Welcome to the Office of the Governor of Guam

May 9, 2008

Governor Felix P. Camacho today signed six proclamations at a combined signing ceremony in the Cabinet Conference Room, Adelup.

During the ceremony, Governor Camacho paid tribute to officers of the Guam Police Department and to heroes who gave their lives in defense of our freedom.  Honorary Police Sergeant, the Late Frankie E. "Smitty" Smith, was named Police Officer of the Year.  His wife, Mrs. Tishawna Smith, accepted the award on her husband's behalf.

"To Mrs. Tishawna Smith, I want you to know, that the hearts and prayers of the people of Guam have been with you and your family since the morning your husband made the greatest sacrifice in the line of duty," Governor Camacho said to the officer's widow.  "Today, we proudly salute a hero.  We will never forget what he gave for his family and his people.  We thank you for being here today to accept the Police Officer of the Year Award, given in Sergeant Frankie Smith's memory and honor."

Governor Camacho also welcomed several veterans and families of fallen heroes we recognize every Memorial Day.

"This Memorial Day, while we prepare our wreaths and candles to adorn the gravesites of heroes whose memories live on in our hearts, let us pray together for the safe return of those who follow their brave footsteps," Governor Camacho said.

Guam Police Week and Peace Officers' Memorial Day

Guam Police Week (May 11 – 17, 2008) and Peace Officers' Memorial Day (May 15, 2008) are celebrated every year to honors officers of the Guam Police Department and our fallen officers for their courage and service.   Governor Camacho also congratulated Gertrude Champaco, a trusted employee of GPD, who was named Civilian of the Year.

Memorial Day

Memorial Day (May 26, 2008) was declared to promote the annual national day to honor and pay tribute to those who bravely gave their lives in sacrifice of their country and their people.

National Transportation Week and National Defense Transportation Day

National Transportation Week (May 11 – 17, 2008) and National Defense Transportation Day (May 16, 2008) were declared to recognize the integral role of transportation in our ever modernizing and developing community as well as to commend the hard-working men and women  in the industry of transportation.

National Hospital Week

National Hospital Week (May 11 – 17, 2008) was proclaimed as part of a nationwide campaign to celebrate and honor the vital services hospitals provide communities. This year's National Hospital Week theme is "Where Healing Happens Every Day."

AmeriCorps Week

AmeriCorps Week (May 11 – 17, 2008) is celebrated to honor the spirit of volunteerism and service of AmeriCorps volunteers. Since 1994, Guam has welcomed more than 500 members to AmeriCorps who continue to meet our islands needs. Through the Governor-appointed Serve Guam! Commission, AmeriCorps volunteers expand their reach throughout the community by partnering with various government and private organizations.

The Island-wide Celebration of the Guam Marianas Masters Basketball Tournament

The Island-wide Celebration of the Guam Marianas Masters Basketball Tournament (May 9 – 17, 2008) was declared to highlight the talent, sportsmanship and fellowship of the Guam Marianas Masters Basketball Association and their dedication to keeping mature members of the community active and healthy.  This year, they will host the first ever Guam Marianas Masters Basketball Tournament. This event welcomes more than 250 senior players representing Australia, Chuuk, the Philippines and Guam.

Governor signs measure creating the Guam Commission for Educator Certification, 11 other measures into law

May 9, 2008

Governor Felix P. Camacho this morning signed Bill No. 99 (LS), which establishes the Guam Commission for Educator Certification.

The measure, now Public Law 29-73, creates this commission, which provides a rigorous system of certification, professional development and evaluation.  Its mission is to support improved student achievement, to enhance the quality of the Guam educator workforce and to increase student performance by setting standards for certification of educators.

"The schoolchildren of Guam deserve the highest standards of education," Governor Camacho said.  "I want to thank the Legislature for passing my measure, which will demand the strictest standards for the people we entrust to teach the next generation."

Throughout the United States, the certification or licensure of educators is a function that occurs at the state level and not in the local school districts that employ educators.  The Guam Public School System currently sets the standards for its own educators, whom the school system also hires.  The Governor's measure will set island-wide standards GPSS must follow, giving parents a greater voice in the education of their children and ensuring accountability in the certification of teachers based on acceptable standards.

The commission will consist of seven members appointed by the Governor with the advice and consent of the Legislature.  Membership will be composed of one classroom teacher, one administrator and one guidance counselor employed in a public school; two members who have a terminal degree in education; and two members appointed from the community at large.

