Guam State Clearinghouse - “Latest News”

Vice Speaker BJ Cruz is asking Sen. Adolpho Palacios Sr., chairman of the public safety committee, to call for an oversight hearing to determine why the Guam Fire Department has been denied nearly $11 million in federal grants that could have assisted the cash-strapped department in addressing the critical shortage of ambulances.

After a series of exchanges between fire chief David Peredo and Cruz, it was clear that GFD’s itemized grant requests totaling $11 million was not approved because of “non-closure of previous grant.”

“I am greatly concerned over GFD’s failure to maintain an adequate fleet of ambulances, especially as the reason appears to be not so much a lack of funding but a lack of competent grant management,” Cruz said. “I will inform both the governor and GFD’s legislative oversight committee chairman of this situation with a call for an oversight hearing on GFD.”

In his letter to the vice speaker, Peredo said that in the summer of 2009 he took steps to resolve the “ailing” federal grants program by assigning Captain Edward Flores and FSS Joey San Nimlas to assist in saving existing grants, sourcing and applying for new grants.

Peredo said FSS Philip Carnacho joined the team this year “and the three have done an excellent job to revive our federal grants program, resulting in the acquisition of new equipment and soon procurement of several emergency vehicles.”

The vice speaker noted in a previous letter to Peredo that he wanted information regarding the grants that were denied and pending, as well as other issues the fire department was facing. Cruz came up with his own review after receiving the chief’s information.

Cruz noted that GFD received an assistance to firefighters grant in 2006.

GFD received $359,000 in that grant.

Cruz also noted that GFD’s $2 million firefighters grant application for fiscal years 2007 and 2008, were denied “due to non-closure of previous grant.”

“I assume that this is referring to the failure to turn in a close-out report on the 2006 report and GFD’s inability to justify all expenses,” Cruz said.

Cruz also noted that GFD submitted two applications in 2009–$4.5 million for station construction, and $1 million for operations and equipment. Both were denied.

“If my math is right the Guam Fire Department has been denied almost $11 million in assistance to firefighter grants over the last four years because of its failure to close the 2006 AFG in a timely fashion and its inability to justify its expenditures since the closeout report’s submittal eight months ago,” said Cruz.

“It now seems that the chronic ambulance shortage could have been prevented. Should this indeed be the case, corrective action must be undertaken immediately,” Cruz said, adding that GFD cannot continue to jeopardize the health and safety of Guam citizens because of its inability to handle grants.

Ref: MVar 7/7/10

The Mayors’ Council is apparently upset over the government’s delay to implement nearly a $1 million dollars in grant funding to help low income individuals.

Executive Director Angel Sablan says the council and the Department of Public Health signed a Memorandum of Agreement to start Project HELP, which stands for Helping Enhance Lives with Pride program. Sablan mentions public health told them a couple months ago it had extra ARRA funds that needed to be spent. The council was also told they would get the grant funding and people hired by June 21. However, that never happened. Sablan doesn’t know why the governor hasn’t signed off on the grant, but warns money is lost with each day that passes.

In response, Governor’s spokeswoman Charlene Calip says the grant paperwork is still under review by the Attorney General’s Office. She does mention that once the Governor’s Office has received the paperwork, they will expedite the approval process.

Ref: PNC 7/7/10

Two federal grant programs available at the Guam Community College provide more funding for work-study and scholarships for students who need it the most, according to a press release.

As of July 1, GCC President Dr. Mary Okada received word from the U.S. Department of Education that GCC’s application for the Leveraging Educational Assistance Partnership and Special Leveraging Educational Assistance Partnership programs have been granted, the release stated. The LEAP program will provide GCC students with $10,338 in supplemental work-study funds, while the SLEAP program provides an additional $14,099 for the work-study program and for incentive scholarships, according to the college.

To be eligible for either, a student must be a Pell Grant recipient.

Work-study students typically work 120 hours per semester, and the extra money will allow some students to remain in the work-study program for a longer period of time, or allow more students to partake of the program, according to Micki Lonsdale, GCC financial aid coordinator. Lonsdale noted that a portion of the SLEAP grant is set aside for incentive scholarships of up to $250 per student, for those Pell grant students that maintain a 3.8 GPA with minimum of 24 credits, according to the release.

