University of Guam Launches ‘Buy Local’ Movement

THURSDAY, 20 OCTOBER 2011 00:55 BY GERALDINE CASTILLO | VARIETY NEWS STAFF

SEVERAL island dignitaries and community stakeholders gathered at Bernardo’s Dragonfruit Farm in Chalan Pågo yesterday to celebrate

the launch of the University of Guam’s “Buy Local” movement.

In an effort to generate a local Guam products movement, the UOG’s Pacific Center for Economic Initiatives (PCEI) launched its new marketing campaign to “Think, Support, and Buy Local,” an economic development strategy aimed at promoting awareness of the benefits of supporting Guam-based businesses and the hiring of local workers.

“It’s a decision to spend your money in a way that grows and strengthens our economy by keeping it in the community,” said Dr. Anita Borja Enriquez, PCEI director, of the initiative. “You make the decision to ‘Buy Local’ when you buy products that are sold locally instead of ordering them 100 percent from off-island; by hiring Guam residents first before off-island hires; and by using Guam-based businesses instead of ‘outsourcing work’ off-island. When you do this, you keep cash recycling within our economy and grow our tax base to support public health, education, roads and water infrastructure, parks, and others, instead of inadvertently losing (leaking) dollars off-island.”

The campaign was funded through initial support from the U.S. Department of Interior’s Office of Insular Affairs. Present at the launch ceremony was DOI’s Assistant Secretary for Insular Affairs Tony Babauta; and Delegate Madeleine Bordallo, who, along with the rest of the dignitaries, echoed the importance of supporting the “Buy Local” movement.

Green Revolution

Bordallo delivered a few remarks, commending the movement and recalling a similar “Green Revolution,” which her husband, former Governor Ricardo J. Bordallo, initiated. According to Bordallo, the “Green Revolution” urged all markets to purchase from local farmers.

Bordallo also encouraged everyone to promote the local culture by buying local.

UOG hopes this particular effort will create a shift of at least 10 percent of combined consumer and organizational spending on Guam to locally-supplied goods and services.

According to PCEI Marketing Coordinator Odyssa San Nicolas, the “Buy Local” movement has been going on for quite some time, but it wasn’t until UOG received support and funding from DOI that they were able to finally launch their marketing campaign.

“Overall I think the event went really well,” San Nicolas said. “We got a really good response from the Legislature, Tony Babauta, Congresswoman Bordallo, the Farmer’s Co-op, Fisherman’s Co-op, Guam Economic Development Authority, numerous small, private businesses, and just overall support from the community.”

Following the launch, San Nicolas said UOG will be working on numerous events and activities – including the launch of a media marketing campaign – to engage and educate the community on buying and hiring locally.

San Nicolas hopes the community will encourage the “Buy Local” movement and keep it going.

“Let’s keep our economy growing,” she said.

Cruz critical of Bordallo's role in buildup

Cruz critical of Bordallo's role in buildup

Posted: Jan 30, 2010 6:15 PM
by Michele Catahay

Guam - Things heated up during a town hall meeting hosted by Congresswoman Madeleine Bordallo this morning. Vice-Speaker B.J. Cruz questioned Bordallo's role in fighting for the people as it pertains to the military buildup.

Cruz says he isn't quite satisfied with the way Congresswoman Madeleine Bordallo has been handling the issues pertaining to the movement of U.S. Marines from Okinawa to Guam. During the hearing today, Cruz suggested to Bordallo to go back to the federal government to find out if the Draft environmental Impact Statement could be revised and resubmitted before it becomes a permanent document.

He said, "I said that since this DEIS is much larger than the original scope that was originally discussed, and I think it's fair. And I asked her if she could spearhead the move to ask the Secretary of Defense to change the NEPA process that is currently being discussed and take this as an initial Draft EIS, have them revise it and resubmit it to us again as a draft."

Cruz says he remains critical of Bordallo, saying not enough has been done on her part to protect the island's coral reefs. Bordallo is the chairperson of the Subcommittee on Insular Affairs and Oceans and Wildlife. Cruz says he finds it disheartening that Bordallo received an award for the protection of the reefs and corals last year, but isn't speaking out against the dredging in Apra Harbor.

"Her silence in not speaking out against the fact they were going to dredge out 39 acres of coral in Apra Harbor was deafening," he continued. "And in being literate and polite, I said it was deafening and when pointing and trying to find the next word, she said 'unconscionable', and that probably is the best word."

Bordallo is on Guam hosting her own town hall meetings to gather input from stakeholders on the relocation. She says she will be submitting her own comments to the Joint Guam Program Office. Although there are many issues in line with the buildup, Bordallo says one thing for sure is that she does not support the use of eminent domain to acquire property for the military.

Said the delegate, "If a private landowner wants to lease or sell their property, that is their right because it's their property and if they choose not to, that is also their right, and I will not support the military using eminent domain to acquire the property if the landowner is opposed to doing so."

As for the use of government lands, Bordallo says the governor and Legislature are the only ones who can decide whether to lease or sell government property.

In the meantime, Barrigada resident Juan Unpingco says he has been living on Guam all his life and would hate to see his family's land be taken away by the military, saying, "I'm in support of the military buildup, provided there is no land condemnation. I'm in favor of rescinding land of equitable value of leasing property to meet the needs of the military buildup."

