OIA PRESS RELEASELieutenant Governor of Guam Visits Interior
(Washington, D.C., March 16, 2007) The Lieutenant Governor of Guam, Michael W. Cruz, M.D., met with Secretary Dirk Kempthorne today at the Department of the Interior. The Lieutenant Governor had met the Secretary previously, in 2004, when the Secretary, then Governor of Idaho had presented Michael Cruz, then a Guam Senator, with the National Governor’s Association award for his service in Iraq. In their meeting today, Secretary Kempthorne again congratulated the Lieutenant Governor and called him “one of the real patriots.” They discussed the pending military build up in Guam and Lieutenant Governor Cruz expressed his sincere desire for the government and leadership of Guam to be included as veritable partners in the discussion with Department of Defense and other federal players. He expressed his sincere desire for the successful transition and buildup for the U.S. military in Guam and the U.S. defense posture in the region as well as for the quality of life for incoming American families and the 150,000 American citizens currently residing on Guam. Deputy Assistant Secretary David Cohen assured the Lieutenant Governor that OIA will continue to assist and advocate for Guam at the federal executive level, particularly with reference to the Guam military buildup. OIA Office Director Nikolao Pula and other OIA staff were also present at the meeting. The Lieutenant Governor was accompanied by his wife, Jennifer Cruz, Chief of Staff Carlotta Leon Guerrero and the Governor’s Executive Assistant, Shawn Gumataotao. |