Ref: GCC RELEASE 7/7/10

The Guam Humanities Council will host a free grant-writing workshop July 10 at the GHC office.

Registration for the workshop ends July 8.

The workshop is a requirement all those who are first time applicants for GHC’s Community Grant Cycle for 2010. Working in partnership with the National Endowment for the Humanities, the Guam Humanities Council provides financial support to nonprofit organizations and institutions for humanities programs aimed at public audiences.

Any nonprofit group or organization operating in Guam is eligible to apply for a grant. The council offers three grant formats: mini grants, regular grants and media projects.

Application forms are available at the Guam Humanities Council at Suite 106, Reflection Center, 222 Chalan Santo Papa, Hagåtña.

They can also be obtained online at www.guamhummanitiescouncil.org.

Preliminary proposals for grants are due July 31. Final proposals are due Sept. 4.

Ref: GHC 7/6/10

Governor Felix P. Camacho received official notification that the Guam Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), formerly the Food Stamps Program, has been recognized for exceptional nutrition services and awarded as one of the nation’s “Most Improved Payment Accuracy Rate” for Fiscal Year 2009. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Office of External and Intergovernmental Affairs, the Guam Department of Public Health and Social Services (DPHSS) has been awarded a monetary bonus in the amount of $173,258.

U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack announced on June 24, 2010, that the USDA will award $30 million to selected states and territories for their excellence in administering SNAP.

“I join Secretary Vilsack in commending the hard work and dedication of our government employees who ensure that, during these times of economic hardship, our needy families receive their food benefits in a timely manner,” said Governor Camacho. “The collaborative support and technical assistance from the Food and Nutritional Services of Region IX has been integral to the improvement and recognition we are receiving.”

According to the USDA, $24 million dollars will be awarded to states with the best and most improved payment accuracy rates, and $6 million will be awarded to the states and territories with the lowest and most improved negative error rates.

The following states and territory will share $24 million for the best and most improved payment error rates for FY 2009:

Best Payment Accuracy Rate
Florida $7,754,744
South Dakota $336,136
Wisconsin $1,894,828
Delaware $407,494
Nebraska $538,955
Washington $2,969,984
Georgia $4,187,866
Ohio $4,875,956

Most Improved Payment Accuracy Rate
Wisconsin (See above. A State cannot receive an award in both categories. If a State qualifies for both, they will receive an award for best.)
Maine $860,779
Guam $173,258

The following states will share $6 million for the best and most improved negative error rate for FY 2009:

Best Negative Error Rate
Nebraska $312,031
South Dakota $214,062
New Hampshire $241,959
Maine $467,482

Most Improved Negative Error Rate
Florida $3,797,503
Wisconsin $966,963

The face of Guam Community College is changing rapidly, with the groundbreaking this morning of the college’s long-awaited new Student Center – the third new building to be constructed on the GCC campus within a two-year span. The Anthony A. Leon Guerrero Allied Health Center opened in December 2009, and the college’s new Learning Resource Center is now under construction and expected to be completed by this December. The expected completion date for the Student Center is in approximately one year – June 2011.

“While all three buildings are equally important with regard to the GCC mission to be a leader in career and technical workforce education, the Student Center is probably the most meaningful new building to our students. It will be a place for them to call their own, to congregate, to study, to celebrate their successes, and to develop their leadership skills,” said GCC President Dr. Mary Okada, who pointed out the accomplishments of several GCC students and graduates in her opening remarks.

“For those of you in the business community and in leadership positions, you know that active students make active, involved, and committed employees and community members, so look to our students at GCC to be your future managers and leaders,” Dr. Okada said.

Acting Gov. Michael Cruz, Congresswoman Madeleine Bordallo, and former Asst. Secretary of Interior David Cohen were among the dignitaries that joined Guam Community College students, faculty, staff and administrators to celebrate the groundbreaking. Among the nearly 100 people in attendance were GCC’s 34 Practical Nursing students, who are set to graduate in December.

Congresswoman Madeleine Bordallo pledged her continued support to GCC, remarking on Dr. Okada’s determination to find more federal funding for GCC projects when she visits the congresswoman’ office in Washington D.C. “I’m there for you,” said Bordallo.

