(Hagåtña, Guam) –The April Session of 2024 concluded with the 37th Guam Legislature unanimously adopting Resolution No.179-37(LS) and Resolution No.260-37(LS). Both resolutions are authored by Senator Jesse Lujan with the goal of supporting efforts to secure the island and achieve regional stability.
“I want to thank my colleagues for the bipartisan backing of Resolution No.179-37(LS) and Resolution No.260-37(LS). Both of these resolutions seek to improve the security of our island and ensure peace in the region,” the Republican lawmaker stated.
Resolution No.179-37(LS), as amended by the Author, is “Relative to requesting the United States Congress and the Biden Administration to favorably consider providing the multi-year funding needed to harden Guam’s infrastructure to meet the goals of installation resiliency and ensure Guam is capable of withstanding future natural and manmade threats and disasters.”
The measure urgently calls for the U.S. Congress to invest in hardening and upgrading Guam’s infrastructure to ensure the resilience and sustainability of our island in the face of future natural disasters and man-made crises. The resolution is co-sponsored by Senator Chris Barnett, Senator Sabina Flores Perez, Senator Roy A. B. Quinata, Senator Dwayne T.D. San Nicolas, Senator Joanne M. Brown, Senator William A. Parkinson, Senator Telo T. Taitague, Senator Christopher M. Dueñas, Senator Frank Blas, Jr., Vice Speaker Tina Rose Muña Barnes, Senator Joe S. San Agustin, Speaker Therese M. Terlaje, and Senator Thomas J. Fisher.
“Resolution 179 highlights the challenges Guam endured to recover from Typhoon Mawar and the various cybersecurity breaches last year. It is important, now more than ever, to strengthen and fortify our island’s infrastructure for the mutual benefit of both the civilian well-being and U.S. military operations,” Lujan voiced.
Resolution No.260-37(LS), as amended by the Author; and further amended on the Floor, is “Relative to supporting Guam’s efforts in the U.S. Congress for the passage of H.RES. 837, introduced in the United States House of Representatives, which seeks to reaffirm the ties between the United States and the Philippines; and to further supporting the U.S.-Philippines Mutual Defense Commitment.”
The legislation stresses the need for Guam to support the Philippines in reaffirming the relationship between the United States and the Philippines and rally behind House Resolution 837, introduced by Congressman James C. Moylan. The resolution is co-sponsored by Senator Chris Barnett, Senator Frank Blas, Jr., Senator Joanne M. Brown, Senator Christopher M. Dueñas, Senator Thomas J. Fisher, Vice Speaker Tina Rose Muña Barnes, Senator William A. Parkinson, Senator Sabina Flores Perez, Senator Roy A. B. Quinata, Senator Joe S. San Agustin, Senator Dwayne T.D. San Nicolas, Senator Amanda L. Shelton, Senator Telo T. Taitague, and Speaker Therese M. Terlaje.
“Resolution 260 emphasizes the significance of the relationship between the United States and the Philippines and the relationship between Guam and the Philippines. The legislation also expresses support for the U.S.-Philippines Mutual Defense Commitment. Maintaining stability and security in the Philippines is crucial to safeguarding the well-being and strategic interests of Guam and the Indo-Pacific region,” Lujan said.
Both resolutions gained the bipartisan support of all fifteen lawmakers in the 37th Guam Legislature and were unanimously passed.
“Once again, I want to express my gratitude to the members of the 37th Guam Legislature for advancing these resolutions and supporting the security of our island, the security of our region, and the security of our nation. By unanimously supporting Resolution 179 and Resolution 260, we are moving in the right direction towards achieving sustainable peace and stability for Guam,” Lujan concluded.
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