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Governor Camacho Joins Governors’ Energy and Climate Coalition |
Coalition to work with Congress on climate change and energy legislation May 22, 2009 (Washington, D.C.) Governor Felix P. Camacho today reaffirmed Guam’s role as a regional voice on environmental stewardship and climate policy by joining the Governors’ Energy and Climate Coalition. The newly formed 30-state coalition pledged to work with Congress on legislation that addresses climate change and provides the country with a comprehensive energy strategy. Governor Camacho, a co-founder of the Micronesia Challenge, praised the efforts of the nation’s Chief Executives who are part of the coalition. The Micronesia Challenge calls on island leaders to effectively conserve 30 percent of near shore marine resources and 20 percent of forest resources by 2020. “We see the environmental impact of climate change on our island and in our region. From the coastal inundation of the beaches and reef lines in southern Guam, to the migration of our Pacific island neighbors away from their homes on atolls now covered by rising ocean waters, the effects are being felt every day,” said Governor Camacho. “I will continue to support comprehensive energy and climate change policies that advocate for a more active partnership on issues between Guam and the federal government.” In addition to Guam, the coalition includes California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Montana, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Tennessee, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, Wisconsin, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands. Click here to view or download Statement of Principles (pdf format). |
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DOD SENIOR LEADERSHIP COMMITS TO ADDRESSING BUILDUP IN ECONOMIC ADJUSTMENT COMMITTEE |
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Deputy Secretary of Defense shares plans with Governor Camacho to implement GAO-recommended meeting with a focus on the Guam Buildup
May 21, 2009
(Washington D.C.) Governor Camacho on Tuesday (Guam time) was advised in a meeting with Deputy Secretary of the U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) William J. Lynn, that the Secretary of Defense will soon convene the Economic Adjustment Committee (EAC). This committee is expected to address the funding requirements of the Guam Buildup.
The United States Government Accountability Office recommended that DOD provide high-level leadership to coordinate and address Guam’s needs in light of the military’s realignment.
During their meeting, Deputy Secretary Lynn disclosed that Pentagon planners and experts have increased their attention to the military realignment to Guam. They further expect to discuss Guam’s needs in an EAC meeting to be announced by DOD in the coming weeks.
“I am very pleased with the Pentagon’s progress in which discussions seem to be moving from policy creation to program implementation,” said Governor Camacho. “Deputy Secretary Lynn has committed the resources of the Deputy Secretaries from all services and the Economic Adjustment Committee, to ensure that the Guam Buildup is on track,” said Governor Camacho.
Deputy Secretary Lynn also committed to working with Governor Camacho to get a “top-down” commitment from the Obama Administration to increase the amount of assistance to Guam. The assistance would be used to fund civilian projects to support the military mission in the Western Pacific.
“It is clear that the Obama Administration has made the Guam Buildup a top priority,” said Governor Camacho. “I will continue to work with DOD to ensure that mutually beneficial projects are completed in time for the anticipated growth of our island population.”
Governor Camacho also met with recently confirmed Assistant Secretary of Defense for Asian and Pacific Security Affairs, Wallace “Chip” Gregson. Gregson, a former Commander of the U.S. Marine Corps Pacific, reaffirmed his commitment to advise Governor Camacho of any progress related to the implementation of the Guam International Agreement between the governments of the United States and Japan. Additionally, Governor Camacho briefed with Deputy Under Secretary of Defense for Installations, Wayne Arny and Acting Secretary of the United States Navy, BJ Penn, on the results from the recently completed Guam Industry Forum III in Guam.
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Governor Camacho’s Testimony Calls for More Time to Implement Visa Waiver Program |
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May 20, 2009
(Washington, D.C.) Governor Felix P. Camacho today testified before the House Subcommittee on Insular Affairs, Oceans and Wildlife, relative to the implementation of the Visa Waiver Program (VWP) as authorized by Public Law 110-229.
