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THE WAR ON OUR FAMILIES CONTINUES
2010-02-18 22:35:02February 16, 2010 was a prime example of what happens when you fight for Guam’s Working Families, every trick is used to try and intimidate, harass and slander your character. The questioning and arrest of GFT President Matt Rector on misdemeanor charges of unsworn falsification on a gun permit, is just another example of this sad fact. President Rector states, “First, I want to thank my Brothers in Blue, Officers Santos and Certeza, that treated me with dignity and respect, exemplifying their professionalism. I have stated again and again that everyone should be treated equally under the law and no one should be held to a different standard just because the rich and powerful don’t like them. There are numerous examples of people that have been denied gun permits because, for whatever reason, the information on their application was incorrect, but they were not arrested and taken to the precinct in handcuffs, so why was I?” >As a Senator, Matt Rector, introduced a number of Bills that would have raised the wages of thousands of Guam’s workers above the poverty level, provided paid sick leave and got amendments passed (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U9RyXXv67wA) that exempted both GWA and GPA from the bill that sought to essentially privatize them, which cost the corporations hoping to get the private management contracts for operations over a Billion dollars. By attempting to build a fair economy where a worker could earn a fair days pay for a fair days work and stay at home with their sick child without losing money or getting fired, Senator Rector stepped on the toes that benefit from the horribly inequitable economy that now exists on Guam making very powerful enemies. President Rector continues, “The question isn’t why I was singled out for this inequitable persecution once again, the question is whether I will be intimidated and cowed into submission by Guam’s Ruling class? The answer is no, no and no again!!! Guam’s families deserve better and while I still have breath in my body I will continue to fight for our island and our peoples God given right to lead a decent life, where everyone is treated equal and fairly. An economy where we give a hand up to our most needy, have decent middle class careers in both the public and private sectors, where a worker moves ahead on their merit and isn’t pushed just when they get old just to increase short term profits. Where everyone has access to good healthcare right here on our island without having to have fundraisers and/or declare bankruptcy. Where our children have a decent, fully funded, education and have an opportunity to live a better life than their parents.” During his time in Guam’s 30th Legislature Matt Rector was slandered and attacked by Big business, their representatives in the legislature and certain media. This is exemplified by the very different coverage of this story (Marianas Variety, PDN, KUAM, PNC) From the time the Guam Election Commission declared Matt Rector a Senator, his results were instantly challenged, which created a non-stop barrage of unfounded and slanderous accusations. In the coming weeks President Rector will be putting together a full accounting of all of the biased attacks by certain media. For more information go to www.MattRector.com. Or email Matt at Matt@MattRector.com
Beer-O-Nomics Pt. 6
2010-02-01 15:54:33How beer alone can make our island better.
Most of us don’t think too much about beer, other than is it cold or our brand, but beer is a great example of all that is wrong with Guam’s economy. I myself drink Miller Lite, for one simple reason, it says “Union Made” on every label so I know that the workers that made it were treated fairly with dignity and respect. So let us consider the journey of a Miller Lite.
MANUFACTURING
While Miller Lite says “Union Made” on its label most other major bottling plants are organized as well. Therefore the workers at the bottling plant in Milwaukee Wisconsin are making at least $20 per hour have decent health insurance and a good defined benefit retirement plan. Not a fortune by any stretch of the imagination but a decent middle class wage that allows them to buy a house and raise a family. It also allows them to go shopping and pay taxes in their community which mean decent public schools, adequate public services and a thriving economy for local businesses. Think about it, that’s hundreds of workers making over $40,000 a year which is worth millions of dollars a year to their home town.
TRUCKING
Most truckers as well are unionized which means that they too are making a decent middle class wage. As one might imagine Guam drinks a fair amount of beer which means that the wages that these workers make driving the thousands of trucks a year from the breweries in to the port goes into building their communities and economies. Therefore we have to think of not only the cost of fuel, tires, insurance and maintenance of the trucks but the cost of the truck drivers wages and benefits as well.
STATESIDE PORTS
Once the trucks arrive at whatever Port they are to be shipped out of, they are loaded onto the ships by our union brothers and sisters that are all making over $100,000 per year. Yes that’s right $100k per year. Port unions are the some of the strongest in the country and around the world, because those workers know that the only reason they have decent middle class jobs is because of the battles their predecessors have fought and they stand ready at a moment’s notice to fight for their families and communities when the next attack on their solidarity comes. On top of the good wages these hard working folks earn there are all sorts of other fees that have to be added on to the cost of unloading a container, storing it and then loading it onto a ship.
SHIPPING
Yes you guessed it, the ships are union too. Thanks to the Jones Act, Guam is assured constant and reliable shipping services that are staffed by sailors that have safe working conditions and earn a decent middle class wage. This also has and continues to provide good jobs for many of our people. So while some business owners constantly decry the Jones Act because they would like to have slightly lower shipping rates that can be had on Flag of Convenience vessels that operate with slave like crews that work under unregulated conditions the Jones Act is actually good for Guam, but no matter what vessel our container of beer goes on the price of fuel and insurance is the same and Los Angeles is a long way away.
GUAM'S PORT
Finally my bottle of beer has arrived at our fair shores where it will be unloaded by our people which are also unionized. Unfortunately, at the time of writing, their first contract has yet to be finalized and they are making less than a fifth of what their counter parts make in Los Angeles. Hopefully, they will win justice and a fair and decent wage in the very near future. But the cost of their salaries is fairly insignificant toward the cost of unloading a container from a ship. Heck right off the top $150 per can goes to Matson for the rental of their cranes (they paid off their cost in 6 months and are now just making huge profit at our expense). The good news is that the part of the cost of unloading a container that goes to pay our people stays on island and circulates in our economy. The bad news is that a significant portion of it is siphoned off by off island corporations and contractors.
TRUCKING ON GUAM
From our Port, my beer goes to Guam’s truck drivers which are paid poverty wages of $12.48 per hour as opposed to the truck driver from Wisconsin that makes an average of $19.07 per hour. While the wages of Guam’s truck drivers have almost no effect on the cost of a beer, at least their pay stays on our island and is spent in our economy in our businesses. It most especially benefits local businesses such as insurance companies, tire companies, local mechanics and local gas stations.