Dededo resident Janet Aguon says it's unfair how Guam has no say in this buildup. She says although she fought for the county in two wars, Aguon believes the buildup is not in the best interest of the people of Guam. "I'm truly sick and tired of the United States of America and the Department of Defense treating the people of Guam as if they were trash. So my message to President (Barack) Obama, the DoD, the Secretary of the Navy: take the military and put them in your own country and not on our tiny little island."

Two more hearings are scheduled tomorrow. One will be held at the Agat Community Center from 2-4pm. The other will be held at the Our Lady of Assumption Church Social Hall in Piti from 5-7pm.

PNC :: Bordallo Meets with Interior Secretary Salazar

PNC :: Bordallo Meets with Interior Secretary Salazar

Thursday, 28 January 2010

Guam - In Washington Wednesday, Congresswoman Madeleine Bordallo met with Interior Secretary Ken Salazar and his Assistant Secretary Deputy for Insular Affairs, Tony Babauta.

The meeting took place on the sidelines of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus (CAPAC).

Secretary Salazar was invited by members of the caucus to present him with priorities important to their districts and the Asian American and Pacific Islander community. Also in attendance at today’s meeting was the Honorable Tony Babauta, Assistant Secretary of Insular Areas at the U.S. Department of the Interior.

“During today’s meeting with Secretary Salazar, I thanked him for his support in the inclusion of H.R. 44 in last year’s discussion of the National Defense Authorization Act for 2010,” Congresswoman Madeleine Z. Bordallo said today. “Secretary Salazar reiterated the Obama Administration’s support in resolving the issue of Guam War Claims this year. I also expressed the importance of the Department of the Interior in addressing civilian infrastructure issues on Guam in preparation of the military buildup and the expected increase in population.

"Secretary Salazar shared my concerns and assured me that these issues are being heard by senior officials within the Administration, and he would work towards securing federal support for civilian infrastructure funding. I also raised the issue of Compact-Impact reimbursement for Guam to the Secretary. He informed me that he was aware of the issue and has offered to work with Guam, through Assistant Secretary Babauta, on addressing this issue.”

Written by : News Release

PNC :: Guam & Territorial Issues In Focus At National AG Meeting

PNC :: Guam & Territorial Issues In Focus At National AG Meeting

Tuesday, 29 December 2009

Guam - Multiple issues that affect the U.S. territories in the Pacific region were addressed by Attorney General Alicia Limtiaco,

Assistant Secretary Anthony Babauta, U.S. Department of Interior, Office of Insular Affairs, and UOG President Dr. Robert A. Underwood during a recent national meeting held by the National Association of Attorneys General (NAAG).

The Plenary Session titled “Issues Facing the United States Territories – Their Unique Status” was chaired by Attorney General Limtiaco and included, in addition to Babauta and Underwood, U.S. Virgin Islands Attorney General Vincent Frazer, and Peter Hiebert, Legal Counsel, U.S. Virgin Islands Government.

The meeting marked the first time in NAAG’s history that a panel on Pacific Island issues was included in a NAAG national meeting. It was made possible after a request was made by Attorney General Limtiaco to NAAG and the Planning Committee of the 2009 Winter Meeting.

Assisting Attorney General Limtiaco in the planning and organization of the panel discussion were U.S. Virgin Islands Attorney General Vincent Frazer and American Samoa Attorney General Fepulea’i Afa (Arthur) Ripley, Jr.

“The issues that Assistant Secretary Babauta, Dr. Underwood and I, along with General Frazer and Attorney Hiebert, discussed will go a long way in helping other jurisdictions better understand the unique status of Guam and other Pacific Island territories and the issues that affect them,” Attorney General Limtiaco said.

Some of the issues that were discussed by the panel included national security, the impact of the military buildup in Guam, island resources and infrastructures, the economy, trade, labor, and immigration.

The meeting served as a venue to provide information and insight to Attorney General members of NAAG on key issues that impact Pacific Island territories, which may differ from or have no application to the states.

The participation of Assistant Secretary Babauta, via video, and Dr. Underwood, via teleconference, provided other Attorneys General from all over the United States with a comprehensive overview of the challenges Guam faces in different areas, Attorney General Limtiaco said.

Assistant Secretary Babauta also spoke about matters relative to all U.S. possessions in the Pacific region, which are under the purview of the Department of Interior’s Office of Insular Affairs.

“I believe that it is through this networking and comprehension of each jurisdiction’s legal and socio-economic-related concerns that progress will continue to be made in the various areas that were discussed,” Attorney General Limtiaco said.

The National Association of Attorneys General is comprised of the Attorneys General of all 50 states, the District of Columbia, the territories of Guam, American Samoa and the Virgin Islands, and the commonwealths of the Northern Mariana Islands and Puerto Rico.

Part of NAAG’s mission is to improve the quality of legal services provided to the states and territories, as well as to facilitate communication between the states’ chief legal officers and all levels of government.

Attorney General Limtiaco is a co-chair of the NAAG Criminal Law and Youth Access to Alcohol and Drugs Committees.

AG Dr Underwood: Guam Attorney General Alicia Limtiaco, standing, and Attorneys General from various states listen to UOG President Dr. Robert Underwood via teleconference during the National Association of Attorneys General 2009 Winter Meeting. Underwood's powerpoint presentation is seen on the screen at right. The meeting marked the first time that issues affecting Guam and other pacific islands were included in the national meetings.

