By R. Vincent Tupaz
For Variety

YOUTH Leadership Day had the proud makings of island youngsters in positions of influence yesterday as Guam’s government and business communities let tomorrow’s leaders take charge, albeit for just a day.
At I Liheslaturan Guåhan several senators shadowed their youth counterparts throughout the day and even helped proffer legislation in support of sports on Guam.
One measure introduced by Senator Brianna Calvo-Benito, counterpart to Sen. James V. Espaldon, looked to honor the legacy of former Gov. Paul M. Calvo by renaming the Paseo Stadium the Governor Paul M. Calvo Stadium.
Calvo-Benito explained, “Paseo is among the most popular of venues on Guam for events, and is not limited to just baseball games, but hosts other island happenings and is an instant landmark for island residents and visitors alike.”
She added, “Governor Calvo is among the most recognizable of members of the Calvo family enterprise and was elected as the Islands Maga Lahi in 1978. He served as Guam’s Governor from January of 1979 to January of 1983.”
Calvo-Benito (R-Bishop Baumgartner Memorial School) worked alongside Senator James V. Espaldon for most of yesterday.
According to Calvo-Benito, it was a busy and interesting day for the young senator from BBMS. She started her day with a meeting concerning the island’s water agency. Later she proffered a resolution commending her home school, the Bishop Baumgartner Middle School on the occasion of its annual Spring Concert and offered two mock bills for consideration. Bill No. 8, renamed the Paseo Stadium after Gov. Calvo, who happens to be her grandfather. Calvo-Benito also put forward mock Bill No. 7 which looks to place a moratorium on any fee increase proposed in Bill 74, the FY 2007 Budget Reconciliation Act.
Calvo-Benito cited Governor Calvo’s contributions to the island community, civic organizations and business landscape in pushing the renaming of the Paseo Stadium.
“Governor Paul M. Calvo has contributed immensely to the development of the community in numerous capacities, both public and private,” stated Calvo- Benito. “He has earned a reputation in the Guam community as a stalwart businessman and leading statesman, especially within the Republican Party, and he is a generous community supporter.”
Gov. Calvo served as a senator in the 8th, 11th and 12th Guam Legislatures and was instrumental in creating legislation to develop Guam’s economy. During his term as Governor, Calvo created several new schools and served as the first commander-in-chief of the newly formed Guam National Guard. He returned to the private sector, serving as chairman and president of Calvo Enterprises, which includes the following companies Calvo’s Insurance Underwriters, Pay-Less Markets, Inc., Pepsi Cola Bottling Co. of Guam, Mid-Pacific Liquor Distributing Company, Market Wholesale & Distributors, Title Guaranty, Calvo Realty, Pacific Trading Company and Pacific Telestations dba KUAM. Under his leadership, these companies were brought to new heights and became major employers of people with in our community and strengthened Guam’s economic development.
Governor Calvo has received outstanding recognition in the community including being named Guam Business News Executive of the Year and was awarded a Doctorate of Humane Letters in 2004 by the University of Guam, and will soon be inducted into the Guam Chamber of Commerce Business Hall of Fame.