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Bordallo urges adoption of Rodriguez visa-waiver resolution
WASHINGTON, D.C.—Congresswoman Madeleine Z. Bordallo released the following statement in support of Resolution 308-33 (LS), which was introduced by Senator Dennis Rodriguez Jr. The resolution encourages Governor Calvo to petition the U.S. Department of Homeland Security to include Vietnam and the Philippines in the Guam-CNMI Visa Waiver Program.
“I thank Senator Rodriguez for introducing this resolution to express the Legislature’s support for Governor Calvo to petition the Department of Homeland Security to include Vietnam and the Philippines in the Guam-CNMI Visa Waiver Program. I hope that Senator Rodriguez’s resolution will pass soon so we can demonstrate clear support for this initiative. Senator Rodriguez’s leadership on this issue is critical to advancing the cause and showing a “One Guam” approach to this particular issue.
“I have long encouraged Governor Calvo to exercise authority Congress gave to him in 2008 to add additional countries to our Visa Waiver Program. This resolution compliments my call to diversify our tourism industry. Specifically, in my Congressional Address in March I called on Governor Calvo to use authority available to him to expand our visa waiver program to citizens from the Philippines and Vietnam. The middle class is growing in both countries so targeting their markets early could have very positive long-term benefits for Guam. Tourism is the foundation of our economy and it is critical that we expand to new markets and attract new visitors to our island. I encourage our local Senators to support this resolution and hope that Governor Calvo will exercise authority Congress extended to him in the 2008 Consolidated Natural Resources Act.”
