Welcome to the Office of the Governor of Guam

April 17, 2008

Governor Felix P. Camacho today welcomed Chief Justice Robert J. Torres, Jr.; Justices; Judges; attorneys; and other legal professionals to Adelup, where he declared May 1 as "Law Day" and April 27 – May 4 as "Law Week."

"Your service to our community is one of integrity, duty, honor and great purpose," Governor Camacho told the legal community gathered.  "The people of Guam look to you with great respect, because you carry on a proud tradition of justice that keeps order, protects our citizens and preserves the rights of all our people."

Law Day and Law Week are celebrated every year to recognize the important role of legal professionals and the legal system.  This year's theme, "The Rule of Law: Foundation for Communities of Opportunity and Equity," encourages communities to examine the rule of law, the role of legal professionals to sustain it and its significance to protecting democracy.

Governor Camacho also signed a proclamation in celebration of "Earth Week," to encourage residents to do their part in protecting and preserving our natural resources.  This year's theme, "Conserve Our Reef Environment (CORE)," was selected in recognition of Guam's unique marine environment and to coincide with regional and worldwide campaigns, "Pacific Year of the Reef" and "International Year of the Reef."

The Governor was joined by officials from the Guam Environmental Protection Agency, businesses, partners, students, organizations and volunteers, who have partnered together to promote environmental stewardship.  He thanked them for their commitment to Guam's natural resources.

"This Earth Week is proclaimed in honor of how far we've come and in recognition of the partnerships we've built to change Guam," Governor Camacho told the partners.  "As our island enters a new era of opportunity, I am grateful for your dedication to our environment.  The work you do leaves a lasting mark for generations that follow ours."

Governor Felix P. Camacho today issued the following statement after receiving news that Private Joseph Miner was wounded yesterday in Afghanistan:

"Lt. Governor Cruz and I are praying for Private Miner's quick recovery.  Private Miner was presented the Purple Heart and Infantryman Badge which speak to his valor and courage.  We are grateful for his brave service and I ask the people of Guam also to keep him and his family in their prayers. "

Governor Felix P. Camacho tonight spoke to the people of Guam about the transition our government and island is making toward a season of transformation.

Governor Camacho delivered his sixth State of the Island Address this evening, explaining the vision and direction the people of Guam must take, the opportunities for us, the foundations we will lay and the inheritance this generation will leave for the next.

"As servant leaders, we have taken our charge to do all we can in the time allotted to lay a solid foundation upon which this community will build the new Guam," Governor Camacho said.

Governor Camacho first detailed his Administration's efforts to lay a strong foundation for the Guam Buildup that will lead to an island "transformed by the work we do today."  The Governor called for greater transparency by the Department of Defense and a true partnership, which will lead to a higher quality of life for the people of Guam.  He explained that the buildup of our island has already begun, with efforts to sustain economic growth.  The Governor told the people of Guam that we are already seeing record-breaking real estate transactions, hundreds of millions of dollars in government and private sector investments and a workforce that has grown by 5,800 jobs since the Governor took office.

The Governor also outlined the steps he is taking to make homeownership possible for more people, reduce the island's dependence on fossil fuels and improve Guam for future generations.

He expressed strong concerns with the Guam Public School System.

"Since 1993, GPSS has spent more than $2.8 billion," Governor Camacho said.  "Yet test scores are still low, facilities are not maintained, supplies are lacking, vendors are not paid and many high school graduates do not have the necessary skills to qualify and compete for gainful employment."

The Governor added that, "We can no longer afford to pour millions of dollars into the Guam Public School System without the necessary accountability for those funds, and tangible results in our children's education.  Much has been given to GPSS with little to show for it.  The system in place is simply not working."

Governor Camacho is calling for:

• A change in the school board composition so that some members are elected while others are appointed, because continuity is critical to the stability of the school system;
• Restoration of Executive Branch authority over GPSS to ensure checks and balances in budgeting, procurement and personnel matters;
• Reinstatement of the Governor's authority to appoint the Superintendent;
• Outsourcing of services where necessary; and
• The creation of charter schools within the GPSS system."
  