His testimony addressed the implementation of the VWP in which he recommends the current 180 day delay be extended. He says the extension will allow the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) time to complete its task and provide the road map to achieve security and visa processing objectives.
“We recognize the major hurdles that DHS will have to address in standing up the VWP that would allow inclusion of currently excluded countries while safeguarding our national security,” said Governor Camacho.
Governor Camacho further stated the economic benefit of expanding Guam’s current tourism market to include China, which could potentially bring 160,000 Chinese tourists to Guam.
“The potential for Guam to establish direct air service and to attract 160,000 or more Chinese tourists each year is an opportunity too compelling to be denied,” said Governor Camacho. “Of the three major outbound markets in East Asia, only China continues to grow in the midst of global recession.”
Should the extension be granted, Governor Camacho said it remains imperative that Guam’s needs regarding the delinkage of the H-2 cap, and the inclusion of Hong Kong in the current VWP, continue to be addressed. Ckick here for the Governor's testimony. (pdf format) |
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Governor Camacho and 11 Governors Send Joint Letter to U.S. Senate and House of Representatives |
Governors urge Congress to fully fund State Criminal Alien Assistance Progra May 19, 2009 (Washington, D.C.) Governor Felix P. Camacho unites with eleven state governors in a joint letter to the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives. The letter addressed to the Committee on Appropriations Chairmen Daniel Inouye and David Obey and Ranking Members, Thad Cochran and Jerry Lewis, requests that the House and Senate Appropriations Committees fully fund the State Criminal Alien Assistance Program (SCAPP) in Fiscal Year 2010. “Previously, the State Criminal Assistance Program partially offsets the incarceration cost of undocumented criminal aliens,” said Governor Camacho. “The incarceration of criminal aliens is a federal responsibility and the federal government should increase their payments to the states to cover these costs. I join with fellow governors across the nation in asking the U.S. Congress to fully fund this vital program.” In addition to Governor Camacho, the letter was signed by: California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, New York Governor David Paterson, Arizona Governor Janice Brewer, Colorado Governor Bill Ritter Jr., Idaho Governor C.L. “Butch” Otter, Kentucky Governor Steven Beshear, Maryland Governor Martin O’Malley, Oregon Governor Theodore Kulongoski, South Dakota Governor Michael Rounds and Washington Governor Christine Gregoire. The letter further urges Congress to reject the President’s budget request to eliminate SCAAP and instead fully fund the program at $950 million in FY10. |
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Navy Secretary Offers Letter Supporting GovGuam Grant Application |
Letter requests “support and approval” from the USDA May 14, 2009 Acting Governor Michael W. Cruz, M.D., was recently informed that BJ Penn, Acting Secretary of the Navy, sent a letter to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) in support of the recent grant application submitted by the government of Guam to the USDA. In recent months, the government of Guam has been actively seeking the support of key government officials regarding the USDA grant application. If the grant is awarded to Guam, the funding will be applied towards the construction of a new landfill. In a letter addressed to USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack, Secretary Penn requested support and approval of the federal government for the grant application. “I strongly request your support and approval of the Government of Guam’s grant application under Title 1 of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, for a new municipal solid waste landfill facility and related infrastructure improvement projects,” stated Secretary Penn’s letter. “Both Congress and the Interagency Task Force have agreed that Guam’s civilian infrastructure must be improved to meet the requirements of the increased civilian and military population.” Secretary Penn stated further in the letter, “Without Federal support and assistance, Guam is constrained in its ability to fund the new landfill.” “I am pleased that, with the military buildup quickly approaching, Secretary Penn has recognized our island’s need to address the landfill crisis and how this issue affects the growth and development of Guam’s infrastructure,” said Acting Governor Cruz. “Once we resolve the closure of Ordot dump and the opening of a new solid waste facility, we will be able to focus more of our efforts and attention to improving and upgrading other critical service areas in our community.” |
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A STATEMENT FROM THE OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR |
May 14, 2009 The Office of the Governor of Guam released the following statement regarding Governor Felix P. Camacho’s visit to Taiwan: The White House Office of Intergovernmental Affairs was notified of the visit to Taiwan prior to Governor Felix P. Camacho’s departure. Issues regarding the One China Policy should be referred to the U.S. Department of State and are in no way connected to Governor Camacho’s Taiwan visit. Further, Governor’s from both Indiana and Hawaii have visited Taiwan in recent years. This is Governor Camacho’s second visit to Taiwan; the first was in 2005 in which similar opposition was given from the same entity. The letter indicating the People’s Republic of China’s disfavor came at the behest of a PDN lead inquiry to the Chinese Consulate General in Los Angeles. The response letter from the Consulate General was not addressed to the government of Guam or Governor Camacho. |
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GOVERNOR CAMACHO MAKES STATE VISIT TO TAIWAN |
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Four-day visit to be highlighted by meetings with business and government leaders
May 13, 2009
(Taipei City, Republic of China) – Governor Felix P. Camacho today began a four-day visit to the Republic of China (Taiwan) in an effort to expand the economic links, including continued outreach in the region, for support of the ongoing and future military buildup in Guam.
