In his message, the governor stressed that Guam is at the center of the realignment. Calvo asked Congress to give Guam “due consideration in a well-researched, well-justified national security strategy that involves…a realignment of armed forces to Guam.” The governor pointed out what members of Congress already know — the realignment plan “is central to United States and global security” and “will sustain our security well beyond the effects of the current budget malaise in Washington.”
The governor said security is “priceless” and the question is “how much will Congress invest so that future generations won’t be burdened with expensive mistakes made today.”
He added Guam is critical to American interests because of its location.
“Guam may be 12 flight hours from Los Angeles, but in our backyard is the fastest-growing region in the world. This includes some of the greatest threats to American security, some with missiles that clearly can reach our island and the host of American allies in Asia. No American community is closer to all of this than Guam,” he said.
“With emerging economic powers in our backyard, the U.S. can begin to send more Asian capital to America through the center of its Pacific connection — Guam. We are America in Asia. Think of Guam as America’s gateway to Asia, and Asia as the gateway to our country. This is what we can do for our country if the military realignment is allowed to continue,” the governor added.
Calvo concluded: “I respectfully ask the Congress to give due consideration to the U.S. Departments of State and Defense as this realignment moves forward. Please make the investment into the Agreed Implementation Plan. Your decisions will span the prosperity of American generations who have yet to be born.”
