HAGÅTÑA (Guam Variety) — Guam leaders on Wednesday reacted positively to President Obama’s State of the Union address delivered during a joint session of Congress.
Guam Congresswoman Madeleine Bordallo praised Obama’s comments about the middle class, saying, “President Obama renewed his effort to fight for the disappearing middle class in our country and committed to proposing solutions that grow our economy and put people back to work.”
Gov. Eddie Calvo said he appreciated Obama’s focus on the working middle class.
Former Gov. Carl T.C. Gutierrez, chairman of the Democratic Party of Guam, said the president’s message was a reminder of why Americans chose Obama to lead the nation in 2008:
“The president is focused on rebuilding our nation’s middle class, creating more jobs, and keeping our country safe. His message is simple: America, much like our island, needs economic fairness — and we need it now.”
For his part, Committee on Rules Chairman Rory Respicio said he was encouraged by Obama’s focus on job creation, education, paying down the national debt, and cutting the payroll tax.
Respicio said working families on Guam will especially benefit from the president’s initiatives and called for the passage of an extension of the Social Security payroll tax cut, given the rise in the cost of living.