Other measures signed into law

Governor Camacho also signed 11 other measures into law:

Bill No. 156 (EC), now P.L. 29-70, strengthens the reporting requirements of scrap metal dealers and enacts penalties for non-compliance;

Bill No. 277 (LS), now P.L. 29-71, approves the administrative rules and regulations for the Guam Board of Nurse Examiners;

Bill No. 12 (LS), now P.L. 29-72, amends the statute relative to receiving stolen property to include stolen non-ferrous and other salvageable metals;

Bill No. 95 (LS), now P.L. 29-74, aligns the Deinstitionalization of Status Offender Program with federal law.  The law authorizes DYA to hold a juvenile  found to have violated a valid court order in the youth detention facility;

Bill No. 161 (LS), now P.L. 29-75, amends a section of Guam law regarding the delivery of an arrestee to a judge;

Bill No. 205 (EC), now P.L. 29-76, extends the maximum limits of government liability coverage to private physicians who attend to house patients at the Guam Memorial Hospital when conducting follow-up visits at their private medical facility;

Bill No. 226 (LS), now P.L. 29-77, makes it a criminal offense to alter, tamper with, damage or destroy any electronic monitoring devise of convicted sex offenders;

Bill No. 243 (LS), now P.L. 29-78, broadens the qualifications for director of the Department of Public Health and Social Services;

Bill No. 247 (LS), now P.L. 29-79 authorizes government of Guam agencies to pay prior years' and current year obligations owed to the Guam Memorial Hospital from Fiscal Year 2008 operational appropriations and from carry-over and continuing operational appropriations authorized;

Bill No. 264 (EC), now P.L. 29-80, includes a government of Guam retiree in the negotiating team to advocate for health care benefits; and

Bill No. 223  (LS), now P.L. 29-81, amends a section of Guam law to protect expressions of sympathy or benevolent gestures by health professionals to patients or their families from being used against them in medical malpractice actions.

There are no other measures before the Governor for his consideration.

May 8, 2008

Nearly 2,000 tax rebates will be mailed tomorrow.

The Guam Department of Revenue and Taxation has verified and prepared 1,949 tax rebate checks expected to be released on Friday, May 9, 2008.  The rebate checks issued are the first to be released to Guam tax filers as part of President Bush's Bipartisan Economic Growth Package.

The first of the tax rebate checks total approximately $1.1 million.  The Guam DRT will run rebate checks every week as the rebates are verified and processed.

"We are excited to release the first of the rebate checks to our people," Governor Camacho said.  "I want to thank the hard working employees of the Department of Revenue and Taxation for their commitment to processing these rebates quickly to provide economic relief to our people."

In February, the Internal Revenue Service agreed to front the Government of Guam an estimated $52 million for tax rebates proposed by President Bush to the island's taxpayers.

Under the Bipartisan Economic Growth Package, single filers may be eligible for up to $600.  Joint return filers may be eligible for up to $1200 and an additional $300 will be given for each qualifying child under 17 years of age.

Guam's eligible filers with liabilities to the government of Guam within the Department of Revenue and Taxation, Guam Memorial Hospital, Guam Housing and Urban Renewal Authority and the Office of the Attorney General – Child Support Division can expect their rebate checks to be garnished for the amount of their liability.

Among the 1,949 checks, 247 have been garnished for liabilities.

    * 132 checks were garnished for $52,345 owed to the Department of Revenue and Taxation
    * 24 checks were garnished for $12,684 owed to Office of the Attorney General – Child Support Division
    * 88 checks were garnished for $34,717 owed to the Guam Memorial Hospital
    * 3 checks were garnished for $1,042 owed to the Guam Housing and Urban Renewal Authority

More than 260 returns filed and under review for rebate eligibility, contained discrepancies concerning Social Security Numbers.  These returns are under further review and each filer will receive notice if their return contains any discrepancy.

Measure would have created shortfall at Dept. of Land Management

May 8, 2008

Governor Felix P. Camacho has vetoed Bill No. 255 (EC), which would have shorted the revenues needed to operate the Department of Land Management by reducing the recording tax on secured transactions.

"The reduction of revenues from this rollback will impact the Department of Land Management's operations, compromise the services it provides and delay  progress," Governor Camacho wrote in his veto message to Speaker Won Pat.  "Bill 255 is contrary to the Administration's efforts to adjust revenues to cover the cost of providing the level of service the people of Guam are entitled to receive."

Public Law 29-02 increased DLM's fees, which has resulted in the department's ability to fully sustain itself without General Fund subsidy.  This allows the Administration to maximize money from the General Fund for critical services, such as education, safety and healthcare.

The infusion of resources to DLM enables the agency to upgrade information technology and automate processes to provide more efficient and reliable service while reducing costs.  The funding also will allow DLM to fill critical land surveyor positions for the survey of government land, including ancestral and Chamorro land trust lands.

May 7, 2008

Governor Felix P. Camacho hosted our island's manamko during the 34th Annual Governor's Conference on Aging which was held today at the Guam Marriott Resort & Spa.  The conference is a part of the festivities celebrating Senior Citizens Month, which the Governor declared for May.  The Department of Public Health and Social Services – Division of Senior Citizens and members of the Aging Network helped coordinate the conference and other events throughout the month.

"You built the foundations and make the sacrifices to make this island what it is today," the Governor said during his remarks this morning.  "Your valuable contributions are what make our people strong and that is why this month is dedicated to you."

The annual Governor's Conference on Aging brings together senior citizens and the systems of care in the government and throughout the community to address issues seniors face.  The major missions of senior citizen programs are to promote independent living and community-assisted care.

Under Governor Camacho's leadership, new senior citizen centers were built in Agat, Santa Rita, Inarajan, Tamuning and Mangilao.  Senior centers in Sinajana and Agana Heights also were upgraded.