FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (August 9, 2021 – Hagåtña, Guam) Speaker Therese Terlaje introduced Resolution 143-36 (LS) Friday afternoon to express support and advocate for the passage of H.R. 3730, which was introduced to the U.S. House of Representatives by the Honorable Delegate Gregorio Kilili Camacho Sablan from the Northern Marianas Islands on June 04, 2021. The bill is co-sponsored by ten other House members, including Guam’s own Honorable Delegate Michael F.Q. San Nicholas.

H.R. 3730 proposes an Advisory Committee on United States Outlying Areas and Freely Associated States to advise the Secretary on matters relating to covered veterans, including program and services improvement. The Advisory Committee will consist of 15 voting members appointed to represent covered veterans in eight remote areas of the world, including Guam. 

The resolution is co-sponsored by Senator Jose “Pedo” Terlaje who serves as Chairperson of the Committee on Military and Veteran’s Affairs. Senator Terlaje was “honored” to co-sponsor the resolution, stating that, “Our local veterans need a seat at the table when decisions are being made by Veterans Administration.  The people of Guam are always first to volunteer to defend our country, they should be first when it comes to taking care of veterans.”

“I want to thank Honorable Delegate Gregorio Kilili Camacho Sablan and his co-sponsors for introducing this bill to the House,” said Speaker Terlaje. “For years I have listened to the hardships experienced by our island’s veterans. From unprocessed medical claims to understaffed facilities to Agent Orange exposure, I have advocated for our veterans, and will continue to do so which is why I have introduced this resolution. I believe that H.R. 3730 will aid in getting our veterans the representation they deserve.”