WAREHOUSING
Once it is delivered to the appropriate warehouse on Guam it is unloaded by a worker who only makes about $10.84 per hour before it is loaded onto a light truck whose driver makes a miserable salary of a little more than $8 per hour. This is a prime example of where are system is tragically broken. The cost of living on Guam is 25% higher than that of Washington DC but the people that are doing the same Job on Guam as in the states are making 25% less! Imagine if we took the money that we are paying to warehouse workers in Milwaukee and paid it to our people instead. Not only would it improve the quality of life for them and their families but it would improve all of our lives because that extra money would be circulating in our economy.
RETAIL
Finally my beer has finished its multi-thousand mile journey to a store so that I can finally give up my hard earned $10 to take a 12 pack to a BBQ. Unfortunately the poor sales person that sells it to me probably makes little over minimum wage. But at the very least this is money that economists tell us will circulate in our economy ten times because the wages of the sales clerk will be spent almost exclusively on island.
SO?
This little example and all that it entails and leaves out, for without too much thought one can think of all the other workers in the states that earned income from our beer, from the truck mechanics to the toll gate operators to Highway patrol officers, is a great demonstration of how much the $10 I paid for my twelve pack left our economy immediately to enrich someone else’s community. Because it is easy to see that this system does not benefit the people of Guam as much as it should, we have to ask: why does it happen?
BUSINESS
Businesses exist for one purpose only, to make as much profit as possible with the least amount of risk or investment in the shortest amount of time. Therefore business owners are not inherently evil deviously plotting how to destroy Guam’s economy (at least I hope not) but they are functioning within a system that they have created in pursuit of their goal which has lead to the never-ending race to the bottom for our people and our economy. It is not business job to regulate the economy and history shows us that every politicians cave in to the lobbying of businesses to deregulate, we see a huge shift in wealth from the bottom 90% of our population to the richest 1% and our economy crashes. So how do we fix it?
BUILDING AN ECONOMY THAT WORKS FOR ALL OF OUR FAMILIES
Even though one could easily see how Beer-O-Nomics could be expanded to cover many more products, let’s look at our capacity to brew our own beer right here on Guam. Can it be done? Of course!!! In fact it already has been. All of us have driven by the San Miguel brewery by the Mall and have sampled beers from some of Guam’s Micro Brewers. Brewing beer is not Rocket science and it is well within our means to have multiple brewing facilities right here on Guam. Not only would it provide hundreds of good jobs for our people and keep millions of our dollars circulating in our economy but it would be good for our environment and save money in a lot of ways. Think about it, instead of $9 of the $10 I spent for my twelve pack going instantly off-island to build someone else’s economy and community, what if it stayed here to build Guam?
ISN’T OUR MARKET TOO SMALL TO SUPPORT OUR OWN BREWERIES?
Absolutely not!!! The great thing about brewing beer is that it is incredibly scalable. From the home brewer that cranks out a few cases a year to a massive plant that produces thousands an hour. This would open up tons of business opportunities across the board from the small village brewer, to medium sized “Micro-Breweries” to the large scale, big corporate brewing and bottling plants. So not only would it provide a large number of new jobs, that are currently being done by workers off island, but it would truly make a business friendly atmosphere where our local entrepreneurs can really compete with each other.
Graceful exit
2010-01-21 21:35:36FRIDAY, 22 JANUARY 2010 00:35 BY MAR-VIC CAGURANGAN | VARIETY NEWS STAFF
SO, Matt Rector quits. His surprising move rendered an anticlimactic ending to the political drama that built up so much expectation for a live TV coverage of histrionics at the ethics committee. The aborted noontime show would have given the gavel-snatching episode a run for its money. Rector’s resignation must have disappointed the army of crucifiers who were flexing up their muscles for the stone-throwing spree. In the end, Rector stole his critics’ thunder, disarming them with his graceful exit that left his colleagues red-faced.
Decency dictates you don’t utter any more cruel words when the most hated person chooses to leave the stage in dignity. In the movie, this scene comes in slow motion and is accompanied by triumph-themed soundtrack. In instances such as these, one says the nicest words about the person, the same way you would do when a person you hated most in your life suddenly died. “He’s a great person,” you say.
“It took a lot of courage to do this,” speaker Judi Won Pat said. “I appreciate what he has done.”
You have to. Rector could have fought tooth and nail, regardless of whether he would win or lose his case. After all, he is a union guy. Left-wingers don’t easily give up—even after the fall of the Soviet Union and the collapse of the Berlin Wall.
He was faced with a choice between leaving the legislature on his own volition or allowing his colleagues to vote him out. The latter option, he said, would leave his staff out of work and “create huge turmoil in the legislature” and cause “damage to the Democratic Party.”
At least he deserves credit for taking the bloodless path.
Matt Rector was ostensibly composed amid the growing number of people climbing aboard the bash-the-white-dude bandwagon. You can’t dismiss the eloquence of his silence—something unlikely of a union leader—amid his persecution.
Rector is like Les Miserables’ Jean Valjean, the bread thief, who is being hunted down obsessively by the morally pompous Javert.
So which of Guam’s holier-than-thous could claim moral ascendancy to raise the issue of ethics, which is generally a peculiar term in the local bureaucracy, in which connections matter more than anything else? If we were committed to strictly abiding by moral standards, the ethics committee would have had more meetings for elected officials who lied about their credentials, and the court dockets would have been filled with more cases of people who stole from public coffers.
We must be kidding ourselves if we are convinced that this is a moral issue. This is about one person who is not so easy to like. He has to grow on you. His hair is intimidating. He is too pretty to be taken seriously. If you are rich, you see his ideology as a threat to your own. If you’re a Republican, you simply won’t like him because he’s a true-blue Democrat.
He’s like the lonely nonconformist kid ostracized by everyone in school. Hating him is the fashionable thing to do. Filing harassment case against him for tapping you on the shoulder will guarantee you full-blown media coverage. Some of those who actually like him don’t have the courage to defend him lest they get ostracized, too.
