Vice Speaker BJ Cruz, currently off-island, issues the following statement regarding possible legal action against the Department of Defense by the Guam Preservation Trust on the use of Pågat as a military firing range:

I am elated to hear that the Guam Preservation Trust is planning on filing a lawsuit to enjoin the despoiling of Pågat by its use as a firing range. When I attended the “Save Pågat” rally at Skinner Plaza in late May I met the young lawyer for the Trust. He hinted that the Trust was concerned about Pågat and that they were considering an injunction. My expectations were heightened as I listened to the measured comments and questions of the Trust representatives during the CEQ midnight meeting. My only hope was in the Trust because it was obvious that the CEQ had compromised its honor by ignoring the Congressional Intent (attached) in its creation.

I was appalled and dismayed that the CEQ Chairperson, Ms. Nancy Sutley, would cheapen and compromise the integrity of the CEQ by agreeing to participate in the dog and pony show last week. I could not help but wonder if it was coincidence or design that the career professionals from U.S. EPA, who issued a scathing review of the DEIS, were nowhere to be seen. Their absence and silence was disturbing and deafening.

I applaud the career professionals of the Guam Preservation Trust and the U.S. EPA REGION IX for their fortitude. The political appointees proved that they are just political hacks. I hope that this lawsuit will cause TIME magazine, who just published Pågat as an endangered historical site, to report the CEQ site visit AFTER approving the designation of Pågat as a firing range as another Administration example of “Ready, FIRE … Aim.”

Please be advised that the Committee on Tourism, Cultural Affairs, Youth, and Public Broadcasting will be conducting a public hearing on Monday, July 12, 2010 in the Legislature’s Public Hearing Room. This hearing is scheduled to receive testimony on the following:

3:00 P.M.

• Bill No. 372-30 (COR) – B.J.F. Cruz – And act to amend §13201(b) of Article 2, Chapter 13, Title 19 of the Guam Code Annotated; Relative to reporting of suspected child abuse or neglect by clerical personnel of churches or other religious organizations

• Bill No. 373-30 (COR) – F.F. Blas, Jr., V.A. Ada – An act to add Chapter 8A to Title 5 of the Guam Code Annotated requiring that all notices paid for by the government of Guam shall be issued in both Chamorro and English

Please address written testimony to Vice Speaker B.J.F. Cruz, Committee Chair, and mail or submit to 155 Hesler Place, Hagåtña, Guam, 96910; e-mail to senadotbjcruz@gmail.com; or send via facsimile to (671) 477-2522. Individuals requiring special accommodations shall contact and submit their request to Maya Alonso at the Office of Vice Speaker Cruz, (671) 477-2520/1.

We look forward to your attendance and participation.

At 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday, July 22, 2010, in the Legislature’s Public Hearing Room, Mr. Benny A. Pinaula will be confirmed as the Director of the Department of Youth Affairs.

Please address written testimony to Vice Speaker B.J.F. Cruz, Committee Chair, and mail or submit to 155 Hesler Place, Hagåtña, Guam, 96910; e-mail to senadotbjcruz@gmail.com; or send via facsimile to (671) 477-2522. Individuals requiring special accommodations shall contact and submit their request to Maya Alonso at the Office of Vice Speaker Cruz, (671) 477-2520/1.

The Committee on Tourism, Cultural Affairs, Youth, and Public Broadcasting will be conducting a public hearing on Thursday, June 3, 2010 at 9:00 a.m. Items on the agenda are the Guam Visitor’s Bureau budget request and Bill No. 314-30 (COR) An act amending Title 21 GCA Chapter 61, the zoning law of the territory of Guam, pertaining to adult entertainment businesses and establishments.

Please address written testimony to Vice Speaker B.J.F. Cruz, Committee Chair, and mail or submit to 155 Hesler Place, Hagåtña, Guam, 96910; e-mail to senadotbjcruz@gmail.com; or send via facsimile to (671) 477-2522. Individuals requiring special accommodations shall contact and submit their request to Maya Alonso at the Office of Vice Speaker Cruz, (671) 477-2520/1.

You may find the letter calling for the removal and replacement of Guam Police Department Chief Paul Suba in Correspondence under “Media” above.

In an effort to reduce government expenditures, Vice Speaker B.J. Cruz introduced Bill No. 395-30 today that would do away with the costly special elections that result when a vacancy occurs in the Legislature.

Bill No. 392, introduced on May 10, 2010, seeks to cut government costs by building permanent facilities instead of paying monthly leases. You can find the bill in its entirety at the 30th Guam Legislature by clicking “Bills” above. You may also be interested in the related press release, in “Media,” above.

In the interests of public safety and public health, I’ve introduced a new bill to increase the minimum legal drinking age to 21. Costs associated with alcohol use, especially among consumers under the age of 21, far outweigh any revenue from alcohol sales. For safer roadways and healthier, happier youth, support Bill No. 389-30. You can find it under Bills, above, and you can read the press release under Media.

This measure and related press release seeks to end the statute of limitations on the prosecution of sex crimes against children. You may view either by clicking on the corresponding links above, Bills and Media.

The Navy proposes a disposal site offshore of Guam to receive the material dredged from Apra Harbor for aircraft carrier berthing. I have written to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to address significant discrepancies in the EIS released specific to the site. You may read my comments to U.S. EPA by clicking “DEIS” above and then selecting “Ocean Dredged Disposal Site.”