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Congressman Faleomavaega announced today that the House overwhelmingly passed by a vote of 386 to 5 the Senate’s revised version of H.R. 3940 which includes language to delay minimum wage increases in American Samoa for 2010 and 2011, and in the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI) for 2011. The bill passed the Senate last night by Unanimous Consent (UC) and is now awaiting the President’s signature.
“First and foremost, I want to thank the people of American Samoa, especially on this day when we pause to remember those we lost as a result of the massive tsunami that struck our islands last year on this very day,” Faleomavaega said. “While I wish I did not have to speak of other matters on this somber occasion, the reality is one day after American Samoa was struck by a tsunami, Chicken of the Sea closed its operations in the Territory, displacing over 2,000 workers whose jobs were outsourced to Thailand where workers are paid $0.75 cents and less per hour to clean fish.”
“Given that more than 74% of American Samoa’s private-sector workforce has been almost entirely dependent on the tuna fishing and processing industries for more than 50-years and considering that more than 80% of our private-sector economy has hinged, directly or indirectly, on the operations of only two tuna processors, Chicken of the Sea and StarKist, Chicken of the Sea’s closure was devastating, especially in the aftermath of a tsunami from which we have not fully recovered.”
“With Chicken of the Sea’s closure and increased competition from Thailand, American Samoa’s economy has not been able to absorb the rapid minimum wage increases mandated by federal law. While I supported a one-time increase of $0.50 cents per hour, I urged my colleagues to consider American Samoa’s remote location and the single-industry status of our economy before mandating further increases.”
“At my request, Congress directed the U.S. Department of Labor to conduct a study regarding the impact of past, present and future minimum wage increases on the economies of American Samoa and CNMI. When the DOL released its report, Congress mandated that a new study be conducted by the GAO. The GAO released its report in April 2010 at which time Congress agreed to take action.”
“However, legislation to delay minimum wage has been stalled and I am fully aware that Republicans who represent rural communities face similar challenges as us. But I am deeply appreciative that many Republicans chose to stand with American Samoa in our time of need.”
“Because American Samoa does not have a vote on the House floor and has no representation in the Senate, it has always been my policy to work with both parties in good-faith, and I am grateful that both parties have stood with the people of American Samoa when we needed them most.”
“Once more, I thank Senator DeMint of S.C., Senator Tom Coburn of Oklahoma, and Senator John McCain of Arizona who lifted their holds in the Senate and lent their support. Without their support, this legislation would not have moved forward.”
“I also thank Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid who made this legislation one of his highest priorities yesterday. As a result of his leadership and once the Republicans cleared their holds, Senator Reid made certain that H.R. 3940 was brought to the Senate floor for UC.”
“Today, the House also acted quickly and I thank Majority Leader Steny Hoyer for making this happen. He and his staff got H.R. 3940 placed on the suspensions calendar and supported us every step of the way, and somewhere in the middle of it all, Majority Leader found the time to personally call and let me know he was able to get this done.”
“I also want to thank Republican Leader John Boehner who also agreed to place H.R. 3940 on the suspension calendar. In this political climate, Republican Leader Boehner could have opposed and objected, but he did not. Instead, he supported the people of American Samoa, and I am grateful for his support.”
“I also want to personally thank Republican Congressman Doc Hastings who serves as the Ranking Member of the House Committee on Natural Resources and Ranking Member John Kline of the House Committee on Education and Labor. Both agreed to let H.R. 3940 move to the House Floor, although they had every right to hold it since the bill only arrived late last night from the Senate.”
“I also thank Congressman Jeff Flake (R-AZ). Congressman Flake and I serve together on the Natural Resources Committee and the Committee on Foreign Affairs. Congressman Flake is personally acquainted with the needs of the Territories, and he worked side-by-side with me to see this through, and I appreciate his support and friendship.”
“I also thank Speaker Pelosi and Chairman George Miller of the House Committee on Education. Their support was critical. Without them, this legislation would have failed. On behalf of the people of American Samoa, I thank them for their help.”
“Finally, I thank Congresswoman Madeleine Bordallo and Congresswoman Donna Christensen. They have been with me from the very beginning of this long and difficult journey and their support has been unwavering. They are true friends.”
“I appreciate both the House and Senate which have come together to get this done. I have every confidence that President Obama will sign this into law and I hope that the American Samoa Government will now use these delays to begin the serious process of diversifying our economy. I also hope that by 2012 our economy will be able to sustain another increase so that our workers can continue to be paid wages comparable with the increases in the cost of living.”
“Again, I thank everyone who has been involved in this process including staff from the Senate and House. Once more, my heart goes out to the victims of last year’s tsunami and my prayers are joined with yours,” Faleomavaega concluded.
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