Situated adjacent to the LRC, the Student Center will consist of a two-story, 22,000 square foot facility that will include a plaza and student square, a student lounge, nine 1000-square foot meeting rooms, and energy efficient photovoltaics. Asanuma Corporation will construct the $3.9 million facility, which is being paid for with American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) funding. The GCC Foundation provided the $253,423 for the A&E design by Taniguchi Ruth Makio Architects. All three of GCC’s new buildings were designed by TRMA as part of GCC’s 2005 Physical Master Plan, which projects the growth of the college over a 15-year period.

The Department of Public Health and Social Services has announced an increase in grant funding for the Guam Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection and Guam Comprehensive Cancer Control Programs. The total grant for both programs is $641,357, an increase of $85,779.

The Guam Breast & Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program will continue to provide free mammograms and pap smears to eligible women, ages 50 to 64, for the early detection of breast and cervical cancer.

The Guam Comprehensive Cancer Control Program will continue to support the Guam CCC Coalition in their efforts to implement priority goals and objectives from the 2007-2012 Guam CCC Plan, which includes risk reduction, early detection, better treatment, and enhanced survivorship.

The Department of Education has chosen the company it wants to hire as a third-party financial manager, but is holding off on releasing the company’s name until its federal counterpart gives the thumbs up.

Deputy Superintendent Taling Taitano said last night DOE chose its preferred bidder last week and expects to receive approval from the U.S. Department of Education by today.

Documentation supporting the choice was forwarded to the mainland Saturday, Taitano said.

“We think they are going to agree with our choice,” Taitano said. “I’m sure by the time (DOE Superintendent Nerissa Bretania) Underwood wakes up in the morning, we will have their response back.”

If U.S. DOE approves the choice, Guam’s education agency will begin negotiating a contract and the local school system will be a step closer to relieving a tense situation that’s constricted federally funded programs since last year.

U.S. DOE required the local school system to hire a third-party fiduciary manager last November because consistent concerns with local management of federal funds led the federal agency to question whether grant funding was being spent properly.

The federal government has considered the Guam Department of Education a high-risk grantee since 2003.

Once hired, the agent would approve the spending of federal dollars to ensure money goes to the right places. Until then, federal grant funds are being kept on a short leash and federally funded programs in local schools have had to survive on reorganized grant funds left over from last fiscal year.

It has taken DOE months to select a manager. Underwood has said the entire process was more complicated than first expected.

Six companies bid for the job, Taitano said. She declined to name the preferred bidder until U.S. DOE has approved the selection. If it doesn’t approve Guam DOE’s choice, the local education agency will move to its second pick.

U.S. DOE appointed a financial manager in the Virgin Island’s school system, which improved bookkeeping and increased access to federal funds.

rEF: gpdn 5/25/10

Guam Homeland Security and the Office of Civil Defense in coordination with the Offices of the Governor and lieutenant Governor yesterday presented several of the island’s response agencies with 800 MHz handheld radios at a ceremony at the Emergency Operations Center in Agana Heights.

Over 200 radios were presented to the Department of Corrections, Guam Police Department, Guam Customs and Quarantine Agency, the Department of Public Health and Social Services, Airport Police and Airport Rescue and Firefighting, the Department of Parks and Recreation as well as the Mayor’s Council of Guam, a press release from Civil Defense stated.

“Our emergency personnel’s ability to communicate with each other on a daily basis or in the event of an actual emergency is a critical element in ensuring our response is as effective and efficient as possible,” stated Frank T. Ishizaki, Guam Homeland Security Advisor. “This investment will greatly expand the interoperability amongst all of our key players.”

Nearly $580,000 in federal funding from a fi US Homeland Security Grant Program (HSGP) award was used towards the purchase of these units.

Ref: GPDN 5/22/10

Congresswoman Madeleine Z. Bordallo announced that the U.S. Department of Homeland Security has awarded $3,194,877 through the Transit Security Grant Program (TSGP) to Guam. The TSGP is designed to protect critical surface transportation infrastructure and the traveling public from acts of terrorism, major disaster, and other emergencies. The funding received today was appropriated through the Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act of 2010 (Public Law 111-83). Four separate Homeland Security programs - the Port Security Grant Program, the Buffer Zone Protection Program, the Interoperable Emergency Communications Grant Program, and the Driver’s License Security Grant Program were awarded funding today.

