CIVILIAN MILITARY TASK FORCE
Social & Cultural Subcommittee


Background

(Paraphrased from KPMG report Oct 2007)

In the near and long term, Guam must do more than witness military growth and expansion. It must participate, and where necessary receive the training and support to do so. The Guam people, and their economy, culture, and life on the island are directly impacted with the military goals. The Government of Guam will assume roles and responsibilities for greater regional leadership across Micronesia.  It will be charged with protecting homeland security, facilitating international trade and commerce, strengthening education and the workforce, and protecting the environment.

The key factors and guiding principles to achieving mutual success by the U.S. military, the Federal Government, and Guam are:

• Respect and recognition
• Collaborative planning and partnerships
• Communication and dialogue
• Investment and accountability
• Trust and Integrity

These guiding principles are critical to building and maintaining a trustful relationship among the Chamorros, U.S. military, and the Federal Government. 
 
Mission

To continue to collaborate with the U.S. military and the Federal Government in building trust and partnership for the benefit of all present and future Guam residents, the Social and Cultural Subcommittee will focus on the following:

-    begin to work with the military towards a mutual ‘sense of belonging’

• assist in smooth transition of military members and their families;
• co-develop orientation programs such as
• History of Guam
• Understanding and respecting the Chamorro culture, traditions, language, and values
• Mutual respect and understanding of cultural diversity
• Being a part of the Guamanian community

-    ensure and protect the continued preservation of Guam’s culture and lands;
-    foster and promote civilian and military relations;
-    work hand-in-hand with military officials to understand ‘quality of life’ concerns address them on behalf of both military and Chamorro families;
-    investigate potential ways to effectively work together in using shared federal and local resources to support the above objectives.

Accomplishments

•    Participation in the recent village meetings held November 2007
•    The Sub-Committee has held numerous meetings to address the mission stated above and developed the Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities & Threats (SWOT) analysis.
•    Recommendations from various meetings were infused into the recent KPMG report in various point papers.

Issues and Concerns Being Addressed

•    Input/concerns received from village meetings (Nov 2007)

• Affordable housing
• Land acquisition by the military
• raising drinking age to 21
• impact of cultural differences
• cultural and indigenous rights
• strengthen the Chamorro culture
• inequitable number of men vs. women
• Compromise of Chamorro traditions, language and culture
• Loss of Chamorro identity
• Compromise of social services—sociology, psychiatry, medical
• War reparation

•    Better understanding of why the U.S. Marines are being re-located.
•    Work with the Health Subcommittee to address

• potential health issues that are a result of an increased population
• health benefits/care for children fathered by military personnel

•    Determine Guam’s ability to meet the demands for family entertainment, art, music, and cultural activities/alternatives and identify ways to overcome any shortcomings.
•    Identify current plans for the Guam Museum and identify cost for integrating military history on Guam and the potential to share funding.
•    Create a joint partnership among the military, GovGuam, Consulates and Tourism organizations to develop cultural reception centers at points of entry.
•    Focus on making sure that both the military and the people of Guam enjoy the same quality of life.
•    Help in the transition of a military member/family moving into and living on the economy (living outside the fence) and identify what village Mayors can do to support their transition (e.g. linking to other families as a local support group).
•    Work with the military to donate used furniture and equipment to less fortunate people in the community.
Work with the COMNAVMAR and Andersen AFB historians to educate the public to gain better understanding about the military in Guam.
•    Identify ways to better integrate the military and local communities through awareness of the arts, cultural groups, and investment in what makes Guam unique.
•    continue to align villages to various military groups.
•    Create a steering committee of civilian and military members to coordinate programs for the benefit of the public.
•    Identify ways to integrate on collaborative school activities to promote anti-racism and gain a better understanding of cultural differences between GPSS and DoDEA schools
•    Increase marketing to expand audiences and encourage greater participation and support of the arts by our residents. 
•    Build on Guam’s unique heritage, develop cultural tourism, and bring the arts & culture to the military through cultural and recreational activities and events.
•    Identify an annual budget to support any recommendations stemming from the EIS study for social and cultural programs.
Assess the DoDEA curriculum to determine if it is sufficient to educate youth on Guam’s history and culture.

 

Akseptasion – Acceptance
“Be willing to understand and appreciate unique qualities in others”

Inafa'måolek – Compassion and Caring
“Try to understand how others feel and act on those feelings with care and concern”

Mana'ayuda – Cooperation
“Work willingly with others toward a common goal”

Minatatnga – Courage
“Stand strong for your beliefs and do what’s right even when others disagree”

Inagofli'e' - Friendship
“Accept, share and enjoy the companionship of others”

Gineftåo – Generosity
“Be willing to share and give what you have to others”

Måolek Kotdura – Good Judgment
“Make wise choices base on what you know is right”

Minagåhet – Honesty
“Be sincere, truthful, trustworthy, and loyal in all you do and say”

Minesngon – Perseverance
“Keep working hard to reach your goals even when it gets difficult”

Respetu – Respect
“Always remember to show others consideration, admiration, and honor”

Responsapblidåt – Responsibility
“Always be someone others can depend upon”

Hulat Maisa – Self -Control
“Work hard to control your thoughts and behavior”

 
Membership
Chairperson: Sylvia M. Flores
Acting President, Department of Chamorro Affairs
Phone: 475-4278/9           Fax: 475-4227
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Co-Chairperson:  Patrick R. Bamba
Deputy Director, Council on the Arts and Humanities (CAHA)
Phone:  646-3661/2781/2      Fax: 648-2787
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Committee on Judiciary, Natural Resources, Infrastructure and Cultural Affairs
Senator Jim Espaldon (represented by Ben Lizama)

Office of Senator Vicente Pangelinan
Lisa Cipallone, Chief of Staff

Mayors Council
Mayor Melissa Savares, Dededo

Nasion Chamoru
Ben Garrido, Magalahi

Guam Visitors Bureau
Mary Torres, Deputy Director

36th Services (Air Force, MWR)
Kevin Huwe

Morale, Welfare and Recreation (Navy)
Ed Echols, Installation MWR Director

Guam Preservation Trust
Joe Quinata, Executive Director

Historic Resources Division (DPR)
Patrick Lujan, Guam State Historic Preservation Officer

Pa’a Taotao Tano
Therese Arriola, Marketing Director/Grant Project Director

University of Guam
Dr. Annette T. Santos

Chamorro Studies and Special Projects (GPSS)
Ronald Laguana, Administrator
Governor’s Office
Thelma Hechanova, Senior Advisor

Lt. Governor’s Office
Carlotta Leon Guerrero, Chief of Staff

Lina'la
Ann Marie Arceo, President
Raphael Unpingco, Vice President

Guam Museum Foundation
David Tydingco

Guam Museum/Department of Chamorro Affairs
Anthony Ramirez, Museum Curator

Research, Publication & Training/ Department of Chamorro Affairs
Katherine B. Aguon, Advisor

Task Force for Free Association
Jose Garrido, Chairperson

Chamorro Artists Association
Jay Pascual, VP

U.S. Naval Forces Marianas
Joint Guam Program Office-Forward
Captain Robert Lee, Acting Director
Annette Donner, Protocol/Public Affairs

Guam Hotel and Restaurant Association
Mary Torre, President

 

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