Welcome to the Office of the Governor of Guam

DLM Director to lead Government of Guam efforts in Nation’s Capitol

June 23, 2009

Governor Felix P. Camacho has appointed Terry Mortera to be the Director of the Guam Liaison Office in Washington D.C. Mortera will serve as the official liaison between the federal government and the office of the Governor of Guam.

“I am confident that Terry Mortera will be a valuable voice for our island and my administration,” said Governor Camacho. “He will share his experiences and insights that I believe will offer much to the conversation about Guam’s tremendous potential with members of the Obama Administration, the U.S Congress, and business and civic leaders in our nation’s capitol.” 

Mortera, served collateral duties as federal policy advisor as a special assistant to the Governor of Guam from January 2003 to February 2004. He also has served as Executive Director of the Guam Contractors License Board and most recently the Director of the Department of Land Management.

Active in many civic organizations, Mortera formerly was the Executive Director of Habitat for Humanity Guam before joining the Camacho Administration. He was the Chairman of the 64th Guam Liberation Day Committee and a volunteer music teacher at Mt. Carmel Catholic School in Agat.

Deputy Chief of Staff Shawn Gumataotao will continue to serve as the Federal Policy Advisor to the Governor and will support the operations of Washington D.C Office of the Governor of Guam.

Governor Camacho reestablished the Washington D.C. Office of the Governor of Guam at the Hall of the States in May after a 10-year absence. Guam is among 30 states in the 225,000 square foot facility on 444 North Capitol Street.

Officials and leaders in the region meet on clean energy and climate change

June 23, 2009

Governor Felix P. Camacho will be attending the 26th Pacific Islands Environment Conference (PIEC) today at the World Resort in Saipan. Government officials and environmental leaders from across the Pacific and the U.S. mainland will also be in attendance over the course of the conference, which will continue through Thursday.

The PIEC is jointly sponsored by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the governments of Guam, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, and American Samoa. It is designed to provide a forum for leaders throughout the Pacific Basin to focus on important environmental issues through a series of speakers and interactive roundtable sessions.

This year’s conference will be centered on clean energy and climate change, though panels and speakers will focus on a range of critical topics, such as safe water and wastewater services, environmental education for youth, green building, watershed effects on coral reefs, supporting and celebrating locally grown and made products, solid waste management, and environmental stewardship throughout the military buildup.

“It is necessary that this conference look at a host of issues pertaining to environmental concerns. Each that we face is of crucial importance for the health of our people and our planet,” said Governor Camacho. “When we come together and share ideas, knowledge, and support, we are better equipped to protect and restore our island environments.”

June 16, 2009

Acting Governor Michael W. Cruz, M.D., today signed 10 bills into public law including Bill No. 36, now PL 30-26, an act to add a new chapter to the Guam Code Annotated relative to combating human trafficking on Guam and to protecting victims of human trafficking from sexual and economic exploitation.

“This bill addresses a problem that affects not only the United States and other countries, but our island as well,” said Acting Governor Cruz. “As a community we will boldly stand against this crime and remain committed to protecting the human rights of our citizens.”

Bill 36 was introduced by Sen. Tina Muna Barnes, who said, “the trafficking of humans should not be tolerated in any society.”

Acting Governor Cruz also enacted the following Public Laws:

• Bill No. 22 – PL 30-25: Adopts 2009 edition of the “International Building Code” as the building code of Guam.
• Bill No. 36 – PL 30-26: Fulfills the intent of the Federal Trafficking Victims Protection Act of 2000 on Guam.
• Bill No. 65 – PL 30-27: Renames the Office of Public Auditor to Office of Public Accountability.
• Bill No. 70 – PL 30-28: Extends the date of submission for an independent study and investigation of radiation leakage into Apra Harbor.
• Bill No. 74 – PL 30-29: Requires the Guam Power Authority to disclose the details of every fuel purchase on its Web site.
• Bill No. 81 – PL 30-30: Requires government officials and employees to disclose financial information or personal interest in any proposed matter or decision pending before them.
• Bill No. 87 – PL 30-31: Furthers creditor protection for Guam residents.
• Bill No. 94 – PL 30-32: Reserves suitable land and makes it available to interested individuals or organizations for the cultivation of plants used by Suruhanus in the production of herbal medicine.
• Bill No. 97 – PL 30-33: Requires the use of passenger restraining devices for all occupants within a car, van or pickup truck, and clarifies and establishes certain restrictions for passengers in the bed of a pickup truck.
• Bill No. 114 – PL 30-34: Appropriates money from the Tourist Attraction Fund to GVB for the operations of the Guam Humanities Council Guampedia Project.