Port Security Grant Program
Guam received $2,257,500 for the Port Security Grant Program (PSGP). The PSGP provides funding to port areas for the protection of critical port infrastructure from terrorism. This funding helps ports enhance their risk management capabilities, maritime domain awareness, training and exercises, efforts supporting implementation of the Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC), and capabilities to prevent, detect, respond to, and recover from attacks involving improvised explosive devices and other non-conventional weapons.

Buffer Zone Protection Program
Guam received $200,000 for the Buffer Zone Protection Program (BZPP). The BZPP provides grants to build security and risk management capabilities at the state and local level in order to secure pre-designated Level I and II critical infrastructure sites, including chemical facilities, financial institutions, nuclear and electric power plants, dams, stadiums, and other high-risk/high-consequence facilities.

Interoperable Emergency Communications Grant Program
The Department of Homeland Security awarded Guam $85,500 for the Interoperable Emergency Communications Grant Program (IECGP). The IECGP provides governance, planning, training and exercise funding to states, territories, and local and tribal governments to carry out initiatives to improve interoperable emergency communications, including communications in collective response to natural disasters, acts of terrorism, and other man-made disasters.

Driver’s License Security Grant Program
Guam received $651,877 for the Driver’s License Security Grant Program (DLSGP). The DLSGP provides funding to prevent terrorism by reducing fraud and improving the reliability and accuracy of personal identification documents issued by States and territories. The DLSGP is intended to address a key recommendation of the 9/11 Commission to improve the integrity and security of State-issued driver’s licenses and identification cards.

“The funding received today from DHS will assist the Government of Guam in improving maritime security on our island,” Congresswoman Madeleine Z. Bordallo said today. “The $2.2 million in funding for the Port of Guam in particular will greatly assist security at a location critical to our island’s economy. This financial assistance builds on grants in previous years which have greatly benefited the overall modernization improvements that are needed at our port. I look forward to these programs being fully implemented on Guam.”

Ref: Cong. MZB Release 5/13/10

The Guam Community College received word Monday morning from the Department of Interior that the college will receive nearly $320,000 from Interior’s Operations and Maintenance Improvement Program (OMIP) to supply its new Learning Resource Center with recyclable furniture and collateral equipment. The $4.3 million building, which will be the first LEED-certified building for the government of Guam, is being paid for through a grant from the U.S. Department of Education. Construction of the 22,000 square foot, two-story LRC is expected to be finished in September of this year.

GCC President Dr. Mary Okada had initially requested the funding from Interior Asst. Secretary Tony Babauta during the ribbon cutting for the Anthony A. Leon Guerrero Allied Health Center last December, when Babauta commented on the construction of LRC. Dr. Okada then submitted a formal request for the grant money when she visited Babauta’s office in Washington D.C. in February. This morning, when Babauta signed an executive order with Gov. Felix Camacho regarding renewable energy efforts on the island, he also signed the GCC grant award for the LRC furniture.

“We are glad that, following the news of our ninth consecutive clean audit, Interior deems us fiscally responsible enough to give us more money,” Dr. Okada said of the grant award. “We feel we have to take advantage of this funding for capital improvements while it is available in order to prepare for the continued increase in enrollment that we expect because of the military buildup.”

Secretary Babauta was also on hand when President Okada signed a Memorandum of Agreement with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency officials today. GCC is partnering with the U.S. EPA in a community education program of environmental awareness.

Ref: PNC 5/10/10

The Guahan State Clearinghouse received notification of a new grant opportunity from the US Department of Agriculture, Rural Development that would allow local rental property owners to make significant improvements on properties intended for use by low income families. The grant also allows for public agencies, private non-profit organizations, which includes but is not limited to, faith-based and community organizations as well as other eligible entities to assist very-low and low-income homeowners to make repairs and improvements to properties in rural areas.

“I strongly urge our people to take advantage of this grant,” said Governor Felix P. Camacho. “It provides an excellent opportunity for lower income families to maintain the value of their properties while improving the quality of their homes. Rental property owners can also benefit in a similar manner while providing homes for the less fortunate of our island.”

Preapplications are currently being accepted for the newly announced grant and can be downloaded at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2010/pdf/2010-9648.pdf. Local applicants are reminded that they must first submit their applications to the Guahan State Clearinghouse for review, prior to submission to the Hawaii State Office.

