Babauta gets federal endorsement after confirmation

The Office of Insular Affairs joins secretary Ken Salazar in lauding the Senate's confirmation of Guam native Tony Babauta as assistant secretary for insular affairs. Salazar says Babauta brings experience and familiarity with the people and policies of the U.S. insular areas and the freely associated states and that the department looks forward to Babauta's outstanding leadership.

Babauta will coordinate with other Executive Branch agencies federal policy for Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, the U.S. Virgin Islands and American Samoa. He also has the responsibility to administer and oversee federal assistance provided to the Federated States of Micronesia, the Marshall Islands and Palau.