I would be remiss if I failed to communicate to you that our relationship with the U.S. military is the strongest it has ever been. We continue to work closely with the Department of Defense to enhance the military's important efforts on the atoll and in the region. Chairman Young, I want to personally thank you and the members of your Committee for your efforts at extending to the Marshall Islands the assistance that honors the objectives of the Compact. Specifically, I want to thank you for extending the Pell Grant to our students, providing FEMA support to help us cope with natural disasters and for continuing to recognize the agricultural and resettlement needs of the communities harmed the most by the U.S. Nuclear Weapons Testing Program. These actions signal to the Marshall Islands that the Untied States values our bilateral relationship.
Education remains our top priority along with health services for our people.
We value the Federal programs and assistance in these areas and assure you that accountability and proper administration will always be our main focus. I also want to thank you for the resolution that Chairman Ben Gilman, Delegate Eni Faleomavaega and you introduced last Congress. House Concurrent Resolution 92 stands as a testimony to the success of the bilateral relationship. In a few moments, you will be hearing more about the Nitijela's corresponding resolutions, and this parliamentary body's shared appreciation of the points so eloquently stated in H. Con. The RMI Government looks forward to engaging the U.S. Government in productive discussions to address certain provisions of the Compact of Free Association.