FOR IMMEDIATE NEWS RELEASE (March 17, 2017 – Hagåtña) – Senator Therese M. Terlaje (D-Yona) issued the following statement after a full day of public hearing and Legislative session on Resolution Nos. 51-34 (LS) and 52-34 (LS):

“Today, I am humbled by the overwhelming community support for two resolutions that I believe are really urgent for the people of Guam.  The rapid pace of events called for the Legislature’s immediate action on behalf of the people of Guam, to timely render its opposition to both District Court opinion in Davis v. Guam and the Department of Justice’s position on the Chamorro Land Trust Act, as both issues have significant legal and political implications for the government of Guam and its residents,” stated Terlaje.

Dozens of people, including many community leaders, testified during today’s five-hour public hearing, with over 40 oral and written testimonies in full support of the two resolutions.

The public hearing was followed by an emergency session during which there was little debate, and the body successfully passed Res. No. 51-34 (12 yeas, 3 excused absences) and Res. No. 52-34 (11 yeas, 1 nay, 3 excused absences).

“I am thankful to my colleagues and to all those who came out to testify and be part of this very important step.  Truly, I am excited about the prospect of revitalizing the quest for self-determination and moving forward together,” Terlaje stated. 

Terlaje oversees the Guam Legislature’s Committee on Culture and Justice, including all matters relating to self-determination, political status, the United Nations, and the Commission on Decolonization, as well as all matters relating to indigenous rights and culture.

The March 17, 2017 recordings are available here:

Public Hearing – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e-_GnoMVOSA&feature=youtu.be

Session – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pon0_pk9_4c

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For more information, please call the Office of Vice Speaker Therese M. Terlaje at (671) 472-3586.