jurisdiction to set federal policy for each of these territories. Article IV, Section 3, of the United States Constitution, known as the Territorial Clause, provides Congress with power over the territories.

The Insular areas of the U.S. include the territories of American Samoa, Guam and the U.S. Virgin Islands (USVI), as well as the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI) and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico. The U.S. was ceded three of the five territories at the end of the Spanish-American War and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, originally, as a United Nations Trust Territory at the culmination of World War II. The remaining territories were either acquired by the U.S. through a Deed of Cession, as was American Samoa in 1900, or through outright purchase, when U.S. Virgin Islands was purchased from Denmark in 1917. In addition, the Committee oversees matters regarding the Compact relationship between the U.S. and the 'Freely Associated States' of Palau, the Marshall Islands, and the Federated States of Micronesia.

Under Congress' authority, these territories have been able to exercise limited self government. Like the States, each territory elects its own head-of-state (governor) and legislators who serve in either a unicameral or a bicameral legislative body. In general, federal law applies to all the territories, and local legislative bodies are responsible for laws that have local application. Except for the CNMI, Congress has authorized elected representation from each territory in the U.S. House of Representatives - providing representatives the opportunity to participate in shaping the federal policy that impacts their home territories.

Today, after more than a century under the American flag and as a part of the American family, U.S. territories continue to struggle with a multitude of issues. From working to protect their indigenous cultures and languages, to tackling federal policies that impact their economic, social, and political development - it is clear that these regions are challenged with a multitude of issues that inhibit their full political, economic, and cultural development.

Further, for colonized cultures there is a natural aspiration for political advancement through self-determination. The Committee strives to consider issues of self-determination that are constitutionally sound, and provide the territories with a clear direction for achieving political status consistent with the U.S. Constitution. The territories already contribute economically, socially, and militarily to the American fabric - and it is only fitting that we work to help meet the challenges they face and assist in their continued well-being. They are, after all, our fellow American citizens.

The Honorable Donna M. Christensen continues to distinguish herself as a leader in the United States Congress. As a Member serving her sixth term, she is the first female physician in the history of the U.S. Congress, the first female Delegate from the U.S. Virgin Islands and the first woman to represent an offshore U.S. territory.

Christensen currently serves as the Chairwoman of the Natural Resources Subcommittee on Insular Affairs. Re-established in the 110th Congress, the subcommittee oversees the affairs of the U.S. territories. These territories include American Samoa, Guam and the U.S. Virgin Islands, as well as the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico. The committee also manages matters pertaining to the freely associated states of Palau, the Marshall Islands and the Federated States of Micronesia.

As Chairwoman, Christensen is committed to protecting the unique languages and cultures of the territories. Under her skillful and adept leadership, the subcommittee is also working to address federal policies that have great impact on the economic, social and political development of these regions.

An avid supporter of preserving the pristine landscape of our nation and all of the U.S. territories, Christensen also serves on the Subcommittee on National Parks, Forests and Public Lands. In addition, she is a Member of the House Committee on Homeland Security and serves as the Assistant Whip to the House Majority Whip.

The granddaughter of the late well-renowned Virgin Islands educator Elena Christian and the daughter of the late Chief Judge of the District Court Almeric Christian, Christensen has two daughters and three grandchildren of her own. She earned a B.S. at St. Mary's College in Notre Dame, Indiana and her M.D. from George Washington University School of Medicine in Washington, D.C.