From breaking ground on a new public hospital to “peace for all,” some elected leaders shared what they look forward to in 2024.
We are facing many troubles, across all parts of our government. I believe it is because some have lost sight of what it really means to serve our people, and instead they serve themselves. I am looking forward to standing up for our people, fighting for Guam and challenging the same old establishment politics that holds hostage the progress we need and deserve.
Sen. Frank Blas Jr.
Every new year brings us a wonderful opportunity to transform our lives for the better. We can reflect on the previous year and see what we did well and what we can improve, and we can look forward to the next year and create new goals and strategies. We can also enjoy the present moment and be grateful for what we have right now. A new year is a blessing that we can use to shape our future and chase our dreams. Let’s embrace this chance with happiness and thankfulness, and let’s work together to make this year awesome.
It has been an honor and privilege to serve our community and collaborate with its members to enhance the quality of life for everyone. I am ardent about making our government more responsive, accountable and effective in delivering the services that our people deserve and need. I am also committed to fostering a climate of innovation and opportunity that will boost our economic development and health care outcomes. I thank the community for their trust and support, and I will continue to work for the good of all.
Please also allow me to thank my staff, my colleagues, the legislative staff, and the many people who share in the vision to make Guam better. Most especially, I thank my friends, my family, and my wife for their love, support, and patience that they have given to me throughout my term. Happy New Year.
Sen. Joanne Brown
As we reflect on the year that just concluded, and the year to come, I want to share my hopes for the new year. This past year, we have been faced with many challenges, from the force of Typhoon Mawar hitting our island to arm-wrestling with the opening of the new school year while simultaneously addressing challenges with the maintenance and facilities of schools to grappling with the administration on the location of a new hospital for the people of Guam. Collectively, there were many areas in which we, your elected leaders, did not agree, which was to be expected, but we always parted ways with a better understanding of one another and our goals.
I look forward to building on that understanding in the coming year by ensuring our government is better prepared for emergencies, providing safe schools for our children, and finding common ground necessary to realize a new hospital for our people. I remain steadfast in continuing to push for transparency in government and end government corruption.
Sen. Christopher Duenas
Looking ahead to the new year, I’m eager to continue giving back to the people of Guam and build upon the progress we’ve achieved in office. This is not a task that is taken lightly, and my focus is on reaching even greater heights through legislation. My office aims to make a substantial impact on the key areas of education, public safety, and healthcare. By setting a higher bar, we aspire to improve the standard of living and well-being of our community.
The joy of Christmas and the anticipation of the New Year focus on unity, compassion, and a commitment to making meaningful contributions to the welfare of the people of Guam. I will continue to stay committed to improving the quality of life for all that call Guam home.
Sen. Thomas Fisher
Just peace for all.
Sinajana Mayor Robert Hofmann
In 2024, I am looking forward to completing several projects, such as the village marketplace, ADA playground, community center renovations, and road paving projects for our community, and continuing the tremendous progress we made in 2023.
I’m hoping 2024 is a prosperous year for our tourism industry and many small businesses so the workers can share in the gains and have better lives for them and their families.
And for me personally, I am looking forward to growing in my faith, spending more time with my family and facing the challenges with a positive outlook.
Gov. Lou Leon Guerrero
There are many good things to come in 2024, but I am most especially looking forward to breaking ground for our new hospital.
Sen. Jesse Lujan
I’m looking forward to the opportunity to continue working on policies to benefit the people of Guam. My commitment to address the challenges facing our community remains the same, and I anticipate continuing my work to implement policies and programs that foster economic growth, and championing efforts to improve the quality of life, access to public resources, and a more efficient and transparent government for our island.
Vice Speaker Tina Muña Barnes
In 2024, I pray our island family is spared from the suffering we have endured from disease, disasters and death. While many of our experiences are beyond our control, I will work my hardest to support the livelihoods of Guam’s people, through legislation that invests in workers, explores new industries and bolsters small businesses.
Sen. Sabina Perez
As we welcome the New Year, I am filled with hope and anticipation for the opportunities that lie ahead for our island to come together as a community — uniting leaders and citizens to collaboratively address and resolve some of the most enduring challenges we face in Guåhan.