Governor Camacho also is calling on the Legislature to approve his proposal to finance the equipment for the new schools he is building, three of which are slated to open at the beginning of the next school year.

The Governor also spoke about the government of Guam's deficit and the need for all leaders to work collaboratively to solve this long-standing problem.  "The government's finances jeopardize the potential of our island to grow at a time when we are preparing for this historic buildup.  The domino effect of the deficit is escalating the problem so that it will eventually touch every aspect of our people's lives."

Click here to download the highlights of the Governor's address. (Word Format)

Click here to download the State of the Island Address. (Word format) 

Deadline for 2008 Summer Term Interns is April 25, 2008

April 11, 2008

Governor Felix P. Camacho and Lt. Governor Michael W. Cruz, M.D. are pleased to announce the launch of the Office of the Governor and Lt. Governor Internship Program.

Full-time positions are available in eight offices of the Governor and Lieutenant Governor during the summer and fall terms.  Selected interns will receive course credit for their participation at the discretion of the college or university.

Students are encouraged to apply.  Application deadline for the upcoming summer term is April 25, 2008.

"This internship is a way to motivate our future leaders, who will one day take the helm of our island," Governor Camacho said.  "The program provides an opportunity to encourage responsibility and leadership."

"We should seize every opportunity to inspire our young people to leadership and this internship program will do just that," Lieutenant Governor Cruz said.

Applicants must be:

    * At least 18 years of age on or before the first day of the internship;
    * Enrolled in an undergraduate program at a college or university, or graduated the previous semester; and
    * A United States citizen.

Complete application packets must include:

    * Office of the Governor and Lieutenant Governor Internship Application ;
    * Current resume; and
    * Three letters of recommendation.

Application packets may be submitted by email or fax.  They also may be delivered to the Office of the Governor – Central Files Office.

Upon selection, candidates must consent to a security investigation prior to their start date and submit to drug screening analysis.  All security measures are confidential and intended to protect the applicant as well as the Offices of the Governor and Lieutenant Governor.

Complete program details and application form can be downloaded here .

Further questions and correspondence about the Internship Program may be submitted to This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it   Interested applicants also may contact the Internship Coordinator, Charlene Concepcion at 475-8931 ext. 025.

FEMA commends DPW's commitment and satisfactory progress

April 11, 2008

Governor Felix P. Camacho today announced that the Federal Emergency Management Agency has reinstated Guam into the National Flood Insurance Program after more than a decade of probation.

Structural and procedural violations of Guam's Flood Damage Prevention Ordinance and NFIP regulations prevented local residents and businesses from participating in the federally-funded insurance program since 1992.  Recent efforts by DPW and other government agencies to implement corrective actions have resulted in NFIP reinstatement and improved opportunities to compete for other hazardous mitigation assistance grants.

"This is a significant milestone in our mission to address the critical areas of concern and strengthen the foundations of our community," Governor Camacho said.  "Since 1992, our residents and businesses were not able to participate in this federally-funded insurance program. I commend the men and women of Public Works for the tremendous job they have done to bring us into compliance with federal regulations to ensure the safety of our people and Guam's eligibility for critical federal assistance."

The NFIP was established to provide federally-funded flood insurance to property owners in communities that have implemented and enforced floodplain control regulations to prevent and reduce flood damages.

"Guam has now made satisfactory progress addressing the bulk of the documented violations," FEMA Regional Director Nancy Ward stated in a letter to Governor Camacho.  "Our Region XI staff wishes to recognize the professionalism of Mr. Lawrence Perez, Director, DPW and his staff for their hard work in moving Guam towards compliance."

Ward acknowledged that while there are other issues that must be addressed, DPW and other government agencies have restored the agency's confidence enough to lift the NFIP probation.  FEMA Region XI officials will continue providing technical assistance to ensure proper compliance.