Preapplications must be received at the Hawaii State Office no later than 4:30 p.m. on June 28, 2010. (Applicants are cautioned to remember that Guahan is a day ahead of Hawaii.)

For more information, please contact the Guahan State Clearinghouse at the Governor’s Office at 475-9380.

APPLICATION FORMS HERE!

Local farmers and rural small businesses have an opportunity to apply for Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) funding that would enable them to implement renewable energy sources at their businesses and make energy efficiency improvements, all aimed at reducing Guahan’s carbon footprint. The Guahan State Clearinghouse announced the new grant today, which is being offered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) through reauthorization of the Food, Conservation and Energy Act of 2008.
Grant applicants must be either a rural small business, as defined by the Small Business Administration, or a farmer/rancher. Eligible projects included under this grant include wind turbines, solar, geothermal, biomass, anaerobic digesters, hydroelectric, and ocean or hydrogen systems. Funding for these projects range from $1,500 to $25 million and would be provided in the form of guaranteed loans and/or grants.

“This grant represents what our island needs in terms of energy conservation and pursuing renewable energy options,” said Lt. Governor Michael W. Cruz. “This grant will allow rural small businesses and local farmers to do their part without negatively affecting their productivity or placing undue hardship on their financial resources. I strongly urge all rural small business owners and local farmers to take advantage of this opportunity to participate in this national effort and preserve our precious resources.”

A full description of the grant, including eligibility requirements and restrictions can be found at http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/rbs/farmbill/index.html. Applicants must first submit their applications to the Guahan State Clearinghouse for review, prior to submission to the USDA. Final applications must be submitted to the nearest USDA Rural Development Office no later than 5:00 p.m. on June 4, 2010.

For more information, please contact the Guahan State Clearinghouse at the Governor’s Office at 475-9380.

APPLICATION FORMS HERE!

REAP PROGRAM IMPLEMENTATION

Fiscal mismanagement at the Guam Environmental Protection Agency has hurt the agency’s ability to protect human health and the environment, according to the U.S. EPA’s 2009 End of Year Program Review Summary released April 28.

The 23-page review focuses on Guam EPA’s financial difficulties that it has been experiencing over the last two years and has become a very serious issue, Enrique Manzanilla, director of EPA’s Communities and Ecosystems Division, stated in a letter to Guam EPA administrator Lorilee Crisostomo.

Manzanilla noted that Guam EPA has increased its staff almost 20 percent since 2007 without any increase in revenues and the problems have become even more acute in the past year.

Last February, Guam EPA hired additional staff without having the revenues in place to pay existing staff salaries. For example, Gerry Cruz, who was laterally transferred out of the Guam Department of Education, is now working as a public relations official for Guam EPA.

“Fundamentally, Guam EPA does not appear able to live within its means,” Manzanilla wrote.

These financial issues have prevented Guam EPA from fulfilling some of its public health and environmental responsibilities.

Failed duties

For the first time in history, Guam EPA has failed to inform the community whether beaches are safe to swim. Other objectives not fulfilled because of financial difficulties include updating primacy for drinking water regulation; updating Guam’s water quality standards; completing required drinking water sanitary surveys; and maintaining adequate oversight of developing projects to protect near shore water quality.

“The recent financial problems experienced by Guam EPA have also put its current level of federal funding at risk,” Manzanilla stated in the letter.

The federal EPA identified underlying causes for Guam EPA’s financial problems. They include inadequate planning and budgeting; lack of coordination with the Bureau of Budget and Management Research and USEPA; a misunderstanding of EPA’s funding process; inadequate external funding sources, including permit fees; and a pattern over the last three years of hiring additional staff without a corresponding increase in funding.

In addition, GEPA’s financial difficulties have had a negative impact on its staff and managers, including the inability to retain experienced staff.

“These combined issues have affected morale, with some staff noting that “morale is now at an all-time low at this agency,” Manzanilla said.

Cost cutting

As an indicator of the degree of its financial difficulties, voicemail has been eliminated as a cost-cutting measure, making it difficult for others to work effectively with Guam EPA, the report stated.

Guam EPA’s administrative services officer told the US EPA team in December 2009 that the local agency was experiencing a “severe financial crisis: Guam EPA was already “$300,000 in the hole,” and the deficit would grow to over P1 million by March.

