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Media Advisory – October 27, 2009

The workshop on the Compatibility Sustainability Study (CSS) and orientation of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) process related to the military buildup scheduled for 6-8:30 p.m., Thursday, Oct. 27, 2009, will now take place at the Agat Senior Citizen’s Center.

Date:

Time:

Location:

October 27, Tuesday

6 – 8:30 p.m.

Tamuning

Community Center

120 Tun Jesus Crisostomo St.

October 28, Wednesday

6 – 8:30 p.m.

Dededo

Community Center

335 Iglesia Circle

October 29, Thursday

6 – 8:30 p.m.

Agat

Senior Citizen’s Center

Calle Delos Marteres St.

Governor Camacho Meets With U.S. Ambassador to Korea

Discussion focuses on Korean interest in military buildup and trade expansion into Guam

October 21, 2009

(Seoul, South Korea) Governor Felix P. Camacho met with the U.S. ambassador to Korea, Kathleen Stephens, on Monday before the start of the Guam Buildup Symposium and Business Opportunity Conference on Tuesday at the Grand Hyatt Hotel in Seoul. Gov. Camacho and Ambassador Stephens discussed efforts to expand economic development into the Western Pacific and the impacts on Guam of the Korea-U.S. Free Trade Agreement (KORUS), which is being discussed among lawmakers in Washington, DC.

“The U.S.-Korea relationship is good,” said Gov. Camacho. “Ambassador Stephens was excited about the Guam Buildup Symposium and Business Opportunities Conference in Seoul, and we agreed that this effort will assist in increasing Korean foreign investment into our island community.”

The U.S. Embassy Seoul participated in the conference outlining the process for Korean corporations to do business in Guam and in the United States. Ambassador Stephens shared with Gov. Camacho that regional military planners are concentrating on the move of the III Marine Expeditionary Force from Okinawa to Guam and that the news is translating into increased inquiries regarding the role of Korean corporations in the expansion of the Guam’s military and civilian population.

“The collaboration on this conference mission is yet another milestone in our 30-year relationship with Korea,” said Gov. Camacho. “It is my sincere hope that our presence here can help Korean businesses find a niche in the promise of our future and learn more about doing business in Guam.”

The one-hour meeting also touched on the efforts to extend the Korea-U.S. Free Trade Agreement to include Guam. Since 2007, Gov. Camacho has requested assistance of the Interagency Group on Insular Areas (IGIA) to assist with including Guam and the insular territories in all future free trade agreements negotiated with the United States, industrial nations (OECD), new industrial countries (NIC), and less developed countries (LDC).

“I have remained steadfast in my conviction that such inclusion in the KORUS would allow Guam and the insular territories to create and sustain industrial activities, increase personal and family incomes, and encourage reliable business and farming activities,” said Gov. Camacho. “There is a willingness by the U.S. Embassy staff in Seoul to advocate for inclusion on Guam’s behalf as Congress nears a decision on what could be the most significant economic agreement of this generation.”

Governor Camacho Opens Guam Buildup Symposium and Business Opportunities Conference

Private sector trade mission to Seoul highlights “storied” link between Guam and Korea

October 20, 2009

(Seoul, South Korea) Governor Felix P. Camacho today shared the accomplishments and contributions made by Korean corporations in his keynote address before the Guam Buildup Symposium and Business Opportunities Conference at the Grand Hyatt Hotel in Seoul, South Korea. Joining the governor at the conference are Simon Sanchez, Consolidated Commission on Utilities chairman; Dave Tydingco, Guam Visitors Bureau chairman; Monte Mesa, Port Authority of Guam chairman; and Frank Campillo, Guam Chamber of Commerce board chairman.

Gov. Camacho told the representatives of 80 of Korea’s elite businesses that the upcoming years will be some of the most exciting times in Guam’s history.

“I believe those of you sitting here today are in the right place at the most opportune time,” said Gov. Camacho. “In the past seven years as governor, I have committed myself and our government to ensuring that our infrastructure, economy, workforce, and public and private sectors are positioned to maximize every opportunity presented.”

Gov. Camacho outlined recent developments to expand the air and sea ports, transportation, and natural resources plans, and efforts to prepare and expand the Guam’s workforce. The 250 attendees also learned about Guam and Korea’s storied link.

