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<January 17, 2006>
Congresswoman Bordallo Delivers Second Congressional Address: We Must Identify and Act on the ‘Opportunities Within Our Reach’
War Claims, Marines, Economic Recovery, Honest Government Highlighted
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE—January 17, 2006—Hagåtña, Guam— Congresswoman Madeleine Z. Bordallo delivered her second “Congressional Address” before the Guam Legislature this morning. She discussed the opportunities that will shape the island’s future while reporting on progress made on issues important to the people of Guam. Specifically, Congresswoman Bordallo sounded the call for increased cooperation and continued action toward preparing for the opportunities that lie ahead. She focused on the economic growth, infrastructure improvements, and security enhancements that are in store for the island and the people of Guam with the planned arrival of 7,000 Marines from Okinawa. The relocation of Marines is scheduled to begin in 2008 and will continue in phases over the next decade. The planned relocation of the 3rd Marine Expeditionary Force from Japan to Guam is “an opportunity within our reach in the immediate future to significantly improve our infrastructure for the benefit of our people and to complement the increase in military forces and the economic activity that will be coming,” Bordallo stated. Developing the island’s workforce to meet demand that will be created by increased investment is of particular importance. To do this, “we should prioritize educational opportunities and vocational training programs for Guam’s workforce. These job opportunities are within our reach if we work together to better prepare our residents for the jobs that will be created.” The first session of the 109th Congress ended just before Christmas and was one of the longest Congressional sessions in history. The war in Iraq, the reauthorization of the Patriot Act, the over eight trillion dollar national debt, the budget deficit, and domestic surveillance remain the focus of discussion in Washington, D.C. Congresswoman Bordallo stressed the importance of continuing to work together to advance the issues important to the people of Guam and to capitalize on opportunities despite these issues being at the forefront of national debate. “Our success in Congress is based on working closely with the Governor, the Lieutenant Governor, the Legislature, and community leaders on our bipartisan agenda. We have been most effective when we have spoken with one common voice and one common purpose,” Bordallo stated. Advancing H.R. 1595, the Guam World War II Loyalty Recognition Act, in the legislative process is among the priorities. “The most important issue that I am working on is the war claims bill, H.R. 1595,” stated Bordallo. “We are a long way from closure for those scarred by the occupation. But further progress is within our reach and our mutual efforts to work for passage of this bill are more important than ever.” Congresswoman Bordallo noted the many challenges the island has faced and overcome in the past two years during today’s address. Congresswoman Bordallo emphasized that the challenges noted in her February 5, 2004, address to the people of Guam laid the groundwork for the opportunities that she highlighted in her address today. “Because we spoke with one voice, we fared very well in the BRAC 2005 process and are now poised to see our bases more fully utilized. We also benefited from a substantial increase in Compact-impact assistance, which is now set at $30 million per year. Our Territorial Highway program has seen a 30% increase in annual Federal funding to $106.5 million over five years.” The biennial address marks a tradition and represents an opportunity provided for in Guam law for the Congressional Delegate to report on the progress of federal issues addressed in each Congress. The full text of Congresswoman Bordallo’s “Congressional Address” today can be accessed online at http://www.house.gov/bordallo/cong_address-06.html ### Contact: Alicia Chon in |
