Bordallo To Guam Buildup Conference: 'Strains & Complications Can Be Overcome' [VIDEO]

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Written by Jeff Marchesseault, Guam News Factor Staff Writer

Thursday, 19 November 2009 15:43

MZB

Click 'Read more' For Full Text And Video

By Jeff Marchesseault

GUAM - During her video address to a community conference on the Guam military buildup convening at the Legislature this morning, Congresswoman Madeleine Bordallo acknowledged the often contentious relationship between the United States Government and the unincorporated U.S. Territory of Guam.

"The relationship between Washington D.C. and the territories has not always been an easy one. We have had more than our share of conflicts and misunderstandings, leading many on Guam to conclude that the Federal Government is uncaring and unconcerned with our Island and its people," she said. "I believe however, that the strains and complications in the relationship between Guam and the Federal Government can be overcome with concerted efforts to address issues."

Press play, below, to watch her speech in its entirety. The full text of her address appears just below the video box.

UOG Public Administration Conference

November 20, 2009

I Mina Trenta na Liheslaturan Guahan
Antonio R. Unpingco Session Hall
The Honorable Madeleine Z. Bordallo

Hafa Adai,

I would like to start off by commending Senator Judi Guthertz and Senator Rory Respicio for organizing the Public Administration Conference series. These conferences provide valuable experience and lessons to University of Guam students, Guam's Public Servants, and members of our broader community alike. I would also like to thank Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Navy for Installations and Environment, the Honorable Roger Natsuhara, Retired Marine Major General David Bice, Executive Director of the Joint Guam Program Office, and Mr. John Jackson, the head of the Joint Guam Program Office Forward, for their attendance at today's event. Their participation in this Conference is an indication of the concern and commitment that Department of Defense has to ensuring that the military buildup, in the words of Chairman Ike Skelton, Chairman of the House Armed Services Committee that "we must get this right".

This afternoon the conference will address some of the difficult issues surrounding federal-territorial relations. The relationship between Washington D.C. and the territories has not always been an easy one. We have had more than our share of conflicts and misunderstandings, leading many on Guam to conclude that the Federal Government is uncaring and unconcerned with our Island and its people. I believe however, that the strains and complications in the relationship between Guam and the Federal Government can be overcome with concerted efforts to address issues.

The military build-up will present challenges that will require our best efforts in the years ahead. President Barrack Obama recently signed the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2010 authorizing over seven hundred million dollars in military construction projects for Guam. This week, the President concludes an official state visit to Japan where he voiced his support for the realignment of military forces in the Pacific and the Guam International Agreement. These two Presidential acts send an unmistakable signal to everyone that the relocation of the Third Marine Expeditionary Forces from Okinawa to Guam, will occur and that the expansion of military activity in the Marianas will continue.

The military build-up will bring both opportunities that must be realized and challenges that must be overcome in order for it to benefit Guam. The economic benefits of the relocation could be significant. Large construction contracts will mean more and new jobs, not only for skilled laborers, but for a large variety of skills, knowledge and talent. Companies looking to expand their operations to Guam because of the build-up, will be looking for local talent. Several have already stated that they do not want to move people here from the Mainland, and that they prefer that their local operations be staffed by people from Guam who know the people and community and know the culture. We must continue to work together to make sure that the build-up benefits our island and that local workers are offered every opportunity to participate in jobs associated with the build-up.

However, while the potential benefits of the build-up are clear, there are three major issues that we must confront as well. First, we must make sure that we have the educational and training programs we need so that our population can take advantage of the jobs and opportunities associated with the build-up. Second, we must upgrade our Island's infrastructure to accommodate for the increase in population the build-up will bring to Guam. And third, we must work to preserve our Chamorro culture and heritage for future generations.

A Government Accountability Office Report, prepared at my request, recently highlighted some of the obstacles Guam will need to confront in order to realize the full economic benefits of the build-up. The Department of Defense has to date done a poor job of communicating what its contracting needs will be. Without a clearer picture of what skill-sets and certifications will be required, the University of Guam and Guam Community College will not be able to stand up new programs and courses of study in time. We must also work to ensure that contracts and job openings are well publicized so that the community is aware of openings and able to prepare their applications and bids in time. A provision in the defense authorization bill, which I supported, requires that contractors develop recruitment plans that will require them to exhaust options to hiring local and U.S. workers.

We must also do more to improve our roads, bridges, sewers, and power lines before the Marines arrive. Our infrastructure is in need of repair and the arrival of significant military forces will only aggravate our problems. We have much to gain in this area through co-operation rather than confrontation however. The decision of the Department of Defense to become a customer of the new landfill will create economies of scale, reducing prices paid by consumers and enabling the Ordot dump to be closed sooner than expected.

Preserving our Chamorro culture will be one of the most important tasks. The Federal Government can assist by providing funding and resources. It will be important to carefully review the socioeconomic study that is part of the Draft Environmental Impact Statement. This study should help to better address the impacts to our culture and, in time, provide a pathway to addressing the cultural challenges associated with the military build-up. We must continue to work closely as a community along with the federal government to identify opportunities and ways to preserve our culture and traditions.

We can overcome these challenges, and we can engage with the Federal Government as our partner in this effort. Our community's concerns can be heard in this process and we can ensure that this build-up is conducted in a manner that benefits Guam.

I want to thank Senator Guthertz and Senator Respicio and their staffs for continuing the forum that is the Public Administration Conference, and for providing the opportunity for our community leaders and stakeholders to participate. Thank You, Gof Dangkulo na Si Yu'os Ma'ase, Maraming Salamat Po.

And May God Bless Guam, and May God Bless the United States of America.

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