But you ought to give it to him. Rector had a clear mission when he entered politics. He was one of the very few who knew what they were elected in office for. Many of his bills were outlandish alright, but his intentions were clear. He tried to fight for the working class. He tried to seek fairness and equality. It may never happen, but you can’t fault him for being such a Rousseauian romantic. You may not agree with his philosophy, but you cannot not respect him for his conviction.
And as our avid letter-writer Matt Phillips stated in an email to us yesterday, without Rector, it will never be the same at the legislature.
Matt Rector steps down
2010-01-18 21:34:05MEDIA RELEASE Matt Rector steps down as Senator effective 12:01am Wednesday, January 20, 2010.
Matt Rector states, “First I would like to thank the 14,366 people that voted for me and the thousands upon thousands of people that have, talked, called, emailed, wrote letters to the editor, twittered, facebooked or myspaced me with messages of support and solidarity. It has been an honor and a privilege to serve the people of Guam as a Senator in the 30th Guam legislature. Unfortunately, as a result of our requests and constant search for the truth, GPD has found records confirming, what I had previously stated, that when I was 19, I plead guilty to misdemeanor burglary. Unfortunately, even though my mom was sure, I was sure, and my childhood friends that were codefendants with me were sure as well that the record was expunged, none of us, including the lawyer I hired in Sacramento, could find any documents proving it.”
Matt Rector continues, “This left me with two options: Allow my colleagues in the legislature to vote me out , which would have put my staff on the street or step down and allow the work of the committee to continue and allow for an orderly transition to my replacement. The choice was obvious. My staff has taken a lot of heat working for me, but through it all they continued to do great work for the people of Guam and they and their families certainly shouldn’t suffer because I couldn’t manage to keep records for almost 30 years. On top of this, while I have had my differences with some members of the Democratic Party, I continue to believe in the ideals of Barack Obama’s Party and I believe that if I forced this issue to the floor of the Legislature it would do irreparable damage to the Party of the Guam’s working people.”
Matt Rector concludes, “While this may be a setback for Guam’s working families and our quest to live a decent life, we have only just begun to fight! I will continue to fight for the workers’ right to organize themselves in a Union, fair wages, paid sick leave for all, decent, affordable health care, the ability to retire with dignity, fully funded quality education for our children and every other pro-working family issue both here on Guam and in Washington DC. In fact, I plan to turn most of my bills into referendums so that the people of Guam can decide on these important quality of life issues that affect their families.”
Matt Rector will still be reachable at 734-Matt, www.MattRector.com, on facebook, MySpace and Twitter.
SENATOR MATT RECTOR HONORS "WORKING CLASS HERO" MS. CHRISTINA CRUZ
2010-01-14 21:32:30Senator Matt Rector recognizes CHRISTINA CRUZ as this week's "Working Class Hero". CHRISTINA CRUZ has been working for the Tamuning Mayor's Office for five (5) years as a Municipal Clerk. She promotes a healthy and active lifestyle as a volunteer Aerobic Instructor at the Senior Citizens Center three (3) times a week. CHRISTINA CRUZ is involved with several community events hosted by the Tamuning Mayor's Office such as their Thanksgiving Food Drive, Halloween activities, Annual Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony, Easter activities and more.
Senator Rector extends Un Dångkolo Na Si Yu'os Ma’åse' to CHRISTINA CRUZ for her outstanding citizenship and accomplishments. "We all know someone who makes our island a better place every day and it's time that they get credit for all that they do," he says.
Resolution No. 267-30(COR) was presented to CHRISTINA CRUZ in recognition of her contributions in helping the community not just in her job but from the generosity and kindness of her heart.
Submit your nominations for next week's Working Class Hero by calling the Office of Senator Matt Rector at 734-6288 (MATT), by email at:
hero@MattRector.com or www.facebook.com/SenatorMattRector,
www.twitter.com/mattrector,
www.myspace.com/rector4senator
For more information, please call Senator Matt Rector at 734-6288 (MATT).
SENATOR MATT RECTOR HONORS "WORKING CLASS HERO" MS. TERESA PEREZ
2010-01-07 22:36:50Senator Matt Rector recognizes TERESA PEREZ as this week's "Working Class Hero". TERESA PEREZ worked for a year and a half for Carmen's Restaurant performing the demanding and fast-paced duties of a server in the food and beverage industry. TERESA PEREZ goes above and beyond her charity services outside of her job and contributes to the community by donating blood yearly and exemplifies not only a dedicated worker but a truly genuine and compassionate individual eager to help those in most need.
Resolution No. 257-30(COR) was presented to TERESA PEREZ in recognition of her hard work and dedication, not just to her job, but to all the people of Guam.
Senator Rector extends Un Dångkolo Na Si Yu'os Ma’åse' to TERESA PEREZ for her outstanding citizenship and accomplishments.
Senator Rector encourages everyone to nominate someone they know. "We all know someone who makes our island a better place every day and it's time that they get credit for all that they do," he says.
Submit your nominations by calling the Office of Senator Matt Rector at
734-6288 (MATT), by email at: hero@MattRector.com or www.facebook.com/SenatorMattRector, www.twitter.com/mattrector, www.myspace.com/rector4senator
For more information, please call Senator Matt Rector at 734-6288 (MATT).
CHECK OUT MATT’S RESPONSE ON THE CURRENT MEDIA ATTACKS
2010-01-04 22:04:19Watch and listen to Matt’s response towards the Media hype on the issues currently surrounding him http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TlQS7Q6esIA
SENATOR MATT RECTOR HONORS "WORKING CLASS HERO" MR. PETER AGUON
2009-12-27 22:02:26Senator Matt Rector recognizes PETER AGUON as this week's "Working Class Hero". PETER AGUON has worked for the Guam Waterworks Authority (GWA) for eleven (11) years as a WSI in Meter Services while caring for his parents whose health is in constant need of assistance and care.
Resolution No. 255-30(COR) was presented to MR. AGUON in recognition of his hard work and dedication, not just to his job, but to all the people of Guam.
Senator Rector extends Un Dångkolo Na Si Yu'os Ma’åse' to MR. AGUON for his outstanding citizenship and accomplishments.
Senator Rector encourages everyone to nominate someone they know. "We all know someone who makes our island a better place every day and it's time that they get credit for all that they do," he says.
