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<home> -- <speeches> -- Remarks at the Joint Press Conference on May 26, 2006 at Adelup                                         

Congresswoman Madeleine Z. Bordallo
Remarks at the Joint Press Conference
on U.S.-Japan Defense Realignment Implementation

Adelup, Guam
May 26, 2006

At a Joint Press Conference with:
  • Hon. Felix P. Camacho,
        Governor of Guam
  • Hon. Richard P. Lawless,
        Deputy Undersecretary of Defense for Asian and Pacific Affairs
  • Lt. Gen. Daniel Leaf,
        Deputy Commander, U.S. Pacific Command
  • Hon. David B. Cohen,
        Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Interior for Insular Affairs
  • RADM Charles J. Leidig,
        Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Marianas
  

Good morning. I would like to thank Governor Camacho for hosting us this morning and for inviting me to participate in this joint press conference.

I would also like to thank Secretary Richard Lawless and Lieutenant General Dan Leaf for being here today and for their extensive efforts on behalf of our nation in the bilateral negotiations with Japan.

The governor and I have been in regular consultation with Mr. Lawless and I believe that Guam's interests have been and will continue to be a major consideration in the many detailed aspects of planning and implementation that remain.  Secretary Lawless, General Leaf, for your past and what I know will be your future efforts, Si Yu'os Ma'ase.

I want to emphasize how much hard work it has taken to bring us to this point. However, the agreement reached between the U.S. and Japan is just the start of a long process that will not be completed without hard work and perseverance.

This is an exciting time for Guam.  Before us are so many opportunities for the advancement of our island and of our people.

The military construction expected on Guam along with the potential for new jobs that will support the Marine presence remind us that there will also be new opportunities for our people.  We will work with the federal agencies to increase federal support for apprenticeship and job training programs.  In the months and years ahead, we will work with the business community and the Government of Guam to expand our local job pool.

I want to emphasize that the relocation of Marines from Okinawa to Guam is a multi-year process.  It is contingent on many events along the way.  We can prepare now, creating partnerships with the federal government, our local government, the business community and our people so that the great opportunities for our island will be realized.

 
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