It's not often that members of the community get to talk one-on-one with our island's leaders. But yesterday, the Guam Women's Chamber of Commerce brought congressional candidates front and center before a group of our famalao'an to speak to their concerns and hopefully capture their vote.
An opportunity to engage directly with candidates, learn more about their priorities, and ask meaningful questions about issues impacting Guam's future unfolded in Tumon on Thursday as the Guam Women's Chamber of Commerce hosted their "Members in Action" series. Organized by the Chamber's Government Committee, the series kicked off with a congressional candidate forum, featuring former senator Mary Camacho Torres under the Republican Party and former attorney general of Guam Alicia Garrido Limtiaco, running under the Democratic Party.
The GWCC adds that current Guam delegate, James Moylan, was invited, but was unable to attend. Ahead of the panel discussion, the pair each outlined their platforms.
Torres said, "We have to be honest with one another. Life on Guam is very difficult – the cost of living is high – and a lot of us don't feel that we really have a future here. Certainly, many of our children question that all the time. I'm running for Congress because I believe that we can do better."
And Limtiaco added, "For more than three decades I have been serving the people of Guam, and it's been my privilege to do so in public service as an educator and through the practice of law. I humbly come before you, asking for your support and trust, and like many of us, we want to make Guam better."
And throughout the morning, candidates shared their thoughts and action plans for how they anticipate tackling some of our island's greatest challenges. From abortion legislation to strengthening public education, child care access for working families, and uplifting Guam's economy through innovative initiatives and supporting the island's small businesses.
And a key point in the discussion was their shared opposition to deep sea mining in the Marianas. Torres says that protecting the ocean is our responsibility to our heritage and our future, stating, "When the announcement for deep sea mining was made, over 65,000 people in Guam and around the Pacific registered opposition to it. And yet, in January before the House Natural Resources Committee, our delegate testified that Guam is not opposed to deep sea mining."
She added, "This is exactly why Guam needs a clearer and stronger voice in Washington."
And Limtiaco states she is actively working in community and professional organizations to support formal resolutions against deep sea mining, saying, "We want to monitor this activity because it's important for us to ensure that we are doing our part to comply with all domestic and international laws – including the United Nations Declaration of the Rights of Indigenous Persons, the Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction or High Seas Treaty."
"We all have a right, a human right, to have input into this process," Limtiaco said.
At the end of a productive conversation, they each thanked the GWCC for the chance to connect with a few of the women leading the charge for a better tomorrow. "I want to thank the GWCC because it's a true honor to be here...having the opportunity to share with them the issues, the concerns – it was a conversation that spoke about our needs and what we can do together," said Limtiaco.
"I was happy that they invited us today, got to know us a little better, and make a concerted effort to get other people to come out and vote because that's what it's really about. Who is going to carry the torch for us? Who is going to work for us? And who is going to make it better for Guam?" Torres said.