All funding except for salaries had been frozen, resulting in the inability of GEPA employees to do any work that required additional expenses, such as vehicle repair or purchasing supplies.

Funding cycle

Much of Guam EPA’s deficit was a cash flow problem that resulted in the misunderstanding of the timing of EPA’s funding to Guam EPA, in combination with a lack of communication and coordination between Guam EPA and BBMR.

The Guam EPA management has the incorrect assumption that the agency would receive federal funding shortly after the beginning of the fiscal year, and thus believed the receipt of the funding in April from EPA triggered the agency’s deficit.

On numerous occasions, EPA explained both verbally and in writing the timing of the grant award but Guam EPA’s failure to understand the funding cycle is a significant contributor to its financial problems.

Ref: MVAR 5/3/10

Congresswoman Madeleine Bordallo says she has led an effort with several of her colleagues to support the nation’s seaports by sending a letter to Secretary Ray LaHood of the U.S. Department of Transportation requesting that the Department commit at least 25% of National Infrastructure Investments grants for port infrastructure.

The U.S. Congress appropriated $600 million for the National Infrastructure Investments discretionary grant in the 2010 Consolidated Appropriations Act (Public Law 111-117), also known as the TIGER 2 grants.

Congresswoman Bordallo was joined by a bi-partisan group of seventeen of her colleagues in the House of Representatives, many of whom serve on the House Armed Services and on the House Transportation & Infrastructure Committee which have shared jurisdiction of the Maritime Administration which provides assistance to ports on infrastructure improvement funding.

Chairman Solomon Ortiz of the Readiness Subcommittee of the House Armed Services Committee; Chairman Bennie Thompson of the House Homeland Security Committee; Congressman Don Young, former Chairman of the House Transportation & Infrastructure Committee; Chairwoman Susan Davis of the Military Personnel Subcommittee of the House Armed Services Committee, Congresswoman Lois Capps, Congressman Rodney Alexander, Congressman Robert Brady, Congressman Anh Cao, Congressman Mike Castle, Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur, Congressman Dennis Kucinich, Congressman Rick Larsen, Congressman Stephen Lynch, Congressman Charlie Melancon, Congresswoman Gwen Moore, Congressman Ron Paul, Congressman Pedro Pierluisi, and Congressman Mike Thompson were co-signers of the letter.

In the letter to Secretary LaHood, Congresswoman Bordallo noted that the $1.5 billion discretionary TIGER grant funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act only designated 8% of funds for port infrastructure improvements. The only source of funding for ports in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act as well as through Fiscal Year 2010 Department of Transportation appropriations is through the TIGER grant process. Given the limited resources dedicated to ports as well as the recent denial of a $50 million TIGER grant to the Port of Guam was reason to highlight the lack of support for port funding and provides a solution to the Department of Transportation to begin remedying the situation.

Congresswoman Bordallo also noted the benefits that ports add to their communities. The creation of TIGER grants was intended to stimulate economic opportunities in the United States. Ports account for 99.4% of U.S. overseas trade by volume and 64.1% of trade by value. Ports also provide 13.3 million jobs in the United States and more than $3.14 trillion in marine cargo-related spending. The co-signers of the letter believed that greater funding of port infrastructure would more directly and greatly impact economic recovery and expansion in the United States.

“TIGER 2 discretionary grants provide the only opportunity to make significant investments in our nation’s ports,” Congresswoman Madeleine Z. Bordallo said today. “The Port of Guam has long been identified as a potential chokepoint as preparations for the military buildup continue, and we suffered a significant setback in February when the U.S. Department of Transportation denied the Port of Guam’s request for $50 million in TIGER grant funding. The funding requested today requests that the Department of Transportation set aside at least 25% of the TIGER 2 grant towards a significant facet of our nation’s economy. This letter complements efforts that Congress is taking to provide the Department of Defense with authority to transfer $50 million to the Port of Guam. Even with that authority additional funds are needed by the Port of Guam to further expand and modernize their facilities. It is important that the Department of Transportation take this proposal seriously if the TIGER grants are to have significant impact on our economic recovery. I will continue to work with my colleagues in the House and with federal officials on identifying sources of funding for our nation’s ports.”

Ref: Cong MZB Release 5/2/10