Calvo, Respicio on Obama's address

by Sabrina Salas Matanane

Guam - Following President Obama's State of the Union Address, Governor Calvo wrote, "President Obama touched on issues that are so important to every day, hard working people right here in our community.  The President's plan to create more jobs and provide much-needed relief for current and prospective homeowners is ideal and I want to see these plans put to work in Guam, as well."

"Thousands of Guamanians struggle with the same challenges facing our fellow Americans and as a territory, many of the issues we face today are a result of federal action and inaction.  I am hopeful the Obama Administration and Congress will do more in the coming months to address the needs of the territories as they implement any plans they may have to restore the economy.  I will work with our federal partners to do whatever I can to ensure the opportunities the President spoke of will be extended to the people of Guam.""

Senator Rory Respicio wrote, "For us here in Guam, I believe we should be encouraged by the President's focus on  job creation, education, paying down the national debt, and cutting the payroll tax.  Working families in Guam will especially benefit from the President's urging the  passage of an extension of the Social Security payroll tax cut, given our rising cost of  living. "President Obama espoused positive approaches to business creation, clean energy, climate change, relief to those hurt by the mortgage meltdown, infrastructure construction, and immigration reform, especially his proposal to provide a pathway to citizenship for immigrants who graduate from US colleges with advanced degrees.

"It is my hope that Congress responds to the President's call for initiatives that will support the blueprint of "An America Built to Last" and it is my continued hope that in his promise of leaving no one behind, Guam will never be excluded from his plans for all Americans, as we are, after all, where America's Day Begins."