NAAG Winter Meeting: Guam Attorney General Alicia Limtiaco, right, Virgin Islands Attorney General Vincent Frazer, middle, and Peter Hiebert, Legal Counsel, U.S. Virgin Islands, listen as Assistant Secretary Anthony Babauta, U.S. Department of Interior, Office of Insular Affairs, speaks via video during the National Association of Attorneys General 2009 Winter Meeting. Babauta, along with UOG President Dr. Robert Underwood, were members of the "Issues Facing the United States Territories - Their Unique Status" panel, which General Limtiaco chaired. It was the first time that issues affecting pacific islands were included in the national meetings.

Written by : News Release

SEDC praises CNMI planning guide for Guam's buildup

SEDC praises CNMI planning guide for Guam's buildup

Local
Thursday, November 19, 2009

The CNMI Strategic Economic Development Council recently received a final copy of the CNMI's Planning Document titled, “A Strategic Approach: Utilizing CNMI's Natural Resources to Provide Complementary Support to DoD,” prepared by Project Management Operations, LLC and paid for through the Office of Insular Affairs.

The report was prepared at the recommendation of former Assistant Secretary of the Navy, BJ Penn, in his visit with the Governor's Strategic Economic Development Council. While the SEDC requested the grant funding, the CNMI Department of Commerce was responsible for administration of the grant and oversight of the contracted work.

The planning document was paid for through a technical assistance grant from OIA and was awarded to the Colorado-based company. Project Management Operations provided access to a military planner who was familiar with Defense requirements, particularly in areas of Base Realignment and Closures.

“I took the recommendation of the Secretary Penn and advised our SEDC to ensure that we develop a marketing plan, which highlights specific uses of the CNMI's human resources, infrastructure, and natural resources,” said Gov. Benigno R. Fitial. “I required the solicitation of the public in the final submission of the report and asked that various dynamics were taken into consideration in the development of the plan. This planning document is a good starting point for meaningful discussions with our partners in Guam and in the Department of Defense about the realistic uses of the CNMI in the much anticipated military buildup.”

“The report defines exactly what Governor Fitial directed the SEDC to develop. It provides us with insight as to what the Department of Defenses' requirements would be along with the potential uses for the CNMI in an effort to fill those needs,” said SEDC chair Bob Jones.

“The primary purpose of the report was to provide the CNMI with direction on what we realistically could provide the Department of Defense with in terms of resources. We knew that we would have a tough time competing with Guam, so we took the approach that we should try to support Guam for areas of DoD needs which provided a natural fit with our resources,” said Commerce Secretary Michael Ada.

The document was highlighted in yesterday's Military Symposium and has been shared with various Defense agencies, all of whom have expressed the value of having such a document.

“The CNMI has been working quietly on its approach to the military buildup in a way that builds partnership with our neighbors in Guam and the Department of Defense. We have been working with the Office of Economic Adjustment, under DoD, as well as various officials from Naval Facilities, and the Joint Guam Program Office,” said Ada.

The report provides the CNMI with “Talking Points” that speak directly to known defense needs.

“This dynamic allows the CNMI to begin the dialogue with the Department of Defense on their specific needs and how we can service those detailed needs,” said Jones.

“I am extremely pleased at the effort of the SEDC to heed the recommendation of former Assistant Secretary Penn. This planning document is the first CNMI produced document that speaks directly to the military buildup. While much has been said about what is going to happen, we took the approach of providing solutions to the needs of the Department of Defense,” said Fitial. (PR)

NMI takes part in workshop to develop islands' GDP

NMI takes part in workshop to develop islands' GDP

Monday, November 16, 2009

WAIKIKI, Hawaii-A team of CNMI government officials from the Department of Commerce and the Department of Finance, along with representatives from American Samoa, Freely Associated States, Guam, and the U.S. Virgin Islands participated in a weeklong session with officials from the Bureau of Economic Analysis, the U.S. Census Bureau and the Office of Insular Affairs in Honolulu, Hawaii.

The participants were welcomed by Nikolao Pula, director of the Office of Insular Affairs, who stressed the importance of the gathering.

The session was aimed at the collection of data required for the development of the island areas' Gross Domestic Product. The GDP is a measurement of the economic health used to determine the direction of change of an economic jurisdiction within a specified period of time.

“Without a GDP measure, it becomes very difficult to quantify the direction of the economy. It is common for people to generalize that the economy is in bad shape, but no one can quantify to what extent. This measure is important as it provides data on which way our economy is moving and to what extent the change is year-over-year,” said CNMI Commerce Secretary Michael Ada.

The National Income and Products Accounts are accounts developed and used by the Bureau of Economic Analysis to develop the final results of the National GDP, as they are one of the primary sources of data on economic activity in the nation. All of the insular areas have gone without a GDP measure to date; however, efforts have been ongoing since early 2005 to develop such a measure. Due to the small size and economic anomalies that exist within the island areas, it has been difficult to utilize the national GDP measures and apply them to the island areas.

“This session was very helpful as it allowed the island governments to understand what data is important for the BEA to collect in order to arrive at the GDP's for each of the jurisdictions. We were able to provide wage data, sales revenues, and other economic data to aid the BEA in their analysis and calculations,” said Marie Muña, of the Electronic Data Processing Division of the CNMI Department of Finance.

