Congressman Faleomavaega today announced that he and the Representatives of the U.S. Virgin Islands and Guam have officially requested an oversight hearing in the U.S. House Committee on Resources to focus on political, economic development, health and education issues in the Insular Areas.

 In letters addressed to Resources Committee Chairman Richard Pombo and Ranking Member Nick Rahall, Faleomavaega, Congresswoman Donna Christensen (USVI) and Congresswoman Madeleine Bordallo (Guam) specifically requested that the hearings be held to coincide with the presence of local leaders in Washington, DC for the upcoming National Governor’s Association Winter Meeting.

 “We requested that this hearing take place on March 2 or 3 to enable our local leaders to participate,” Faleomavaega said.  “If this hearing request is granted, this would represent an excellent opportunity for our Governors and legislative leaders to engage in a meaningful dialogue with the Members of the Resources Committee leadership.”
 
             “Each of our areas has similar concerns regarding economic development, health issues, education, and progress on self-governance.  Discussing our concerns with the Committee on Resources and the Department of the Interior will help guide our legislative work in the future.”
 
             “I am pleased that my colleagues from the Insular Areas and I are in agreement on this request.  Generally, our territories and governments are impacted similarly by federal policies and programs, so this request letter represents our commitment to addressing these concerns in a united fashion,” Faleomavaega concluded.