We are at a pivotal moment to provide solutions for long-term issues such transforming education on Guam by promoting early childhood education, increasing literacy, and institutionalizing pre-apprenticeship opportunities in our schools to diversify our workforce and the economy that will provide for families and strengthen island resilience.
Looking forward, holistic approaches are needed to address the health care needs of our people, from increasing access to medical services to identifying a suitable location for the new hospital. Protecting our environment and natural resources also play a central role in creating better health outcomes for our people. Ensuring safe drinking water, protecting our jungles and marine ecosystems, along with our culture and place-based traditions all play a part in improving the well-being of our people. I also am committed to addressing the epidemic of the abuse of electronic nicotine device systems (ENDS), also known as vaping, amongst our youth.
The work of promoting island resiliency must also involve increasing the capacity and innovation of our government which means strengthening transparency, accountability, ethics, and fiscal responsibility.
Together, we will face these challenges and seize these opportunities with the resilience, compassion, and unity that define us as people of Guåhan. I am excited to embark on this journey with each and every one of you, as we work towards a brighter, more equitable, and sustainable future for our island and its people.
Sen. Roy Quinata
As we welcome the New Year, I look forward to the continued opportunity to serve our community in more profound and meaningful ways. I anticipate the challenges that lie ahead and am eager to address them with the commitment and dedication that the people of Guam deserve. I am also excited for the prospects of growth and development that the New Year brings. Most importantly, I am eager to continue fostering unity and cooperation among our people. For it is through our collective efforts that we can truly build a stronger, better Guam.
Sen. Joe San Agustin
With the New Year around the corner, I am excited to continue collaborations and working on legislation that further brings opportunities and supports a quality of life all the people of Guam can benefit and sustain.
Sen. Amanda Shelton
I hope to see further economic improvement in 2024, and that it will have a direct positive impact on working families. As we approach the 4th anniversary of the global COVID pandemic, I am concerned that our recovery is not on par with the rest of the nation or with Asia, and I look forward to closing the gap.
We were very fortunate for the federal funding we received during the worst of the pandemic. It was key to keeping so many employers, employees, families, and individuals afloat. However, as those pandemic direct aid packages expire and funds are exhausted, it is imperative the local economy stand on its own again and that we raise our standard of living for everyone. I look forward to this happening.
The New Year also brings with it the hope that efforts to address drug abuse, homelessness, workforce development, affordable housing, healthcare, public safety, and education will achieve meaningful, measurable results. These are crucial quality of life issues.
I look forward to continued progress addressing at home the challenges posed by environmental changes happening globally. I also believe 2024 will be a pivotal year for understanding the benefits and the risks posed by Artificial Intelligence, and that it is not too soon to plan for the changes it will bring in years to come.
Our island is strongest when we respect one another and work together. The more invested one becomes in seeing others as absolutely wrong, the harder it is to reach the nuanced compromises that can bring about meaningful change. It is my hope and prayer that in 2024 we see less divisiveness and greater understanding among all leaders. The issues we face require nothing less.
Finally, I wish you and yours a safe New Year’s holiday and a healthy and prosperous 2024.
Sen. Telo Taitague
I’m looking forward to a year of progress where my colleagues and I work together to pass good legislation for our community. Another election year is here and I’m hopeful that those working for their self-serving agendas step down and make room for new lawmakers who truly want to serve Guam and her people. I have faith in the promise of a great year ahead where personal agendas disappear, fiscal responsibility takes center stage, and we pick up the pace in our work to fix our hospital, improve our schools, and make our community a safer place to live, work and thrive.
Lt. Gov. Joshua Tenorio
More economic opportunities for the island and higher paying jobs for the people.
Speaker Therese Terlaje
It is my hope that all of us in Guam enter the new year able to feel joy and peace. This year was very challenging for our community, and some are still trying to recover. In the new year, I look forward to recommitting ourselves to working hard and helping each other with compassion, as we overcome any challenges the new year may bring.
Source: Pacific Daily News