1 - American Memory

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The problems I have Just outlined are not inflated for rhetoric's sake. We on
Guam want to have the same standard of living enjoyed here on the mainland.
To date, we have been successful. But the threat of continued maritime strilses
is not conducive to stable living conditions.
Nor does the ever-present threat of lengthy striljes serve to enhance Guam's
attractiveness to mainland firms who must rely on ocean commerce to transport
their goods to outlying areas. Guam is American, and we want to keep com-
merce with the U.S. mainland as our major economic goal. Shipping strikes, how-
ever, force us to turn for our goods, and serve to enrich the pockets of our for-
eign competitors, instead of our fellow Americans.
Accordingly, Mr. Chairman, I ask that this measure be given favorable con-
sideration by the members of the Committee before Americans who have done no
wrong except to rely on U.S. shipping for their supplies suffer yet another need-
less financial loss.
Thank you.
Mr. JARMAN. We appreciate the statement of the Delegate from
Guam. Are there any questions from the subcommittee?
Mr. HARVEY. NO qiiestions.
Mr. JARMAN. Mr. Kuykendall ?
Mr. KTTYKENDALL. It is good to have you here. I have no questions.
Mr. JARMAN. We appreciate your helping make the record in this
important subject.
Mr. Wox PAT. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
Mr. MATSUNAGA. NOW, it is my pleasure, Mr. Chairman, to present
to you one of the best known political figures in the State of Hawaii,
the mayor of the city and county of Honolulu, the Hon. Frank F. Fasi.
Mr. JARMAN. We are very pleased to welcome Mayor Fasi to Wash-
ington to testify before this subcommittee.
STATEMENT OF HON. FEANK F. FASI, MAYOR, CITY AND COUNTY
OF HONOLULU, HAWAH; ACCOMPANIED BY HON. SPARK M. MAT-
SUNAGA, A REPRESENTATIVE IN CONGRESS FROM THE STATE
OF HAWAII
Mayor FASI. I am privileged and honored to have the opportunity
to testifj' today in favor of House bill 7189 which I regard as the single
most important congressional bill affecting the people of Hawaii
since statehood.
I don't think we, who have come 5,000 miles to testify for 1 day and
then go on back, came here with the idea of not seeing this bill passed,
Mr. Chairman.
The issue is the survival of the economy of the State of Hawaii
in the face of continuing shipping stoppages. I say shipping stoppages
and not shipping strikes to emphasize that the problem is not the
exclusive fault of either labor or management. And it is neither the
prerogative of labor nor of management that we wish to deny. I, along
with this congressional delegation am for open and collective bar-
gaining. What I am against is making the economy and the people
of Hawaii the hostages, the innocent victims of a stalemate in col-
lective bargaining that forces a prolonged disablement of our shipping
lifeline.
The impact of .shipping stoppages on Hawaii has been and will
continue to be profound and long-range in its effect. And, it cannot be
over-emphasized that these shipping stoppages are not isolated in-
cidents which can be dealt with one at a time and then forgotten.