Reflecting on his first term and 18 months in office as Guam’s Delegate, Congressman James Moylan stood before leaders from the three branches of government and before other dignitaries in session hall to deliver what he’s been doing for the island in Washington DC.

“We brought the idea of ‘inafa maolek’ to the nation's capital, at a time when it was greatly needed,” said Moylan.

“There are tensions in the region, and Guam plays, just as we have been historically, a pivotal role in this process. This is why my number one priority in congress is to protect our community and our island. As a member of the House Armed Services Committee, I have made the case to the federal government that Guam, our people, and our nation must be protected at all costs,” he added.”

He also spoke on efforts underway to assist veterans and to combat drugs.

“The victories we are seeing in multiple legislative vehicles are not common for territorial delegates. We aren't securing just trees and buffaloes for Guam, but we are securing billions and opportunities for our island, and we have just started,” he said.

Moylan is the lone republican seeking reelection this year and the three democrat opponents each responded to his address

Candidate Ginger Cruz stated,

“Tonight’s report by Delegate Moylan to the Legislature was painfully lacking in any concrete results on issues that the people of Guam care about.

At this crucial moment in our history with the military buildup, a changing economy, environmental concerns, and critical infrastructure needs, there was unfortunately no sense of direction or vision to the Delegate’s address. We can do better than this.

Our people are struggling with the high cost of living, the lack of affordable housing, the need for good paying jobs and a host of other challenges that working families face every day.

Now that Guam is at the center of attention of national policy makers, we have an unprecedented opportunity make real changes in federal policies affecting our economy, funding for infrastructure, veteran’s services and support for healthcare.

On a positive note, I was struck by how much of my own Platform has apparently been embraced by Moylan a year and a half into his term.

Tonight should have been about how Guam’s Delegate will make a difference in the lives of everyday people. But maybe that was too much to expect from someone who has already claimed to the GAO he could do nothing in the face of Guam’s problems.”

Senator Amanda Shelton thanked Moylan stating,

“I thank Delegate Moylan for summarizing his legislative work over the past 18 months. He spoke at length about billions of federal dollars that may become available in the near future to support DoD facilities and activities. While these resources are critical to our national defense, more work must be done at the congressional level to encourage our families to live, work, and raise their children in Guam - through policies that prioritize additional resources for housing, healthcare, roads and other outside-the-fence infrastructure and services which support our civilian and military families.

With the military buildup upon us, Guam's local and federal leadership must recognize this moment as a once in a lifetime opportunity to advocate for resources that will not only protect our island against military provocations going forward, but against the equally serious issues facing our community today, including crystal meth, poverty, homelessness, food security, environmental contamination and so much more.

Regarding Delegate Moylan's idea of possibly federalizing the Customs and Quarantine Agency of Guam, such a proposal must be carefully studied to ensure our local government does not end up ceding existing resources and jurisdiction to the federal government. Alternatively, efforts should be focused on helping CQA, GPD and other local law enforcement entities secure assistance through the High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas (HIDTA) Program. HIDTA designation will help Guam through law enforcement intelligence sharing among federal and local law enforcement entities and provide funds to combat the distribution and use of illegal drugs.”

Former Congressman Mike San Nicolas in short stated, “It’s always good to hear about what happening for Guam, it’s just unfortunate that we have lost more than we have gained since Moylan took office and that is something that needs to change.”