V.I. Delegate Donna M. Christian-Christensen is gaining a better understanding of the culture and quality of life in the Pacific Territories as a member of a House Resources Committee 10-day delegation to the Pacific.
There are some very serious economic problems in American Samoa and a much lower standard of living, but the people are culturally strong," Christensen said in a release Thursday.
"Everyone seems happier and there is a lower rate of crime, drugs and teen pregnancy in comparison to other areas."
She said she found Guam "much more cosmopolitan, almost like Puerto Rico. The airport is very modern and houses several retail chain stores. The issues affecting Guam surround their land and their still-unresolved commonwealth status, but they are doing well economically."
Christensen also visited the War of the Pacific Memorial in Guam which is a National Park site. She sees the use of the land as a prototype for the Salt River National Historical Park and Ecological Preserve on St. Croix which was recently designated as a national park by the National Park Service.
The trip was designed to give committee members a look at the special issues of American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands and the Marshall Islands.
The delegate will return to Washington on Monday, her release said.