I
106TH CONGRESS
2D SESSION
H. R. 3999
To clarify the process for the adoption of local constitutional self-government
for the United States Virgin Islands and Guam, and for other purposes.
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
MARCH 16, 2000
Mr. YOUNG
of Alaska (for himself, Mrs. CHRISTENSEN, and Mr.
FALEOMAVAEGA) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the
Committee on Resources
A BILL
To clarify the process for the adoption of local constitutional
self-government for the United States Virgin Islands and
Guam, and for other purposes.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa-
tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ‘‘Virgin Islands and
Guam Constitutional Self-Government Act of 2000’’.
SEC. 2. FINDINGS.
Congress makes the following findings:
(1) Congress established a process in 1976 for
the United States territories of the Virgin Islands
and Guam to advance local self-government by the
adoption of constitutions through their respective in-
ternal political processes, pursuant to Public Law
94–584 (90 Stat. 2899), but did not require review
and approval of those constitutions by Congress.
(2) The Virgin Islands and Guam have not
adopted constitutions as authorized and therefore,
Congress has enacted amendments to the underlying
Federal laws establishing local territorial govern-
ment, the Revised Organic Act of the Virgin Islands,
approved by Congress on July 22, 1954 (68 Stat.
497), and the Organic Act of Guam, approved by
Congress on August 1, 1950 (64 Stat. 384), respec-
tively, in response to periodic petitions from the Vir-
gin Islands and Guam for various changes to the
three branches of government of those territories.
(3) Congress has been requested to amend the
existing Federal authorization for constitutional gov-
ernment (Public Law 94–584; 90 Stat. 2899), to as-
sure the people of the Virgin Islands and Guam that
adoption of a constitution would not preclude their
further right to self-determination.
(4) Review and approval by Congress of any
proposed 
constitution 
would 
ensure 
that 
the
constitution—
(A) is consistent with the sovereignty of
the United States in the Virgin Islands and
Guam, respectively, and the provisions of the
United States Constitution, treaties and laws
applicable to the Virgin Islands and Guam, re-
spectively;
(B) provides for a republican form of gov-
ernment, consisting of three branches (execu-
tive, legislative, and judicial);
(C) contains a bill of rights; and
(D) provides for the establishment of mu-
nicipal or county government as deemed appro-
priate to promote greater self-determination
and self-government for the demographically
distinct communities of the Virgin Islands and
Guam.
SEC. 3. CLARIFYING AMENDMENTS.
(a) CONGRESSIONAL
APPROVAL
OF
CONSTITU-
TION.—Section 5 of Public Law 94–584 (90 Stat. 2900)
is amended—
(1) by striking ‘‘The constitution, in each case’’
and all that follows through ‘‘unless prior to that
date’’ and inserting ‘‘After’’; and
(2) by striking ‘‘resolution. As so approved or
modified’’ and inserting ‘‘resolution’’.
(b) SELF-DETERMINATION NOT AFFECTED.—Public
Law 94–584 (90 Stat. 2899 et seq.) is amended by adding
at the end the following new section:
‘‘SEC. 6. Establishment of local constitutional self-
government pursuant to this Act shall not preclude or
prejudice the further exercise in the future by the people
of Guam or the Virgin Islands of the right of self-deter-
mination regarding the ultimate political status of either
such territory.’’.
Æ