You can submit your nominations by calling the Office of Senator Matt Rector at 734-6288 (MATT), by email at: hero@MattRector.com or www.facebook.com/SenatorMattRector, www.twitter.com/mattrector, www.myspace.com/rector4senator
For more information, please call Senator Matt Rector at 734-6288 (MATT).
SENATOR MATT RECTOR'S "WORKING CLASS HERO" HONORS RONNIE J. GUIMAREY
2009-12-17 21:44:48Each week Senator Matt Rector honors someone who gives of their time and resources to make Guam a better place. He writes, "Guam functions and succeeds as a result of the hard work of all our working class heroes that serve our island everyday as workers, as parents, as children, as friends, and as active citizens in our democracy. Guam’s working class heroes have long been the forgotten backbone of our island, and they should be recognized for their commitment and loyalty in serving the community."
This week's Working Class Hero, RONNIE J. GUIMAREY, a Guam Fire Department
(GFD) Firefighter II for seventeen (17) years, assuming the duties of a Medical Transport Attendant when needed, RONNIE J. GUIMAREY has dedicated many years ensuring the safety of the people of Guam, working countless hours yet still making time for his wife and two (2) children.
Senator Matt Rector recognizes RONNIE J. GUIMAREY, as one of Guam’s working class heroes, for his hard work and dedication, not just to his career, but to all the people of Guam; and extends Un Dångkolo Na Si Yu'os ma’åse' to RONNIE J. GUIMAREY for his outstanding citizenship and accomplishments.
If you know someone who you'd like to nominate, please submit your nominations by calling his office at 734-MATT (6288), via email:
hero@MattRector.com, online at www.facebook.com/SenatorMattRector,
www.twitter.com/mattrector, www.myspace.com/rector4senator
For more information, please call Senator Matt Rector at 734-6288 (MATT).
SENATOR MATT RECTOR'S "WORKING CLASS HERO" HONORS MS. ADRIANA MARQUEZ
2009-12-10 21:22:33Each week Senator Matt Rector honors someone who gives of their time and resources to make Guam a better place. He writes, "Guam functions and succeeds as a result of the hard work of all our working class heroes that serve our island everyday as workers, as parents, as children, as friends, and as active citizens in our democracy. Guam’s working class heroes have long been the forgotten backbone of our island, and they should be recognized for their commitment and loyalty in serving the community."
This week's Working Class Hero, MS. ADRIANA MARQUES has committed five (5) years of service to Cape Air Airlines as a Flight Attendant ensuring a safe and comfortable travel for customers. She is gifted with the talent of singing, performing for ten (10) years and is currently working a second job as a singer in C’s Lounge for the past four (4) years. She devotes her spare time participating in her children’s activities as a parent volunteer for the Guam GTA Raiders Football Association.
MS. ADRIANA MARQUES displays a lot of hard work and determination in working two (2) jobs in order to support four (4) children as a single parent and makes it a priority to get involved in her children’s activities.
Senator Matt Rector recognizes MS. ADRIANA MARQUES, as one of Guam’s working class heroes, for her hard work and dedication, not just to her career, but to all the people of Guam; and extends Un Dångkolo Na Si Yu'os ma’åse' to MS. ADRIANA MARQUES for her outstanding citizenship and accomplishments.
If you know someone who you'd like to nominate, please submit your nominations by calling his office at 734-MATT (6288), via email:
hero@MattRector.com, online at www.facebook.com/SenatorMattRector,
www.twitter.com/mattrector, www.myspace.com/rector4senator
For more information, please call Senator Matt Rector at 734-6288 (MATT).
SENATOR MATT RECTOR HONORS "WORKING CLASS HERO" WILLIAM CASIL
2009-12-03 23:11:15There are special people who give more than their share to others, overcoming their own personal challenges for the benefit of someone else.
It may be a small act of kindness or something exemplary or heroic. To them, Senator Matt Rector honors their contributions each week by Resolution dedicated to the “The Working Class Hero”.
On Senator Rector’s Facebook, http://www.facebook.com/SenatorMattRector,
the Senator writes, "Do U know a 'Working Class Hero'? A single parent, who works full time and is a great parent? The public servant who goes above and beyond to make sure the people of Guam get the services they need? The Teacher that spends their lunch as a club/sponsor/tutoring/coaching etc.? The person that serves in their church, club or organization? The Coach or boy-girl scout leader? The parents that have managed to keep their kids in school?
We all know someone who makes our island a better place every day and it’s time that they get credit for all that they do. So please let me know about 'The Working Class Hero' that you know.”
On Friday, November 27 William Casil, a bus driver for DODEA, was presented a Resolution by Senator Matt Rector recognizing him as one of Guam's WORKING CLASS HEROES. Senator Rector extends Un Dangkolo Na Si Yu'os Ma'ase' to MR. CASIL for all his hard work, not just to his job but to all the People of Guam and for his leadership, accomplishments and dedication to our island.
If you’d like to nominate someone you know, make those nominations on his Facebook page, online at www.mattrector.com, call his office at 734-MATT
(6288) or email Matt@MattRector.com
For more information, call Senator Matt Rector at 734-6288 (MATT).
SENATOR MATT RECTOR'S "WORKING CLASS HERO" HONORS MS. RITA CRUZ
2009-11-29 15:33:46Each week Senator Rector honors someone who gives of their time and energy to make Guam a better place. He writes, "Guam functions and succeeds as a result of the hard work of all our working class heroes that serve our island everyday as workers, as parents, as children, as friends, and as active citizens in our democracy. Guam’s working class heroes have long been the forgotten backbone of our island, and they should be recognized for their commitment and loyalty in serving the community."
This week's Working Class Hero, MS. RITA CRUZ is an Administrative Assistant for the Department of Education (DOE) for six (6) years. She is certified in several areas of Administrative work such as Equal Employment Opportunity, requisitions, and Workman’s compensation to name a few and has provided valuable services and dedication to both public and the public sector while raising four (4) children as a single mother.
Senator Rector recognizes MS. RITA CRUZ, as one of Guam’s working class heroes, for her hard work and dedication, not just to her career, but to all the people of Guam; and extends Un Dångkolo Na Si Yu'os ma’åse' to MS. RITA CRUZ for her outstanding citizenship and accomplishments.
