Guam has been under the U.S. flag since 1898. In 1950, a U.S. law, the Guam Organic Act, designated the island as an American territory.
The U.S. House and the Senate passed on Tuesday the bill which had been transmitted to President Obama.
Bordallo said the Obama administration supports her bill. So do other federal and local officials, including community groups and decolonization and indigenous rights advocates on island.
“I look forward to President Obama signing the bill into law. As soon as it becomes law I will request Assistant Secretary Tony Babauta to follow congressional intent and provide federal funds to Guam for a political status education program,” she said in a statement.
Bordallo introduced the bill on Oct. 27, 2009 and it originally passed the full House of Representatives on Dec. 7, 2009 by voice vote.
On Tuesday, the House passed the amended version by a vote of 386 to 5. The Senate passed the amended measure by unanimous consent late Tuesday.
“The passage of this bill by the Senate and the House recognizes the importance of political self-determination for the people of Guam. The bill makes it clear that the Secretary of the Interior has the authority and should provide federal funding for political status education for a future self-determination vote,” said Bordallo.
Speaker Judi Won Pat said she’s happy to learn that the bill passed Congress but raised concern about the funding issue.
“Of course, we’re very happy. My conc ern here is the funding. I believe that $300,000 to fund this education program was identified at one time. However, according to the Commission on Decolonization, they said it would cost at least $500,000 and so, if we get $300,000, it’s shy of what we’re going to need,” she told the Variety.
With the military buildup progressing, the speaker said: “It’s important that we do a thorough, extensive education program on self determination on the different choices that we have. We really need to do a good job on this one.”
