Inside the large conference room in Adelup, a group of manamko,' joined Gov. Lou Leon Guerrero as she signed the local war claims bill, Bill 181-35, into law.

The governor thanked the elders for being present at the historic signing.

"You are the reason we are here," the governor said. "You are the reason we are so passionate in our pursuit of this bill to create a local program. Finally, we are here after a year of persistence but those months of challenges and the opposition we face pails in comparison to the unspeakable harm our people suffered over 75 years ago and had to continue to face for over seven decades of waiting. But after 75 years of waiting, our greatest generation now start to heal old wounds. Their loyalty is recognized, their courage is honored and soon a memorandum of agreement with the department of treasury will begin the process of fulfilling a debt. Signing this bill into law is more than just paying long overdue debt. It acknowledges the pains of the past. It's symbolic of the peace of the present. It's about making our greatest generation whole."

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