Asian Pacific American Caucus meets with Obama

 WASHINGTON, D.C.-The Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus, or CAPAC, met Friday with President Barack Obama at the White House to discuss issues important to the Asian American and Pacific Islander community.

Guam Delegate Madeleine Z. Bordallo, as CAPAC vice chair, discussed Guam and territorial issues with the President, thanking him for his past support of Guam war claims and asking for his continued help to pass the bill in Congress.

The Obama administration continues to support Bordallo’s efforts to resolve Guam war claims. The Departments of Defense and the Interior have testified before Congress about their continued support.

Bordallo also spoke about the need to extend parole authority to Guam for Chinese and Russian visitors. The White House committed to ensuring a continued dialogue with the Department of Homeland Security on the status of extending parole authority to Guam. Bordallo expressed hope that the White House will continue to provide policy direction on the importance of this initiative to DHS.

The meeting also focused on the need for tax considerations for the territories when the administration is developing national economic policy. Bordallo and the other delegates, including CNMI Delegate Kilili C. Sablan, recently sent a letter to Obama requesting that he include cover over provisions for the territories in his American Jobs Act. Bordallo thanked the President for listening the delegates’ concerns and for including cover over provisions in his bill.

“President Obama showed that he is sensitive to the needs of Guam and all Pacific islanders,” said Bordallo. “I made the point that our visitor industry will grow with the inclusion of Chinese and Russian visitors. I also told him that Guam’s goals are similar to those expressed by Vice President Biden last month in China to make it easier for Chinese tourists to visit the United States. I thanked the President for including cover over provisions in the American Jobs Act and for his concern for the economies of the territories. I also reminded him that we were disappointed that he had to cancel his scheduled visits to Guam last year and that our invitation still stands and our welcome mat is always out.” (PR)