29th Legislature takes office

Before a crowd of hundreds of supporters in Guam's capitol of Hagatna, an inauguration ceremony was held for the 29th Guam Legislature. The island's fifteen elected senators took the oath of office, given by Supreme Court Chief Justice Philip Carbullido. The returning speaker of the 29th was Mark Forbes, who delivered the inaugural address.

In it, Forbes reflected on the last day of session for the 28th Guam Legislature, dwelling specifically on closing remarks given by Senator Judi Won Pat (D) and outgoing senator B.J. Cruz. The speaker talked about the commitment to serve the people of Guam and the need to put aside party politics. "And so to my colleagues in this hall," he announced, addressing Governor Felix Camacho, Lieutenant Governor Dr. Mike Cruz, and Attorney General Alicia Limtiaco, "I want you to know that I have absolute respect for you as human beings. I have absolute respect for the office that you hold and I pledge with every fiber of my being to work with you as people, because I don't think we have any choice."

Elected as vice-speaker in the Republican majority was senator Eddie Baza Calvo, with the secretary position going to Senator Ray Tenorio. The parliamentarian Senator Jim Espaldon, joined soon after by former speaker Senator Tony Unpingco as senior senator. Meanwhile, making a return to session floor is former speaker Senator Ben Pangelinan (D), who plans to focus on the government's finances and who says he's looking forward to the challenges and opportunities.

Pangelinan was quick to add that he's never shied away from work or controversy, which he says there's going to be plenty of in the coming months. "If we want to resolve the issue of the earned income tax credit," he told KUAM News, "the issue of our infrastructure requirements, education is in dire need of additional funding real money not just appropriations, and I've been creative in the past in finding those kind of resources that translate from just policy to real actual improvements in our economic activity."

As for freshman senator Frank Blas, Jr. he'll chair the Legislative Committee on Health, Human Services and Homeland Security. "One of the things that I'd like to do is look at the finances of the health services and have we properly provided the funding for this? And if the funding there is it being spent wisely? It's no big secret that I think one of the challenges we're going to have over the next few years is how are we going to be able to ensure that we continue to provide the services that we have or improve the services that we have with much less," explained Senator Blas.

During session this morning the leadership of the standing committees was also formally announced.

Speaker Mark Forbes
Committee on Education, General and Omnibus Matters

Vice-Speaker Eddie Baza Calvo
Committee on Finance, Taxation & Economic Development

Senator Ray Tenorio
Committee on Public Safety, Criminal Justice and Youth

Senator James Espaldon
Committee on Judiciary, Natural Resources, Infrastructure & Cultural Affairs

Senator Antonio R. Unpingco
Committee on Tourism, Maritime, Military, Veterans & Foreign Affairs

Senator Jesse Anderson Lujan
Committee on Aviation, Federal Affairs, Labor, Housing, Banking & Insurance
Committee on Agenda

Senator Frank Blas, Jr.
Committee on Health, Human Services & Homeland Security

Senator Frank Ishizaki
Committee on General Governmental Operations and Organization
Committee on Calendar