Month: September 2018

A STATEMENT FROM ACTING SPEAKER THERESE M. TERLAJE REGARDING BJC RESIGNATION

(September 14, 2018 – Hagåtña) We are very sad to see Speaker BJ Cruz leave the Legislative Branch and thank him for his tremendous service to our people. During his work as a lawmaker over the years, Speaker Cruz led with a rare combination of vision, courage and compassion. We look forward to great things for our island community as he continues his service to our people as the newly elected Public Auditor of Guam.

During this transition, and in the three-and-a-half months remaining, we must continue to work hard and work together in the Legislature for the benefit of the people of Guam. I am committed to doing my best in whatever capacity that is necessary and to be forthright about what we are facing going forward.

In the interim as Acting Speaker, I kindly ask that all official messages for the Speaker or the Legislature be transmitted to my office at the Guam Congress Building to ensure the appropriate distribution of information to all senators and the public.

Mandated electronic transmittals of reports or official messages and communications should be sent to speaker@guamlegislature.org. Unless otherwise directed by the Acting Speaker, all official messages, reports, or other documents received at this email address for the Speaker or the Guam Legislature will be posted on the Guam Legislature website under Messages and Communication. (http://www.guamlegislature.com/34th_mess_comms.htm)

All electronic communication intended for the senatorial office of Senator Therese Terlaje or the Committee on Culture and Justice should be sent to senatorterlajeguam@gmail.com.

My office is located at Guam Congress Building, 163 Chalan Santo Papa, Hagåtña, Guam 96910. Please do not hesitate to call (671) 472-3586 if any questions or concerns.

500th Anniversary Circumnavigation Commission Bill Introduced

FOR IMMEDIATE NEWS RELEASE (September 7, 2018) – The year 2021 will mark the 500th anniversary of the first circumnavigation of the earth initiated by Ferdinand Magellan, which includes his stopover to Guam and the Marianas Islands in March 1521. The government of Spain will host a number of international commemorative events including a retracing of the voyage, conferences, exhibits, and other programs.

Vice Speaker Therese Terlaje has introduced Bill No. 346-34 (COR) to establish a provisional commission named Inentnon Estudion I Umali’e yan Umafana’ I Taotao Hiyong Yan Taotao Tano’, which will be dedicated to overseeing Guam’s participation during the 500th anniversary of the circumnavigation.

Former University of Guam President Robert Underwood began discussions with Spanish government representatives from several agencies and was informed that plans may include a stop on Guam by the Spanish Navy, which will be coordinated with the United States.

“It is important that representatives of the Guam government and community also play a critical role to help ensure that indigenous Chamorro perspectives are given voice and that Guam be appropriately recognized in research, discussions, and various activities,” Vice Speaker Terlaje stated.

The commission will include representatives from the Office of the Governor, the Guam Legislature, the Department of Chamorro Affairs, the Guam Museum, I Kumision i Fino’ CHamoru yan i Fina’nå’guen i Historia yan i Lina’la’ Taotao Tåno’ (The Commission on CHamoru Language and the Teaching of the History and Culture of the Indigenous People of Guam), University of Guam, Guam Preservation Trust, Guam Visitors Bureau, and various local cultural and historical organizations.

“The group will help ensure that the people of Guam have an opportunity to share our unique view of the first encounter between Pacific Islanders and Westerners in this region,” Vice Speaker Terlaje stated.

TERLAJE INTRODUCES BILL TO LIMIT TERMS FOR MEMBERS OF BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS AND HEADS OF EXECUTIVE BRANCH AGENCIES

FOR IMMEDIATE NEWS RELEASE (September 7, 2018– Hagåtña)– Today Vice Speaker Therese M. Terlaje introduced Bill No. 345-34 (COR) to limit the terms of members of boards, commissions, heads of executive branch agencies and instrumentalities and public corporations to two years, in order to promote greater accountability in government.

Executive Branch agency heads and board and commission members are appointed for terms between three and six years. These lengthy terms represented an attempt to remove political pressure from the boards and commissions and directors, but have in fact insulated some agency heads, especially in autonomous agencies, from public scrutiny.

Per the Competitive Wage Act of 2014, most directors receive a minimum of $90,000 a year. Yet, acquiring pertinent and timely information from agencies is difficult, with senators resorting to FOIA requests for information that should be made readily available.

“Limiting terms to two years will require more frequent confirmation hearings on appointments to these positions of public trust, significantly increasing the opportunity for the public to comment on the performance of public servants and for legislative oversight to take place,” stated Vice Speaker Terlaje.

TERLAJE: BILL EXPEDITES DISTRIBUTION OF WAR CLAIMS FOR AWARDEES WHO PASS AWAY WHILE WAITING FOR AWARDS

FOR IMMEDIATE NEWS RELEASE (September 7, 2018 – Hagåtña) –Vice Speaker Therese M. Terlaje (D-Yoña) introduced a bill to streamline the distribution of war claims awards for survivor awardees who pass away before receiving their award. Bill No. 344-34 (COR) will ensure that the families or the heirs of eligible war survivors can obtain the recipient’s award expeditiously and at minimum cost. The bill would remove the requirement for a probate hearing, remove court costs and cap attorney fees at no more than $300.

The impetus for the bill was the news of the recent death of one of the war survivors from Merizo that Vice Speaker Therese Terlaje and her staff assisted in filing a war claims application.

“We have watched numerous members of this greatest generation pass on before seeing any compensation for the hardships that they experienced during the war. They deserve all of the help that we can offer them. Although we can’t help those that Congress already excluded, (war survivors who passed away before December 23, 2016) we can do our best for those who were allowed to submit a claim. It is my hope that this bill can shorten the wait and the costs for the families of any war claims applicants who die before receiving their war claims award,” stated Vice Speaker Terlaje.