If you know someone who you'd like to nominate, please submit your nominations by calling his office at 734-MATT (6288), via email:
hero@MattRector.com, online at www.facebook.com/SenatorMattRector,
www.twitter.com/mattrector, www.myspace.com/rector4senator
For more information, please call Senator Matt Rector at 734-6288 (MATT).
SENATOR MATT RECTOR: FOR-PROFIT HEALTH INSURANCE COMPANIES WILL STOP AT NOTHING TO PROTECT THEIR PROFITS
2009-11-24 00:55:23After a long fought campaign by President Barack Obama, Democratic members, Senator Matt Rector, Guam and families are on the verge of becoming a part of historic healthcare reform, but like their counterparts across the Nation, at least one of Guam’s for-profit health insurance companies, Calvo’s SelectCare, is fighting back. Calvo’s SelectCare, which profits millions of dollars from Guam’s families, has made it quite clear that they oppose National Health reform and Guam’s inclusion in it. Their corporate officers travelled to Washington DC to lobby against it, in hopes of persuading Congressional leaders from backing health reform legislation. However, Senator Matt Rector has championed the fight for quality healthcare and healthcare reform well before he was elected into office. In recent trips to Washington, DC, his purpose was to gain support for healthcare reform legislation. While there, he met with Congressmen, Senators and Whitehouse staff in efforts to ensure Guam’s families are treated like every American family and included in the New National Health plan. Unfortunately, while Guam’s families appreciate those efforts, the people that profit from status quo and from denying medical treatment, don’t. Calvo’s Corporation, which also owns Payless Supermarkets, Mid Pac distributions, a hotel and a number of other companies employ thousands of workers. Its owners, the Calvo’s, stand to lose thousands of dollars in profits if Senator Rector’s bills pass, like: The Working Family Health Leave Act,which provides paid sick leave for private sector employees, the Democracy for All Act ,which provides 4 hrs of paid democracy leave every month, the Living Wage for Guam’s Families Act,which requires any company that receives tax breaks from or does business with GovGuam to pay their employees at least $13.40 per hour, or the Angel LG Santos Memorial Water for the People Act which puts water and sewer infrastructure on Chamorro Land trust land and makes corporate accounts and golf courses pay for it. Senator Rector says, “It’s no secret that there has been a concerted effort to discredit me, soil my image and do everything possible to stop my efforts to improve the quality of life for Guam’s working families and that includes threatening my life. Over the last couple of months I have received threatening phone calls that have gotten so persistent that last week I applied for a concealed weapon permit.” History has shown that time and time again progressive leaders who have fought against the rich and powerful and the tyranny of corporate power have been attacked and assassinated. Martin Luther King, Mahatma Ghandi, John and Bobby Kennedy, Malcom X, Huey Long and even our very own Senator Angel Santos have all met their untimely death for standing up for Working Families. Senator Rector continues, “Winning a better life for Guam’s Families has become my foremost mission in life and I can’t get it done if I am dead so I thought that it was important that I have the means to protect myself and the people around me. When I applied for a concealed weapon permit I had forgotten that I had a misdemeanor conviction 26 years ago.” Somehow Calvo’s corporation’s media arm, KUAM, got their hands on confidential information before Senator Rector was even informed that the FBI report came back saying that there was a Burglary conviction in 1983, but what the report didn’t say was that it was a misdemeanor conviction which doesn’t prohibit the issuance of a gun permit. Senator Rector says, “I’ll admit that my friends and I came home on Christmas break had a few drinks at my house and walked over to the mall behind my house and climbed on the roof. Unfortunately, there was a door open and we stupidly opened it and went in. After a couple of minutes we decided that it was a pretty stupid thing to do but once we climbed off the roof the police were already there and we were arrested. We eventually pled guilty to misdemeanor burglary got informal probation and a few hours of community service. Was it a stupid thing to do? Yes, of course! Did I lie on my application for a gun license? No I don’t believe so. It was my understanding that my record was automatically sealed if I kept my nose clean, but I have since learned that I should get the record expunged which is already in the works.” As always Senator Rector is a champion for truth, justice and a decent standard of living for all of Guam’s families not just the wealthy few and this shameful attack full of lies and deceit will not go unnoticed by the rest of Guam’s families.
SENATOR MATT RECTOR SAYS “EIS IS A JOKE”
2009-11-23 05:36:32As an avid fighter for workers and job opportunities, Senator Rector shows his concern towards the Draft EIS at the Guahan Coalition protest on Friday, November 20th at the ITC Intersection. Senator Rector says, “EIS predicts that 75% of the civilian jobs from the buildup will go to people from off island!!! How does this benefit our people again?” With several attempts to improve the job situation in Guam, Senator Rector will continue fighting to improve the lives of our people.
SENATOR MATT RECTOR'S "WORKING CLASS HERO" HONORS MS. LISA CASTRO
2009-11-19 22:25:28
Each week Senator Rector honors someone who gives of their time and energy to make Guam a better place. He writes in Resolution No. 245-30 (COR), "Guam functions and succeeds as a result of the hard work of all our working class heroes that serve our island everyday as workers, as parents, as children, as friends, and as active citizens in our democracy. Guam’s working class heroes have long been the forgotten backbone of our island, and they should be recognized for their commitment and loyalty in serving the community."
As stated in the Resolution, MS. LISA CASTRO is a Parole Officer for the Department of Corrections for the past eleven (11) years and MS. LISA CASTRO makes it a priority to get involved in her children’s activities by volunteering in their school functions. MS. LISA CASTRO has committed several years of service in her job in order to raise five (5) children as a single parent while ensuring she is heavily involved in her children’s education.
Senator Rector recognizes MS. LISA CASTRO, as one of Guam’s working class
heroes, for her hard work and dedication, not just to her career, but to all the people of Guam; and extends Un Dångkolo Na Si Yu'os ma’åse' to MS. LISA CASTRO for her outstanding citizenship and accomplishments.