“This is an exciting time to engage the talents and expertise of our Taiwan counterparts,” said Governor Camacho. “For three decades, the Republic of China has developed a bond with the people of Guam that continues, and will continue, to remain strong particularly with the economic expansion that will be focused in the Western Pacific in the coming years.”
The program for the State Visit, prepared by the Republic of China Ministry of Foreign Affairs, will cover the cities of Taipei City and Kaohsiung, and feature meetings with the Deputy Mayor of Taipei City, the Taiwan Power Company and the International Cooperation and Development Fund. Additionally, it will include a meeting with Ching Fu Ship Building, one of the world’s leaders in the construction of International Standard product carriers and multi-purpose ships.
The State Visit will also include courtesy calls with members of the Republic of China Parliament, including President Ma Ying-Jeou. President Ma invited Governor Camacho back to Taiwan following an official visit to Taipei City in 2005. Ma served two terms as Mayor.
“President Ma is a very influential leader in Asia and a man who has shared his talents with many Pacific communities,” said Governor Camacho. “He understands the importance of addressing issues of mutual concern in venues such as this State Visit.”
Governor Camacho also met with Foreign Minister Francisco H.L. Ou. Minister Ou expressed to Governor Camacho Taiwan’s interest regarding the implementation of the Guam International Agreement, signed in February by U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and Japan Foreign Minister Hirofumi Nakasone.
“Taiwan corporations are positioning themselves for the opportunities that will be presented by the Guam Buildup over the next couple of years,” said Governor Camacho. “The commitment to partner up with Guam corporations will build the capacity of our government and private sector workforce and bring about positive and lasting change for our island economy and community.”
On Thursday, Governor Camacho will speak on the Guam Military Buildup Program with Taiwan civic and business leaders at the Taipei Trade Center.
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Acting Governor Cruz Sends Letter to DOI Regarding Compact Impact Funds |
May 10, 2009 Acting Governor Michael W. Cruz, M.D. joins Legislative Senator Frank Blas Jr. in an attempt to bring resolution to the impacts and challenges presented by the Compact of Free Association. Acting Governor Cruz sent a letter to Acting Deputy Assistant Secretary for Insular Affairs, Nikolau Pula, referencing the problems Guam currently faces due to the unmitigated migration from Compact areas. “Though many Compact citizens have become valuable members of our community, we cannot ignore the inadequate nature of the Federal Government’s support,” said Acting Governor Cruz. The letter further points out the unknown outcome of reports submitted by the Government of Guam to the Department of Interior that include Governor Felix P. Camacho’s comments on the impacts of the Compact of Free Association and ways to mitigate related consequences. “As our island prepares for a massive population increase, more Compact citizens will want to come to Guam and we must receive sufficient Compact reimbursements to properly care for our entire community,” said Acting Governor Cruz. |
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A Message from the Governor of Guam
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