The CNMI was required to make a presentation that discussed the data from the CNMI's audited financial statements, wage data, and gross receipts data. The CNMI team was required to address several questions from federal officials with regards to CNMI relevant data.

“We answered questions and provided information relevant to Private Consumption Expenditures, Income data, and Governmental Expenditures. We were able to ask questions and listen to detailed analysis from BEA economists, as well as answer many of their questions as to operations and finances within the CNMI,” said Vivian Nogis from the Division of Customs Service.

The Office of Insular Affairs provided the CNMI with a technical assistance grant to cover the cost to send four CNMI officials to Honolulu, Hawaii for the event. According to Canice Diaz of the Division of Revenue and Taxation, all islands were appreciative of the OIA for its support of this effort.

“It was beneficial to work alongside the other insular areas to understand the commonalities and differences within the areas. It was also helpful to speak directly with the people who are working to assist the islands in developing their GDP,” said Diaz. (PR)

Guam Delegate Introduces Self-Determination Bill

Guam Delegate Introduces Self-Determination Bill

OPENING STATEMENT
HON. MADELEINE Z. BORDALLO
SUBCOMMITTEE ON INSULAR AFFAIRS, OCEANS AND WILDLIFE LEGISLATIVE HEARING
ON H.R. 3940

Thursday, November 5, 2009

Today, we convene to discuss an issue of great importance to the people of Guam and to the jurisdiction of the Committee on Natural Resources: that of appropriately enabling the Executive Branch to help resolve the question of Guam’s political status in a manner that would be consistent with the aspirations of the people of Guam.

The “territorial clause” in Article Four of the United States Constitution vests with the Congress the power to dispose of and make all needful rules and regulations respecting the territories of the United States. Recommendations as to the exercise of such plenary authority by the Congress rest with this Committee.

As a member of the United Nations, the United States also assumes by virtue of Article 73 of the United Nations Charter the international obligation to develop self-government and to take due account of the political aspirations of the people of her territories.

Mindful of these responsibilities we resume today a discussion that involves the political history and future of Guam.

The people of Guam call home an island that now has been under the United States Flag as an unincorporated territory for over 111 years. Guam, like her sister territory Puerto Rico, was ceded to the United States from Spain upon the signing of the Treaty of Paris settling the Spanish-American War in 1898.

For the first 45 years of United States rule, the Department of the Navy administered Guam. Shortly after United States Armed Forces returned to regain control of Guam ending a 32-month occupation by Imperial Japan during the Second World War, administrative authority for the territory was transferred to the Department of the Interior where it remains today.

In 1950, Congress also passed the Organic Act of Guam conferring United States citizenship on the people of Guam and providing the territory with a limited form of self-government. It is under the Organic Act that the Secretary of the Interior exercises his administrative authority for Guam.

Today, Guam, like American Samoa and the United States Virgin Islands, is listed by the United Nations as a non-self-governing territory, and its political status remains a matter for Congress to address.

After over a decade of earnest and diligent effort toward defining a new political relationship between Guam and the United States that gained the attention of the Executive Branch and that took the form of legislation introduced in the 100th through the 105th Congresses, the political aspirations of the people of Guam for such status were never realized. As a result, a plebiscite affording the people of Guam an opportunity to express their views on status was authorized by local law but remains unscheduled.

I introduced H.R. 3940 for the purposes of best positioning the Department of the Interior to help the Government of Guam in its process of preparing for such a plebiscite. H.R. 3940 would authorize the extension of grants and other forms of assistance by the Department of the Interior to the Government of Guam for the express purpose of facilitating a public education program regarding various political status options.

The education of the public as to viable status options is essential to the exercise of self-determination and to the expression of a people’s political aspirations. My bill is not meant to steer the course in one direction over another with regard to any particular status option nor is it meant to assert direct Congressional involvement in this process. Ultimately, Congress should remain ready and obligated to respond to the desires of the people of Guam on the question of status.

I remain committed to and ask my colleagues to join me in supporting the efforts of the Governor of Guam and the Guam Legislature in providing for an opportunity for the people of Guam to express their desired political status. Through the testimony and discussion today we can gauge where the Government of Guam is in this process and assess the views of the Administration as to the role it believes is appropriate for it to assume in this process and for which it may be capable of fulfilling.

Lastly, I thank my colleagues representing each of the other territories for cosponsoring H.R. 3940. Mrs. Christensen of the Virgin Islands has already requested my support for amending this bill, should it move forward in the legislative process, to also authorize such assistance for the Government of the Virgin Islands.

Following this hearing, we shall continue our efforts with respect to this subject area and evaluate amending H.R. 3940 to encompass the other non-self-governing territories based on our discussion today. With that, we look forward to hearing and reviewing the testimony that will be formally submitted today.

Political status education program in House bill

Political status education program in House bill

By Dionesis Tamondong • Pacific Daily News • November 7, 2009

Guam's political status will likely be decided by a new generation of Guamanians, and they need to be educated about their options, Guam's governor and legislative speaker said in support of a House bill that would extend federal assistance to Guam for a political status education program.

The House Subcommittee on Insular Affairs, Oceans and Wildlife held a hearing yesterday in Washington, D.C., on H.R. 3940. The measure, by Guam Delegate Madeleine Bordallo, authorizes the U.S. Department of the Interior secretary to extend grants and other assistance to facilitate a public education program on Guam's political status. Other forms of assistance include research, planning assistance, studies and agreements with federal agencies.