If you know someone who you'd like to nominate, please submit your nominations by calling his office at 734-MATT (6288), via email:
hero@MattRector.com, online at www.facebook.com/SenatorMattRector,
www.twitter.com/mattrector, www.myspace.com/rector4senator
For more information, please call Senator Matt Rector at 734-6288 (MATT).
SENATOR MATT RECTOR: UNLESS IT'S LIVE, NO MORE INTERVIEWS ON KUAM
2009-11-12 21:36:53NOVEMBER 13, 2003
SENATOR MATT RECTOR: UNLESS IT'S LIVE, NO MORE INTERVIEWS ON KUAM
That was the word issued today by Senator Matt Rector. "I have decided that I will only do live interviews for KUAM from now on. Taped interviews are edited for their spin," says Rector.
Rector says he has tried to work the issues out with KUAM but to no avail and until KUAM NEWS is able to report the facts fairly and openly, allowing him the opportunity to speak freely, he will no longer grant taped interviews for this television news station.
For more information, please contact Senator Matt Rector at 734-6288(MATT) or email matt@mattrector.com
SENATOR MATT RECTOR'S "WORKING CLASS HERO" HONORS MR. JOHN SHAW
2009-11-12 21:35:15November 13, 2009
SENATOR MATT RECTOR'S "WORKING CLASS HERO" HONORS MR. JOHN SHAW
MR. JOHN SHAW is this week's "Working Class Hero,” and was presented with a Resolution sponsored by Senator Matt Rector yesterday afternoon at the Office of Senator Matt Rector in Mangilao.
Each week Senator Rector honors someone who gives of their time and energy to make Guam a better place. He writes in Resolution No. 239-30 (COR), "Guam functions and succeeds as a result of the hard work of all our working class heroes that serve our island everyday as workers, as parents, as children, as friends, and as active citizens in our democracy.
Guam’s working class heroes have long been the forgotten backbone of our island, and they should be recognized for their commitment and loyalty in serving the community."
As stated in the Resolution, MR. JOHN SHAW has worked for the Federal Government for over six (6) years under Rome Research Corporation and now with World Technical Services Incorporated. He served thirteen (13) years of Military Service and is currently in the Navy Reserve. MR. JOHN SHAW actively participates in the Victory Chapel Church Community Outreach program in his spare time. He has not only contributed valuable services and knowledge in his job but has devoted himself in helping his Church community while raising five (5) children with his wife.
Senator Rector recognizes MR. JOHN SHAW, as one of Guam’s working class heroes, for his hard work and dedication, not just to his job, but to all the people of Guam; and extends Un Dångkolo Na Si Yu'os ma’åse' to MR.
JOHN SHAW for his outstanding citizenship and accomplishments.
If you know someone who you'd like to nominate, please submit your nominations by calling his office at 734-MATT (6288), via email:
hero@MattRector.com, online at www.facebook.com/SenatorMattRector,
www.twitter.com/mattrector, www.myspace.com/rector4senator
For more information, please call Senator Matt Rector at 734-6288 (MATT).
SENATOR MATT RECTOR'S "WORKING CLASS HERO" HONORS Mrs. Vennessa Marie San Agustin Francisco
2009-11-06 00:24:51MS. VENNESSA FRANCISCO is this week's "Working Class Hero,” and was presented with a Resolution sponsored by Senator Matt Rector yesterday afternoon at the Julale Shopping Center in Hagatna. Each week Senator Rector honors someone who gives of their time and energy to make Guam a better place. MS. VENNESSA FRANCISCO is recognized for her exemplary work and dedication to the People of Guam. Ms. Vennessa Francisco has dedicated seven (7) years of service as a Bonding Underwriter for Moylan’s Insurance Underwriters Inc. She commits her spare time being the Treasurer for the Barrigada Crusaders Team in the Babe Ruth Baseball League since 2008 and manages to also volunteer time helping the Natibu Dance Group as a Beginner Class Parent Volunteer. As stated in Resolution No. 134-30 LS, “Ms. Vennessa Francisco exemplifies herself as being a hardworking parent contributing valuable services to her job while making time to actively participate in her children’s extracurricular activities.” Rector encourages everyone to nominate someone they know. "We all know someone who makes our island a better place every day and it’s time that they get credit for all that they do," he says. You can submit your nominations by calling his office at 734-MATT (6288), via email: hero@MattRector.com, online at www.facebook.com/SenatorMattRector, www.twitter.com/mattrector, www.myspace.com/rector4senator For more information, please call Senator Matt Rector at 734-6288 (MATT).
AMENDMENT STOPS PRIVATIZATION OF GWA AND GPA
2009-11-05 16:06:49Senator Matt Rector’s amendment to Bill 175 was passed which ensures no privatization efforts for the Guam Water Works Authority and Guam Power Authority are made. Bill 175 attempts to include Performance Management Contracts with GWA and GPA which basically gives control of Government operations and facilities to foreign corporations hindering our public workers from management growth in the agencies. Senator Rector says, “Bill 175 would raise water and power rates, sell off the control of our utilities to foreign corporations, and ensure that all management positions go to foreigners instead of having a career ladder for our people.”
SENATOR MATT RECTOR'S "WORKING CLASS HERO" HONORS MR. MANUEL TIONG
2009-10-28 23:52:13MR. MANUEL TIONG is this week's "Working Class Hero" and was presented with a Resolution sponsored by Senator Matt Rector yesterday afternoon, Thursday, October 29, 2009 at the Guam International Airport Authority Airport Police Briefing Room.
Senator Rector's resolution honors Mr. Tiong's exemplary work and dedication to the People of Guam, as stated in his Resolution.
Resolution No.230-30 (COR) “Relative to recognizing MR. MANUEL TIONG, one of Guam’s Working Class Heroes, for his hard work and dedication, not just to his job, but to all the people of Guam; and to extending Un Dångkolo Na Si Yu'os ma’åse' to Mr. Tiong for his outstanding citizenship and accomplishments.”
Rector encourages everyone to nominate someone they know. "We all know someone who makes our island a better place every day and it’s time that they get credit for all that they do," he says.
You can submit your nominations by calling his office at 734-MATT (6288),
email: hero@MattRector.com, online at www.facebook.com/SenatorMattRector,
www.twitter.com/mattrector, www.myspace.com/rector4senator
For more information, please call Senator Matt Rector at 734-6288 (MATT).
