Speech #930120759

For too long. the territories have suffered severe economic problems because of our inability to attract the kind and number of professional workers we need in order to develop and prosper. The root of this problem. I believe. lies with the current restrictions which prohibit temporary alien laborers of the H2 category from holding positions that are considered by the U.S. Department of Labor to be of a "permanent" nature. Thus. alien workers. who constitute 24 percent of the total work force in the territory of Guam. are ineligible to be employed in tourist or resort facilities such as hotels and restaurants. or in farming and a host of other service. industrial. or retail positions.