“Great Korean corporations helped build our island – like Han Jin Construction, who built the AB Won Pat International Airport – the premiere airport in Micronesia. Hyundai built hundreds of homes in Guam in the boom years of the 1970s and 1990s, and Ssangyong Construction built the Hyatt hotel in our tourist district of Tumon,” said Gov. Camacho. “These and other contributions by Korean corporations were turning points in the expansion of our post-war economy and the revitalization that defines our community today.”

Gov. Camacho remarked that attendees must keep in mind that as expansion on Guam moves forward, it cannot just be for today, but it must be for the future. Gov. Camacho encouraged the Korean businesses to look beyond the upcoming military buildup and plan to be a part of Guam’s bright economic future.

“I hope what I’ve shared will help you consider the possibilities and potential that awaits you in Guam,” said Gov. Camacho.

Governor’s Office to Host Public Workshop on Compatibility Study

Guam residents encouraged to attend, give input

Oct. 19, 2009

Governor Felix P. Camacho invites the public to attend a workshop, the first of a series of four, to kick-off the development of the Guam Compatibility Sustainability Study (CSS).

“As we move forward in ‘Shaping the Future Together,’ this is your opportunity to provide direction in the development of our road map for our children and future generations,” said Gov. Camacho. “Your participation at the public workshop is critical to ensuring the development of this study is responsive to the needs of those involved.”

The public workshop has two main objectives. The first is to educate and inform the public about the Guam CSS with a discussion of the goals of the program and how the public can be involved in its development. The second objective is to obtain public input on the issues and opportunities related to community and military compatibility factors in Guam.

The primary goal of the Guam CSS is to reduce potential conflicts between the community of Guam and military installations and training areas while at the same time sustaining economic development, protecting public health and safety, and protecting current and future military missions. Funded by the Department of Defense, Office of Economic Adjustment, the Guam CSS is a collaborative planning effort involving the public, the government of Guam, military services, and other affected agencies.

All interested parties are encouraged to attend the public workshops to learn more and provide input on the Guam CSS planning effort.

To provide easy access for interested attendees, the workshop will be held at the following locations:

6 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 27, at the Tamuning Community Center (120 Tun Jesus Crisostomo Street)
6 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 28, at the Dededo Community Center (335 Iglesia Circle)
6 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 29, at the Agat Community Center (Route 2)

For more information, visit the One Guam Web site at one.guam.gov. For those who are not able to attend the workshop, they will be able to submit questions and input on the Web site.

Governor Camacho Leads Trade Delegation to Korea

Meetings with U.S. ambassador and Korean businesses highlight two-day trip

October 18, 2009

Governor Felix P. Camacho departed island this morning to lead a Guam delegation to the Republic of Korea from Oct. 19-20 in an effort to develop new business opportunities and advocate continued investment in tourism for the impending military buildup in Guam.

“Korea’s economy is strongly rebounding from the effects of the global recession,” said Gov. Camacho. “Our goal is to attract potential Korean investors and operators with the opportunities Guam has in light of our current and anticipated economic activity.”

Gov. Camacho is scheduled to attend the Guam Build Up Symposium and Business Opportunity Conference, organized by the Guam Economic Development Authority, on Oct. 20 at the Grand Hyatt Seoul. Conference speakers will include David B. Tydingco, Guam Visitors Bureau board chairman; Monte Mesa, Port Authority of Guam board chairman; Simon Sanchez, Consolidated Commission on Utilities chairman; and Frank J. Campillo, Guam Chamber of Commerce chairman. The speakers will present an overview of Guam’s tourism, military buildup, and port and utilities infrastructure.

“Not only do we hope to spur investment interest for Guam, we want to jumpstart business travel from Korea to Guam as a growing market segment,” said Tydingco.

Additional conference speakers include Kil Koo Yoon, CEO of Younex and past president of the Korea Association of Guam, who will deliver a testimonial about doing business on Guam; Chris Murphy, president of Real Estate Professionals, who will discuss the real estate industry and opportunities in Guam; and consultant economist John Gilliam, who will speak on the opportunities for Guam as a regional center for visa programs.

