The Congressional Record is a unique source of public documentation. It started in 1873, documenting nearly all the major and minor policies being discussed and debated.
“KATRINA” mentioning the U.S. Dept of Labor was published in the Extensions of Remarks section on pages E2383-E2384 on Nov. 13, 1997.
The publication is reproduced in full below:
KATRINA
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HON. RALPH M. HALL
of texas
in the house of representatives
Thursday, November 13, 1997
Mr. HALL of Texas. Mr. Speaker, when I reviewed the remarks in the September 29, 1997, Congressional Record regarding a lady named
``Katrina,'' I immediately felt that Congressman Abercrombie had relied on an erroneous and misleading article published by the Reader's Digest some months ago. I have so advised him and he has certainly agreed to look at all the facts.
The Katrina described by a report from Robert B. Dunlap II, attorney general of the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands [CNMI], is one that I hope Congressman Abercrombie will examine. I have high professional, political, and personal admiration for Neil Abercrombie--
and I want him to have the full facts at his disposal.
The gentleman from Hawaii, Mr. Abercrombie, described a situation which was reported in the Reader's Digest article this past summer. In the report by CNMI Attorney General Dunlap in response to the allegations asserted by that article, General Dunlap writes, ``the article specifically stated that she was forced to dance in the nude. It is extremely important to note that the complainant had been dancing in the nude in a Manila nightclub for several years before she came to Saipan. Her entry to the Northern Marianas was a fraud as her passport and birth certificate were doctored.''
The CNMI Attorney General further asserted: ``The complainant filed a case with the CNMI Department of Labor. Since the CNMI does not have the authority or jurisdiction to prosecute violations of federal child labor laws, the CNMI Department of Labor addressed only her wage and hour complaints.'' Furthermore, the article alleges that she was forced to perform lewd sex acts with customers before a video camera. The attorney general's report further states ``In fact, the said tape was produced during her interview for the position--it was learned that the said tape was produced in the Philippines when she was applying for the said job in Saipan. During the interview with Katrina it was in fact learned that she wanted to do nude dancing, and her mother encouraged her to do so to support her family.''
The CNMI official report also stated: ``The allegation that one of the club owners worked for the CNMI government is untrue. It should be noted that all the club employees and its owners are Philippine citizens. The Northern Marianas could have filed charges against the owner, as well as have both owners and complainant charged with immigration fraud. The CNMI DoL did not take further action after having been informed by U.S. Government officials that they themselves would prosecute the owners under further child labor law.'' I am told that the CNMI government will file charges after the Federal case is completed depending on its outcome.
I intend to seek further information on matters as reported by the Reader's Digest author--and I would hope that a fair minded person like Congressman Abercrombie would accompany me early next year if, and when, we can both work a visit into our schedule--a visit that would not involve the expenditure of any American tax dollars. He has indicated that he will check his schedule and be open to full information.
I have high regard for the CNMI officials. Saipan, and the rest of the CNMI, are very important to the United States, and are very loyal to the United States and very strategic to the United States. We should support their entire leadership, and help them to address the problems set out in the Reader's Digest article. They are entitled to accurate and verified reporting--and a chance to correct any such tragedies as reflected by the ``Katrina'' story--true or untrue.
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