Hafa Adai , buenas dias, and good morning.
Today I come before you to deli ver my last State of the Island address.
Lt. Governor Cruz, Speaker Won Pat, Chief Justice Torres; former governors; members of the Consular Corps; Senators; Attorney General Limtiaco; Public Auditor Brooks; Archbishop Apuron and members of the clergy; Ju stices and Judges; Mayors and Vice-Mayors; members of the elected boards and commissions; members of the military; my wife, First Lady Joann Camacho and my mother, former First Lady Lourdes Camacho, Honored guests and my dear people of Guam, thank you for giving me this opportunity.
These past years have been marked by sacrifice and bravery beyond our imagination ... Our country is at war and many of our people are actively serving our nation in the on going fight against terrorism.
Guam has lost 17 sons, fathers, brothers and friends in this war. I would like to ask that you join me in a moment of silence to honor these sons of Guam who have made the ultimate sacrifice for their island and our nation. Thank you.
We pray to God that all of the brave soldiers who selflessly put themselves in harm's way for our freedom will come home safely. Our Lt. Governor has just returned from Afghanistan, where he was deployed for the third time in the Middle East. We warmly welcome back our Lt. Governor, Colonel Mike Cruz home and are grateful for his safe return.
Since this will be my last State of the Island, which may be cause for celebration amongst some of my friends in the Legislature.
I want to talk about what we have accomplished 111 the last seven years and define what this administration will be remembered for.
In January 2003, I raised my right hand and swore to serve you. I remember the circumstances I found myself in when I took office.
I recall taking my oath by candlelight amid the destruction of typhoon Pongsona. Much of our island was devastated; it was not a time of prosperity.
I reflect on a scripture that I found encouraging, Jeremiah 29: II, which reads "I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."
And there was hope. Confident expectancy that regardless of what happened in the past, by the grace of God, we would turn our setbacks around and tragedy would turn into triumph as we would tackle some of the most difficult issues our government has ever faced.
