High-Ranking Navy Installations Expert To Keynote Guam-Centric Buildup Conference

High-Ranking Navy Installations Expert To Keynote Guam-Centric Buildup Conference

Written by Jeff Marchesseault, Guam News Factor Staff Writer
Monday, 16 November 2009 13:49

GUAM - Neither the President, the Vice President, the Secretary of Defense, nor Michelle Obama will make it to Guam for a Thursday-Friday conference focusing on the local perspective of the imminent $15 billion U.S. military buildup.

But someone from the Obama administration will keynote the two-day event at the Guam Legislature. And his expertise is probably just the right fit for an island that is concerned about the social and environmental impact of the buildup. Mr. Roger M. Natsuhara is Acting Assistant Secretary of the Navy for Installations and Environment. He's scheduled to give a 20-minute address on Friday and to entertain questions for 10 minutes afterwards.

Natsuhara recently met with Governor Camacho on island to discuss pressing buildup issues.

In July, Guam Senator and Buildup Committee Chair Judi Guthertz had invited the President to attend what will now be called The Military Buildup And Beyond: Hinasson Taotao Guahan (The Guam Perspective). In a statement to media she said, “If the President cannot attend, we ask that the Vice President attend and if he is unavailable we will ask the Secretary of Defense to come and if he cannot, we ask that the First Lady Michelle Obama attends.”

Guthertz and Federal, Foreign And Micronesian Affairs Chairman Senator Rory Respicio, re-invited the President when it was learned that he'd be attending the 17th Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in Singapore on November 14 and 15.

The massive military buildup project is due to start on Guam this coming summer/fall and is scheduled for an early 'completion' deadline of 2014, though additional buildup activity is expected at least until the end of the next decade.

Here is an official conference update from Guthertz' office:

The 2009 Island Conference On Public Administration

The Military Buildup And Beyond: Hinasson Taotao Guahan (The Guam Perspective)

(November 16, 2009 – Hågatña, Guam – In just a few more days, I Liheslaturan Guahan will open its doors to the 2009 Island Conference on Public Administration – "The Military Buildup and Beyond: Hinasson Taotao Guåhan (The Guam Perspective)," hosted by the Committee on the Guam Military Buildup and the Committee on Federal Affairs, in conjunction with the University of Guam School of Business and Public Administration.

The conference kicks-off this Thursday, November 19 at 8:30 AM and runs through Friday, November 20. Open registration begins daily at 7:30 A.M. To RSVP or pre-register please contact the co-hosting

Offices of Senator Judi P. Guthertz, DPA and Senator Rory J. Respicio at 472-5834/472-7679 or e-mail Stephanie Mendiola at sem@guamlegislature.org

This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

This conference will bring together representatives from all fields, inclusive of both the civilian, military and regional communities, to discuss the impact that the impending military buildup will have on the people of Guam and the surrounding region. As we know, thousands of U.S. Marines currently stationed in Okinawa, Japan will be relocated to Guam in just a few more years. Additionally, the two
existing bases will undergo extensive expansion. The aim of this event is to focus on how the everyday lives of our people will be impacted by this drastic undertaking.

"While this move is sure to bring benefits, the scope of this undertaking is enormous. As policymakers and representatives of the general public, it is our duty to ensure that our people know what to expect and what is coming," says Senator Guthertz.

Senator Respicio, "Many people have expressed concerns that the buildup may not be as beneficial for Guam and our region as it will be for the Department of Defense. Our conference will cultivate discussion on the everyday impacts on the lives of the people living outside the military's fences."

11/16/2009 ‐ 12:00 PM
The 2009 Island Conference on Public Administration
“The Military Buildup and Beyond: Hinasson Taotao Guåhan (The Guam Perspective)”

PROPOSED AGENDA

Thursday, November 19, 2009 • I Liheslaturan Guåhan, Hagåtña

7:30 AM Registration and Continental Breakfast
8:30 AM Conference Blessing
Traditional Chamorro Blessing
Fanohge Chamorro
National Anthem
Inifresi
8:45 AM Welcoming Remarks
The Honorable Rory J. Respicio, Acting Speaker, 30th Guam Legislature
The Honorable Felix P. Camacho, I Magalahen Guåhan
The Honorable Katherine A. Maraman, Acting Chief Justice, Supreme Court of Guam
9:00 AM Conference Opening
Remarks by Senator Judith P. Guthertz, DPA, Chairperson, Committee on the Guam Military Buildup
9:05 AM Keynote Address by Mr. Roger M. Natsuhara
Acting Assistant Secretary of the Navy, Installations and Environment
*Please Note: 10‐minute “Question & Answer” period to follow.
9:35 AM Morning Break
9:45 AM Panel 1: “Family & Community”

Moderated by Dr. Ronald L. McNinch‐Su, University of Guam
*Please Note: Presentations will be followed by a 20‐minute “Question & Answer” period.

