by Sabrina Salas Matanane

Guam - Focusing on a renewal of faith, Congresswoman Madeleine Bordallo delivered her annual report to the people of Guam last night at the Guam Legislature. Bordallo covered all the major federal topics, such as self determination, military buildup, war claims, Compact impact, sequestration, Obamacare, the China visa waiver and veterans affairs, all of which she pledged to continue to fight for and called on the community and island leaders to work together on.

"Let us renew our faith in our people and each other to strengthen our One Guam voice, that will be heard by all. In addressing our political social and economic aspirations and needs, let us renew our faith in ourselves in order to achieve the best for our island, our home," she announced.

One of the new developments from her address was her announcement of plans to work with the Guam Judiciary to establish a local veterans court to help veterans who may have trouble readjusting to civilian life after their service. She said, "Just as the Judiciary's Adult and Juvenile Drug Courts have provided therapeutic justice for those who struggle with substance abuse here on Guam, establishing a veterans court will help veterans receive the treatment and counseling they need while providing alternatives to harsher penalties."

The congresswoman meanwhile also talked about the growing momentum in Congress to reform the Federal Tax Code which could have serious implications for the island community. She recognized efforts by Senators Mike Limtiaco and Mike San Nicolas to study whether Huam should develop its own tax code and delink from the Mirror Code System. "So now is the right time to begin a dialogue on delinking from the federal tax code, let us renew our resolve to put Guam on a firm tax foundation for our future," she proposed.

The congresswoman ended her speech just as she began it with her emphasis on the need to resolve our political status, Bordallo saying this decolonization process is perhaps the single most important long term priority for our island, and we must renew our commitment to making this effort. "Our journey will never be complete unless we undertake to resolve our political status and to decolonize Guam. We must renew our determination to take the necessary steps that will define our political relationship with the United States and give the people of Guam the political dignity they deserve," she said.