Gov. Felix Camacho testified at the hearing, saying the measure is a good start in allowing Guam's electorate to make an educated decision on their political identity.

"For the record, I believe that the people of Guam will choose a political relationship that brings Guam closer to the United States, and maybe one day, our brothers and sisters throughout the Marianas," according to Camacho's written testimony.

Speaker Judith Won Pat, in her testimony submitted to the committee, said she was concerned the bill didn't have an appropriation to carry out the mandates of the bill. She suggested a direct appropriation from Congress to the Interior Department be included.

Won Pat also urged quick passage of the bill in light of the population boom expected from the military buildup.

"This (buildup) will ultimately dilute even further the pool of eligible indigenous voters, leaving the native inhabitants, the Chamorros, a minority in their own homeland and thus, denying the Chamorros the opportunity to truly voice their political desire," she wrote.

Guam remains under the 1950 Organic Act model of territorial administration, with limited local powers of self-government over the civil affairs of the territory. Efforts to pursue greater self-government and a permanent political status have failed.

Guam Delegate to the US Congress Asks US to Fund Political Status Education

Guam Delegate to the US Congress Asks US to Fund Political Status Education

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – November 2, 2009 – Washington, D.C.

Congresswoman Madeleine Z. Bordallo, Chairwoman of the Subcommittee on Insular Affairs, Oceans, and Wildlife, on Tuesday, October 27, 2009, introduced H.R. 3940, a bill that would authorize the Secretary of the Interior to extend grants and other assistance to facilitate a political status public education program on Guam.

A hearing on this bill has been set for Thursday, November 5, 2009 in the Subcommittee on Insular Affairs, Oceans, and Wildlife. Governor Felix Camacho, Assistant Secretary of Interior Tony Babauta, and Speaker Judith Won Pat have been invited to participate in this hearing. Other interested parties who would like to submit testimony that will be included in the record should submit their testimony to the Congresswoman’s District Office by Thursday, November 12, 2009.

“This bill reaffirms the federal government’s responsibility of advancing the political development of the U.S. territories,” Congresswoman Madeleine Z. Bordallo said today.

“H.R. 3940 clarifies that the U.S. Department of the Interior is authorized to provide funding in support of a comprehensive political status education program for the territories, including Guam.

This bill helps to address political development by providing federal assistance for a political status education program that could be part of a self-determination effort.

I look forward to hearing from the witnesses at the hearing for H.R. 3940, and I will continue to work with my colleagues on this issue.”

The text of the bill is below:

111th CONGRESS
1st Session

H. R. 3940

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
October 27, 2009

Ms. BORDALLO introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Natural Resources

A BILL

To authorize the Secretary of the Interior to extend grants and other assistance to facilitate a political status public education program for the people of Guam.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. SENSE OF CONGRESS.

Congress reaffirms that it is the responsibility of the Secretary of the Interior to advance the economic, social, and political development of the Territories of the United States.

SEC. 2. ASSISTANCE FOR POLITICAL STATUS PUBLIC EDUCATION PROGRAM.

The Secretary of the Interior may, in exercise of the administrative authority granted under section 3 of the Organic Act of Guam (48 U.S.C. 1421a), extend to the Government of Guam and its agencies and instrumentalities assistance, including assistance in the form of grants, research, planning assistance, studies, and agreements with Federal agencies, to facilitate a public education program regarding political status options for the Territory of Guam.

Bordallo Introduces Political Status Education Bill for Guam

Bordallo Introduces Political Status Education Bill for Guam

Guam - Congresswoman Madeleine Bordallo, Chairwoman of the Subcommittee on Insular Affairs, Oceans, and Wildlife, on Tuesday, October 27, 2009, introduced H.R. 3940, a bill that would authorize the Secretary of the Interior to extend grants and other assistance to facilitate a political status public education program on Guam.



A hearing on this bill has been set for Thursday, November 5, 2009 in the Subcommittee on Insular Affairs, Oceans, and Wildlife. Governor Felix Camacho, Assistant Secretary of Interior Tony Babauta, and Speaker Judith Won Pat have been invited to participate in this hearing.

Other interested parties who would like to submit testimony that will be included in the record should submit their testimony to the Congresswoman’s District Office by Thursday, November 12, 2009.

“This bill reaffirms the federal government’s responsibility of advancing the political development of the U.S. territories,” Congresswoman Madeleine Z. Bordallo said today. “H.R. 3940 clarifies that the U.S. Department of the Interior is authorized to provide funding in support of a comprehensive political status education program for the territories, including Guam. This bill helps to address political development by providing federal assistance for a political status education program that could be part of a self-determination effort. I look forward to hearing from the witnesses at the hearing for H.R. 3940, and I will continue to work with my colleagues on this issue.”

Legislature denied funds to analyze EIS

Legislature denied funds to analyze EIS

Tuesday, 20 October 2009 04:24
by Theresa Hart | Variety News Staff

THE Department of Interior has turned down an emergency request from the Guam Legislature to pay for expert analysis of the voluminous and highly-secretive Environmental Impact Statement draft presented two weeks ago to the body by the Joint Guam Project Office.

In seeking technical assistance for the more than 8,000 page draft document which the legislature was not permitted to review or provide feedback on, Sen. Judi Guthertz asked Interior Secretary Tony Babauta to assist Guam in a review of the EIS via a grant.