SENATOR MATT RECTOR'S "WORKING CLASS HERO" HONORS MR. EDMUND KALAU
2009-10-22 23:30:40October 23, 2009
SENATOR MATT RECTOR'S "WORKING CLASS HERO" HONORS MR. EDMUND KALAU
MR. EDMUND KALAU is this week's "Working Class Hero" and will be presented with a Resolution sponsored by Senator Matt Rector on Thursday, October 22, 2009 beginning at 3:00 p.m. at the Office of Senator Matt Rector.
Senator Rector extends an invitation to join him in honoring MR. EDMUND KALAU for his exemplary work and dedication to the People of Guam, as stated in his Resolution.
Resolution No. 225-30 (COR) Relative to recognizing MR. EDMUND KALAU, one of Guam’s Working Class Heroes, for his hard work and dedication, not just to his job, but to all the people of Guam; and to extending Un Dångkolo Na Si Yu'os ma’åse' to Mr. Kalau for his outstanding citizenship and accomplishments.
Rector encourages everyone to nominate someone they know. "We all know someone who makes our island a better place every day and it's time that they get credit for all that they do," he says.
You can submit your nominations by calling his office at 734-MATT (6288, email hero@MattRector.com or online at www.facebook.com/SenatorMattRector,
www.twitter.com/mattrector, www.myspace.com/rector4senator
For more information, please call Senator Matt Rector at 734-6288 (MATT).
SENATOR MATT RECTOR “THE PEOPLE OF GUAM NEED TO REMIND OUR U.S. CONGRESSTHAT WE ARE AMERICANS TOO!”
2009-10-22 00:46:50“Include Guam and the U.S. Territories in National Health Care Reform!” was the message Senator Matt Rector took with him to Congress in a recent trip to Washington, DC. “I urged Senators and Representatives of Congress to include Guam and all US Territories in their legislation,” says Rector. “The responses were good but it’s not enough,” he continued. Members of Congress argue that US Territories could drive up the cost of health care reform by an estimated $20 billion over the next 10 years and therefore have excluded the Territories in reform legislation by Senate Finance Committee Chairman Max Baucus (D-Mont.). Senator Rector believes by presenting a united front the US Territories can convince Congress to include us in any and all health care reform legislation. “There are 4 million American citizens in Puerto Rico alone,” says Rector. “ If we all band together, we become a force Congress cannot ignore.” In another version of health care reform Senator Tom Harkins, Chairman of the Senate Health Committee extends the benefits of his health care reform legislation to all American citizens, to include the US Territories. Rector said Harkins gave him his word that he would fight to keep the Territories in his bill. “So we need to make sure all of the other Democratic members of Congress support us,” Rector said. “I personally spoke with Nick Rathod on Oct. 20th and he was adamant that the President supports the inclusion of the Territories and is fighting hard for us. We are all Americans and have paid for the privilege with the blood of our sons and daughters serving in the Armed Services in unprecedented ratios, the Health of our people being downwind of the Bikini Atoll nuclear tests, and the sacrifice of our manamko during the Japanese Occupation in WW II. Access to affordable quality health care is just as important to our families. We deserve equal treatment and must have the same federal health care benefits made available to all Americans, regardless of where they reside.” Rector says, “This reform bill is expected to generate hundreds of millions of Federal dollars a year for our economy to use towards providing quality health care for our families. We all have friends and families in the States. Urge them to take a few minutes of their time to call members of Congress and tell them it is important to include Guam and the U.S. Territories in this historic National Health Care Reform.” Call members of Congress now and remind them that WE ARE AMERICANS TOO! Please visit www.MattRector.com and click on the Health Care Reform section for contact information on the Senate Health Care Committee Members. For more information, please call Senator Matt Rector at 734-6288 (MATT). SENATE HEALTH COMMITTEE Chair, Tom Harkin (IA) (202) 224-3254 Phone (202) 224-9369 Fax Members Christopher Dodd (CT) Tel: (202) 224-2823 | Fax: (202) 224-1083 Barbara A. Mikulski (MD) (202) 224-4654 / Fax: (202) 224-8858 Jeff Bingaman (NM) (202) 224-5521 Patty Murray (WA) (202) 224-2621 Jack Reed (RI) Tel: (202) 224-4642 Fax: (202) 224-4680 Bernard Sanders (I) (VT) (202) 224-5141 Fax(202) 228-0776 Sherrod Brown (OH) p (202) 224-2315 f (202) 228-6321 Robert P. Casey, Jr. (PA) Phone: (202) 224-6324 Toll Free: (866) 802-2833 Fax: (202) 228-0604 Kay Hagan (NC) : 202-224-6342 Fax: 202-228-2563 Jeff Merkley (OR) Phone: (202) 224-3753 Fax: (202) 228-3997 Al Franken (MN) (202) 224-5641 Michael Bennet (CO) Phone: (202) 224-5852Fax: (202) 228-5036
WHAT’S MORE IMPORTANT: FIGHTING FOR GUAM IN THE HEALTH CARE REFORM OR FOCUSING ON THE CONFLICT OF INTEREST ISSUE?
2009-10-14 19:42:08Senator Matt Rector called K57 Newstalk radio today to give a D.C. report on Guam’s stand with the Health Care Reform. However, the discussion on Senator Rector’s conflict came up. Click here to listen to the conversation between Senator Rector and Senator Frank Blas Jr:
Listen to Interview
SENATOR RECTOR MAKING PROGRESS FOR HEALTH CARE REFORM IN D.C.
2009-10-14 19:37:07Senator Matt Rector joined the Progressive States Network in D.C. talking to members of the Senator and House of Representatives during State Leaders’ Lobby Day October 13 & 14. Senator Rector received good feedback from Senators and Representatives ensuring they will fight for Guam to be included in the reform. Senator Al Franken's Office, Representative Ellison's Office, Representative Walz, Senator Kerry's Office, Representative Kucinich, Senator Leiberman’s Office, and Senator Harkin all support Guam in the reform. Guam was not included in the Health Care Reform Bill passed by the Senate Finance Committee but fortunately Senator Harkin included the territories.
