Legislature beefs up security for governor's State of the Island address

Security is going to be tight.

That's what KUAM News saw right away while trying to catch Gov. Lou Leon Guerrero during her 2023 state of the island rehearsal inside the Guam Congress Building Session Hall this morning. 

Inside the hall, the governor ironed out her annual speech — preparation that led to government officials blocking our cameras from capturing it inside the people’s house. The legislative sergeant-at-arms, Ed Pocaigue cited "logistics."

Strengthening the island’s economic recovery, the creation of new jobs, and the challenges we face as a community are just a few of the talking points the is expected to highlight. 

Here she is speaking with KUAM about her address just last week. 

“The state of the island today, I think the state of the island today is good–you go out there, and people are happy, really! You know, they come to me, and they thank me for what I’ve done—and it showed, I got re-elected by a major margin, and that is a message from the people of Guam as their appreciation," Leon Guerrero said. 

Now it’s her turn to deliver her message to the people—the event gathering high-profile GovGuam, federal, and military officials into one room.

Joseph San Agustin is the acting executive director of the Guam Legislature.

 “We’ve met with the security; we met with the Guam Police Department," he said. “We will have security posted up at all the primary entrances of the building."   

And for anyone driving by the Hagatna area, San Agustin offers a heads-up. 

“We will have a temporary road closure of just our lots, beginning at about—I think it’s about 3:30 p.m., so any individuals that come down who normally utilize the Guam Congress building for, like, the Wednesday night market will need to find alternative parking means," San Agustin said. "But it’s just for the day.” 

Seating inside the session hall and public hearing room is by invitation only. 

The governor is set to begin her state of the island address at 6:30 p.m., Wednesday.