Gov. Camacho is also scheduled to meet with Kathleen Stephens, U.S. ambassador to South Korea, On Oct. 20 at the 2009 Seoul Air Show reception being held at her residence. Furthermore, Gov. Camacho will have the opportunity to meet with various business representatives and Korean and U.S. officials in attendance at the reception.

Younex Corp., STX Corp., Hanil Construction & Engineering, Samsung Construction & Engineering, Dong Seoul College, SK Construction & Engineering, and Buck San Construction Co. are sponsors of the conference and reception.

Senior DOD Officials Meet With Governor, Tour Guam

Defense installations and environment head and Navy deputy secretary discuss Guam Buildup Program and efforts to complete environmental reviews in advance of construction efforts

October 15, 2009

Governor Felix P. Camacho today met with a U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) delegation to discuss efforts to advance the Guam Military Buildup Program and better understand the impacts of the move of the III Marine Expeditionary Force from Okinawa to Guam. Dr. Dorothy Robyn, Deputy Under Secretary of Defense for Installations and Environment, and the Honorable Robert O. Work, Under Secretary of the Navy, are leading a delegation of DOD officials to Guam as part of a Pacific tour.

“This is a significant visit for Guam,” said Gov. Camacho. “These individuals have been tasked to ensure a successful military buildup program, and we will do all we can to assist in those efforts.”

The 30-minute meeting touched on progress updates on military buildup activities in Japan and Okinawa and on local efforts to strengthen infrastructure in advance of the U.S. Marines’ move to Guam. Joining Dr. Robyn and Deputy Secretary Work on the tour is Gen. James Amos, assistant commandant of the U.S. Marine Corps; Brig. Gen. William Beydler, director of strategy and plans of the U.S. Marine Corps; David Bice, director of the Joint Guam Program Office; and Rear Adm. Douglass Biesel, Commander Joint Region Marianas.

“The government of Guam was praised by these national leaders for our efforts to prepare our community for this significant movement of military personnel and assets,” said Gov. Camacho. “Continued discussions with the Department of Defense and our collective effort as a community will lay the groundwork to continue what has been a long-standing relationship between the people of Guam and the U.S. Marines.”

The DOD officials are visiting Guam after discussions in Japan and Okinawa and will leave later this week for Hawaii.

erritory Governors Urge White House Support for Health Care Equity

October 15, 2009

Governor Felix P. Camacho, along with other territory governors, sent a joint letter this week urging the White House to ensure that the territories receive equitable treatment under the health care reform legislation currently before the U.S. Senate. The letter was signed by Gov. Camacho, Gov. John P. de Jongh Jr. of the U.S. Virgin Islands, and Gov. Benigno R. Fitial of the Commonwealth of the Northern Marianas Islands.

In the letter to Rahm Emanuel, White House chief of staff, the three governors requested that the final version of the health care reform bill include provisions to ensure that individuals from territories be eligible to participate in the new health insurance exchange and for the enhanced Federal Medical Assistance Percentages (FMAP) that will be available to the 50 states.

“We are asking that the final version of the health care reform bill ensures residents of the territories have the same access to health care as those on the mainland,” said Gov. Camacho. “I sincerely hope that the White House understands our people’s need to receive quality health services and acts accordingly.”

The letter states that the White House is working to merge and finalize two separate health care bills from the Senate Finance Committee and the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee.

A STATEMENT FROM THE GOVERNOR OF GUAM

Oct. 13, 2009

Governor Felix P. Camacho issued the following statement regarding Guam’s only oncologist on island at the time, Dr. Friedman, leaving island for at least a month and his attempt to have a Canadian oncologist, Dr. Paul L. David Walde, serve his patients in his absence:

“Due to this crisis that I was just apprised of on Oct. 5, and as I am prohibited by law from issuing medical licenses, I have asked my office to conduct a detailed review of the statutes governing the licensure of physicians on Guam. Our office has found language in the statutes stating that ‘the board is authorized to issue conditional, restricted, or otherwise circumscribed licenses as it determines necessary.’ I have provided this information to Dr. Gill [acting chairwoman of the Guam Medical Licensing Board] in a letter today and have asked the board to urgently reconsider Dr. Walde’s application in light of this.

I fully support the board’s desire to protect the quality of medical care in Guam, and in the event the board is still unable to license Dr. Walde, then they should immediately assist in locating and licensing another oncologist to come to Guam.”

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