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Bringing dialogue to the people
HAGATNA, Guam—Sen. Jose “Pedo” Terlaje is hosting a public hearing on Resolution 14-35 at the Dededo game Club (Dededo Dome) to discuss the federal government’s recent decision to ban cockfighting in Guam and the other Territories. Senator Terlaje has invited Congressman Michael San Nicolas’ staff to the hearing and hopes that a representative from the Congressman’s office is able to attend. The public hearing will be held Saturday, March 30, 2019, from 3pm to 5pm.
The practice of cockfighting on Guam can be traced back as early as 1525. A provision in the Agricultural Improvement Act of 2018 which President Donald Trump signed into law, December, 2018, prohibits cockfighting in the federal Territories— a culturally significant practice on Guam — “and this decision was made without the input of our people,” said Senator Terlaje.
“This public hearing will serve as a venue for our people to voice their concerns and hopefully our island’s Representative in Congress, Mike San Nicolas, will be able to take these concerns to Washington, D.C.,” said Terlaje.
“Banning activities that we consider culturally significant without first seeking the advice and consent of our people does a disservice to our residents.” Said Terlaje. “Our people just want their voices to be heard.”
“This is an issue that has raised a lot of concerns and has brought fourth a lot of passionate dialogue within our community. Based on the last meeting with Congressman San Nicolas, he shared that he has tasked the Congressional Research Service to look into this matter and we hope to hear an update on this soon,” said Speaker Tina Muna Barnes.
Resoultion 14-35 introduced by Sen.Jose “Pedo” Terlaje, Speaker Tina Muna Barnes, Sens. Amanda Shelton, Kelly G. Marsh (Taitano), Ph.D., Clynt Ridgell, and James Moylan, will ask Congressman San Nicolas to introduce an Amendment to the Organic act of Guam regarding protecting culturally significant practices on Guam.
For further inquiries, please contact Chris Carillo at chris@senatorjpterlaje.com. (PR)