Babauta’s response was that federal regulations prohibit Office of Insular Affairs from using grant funds for salaries and other expenses of state legislatures, tribal councils or similar local governmental bodies…whether incurred for purposes of legislation or executive direction. Consequently, we cannot provide the requested funding,” said Babauta in his letter to Guthertz.

Meanwhile, according to Guthertz, the governor’s office has hired a consulting firm to review the draft statement.

“Given the magnitude and complexity of the military build-up program, the Office of the Governor has retained a team of firms that specialize in developing the plans, policies and implementation actions needed to support Guam's efforts associated with the military buildup,” according to a statement appearing on the recently launched oneguam.com website.

The governor’s office listed among advisors, the group responsible for overseeing the development of the EIS for the military, Matrix Design Group as well as Navigant Consulting and M2D2, the firm hired to do the Port Authority of Guam community outreach program and web portal.

Guthertz further contends some Washington D.C. officials involved in the military buildup are taking advantage of divisions within the government of Guam to deny the public information that is vital, if Guam residents are to fully understand the impact of the $15 billion buildup.

“In fact, I believe that some of our Washington visitors have already witnessed the local divisions over the buildup and are now taking advantage of us,” said the lawmaker.

The divisions and the secrecy of some parties, are not helping the interests of the people of Guam, imputed Guthertz.

Guthertz held an oversight hearing last week to address the issues surrounding the pending military realignment of troops from Okinawa to Guam. But, administration officials either dodged the hearing or refused to disclose what they knew about the draft report under threat of federal penalties because of non-disclosure forms they signed in order to review the military planning documents.

Guam Buildup Scorecard - DOD: $734M; Community: $0

Guam Buildup Scorecard - DOD: $734M; Community: $0

Written by Jeff Marchesseault, Guam News Factor Staff Writer
Friday, 09 October 2009 06:05

Civilian Development Noticeably Absent From Massive List Of Guam Buildup Projects

By Jeff Marchesseault

GUAM - Sorely needed civilian-side development projects are noticeably absent from a $734 million list of Guam military buildup projects released to media yesterday.

The project rundown was issued in a news release from the Washington, D.C. Office of Guam Congresswoman Madeleine Bordallo. The local buildup projects are part of the approximate $700 billion FY2010 Defense Authorization Act agreed to by a joint conference committe of House and Senate leaders yesterday.

The installation construction plan may come as welcome relief for anyone who ever hoped that the $15 billion, multi-year buildup would get off the ground with the necessary funding to kickstart first-year development in time to meet a stated 2014 deadline.

But it also flies in the face of anyone else who may have recognized the federal government's consistent lack of focus on, or monetary commitment to, Guam's civilian needs relative to the buildup. Absorbing the impact of 8,000 marines, their 17,000 dependents, up to 20,000 federal construction workers, their families, plus anyone and everyone else gravitating to Guam in search of opportunity in a freshly cash-infused economy is a tall order for Guam's strained and dilapidated infrastructure and utilities -- much less for the island's already underfunded public services and social programs.

Fortunately, local senator and Guam Buildup Committee Chair Judi Guthertz has just as consistently directed attention to the island's unpreparedness for the buildup

On August 12th, Guthertz confronted Members of a Congressional Delegation (CODEL) at a hotel luncheon during their visit to Guam.

As Guam News Factor then reported:

Among other issues, the lawmaker expressed that an Omnibus Appropriation measure would be most appropriate to address the needs of the civilian community and assist in preparing the island's island-wide infrastructure system. Sen. Guthertz told the CODEL that piece-meal legislation which parcels out small appropriations over a long period of time will not answer the needs that will appear immediately during the course of the buildup.

Sen. Guthertz expressed, "It is also not just or sufficient to require Guam to compete with the 50 states and the other territories for grants and loans for the above listed projects as if they are not absolutely necessary for a successful buildup."

However, on that same day, Congresswoman Bordallo, the CODEL host, disagreed with Guthertz' assessment. Here is what Guam News Factor reported in our August 12th CODEL analysis:

When asked whether her subcommittee would recommend the omnibus funding legislation now being called for by Guam Senator Judi Guthertz to help ensure adequate funding for a long list of projects related to the civilian-side of the buildup, Bordallo said she preferred piecemeal legislation. And she expressed confidence that all necessary funding would be identified and committed in due course.

Bordallo chairs the Insular Affairs, Oceans and Wildlife Subcommittee under Natural Resources Chairman Nick Rahall, D-West Virginia, in the U.S. House of Representatives.

Minutes prior to Bordallo's stated preference for piecemeal legislation for Guam's civilian needs, Rahall had just told Guam News Factor that he would support Bordallo's funding recommendations, whatever they might be.

And at an afternoon news conference later that day, most Members of the CODEL supported Bordallo's assessment, stating that an omnibus appropriation for the buildup would be too difficult to pass through Congress, given budgetary constraints and the large number of committees involved.

At this juncture, Guam's call for adequate funding for municipal, civilian-side development that keeps up with the rapidly paced base-side buildup has gone unanswered.

Here is the Bordallo news release on the Department of Defense's Guam projects now supported by funding in the joint conference committee's Defense Authorization Act of 2010:

(*Note, this Defense-spending bill will now be sent to both Houses of Congress for final debate and voting, then to the President's desk for signature or veto.)