Ms. Lourdes A. Leon Guerrero, Guam Memorial Hospital Authority Board of Trustees
“Public Health: Pro‐Active Approaches to Building and Adequate Health Care Sytem”

Ms. Cerila M. Rapadas, Executive Director, Catholic Social Services
“The Disadvantaged Community: Current Strains, Future Growth, Anticipated Challenges”

Mr. Leonardo M. Rapadas, Esq., US Attorney, Guam & the CNMI
“Protecting our Community Inside & Out”

Speaker Derick B. Hills, 27th Guam Youth Congress
“Youth Concerns & the Guam Military Buildup: Recommendations for Consideration”

Dr. Mary A.Y. Okada, President, Guam Community College
“Building a Competent Workforce”

12:00 PM “Luncheon Mixer” (Lunch provided)
1:00 PM Special Guest Presentation by The Honorable Emanuel Mori
President, Federated States of Micronesia
*Please Note: Presentation will be followed by a 10‐minute “Question & Answer” period.
1:30 PM Panel 2: “Natural Resources”
Moderated by Dr. Maria Claret M. Ruane, University of Guam
*Please Note: Presentation will be followed by a 20‐minute “Question & Answer” period.

Ms. Lorilee T. Crisostomo, Administrator, Guam Environmental Protection Agency
“Preparing for an Energy Efficient & Environmentally Friendly Future”

Mr. Christopher Duenas, Director, Guam Department of Land Managment
“Our Land: Protecting a Vital and Finite Resource”

Mr. Bernard Watson, Farmers Co‐operative Association of Guam
“Impacting Local Agriculture: Challenges and Opportunities”

Mr. Alberto “Tony” Lamorena V, Chairperson, Civilian‐Military Task Force Committee on Natural Resources

“Protecting our Natural Resources”
3:30 PM Closing Remarks by Senator Judith P. Guthertz, DPA
11/16/2009 ‐ 12:00 PM
The 2009 Island Conference on Public Administration
“The Military Buildup and Beyond: Hinasson Taotao Guåhan (The Guam Perspective)”

PROPOSED AGENDA

Friday, November 20, 2009 • I Liheslaturan Guåhan, Hagåtña
7:30 AM Registration and Continental Breakfast
8:30 AM Conference Opening
Remarks by Senator Rory J. Respicio, Chairperson, Committee on Federal Affairs
8:35 AM Keynote Address by Congresswoman Madeleine Z. Bordallo
9:00 AM Special Presentation by Mr. Jose U. Munoz
Department Chair, Criminal Justice & Social Science Program, Guam Community College
*Please Note: Presentation will be followed by a 10‐minute “Question & Answer” period.
9:30 AM Morning Break
9:45 AM Panel 2: “Public Services & Systems”
Moderated by Mr. Clifford A. Guzman, Galaide Group
*Please Note: Presentations will be followed by a 20‐minute “Question & Answer” period.
Frederick J. Horecky, Esq., Legal Counsel, Guam Public Utilities Commission
“Potential Impact of the Military Buildup on Utility Rates”
Mr. Lawrence J. Perez, Director, Guam Department of Public Works
“The Transformation of Transportation”
Mr. Joseph M. Diego, Area Director, USDA Rural Development, Western Pacific Region
“The Affordability and Availability of Housing”
Mr. Perry Taitano & Mr. Dan Tydingco, Judiciary of Guam
“Preparing for an Expanding Client Base”
Ms. Maria S. Connelley, Director, Guam Department of Labor
“Regional Transformation”
Dr. Maria Claret M. Ruane, Associate Professor of Economics & Finance, University of Guam
“Guam’s Economic Forecast”
12:00 PM “Luncheon Mixer” (Lunch provided)
1:00 PM Panel 3: “Federal‐Territorial Relations”
Moderated by Debbie Quinata
*Please Note: Presentations will be followed by a 20‐minute “Question & Answer” period.
Dr. Robert A. Underwood, President, University of Guam
“Lessons from the Past, Challenges of the Future: Guam’s Historic Experience with the US Military”
Senator Frank F. Blas, Jr.
on Compact‐Impact Reimbursements
Attorney General Alicia G. Limtiaco
“Legal Strategies for Enhancing Federal Relations”
Dr. Michael L. Bevacqua, University of Guam
“Protecting our Culture in the Midst of Change”
Senator vicente (ben) c. pangelinan
on Chamorro Self‐Determination
3:30 PM Closing Remarks by Senator Judith P. Guthertz