"The Proa of Opportunity"

Hafa Adai my fellow Guamanians and my fellow Micronesians,

I know that media headlines and conversations we have with colleagues and friends are often concerned with the hardships facing our community and our families. It seems as though everyone around us is struggling in some way, whether it's keeping up with bills or wondering how much that next tank of gas will take away from the food we put on our table. As a husband, a father and your proud leader, I know where you're coming from. I know these worries can sometimes be overwhelming.

But, I promise you – your leaders are listening. From your elected leaders here on Guam, to our fellow leaders throughout Micronesia, we hear you, my dear people. Your best interests keep us busy throughout the day and your future keeps us up late at night… and that's why we're coming together to work for you…

To all my fellow Guamanians who hold tight to their Marshallese, Ponpheian, Palauan, Kosraean and Chuukese heritage, and to my fellow Chamorros from Saipan, Rota and Tinian: your proud leaders from your home islands will be here this week to work with one another during the 17th Micronesian Chief Executives' Summit.

We're coming together with one common goal – one united purpose: to set the course for a better Micronesia.

We're not just going to talk about our peoples' most pressing issues, we're going to lay the foundation for workable strategies to improve your quality of life. We have the capacity to build a globally competitive Micronesian economy and I'm going to ask each and every one of our leaders to commit to one another – and to you – to turn these strategies we develop into action.

It's not enough to come together. We'll bring our best ideas to the table and we'll commit transforming these ideas into progress – tangible, visible solutions that every member of our Micronesian community can grasp and build upon. We will find ways to change conversations about hardship into stories about our latest accomplishments.

Our people depend on us to make decisions that affect almost every aspect of your lives… it's time we start depending on you – giving you every opportunity to take part in building a stronger economy. We often talk about partnerships with our neighbors in Asia or with our federal government… but our greatest partnership is with that the people that we serve. We can build better governments, thriving communities and a sound future for our islands with you – the partners we are proud to serve every day.

You are the greatest resource of Micronesia, and you are the reason your leaders have chosen to serve. We only need to look within for the solutions to our struggles.

I've always believed that "challenge" is simply another word for "opportunity." An opportunity for fellowship, partnership and progress is upon us today. Join me in welcoming our Micronesian leaders this week and hold fast to the faith that every challenge will turn into opportunity…

Let's draw on the strength of the proud people of Micronesia who have endured centuries of change, and remember the legacy that we are all a part of, The opportunity and the responsibility is ours for the taking, So let's ride that proa of opportunity together.

To all the people of Guam and Micronesia, and to my fellow leaders who are here with us… let's pray for God's guidance through today's challenges and may the good Lord bless you, your families and all the people of Micronesia.