Conference Report Finalized On National Defense Authorization Act For Fiscal Year 2010

Bill Continues Rigorous Oversight Of Guam Military Buildup

October 7, 2009 - Washington, D.C. - Congresswoman Madeleine Z. Bordallo today announced that the final conference report for H.R. 2647, the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2010 (FY10 NDAA), was signed by conferees this morning. The conference report has now been referred to the House Committee on Rules and will subsequently be debated and voted on by the full House of Representatives on Thursday afternoon. The House of Representatives is expected to pass the legislation. The conference report will then be sent to the Senate for their consideration and vote. No date has been set for the Senate's consideration of the bill. After Senate passage, the bill will be sent to President Obama for his signature.

H.R. 2647 authorizes spending and sets policy for the Department of Defense for fiscal year 2010. H.R. 2647 would also provide the Department of Defense with $550.2 billion in budget authority while authorizing $130 billion to support defense operations overseas. Servicemembers will receive a 3.4% increase in their pay, a 0.5% increase over the President's Budget. Moreover, the FY10 NDAA provides for significant military construction funding for Guam in support of the Guam International Agreement.

"The Congress is clear in its support for the military build-up on Guam," Congresswoman Madeleine Z. Bordallo said today. "The final conference committee report has significant funding commitments for military construction on Guam. More importantly, I worked closely with Committee leadership including Chairman Solomon Ortiz of Texas and with Congressman Neil Abercrombie of Hawaii to find a compromise on the matter of Davis-Bacon and limits on H-2 workers on Guam. We will not extend Hawaii's Davis-Bacon wages to Guam but we do have a provision that requires contractors to be diligent and ensure that reasonable efforts are taken to hire U.S. workers. The conference committee also adopted protections against worker abuses and enhanced reporting requirements on workforce issues."

"The defense bill also continues the commitment of this Congress to properly ensure that our servicemembers in harms way have the equipment and access to training that makes them so capable," added Congresswoman Bordallo. "We also continue to honor our commitment to the Reserve Components through substantial funding of the National Guard & Reserve Equipment Account. I supported, and the Congress authorized, the authorization for several programs important to the National Guard including the State Partnership Program and increase in the federal cost share for the Youth ChalleNGe program. These provisions demonstrate Congress's understanding of the important contributions of our citizen soldiers and airmen."

A table of the President's requests and a summary of Congresswoman Bordallo's requested and supported provisions included in the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2010 are listed below.

Codifies the charter of the Guam Executive Council within the Department of Defense and makes the Deputy Secretary of Defense the lead agent from the Department of Defense for coordination of all interagency efforts;

Establishes an Interagency Group of Inspectors General to conduct and supervise audits and investigations regarding programs and operations related to the military build-up on Guam;

Extends Davis-Bacon wage protections to all military construction projects on Guam and requires the U.S. Department of Labor to conduct yearly wage surveys on Guam during the period of major construction for the military build-up. The provision does not tie Davis-Bacon wages rates on Guam to those set for Hawaii;

Requires contractors performing work on military construction projects on Guam to develop a recruitment plan that is submitted to the U.S. Department of Labor that details their efforts to hire local and other U.S. citizens and nationals. It also requires that the contractors submit a follow-up report that details why any U.S. citizen or national was not hired for a specific project. Finally, it also maintains the Governor of Guam's ability to certify the need for H-2B workers but he must submit an additional certification to the Secretary of Defense for military construction projects only;

Prohibits any inpatient fee increases for TRICARE beneficiaries for fiscal year 2010 and was added in response to recent Department of Defense announcement that it was increasing the inpatient co-pay by 20% for retirees on TRICARE Standard;

Parity for federal employees in Alaska, Hawaii and the U.S. territories by phasing out cost of living allowances and phase in locality comparability pay in place of the allowances. In particular, the language protects wages for federal employees on Guam;

Funds the procurement of 8 Joint Cargo Aircraft (JCA) for Fiscal Year 2010;

Requires the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to report on alcohol and liquor procurement policy for resale at commissaries and exchanges on Guam;

Suspends A-76 studies for three years until the Administration reviews the process and reports back to Congress;

Reauthorizes the Sikes Act for an additional five years from 2009 through 2013 which provides for cooperation by the Departments of the Interior and Defense with local agencies in planning, developing and maintaining fish and wildlife resources on military reservations throughout the United States (this provision also extends a requirement that DoD manage for invasive species on its installations on Guam);

Increases DoD funding support from 60% to 75% for the National Guard Youth ChalleNGe Program and allows the states and territories to include in-kind, non-cash support as part of the statutorily mandated State share of the cost of operating the program;

Requires the Secretary of the Army to report to Congress on the feasibility of establishing an Army National Guard Trainees, Transients, Holdees, and Students (TTHS) account;

Adds $600 million to the National Guard and Reserve Equipment Account and a total of $6.9 billion in National Guard and Reserve equipment for Fiscal Year 2010;

Requires a report on the implementation guidance for Special Purpose Entities (SPE) and also requires that all construction of facilities be done in accordance with U.S. building standards;

Requires the Secretary of Defense to report to Congress Grants the Office of Economic Adjustment (OEA) with the authority to assist local communities with public infrastructure improvements;

Authorizes the Secretary of Defense to use Department of Defense funds to pay costs associated with the National Guard's State Partnership Program and requires the Department of Defense to prescribe regulations governing the expenditure of future funding for this program;

MILITARY CONSTRUCTION - The Conference committee fully authorized several projects on Guam and incrementally funded them for fiscal year 2010. Fully authorizing the projects allows each respective service to issue a contract for the total cost of the project and begin construction incrementally. Projects that were fully authorized were the new Navy Hospital at $446 million; Apra Harbor Wharf Improvements at $167 million; Andersen AFB North Ramp infrastructure improvements at $183 million and Andersen AFB North Ramp utility improvements at $101 million.

