GUAM NEWS – September 20, 2011

SANTA RITA, Guam—The Navy Pacific Fleet Rock Band will perform hits from the 60s to the present at public venues on island starting this week.

The band, based out of Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, will perform on the following dates and locations:

Sept. 21, 6pm at Chamorro Village in Hagatna

Sept. 23, 7pm at Micronesia Mall’s center court in Dededo

Sept. 24, 11:30am at Guam Premier Outlets’ food court in Tamuning

Sept. 24, 6pm at Agana Shopping Center’s center court in Hagatna

The performances are free and open to the public.

During their visit, the band will also mentor music students and perform at George Washington High School, Simon Sanchez High School, F.B. Leon Guerrero Middle School and University of Guam.

Under the operational control of the Commander, United States Pacific Fleet, the Pacific Fleet Band is dedicated to providing top quality music and entertainment in support of the U.S. Navy’s retention and recruiting programs, and for internal and external public relations. The rock band is comprised of musicians who combine their talents to entertain audiences in Hawaii and around the world. (USN)

WASHINGTON, D.C.—Guam Delegate Madeleine Z. Bordallo announced Friday that the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has awarded $500,000 in federal financial assistance to the Guam Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse.

The funding will be used to support DMHSA’s Para Todu Project, which works to improve and expand services for children and youth with serious emotional disturbances and their families.  It was awarded through the HHS System of Care program.  This program helps to raise awareness of children with mental health needs through education, training for workforce capacity development, infrastructure development, and professional treatment services.

“This federal grant will help provide services to children and adolescents with mental illness and address behavioral impacts of trauma in our community,” said Bordallo. “The System of Care program has been shown to have both short and long-term benefits, including significant reductions in suicide attempts by youth, improved school attendance, and a reduction in the reliance on inpatient care settings.  I commend the Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse for seeking these funds, and I look forward to them benefiting Guam’s youth.” (PR)

WASHINGTON, D.C.—Guam Delegate Madeleine Z. Bordallo said Friday that the Senate Appropriations Committee included a provision in its mark-up of H.R. 2219, the Department of Defense Appropriations Act for Fiscal Year 2012, which would allocate $33 million from the Department of Defense’s Office of Economic Adjustment for civilian infrastructure improvements to support and sustain the military build-up. The funding is for several projects identified by the Economic Adjustment Committee process last year. The Senate will have to debate and pass the bill on the floor and then send it to conference with the House’s bill.  The funding had broad support in Guam, including from Gov. Eddie Calvo.

“I thank Chairman Daniel Inouye and members of the Senate Subcommittee on Defense appropriations for supporting the President’s Budget and continuing to include $33 million for civilian infrastructure improvements in Guam,” said Bordallo. “The appropriators have upheld the federal government’s commitment to addressing some of infrastructure needs.  This funding is critical to addressing social projects outside the fence in response to the build-up and to ensure that our island is prepared for the relocation of Marines.  I will work with my colleagues in the Senate to address how this funding will be best transferred to the Government of Guam.  I also want to commend Governor Eddie Calvo for his work and advocacy to support this funding in the Senate.” (PR)