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Residents vocalize feelings on military migration
Thursday night's town hall meeting on the migration of United States Marines and their dependants from Okinawa, Japan to Guam, hosted by congressional representative Madeleine Bordallo, lasted much longer than the two hours than it was scheduled for. Bordallo was joined by U.S. Virgin Islands delegate Donna Christensen and congressman Eni Faleomavaega from American Samoa.
Faleomavaega arrived with the two women after attending the public hearing on HR 30-79, which proposed to federalize immigration in the CNMI, held Wednesday in Saipan's Supreme Court Building. All three congressional delegates are members of the House Subcommittee on Insular Affairs, with Christensen serving as chairperson.
For several hours the members heard testimony from various sectors of the community. Each was asked to keep their testimony to five minutes; Congresswoman Bordalo told the audience that she would stay as long as it would take to record everyone's testimony. In her opening remarks, Christensen said the members originally came to Guam to hold Monday's field oversight hearing, adding that the subcommittee "couldn't gather everyone important" at that hearing, and that the "voices and power of the people" allowed tonight's meeting to occur.
Bordallo also stated those who testified tonight fulfilled the obligation of citizenship.
First up to testify was executive director of the Joint Guam Program Office, David Bice. He appeared defensive in responding to concerns that have been raised since Monday's hearing regarding Guam not having a "place at the table" in the planning stages of the military buildup. Bice said while he understands the anxiety and frustration expressed, the Department of Defense was not at the point to get into specific details because studies of the impact of moving troops and their dependents have yet to be completed. He said that discussions with the Japanese government have only been related to the agreement between that country and the United States. Bice said the issue is very complex, saying, "This is the first time a foreign government has participated in a relocation of U.S. forces."
In terms of criticism from government leaders on the lack of dialogue, a study is underway regarding the island's utilities, Bice said, adding that he has met with local water and power officials to get insight on matters like management practices. But before the DoD can begin taking action, he clarified that the federal government "must do [our] homework".
He concluded his testimony by thanking the Government of Guam for meeting with him and his staff and said discussions have always been open and honest. "Although we don't have all the answers, we will continue to meet and dialogue," he stated.
Immediately following that assertion, several members of the 29th Guam Legislation provided testimony on the expansion of forces. Senators Eddie Calvo, Ben Pangelinan, Judi Guthertz, David Shimizu, Jesse Anderson Lujan, Rory Respicio, Frank Ishizaki, Tina Rose Muna-Barnes and Jim Espaldon all spoke. Governor Felix Camacho and First Lady Joann Camacho, as well as Lieutenant Governor Mike Cruz and his wife Jennifer were also in attendance but did not submit testimony.
Lawmakers talked about a wide range of issues, from the need for a financial impact study to be conducted to the impact the expansion would have on the island's infrastructure, a partnership with the military to address public safety concerns.
One of the more emotionally-charged testimonials came from Senator Lujan, who took aim at Bice. While Lujan noted him as being "a good friend to the buildup" effort, he was disappointed with Bice having "pacified" the people of Guam. "We should get a general with more stars," the Republican noted scathingly.
During his testimony, Lujan made reference to a letter he said he sent to Bice on the military's plans citing a road linking Anderson Air Force Base in Yigo to Naval Station in Sumay. Lujan said he sent the letter to inquire whether the road would be acceptable to the public. He said instead of receiving a straight answer to a straight question, he got more platitude. He promised to block effort to build such a road if it would not be accessible to the public, saying, "A prison term would be better and than serving under a dictatorship rule."
Senator Espaldon's testimony was a bit more tempered, but equally provocative. The freshman policymaker testified how Guam is prime real estate in the eyes of the DoD, and seemed leery of the concentration of power on Guam, not only with the military but with multinational corporations who would come to the island only for profit. He also stated, "Strategic planning is worthless unless there is strategic vision." He also said, "The quality of life for our people should not be a footnote for this plan."
Following Guam's elected leaders, various members of the island community showed up in force, each with separate but interrelated assertions that the proposed expansion would have on the island. President of the Guam Veteran's Advisory Council Dr. John Taitano talked about how the island's veterans are treated like second-class citizens. Considering Guam doesn't have a vote in Congress, he noted, local residents can't cast a vote for president, and are typically at the bottom of the list when seeking healthcare. He also spoke of the ramifications the buildup would have on current and future veterans. He stressed the certainty of additional personnel would have on the local healthcare system and the need for a VA clinic on Guam.
Speaking on the topic of healthcare was founder and chairman of the Guam Hospital Development Forum Peter Sgro. He told the committee that the current need for hospital beds on Guam is at 317, saying, "Guam is already a significantly an under-bedded community when it comes to capacity." He added that with projected growth in the civilian population associated with military buildup could be between 15,000-20,000 people. The adverse healthcare to Guam is significant, he said. He further requested the subcommittee to add into the environmental impact statement a similar analysis (which coincidentally is not included National Environmental Policy Act, which mandates an EIS to be conducted).
While there were those who were expressing concern about the expansion, others talked about statements made by Guam's elected leaders about the U.S. Marine Corps. John Gerber, a retired Marine and Vietnam veteran, emotionally said, "I tried to stay out of this, but when I started hearing my Marines being trashed by public officials, that's what made me come here tonight." He testified that the buildup was not about the USMC, but about strategy. He provided to give a brief oral history of the Corps' relationship with Guam, spanning several decades.
Gerber produced an article from Life magazine featuring Guam during the 1940's. He made it a point to the subcommittee and those in attendance that the Marines were responsible for major infrastructure, punctuated with Marine Corps Drive. He said the island's main thoroughfare is for everyone to use. "I do not believe the Marines are going to leave us out," he added.
Other special interest organizations also testified, including representatives from the Pacific Association of Radiation Survivors and the Fuetsan Famaloa'an organization for women's rights, and I Nasion Chamoru.
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