Speech #1040081676

This is not to many areas of the country where a similar situation has resulted in what we have labeled "unfunded mandates." This is a serious enough situation. but in the case of Guamit is far more egregious in its negative impact because of our small size and limited population. And in terms of the issue of the unfunded mandates. the commitment was not made verbally or through exchanges of letters by the Federal Government to help Guam in recovering from the costs involved in this migration. It was authorized in statute passed by this body in Public Law 99Public Law 99239. section 103(e)(6) reads: There are hereby authorized to be appropriated for fiscal years beginning after September 30. 1985. such sums as may be necessary to cover the costs. if any. incurred by the State of Hawaii. the territories of Guam and American Samoa. and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands resuiting from any increased demands placed on educational and social services by immigrants from the Marshall Islands and the Federated States of Micronesia. We call this issue compact impact aidthe assistance due local governments in consideration of the financial impact of the Compacts of Free Association. Guam. duo to its proximity. has received the greatest share of this immigration. Since the treaties went into effect. we now estimate that 6 percent of the total population of Guam is from these freely associated states. This entirely legal immigration would proportionately number 15 million persons of the entire U.S. population. And what is more startling is that is entirely legal. a process which only requires an identification card. The total cost to the Government of Guam since its inception is in excess of $70 million. The Guam Memorial Hospital estimates an impact of $750.000 in costs in fiscal year 1994. and $2.55 million since 1986 to the Medically Indigent Program due to compact immigrants. Public housing assistance cost Guam $2 million in fiscal year 1994 and $7.5 million since 1986. I have also heard reports from one elementary school principal who must devote three classrooms. with teachers and aides. just to deal with the overflow of students who show up on our doorstep.