NAME: Rory Respicio
RACE: Senatorial
PARTY: Democrat
VILLAGE: Agana Heights
CONTACT: Jennifer Louise Dulla, Treasurer, 472-7679
BIO:

EXPERIENCE

Senator Rory J. Respicio has attained a tremendous amount of practical and meaningful government experience well beyond his years. At 29, he was elected to his first term as a Senator in the Guam Legislature, having already served as a member of Governor Carl Gutierrez’s cabinet for two and one-half years; as a senior staff member of the Governor’s Office; as a member on numerous government and civilian boards and councils; and as a six-term member of the Guam Youth Congress (two as Speaker). As Director of the Department of Youth Affairs, Senator Respicio managed a team of more than 100 employees in three divisions. He implemented successful programs encouraging the positive development of adolescents including prevention, incarceration and rehabilitation. Under Senator Respicio’s watch, DYA was named Department of the Year for three straight years.

Senator Respicio was first elected to public office in Nov., 2002, securing a seat in the 27th Guam Legislature, and was chair of the Committee on Youth and Senior Citizens, Federal and Foreign Affairs, Military and Veteran Affairs, Human Resources and Natural Resources. He was a guest columnist for the Marianas Variety newspaper in 2005 and 2006, writing a weekly column on issues affecting our island. Senator Respicio was successful in his bids for re-election to the 28th, 29th, 30th, 31st, 32nd and 33rd Guam Legislatures, and is currently the Majority Leader and Chairperson of the Committee on Rules; Federal, Foreign & Micronesian Affairs; Human & Natural Resources, Election Reform and Capitol District.

Senator Respicio has had a number of his bills become law, including establishment of the Office of Finance and Budget, the requirement that testimony on fiscal matters be given under oath, and other important fiscal reform measures. He also wrote laws to protect voter rights, permit the use of telemedicine, and provide new funding sources for police officers and hospital care. He has worked to advance the revitalization of Guam's capitol, Hagåtña, and was responsible for the creation of the Guam First Commission to bring all the various interests in Guam together to speak with one voice concerning the military buildup, unfunded federal mandates and economic constraints, and other federal territorial issues. Senator Respicio has produced several landmark environmental laws including creation of Recycling Revolving Fund, an Economic Stimulus Program for private sector recycling efforts, and funding to implement the Zero Waste Program.

FAMILY

Senator Respicio is married to Joleen D. Flores and they have a son, Rory J. Respicio, Jr. His parents are Robert & Rose Manley Respicio, and his siblings are Robert Jr. & Sonia Altemus (Shelby & Sidney); and Rebecca Respicio. His in-laws are Jimmy Dee Flores & Jackie Flores. His brother-and sister-in-law are Dr. James & Valerie Flores of Los Angeles, and they have a daughter, Isa.

EDUCATION

Senator Respicio earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Government & Politics, minor in English/Business & Management from University of Maryland University College. He is a 1991 Graduate of John F. Kennedy High School.

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