Fiscal Year 2010 Military Construction Authorizations, including branch of service, project, and cost:

Air Force
Andersen AFB - Commando Warrior Operations Facility
$4,200,000

Air Force
Andersen AFB - Northwest Field Perimeter Fence and Road
$4,752,000

Air Force
Andersen AFB - Northwest Field Combat Support Vehicle Maintenance Facility
$15,500,000

Air Force
Andersen AFB - Electrical Infrastructure Hardening
$33,750,000

Defense Logistics Agency
Agana Naval Air Station - Gas Storage Facility
$4,900,000

Army National Guard
Barrigada Readiness Center
$30,000,000

Navy
Marine Aviation - AAFB North Ramp Improvements Phase 1
$88,797,000

Navy
Marine Aviation - AAFB North Ramp Utilities Phase 1
$21,500,000

Navy
Apra Harbor Wharves Improvement Phase 1
$127,033,000

Navy
Consolidated Training Facility
$45,309,000

Navy
Defense Access Road Improvements
$48,860,000

Navy
Military Working Dog Relocation
$14,000,000

Navy
Torpedo Exercise Support Building
$15,627,000

Navy Family Housing - Replace N. Tipalao Phase 3
$20,730,000

Defense Health Programs
Hospital Replacement Phase 1
$259,196,000

Grand Total: $734,154,000

Guam Leaders and Feds Discuss Compact Impact

Guam, feds discuss Compact impact
By Clynt Ridgell
Published Aug 28, 2009
KUAM News

The subject of Compact impact dominated discussions this morning between lawmakers and a delegation from Washington. Allan Stayman and Isaac Edwards, who are staffers with the U.S. Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources along with Wendy Fink and Steve Sander from the Office of Insular Affairs are on island meeting with local elected leaders.

Speaker Judi Won Pat said, "The focus of our topic this morning was exactly that - the compact impact and a suggestion was actually made by Senator [Ben] Pangelinan and Senator BJ Cruz, that when Congress agreed to look at the war reparations, they actually created then a Commission and we were suggesting they need to do the exact same thing so they can bring in the major players Guam, Hawaii, the CNMI, and the other major players who are claiming that they have a large number of FAS citizens."

A meeting was held Thursday afternoon in the Speaker's Office with Senator Frank Blas, Jr., officials from GMH, Public Health and the consul generals of the FSM and Palau. Hawaii reportedly made the decision to cut the free services because the U.S. has not been living up to its obligations of fully reimbursing the state for Compact impact costs.

Congressman Rahall Visits Guam

Congressional delegation on Guam
By Heather Hauswirth
KUAM News
Published Aug 10, 2009

Guam is playing host for the next couple of days to a congressional delegation led by the chairperson of the House Committee on Natural Resources. West Virginia congressman Nick Rahall announced upon landing on the island, "We are looking forward to our fact-finding mission in Guam."

The congressional delegation, led Rahall arrived at the Guam International Airport this afternoon. "This, ladies and gentleman, is our members of our delegation and as I said we know the territories are faced with a number of challenges," he continued.

The delegation has already made stops at American Samoa, Palau, and the Northern Mariana Islands. The two-day stop in Guam completes the delegation's trip. While in Guam, their schedule grants considerable time to discussing infrastructure and environmental issues related to the military build-up. As evidenced by the presence of both Joint Guam Program Office director David Bice as well as Rear Admiral Douglas Biesel at the arrival of the codel at the airport this afternoon, the plans for the build up are clearly at the top of the agenda.

Biesel, the commander of Joint Region Marianas, spoke to KUAM News about the need for constant communication between JGPO and the Government of Guam, saying, "We are out here to brief the codel on the buildup as well as talk about Guam infrastructure because that is where Chairman Rahall and his codel are interested in and what is the condition of Guam's infrastructure and what support does the federal government need to make in terms of helping Guam's infrastructure support the realignment of military forces."

Biesel added that he would be spending significant time with the codel while they are here, saying, "That's why there visit is absolutely so important so we will spend tomorrow morning with them. I invited them on to the US Submarine Tender, the USS Frank Cable tomorrow for breakfast. We will tell them a little about why we have a submarine tender and three homeported submarines here and then we'll do about an hour of military briefings of the islands, we'll cover the joint region of Marianas, we'll cover the marine core build up of the island and of course any environmental impacts."

As preparations for the military buildup continue, the congressional delegation's visit to Guam will help the committee make key decisions moving forward.

While on Guam, the delegation will meet with Government of Guam and federal officials to discuss issues related to the military buildup and other local issues. Chairman Rahall will speak at the University of Guam as part of the president's lecture series on August 12. The delegation will also participate tomorrow in a wreath-laying ceremony at the Asan Bay Overlook unit of the War in the Pacific National Historical Park to honor the liberators of Guam and the people of Guam who endured the occupation.

Additionally, the delegation will participate in a working lunch with local leaders to discuss infrastructure and environmental issues related to the buildup.