mr. moylan: thank you, mr. chairman. as i have been listening to my colleagues' questions during this hear, diversity and equality and inclusion seems to be a hot topic. however i'd like to take a moment and discuss if these efforts are properly targeted to accomplish their stated goals to create a more inclusive society or if this training does or does not serve a role in our nation's security. the question to all the witnesses, hypothetically if the average high school graduate in america did not know that alaska exists, or is part of the united states, could that problem have an impact on national security? >> sir, if i may work regards to your question, if our population didn't know that alaska exists, would that be a national security problem? mr. moylan: would that impact your national security? >> thing where alaska resides in the geographic location of our united states, it's significant. in its location. mr. moylan: thank you. >> i concur, sir. >> i concur, yes, sir. >> a similar question if the average high sch

mr. moylan, for five minutes. mr. moylan: thank you, mr. speaker. i also wanted to thank chair roger williams, the ranking member ngata velazquez on the committee on small business for allowing me to sit in on their hearing yesterday focused on the challenges that face rural small businesses. i would also like to thank congressman tanden dar for allowing me to the republican lead on his bill, h.r. 4661, also known as the one stop shop for small business licensing act of 2023. small businesses are vital to guam's economy and are the embodiment of american dream, entrepreneur shirt, guam's economy thrives thanks to the hard work, committed, dedicated, and resourceful small business owners. it is also not easy owning and run ago small business. and these expertise enterprises face issues that are not concerning to large corporations. a common issue is that i have heard about from small business owners from the chamber of commerce and witness panel in yesterday's hearings is the limited access to capital. this continues to be an increasingly difficult,

mr. moylan: madam speaker, i rise today to celebrate guam's liberation day. on july 21, 1944, following it 2 1/2 years -- follow 2-g 1/2 years of -- following 2 1/2 years of occupation, the united states service members landed on the southwest part of guam to liberate over 20,000 people from the imperial japanese military. on december 8, 1941, the feast of santa maria, guam's patron saint, the sounds of bombs dropping and planes flying overhead drowned out our otherwise quiet and isolated island. this day was the start of the occupation in guam. this period in guam's history was a treacherous one, but the people of the island persevered and displayed a great sense of resilience, patriotism and hope. guamans never failed to display these traits today and have been tested time and time again. from war to natural disasters, most recently super typhoon, which ravaged our community in may, guamians have always held these traits close to their hearts. these traits are unchangeable and have forged our island's culture of peace, harmony and to make good in the world.

mr. moylan: auntie irene advocated for the payments of world war ii reparations for decades and the fruits of her labor were reward when former president donald trump enacted legislation to ensure these reparations were fulfilled. during the month of our community celebrates guam's liberation. i would like to honor her for her years advocacy. thank you, auntie irene, and may god continue to bless you and your family. mr. chairman, i yield back. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman yields. for what purpose does the gentleman from virginia seek recognition? without objection, the gentleman is recognized for one minute. >> thank you, mr. speaker. i rise today to congratulate the northside high school women's softball team on winning a class 3 state championship. the program's first state title since 2010 and second win this history, beating the york falcons by 3-1, the vikings delivered strong performances needed to win. these talented athletes include bailey compton, mckenzie taylor, leila aguilar, sydney jordan, carlee austin. abby struck out 16 of the falcons players and walked one. the