by Sabrina Salas Matanane
Guam - President Barack Obama will not only be speaking to the military while visiting Guam next week, he will speak to the island community. During a teleconference with media this morning, White House officials confirm the president will host a public event. He will be on island next Monday.
National Security Council Chief of Staff Denis McDonough stating while here he'll not only visit with commanders, but also with local Guam authorities. "He's going to make sure that we have a very realistic and sustainable and well thought out approach to Guam. He has a vision, which we refer to here as 'One Guam, Green Guam', which is apropos of many of the questions heretofore, designed to make sure that we're investing in capabilities on Guam that are sustainable over the course of time, that are clean energy focused, that do take very concrete steps to reduce the high price of energy on the island, and obviously will lead to an end state that's politically, operationally, and environmentally sustainable," he said.
McDonough went on to say that while here he will take a hard look at the project and infrastructure needs on island along with base related construction that must take into accounts the needs of not only of an increased troop presence or Marine presence, but also the needs of the people of Guam, the impact on the environment, and the important role that the United States plays within the region. McDonough added that he wanted to make it clear that the Obama Administration has a commitment to the people of Guam and are going to make very common-sense and important investments in the infrastructure here.
Reacting to the teleconference, Congresswoman Madeleine Bordallo says the president's visit will focus attention on Guam and our role in regional security. It is also an opportunity for the Obama Administration to engage with us on the issues important to our community. "I join the people of Guam in extending a warm Hafa Adai to the president and I hope that he takes the opportunity to meet our people and to learn what makes our community a special part of America," she said.