CHECK OUT FAQ’S FOR BILL 236
2009-10-14 19:32:25If you want to know more about Bill 236 regarding the Night Differential Pay, then check out our Bills page for the FAQ’s.
Bill No. 236: Night Differential Pay
SENATOR MATT RECTOR PART OF D.C. DELEGATION REPRESENTING OVER 1000 STATE LEGISLATORS SUPPORTING ROBUST HEALTH CARE REFORM
2009-10-12 21:50:36On October 13-14, Senator Matt Rector will join other state legislators representing over 1000 colleagues, along with mayors from around the country, in bringing the message to Capitol Hill and the White House of broad-based support in the states for real health care reform, including the public insurance option.
“State leaders are bringing the message to D.C. that federal health care reform assuring quality, affordable health care for all, including a public insurance option, is critical,” said Senator Matt Rector.
This D.C. delegation follows the release last week by Progressive States Network, a group representing state legislators across the country, that 1,057 state legislators from all 50 states have signed letters to Congress asking for real health reform, including a public health insurance option, strong affordability protections, and shared responsibility among individuals, employers and government for health care costs.
View Press ReleaseSENATOR MATT RECTOR HAND-DELIVERS LETTER IN SUPPORT FOR HEALTH CARE REFORM
2009-10-11 19:01:15In conjunction with the Progressive States Network, Senator Matt Rector will be participating in the State Leaders’ Lobby Day on October 13 & 14, 2009 in Washington, DC. Along with State Legislatures, Mayors, and local officials nationwide, Senator Rector will be lobbying members of Congress to ensure that all Americans have quality and affordable health care. Senator Rector will be hand-delivering a letter urging President Barack Obama and members of the US Congress to take up and pass comprehensive health care reform in 2009. Senator Rector and some of his Democratic colleagues highlight the importance of the inclusion of US Territories.
View Letter
View Senator Rectors Agenda
SENATOR MATT RECTOR'S "WORKING CLASS HERO" HONORS ANTONIA VILLAGOMEZ
2009-10-08 19:52:41October 9, 2009
SENATOR MATT RECTOR'S "WORKING CLASS HERO" HONORS ANTONIA VILLAGOMEZ
ANTONIA VILLAGOMEZ is this week's "Working Class Hero" and will be presented with a Resolution sponsored by Senator Matt Rector on Saturday, October 10, 2009 beginning at 1:00 p.m. at the Office of Senator Matt
Rector.
Senator Rector extends an invitation to join him in honoring ANTONIA VILLAGOMEZ for her exemplary work and dedication to the People of Guam, as stated in his Resolution.
Resolution No. 212-30 (COR) - Relative to recognizing ANTONIA VILLAGOMEZ, one of Guam’s Working Class Heroes, for her hard work and dedication, not just to her job, but to all the People of Guam; and to extending Un Dångkolo Na Si Yu'os ma’åse' to Ms. ANTONIA VILLAGOMEZ for her outstanding citizenship and accomplishments.
Rector encourages everyone to nominate someone they know. "We all know someone who makes our island a better place every day and it's time that they get credit for all that they do," he says.
You can submit your nominations by calling his office at 734-MATT (6288, email hero@MattRector.com or online at www.facebook.com/SenatorMattRector,
www.twitter.com/mattrector, www.myspace.com/rector4senator
For more information, please call Senator Matt Rector at 734-6288 (MATT).
SENATOR MATT RECTOR'S "WORKING CLASS HERO" HONORS MAR-VIC CAGURANGAN
2009-10-08 18:51:18October 8, 2009
SENATOR MATT RECTOR'S "WORKING CLASS HERO" HONORS MAR-VIC CAGURANGAN
MAR-VIC CAGURANGAN is this week's "Working Class Hero" and will be presented with a Resolution sponsored by Senator Matt Rector today Friday, October 9, 2009 beginning at 4:00 p.m. at the Marianas Variety Office in Harmon.
Senator Rector extends an invitation to join him in honoring Mar-Vic Cagurangan for her exemplary work and dedication to the People of Guam, as stated in his Resolution.
Resolution No. 211-30 (COR) Relative to recognizing Mar-Vic Cagurangan , one of Guam’s Working Class Heroes, for her hard work and dedication, not just to her job, but to all the people of Guam; and to extending Un Dångkolo Na Si Yu'os ma’åse' to Mrs. Cagurangan for her outstanding citizenship and accomplishments.
Rector encourages everyone to nominate someone they know. "We all know someone who makes our island a better place every day and it’s time that they get credit for all that they do," he says.
You can submit your nominations by calling his office at 734-MATT (6288, email hero@MattRector.com or online at www.facebook.com/SenatorMattRector,
www.twitter.com/mattrector, www.myspace.com/rector4senator
For more information, please call Senator Matt Rector at 734-6288 (MATT).
SENATOR MATT RECTOR BILL GIVES GUAM A VOICE IN MILITARY BUILDUP PLANS
2009-10-05 00:12:32In a recent meeting with The Joint Guam Program Office (JGPO) on the Draft Environmental Impact Statement, it became abundantly clear to Senator Matt Rector that the People of Guam had little to no say in how their island was going to forever change, by the impending military buildup.
"Fortunately, they let slip the one bit of leverage that we do have," says Senator Rector and with that, Senator Rector today introduced Bill 242-30 (COR) and securing for the People of Guam a voice in the plans as it proceeds.
Senator Rector states, "While they can sink their own wells on Federal Property and take our water, and build their own power plants and docks, the one thing that they really need from us is access to our waste water system.
It is their 'Achilles' Heel', so to speak."
The complexity, expense and regulatory requirements imposed by the Federal Government make it virtually impossible for them to build their own waste water system in Guam and meet their own deadlines. That is why Senator Rector introduced a fairly simple bill which states that any contract between the Government of Guam and the Federal Government with regards to our waste water system must have legislative approval.
Senator Rector says, “When in a negotiating situation where you have absolutely no strength, you have to grab on to the one card, play with both hands and not let go until you get what you want. Who would have thought that Guam's 'Ace in Hole' would be sewage?" he asks. We have to use what little advantage that we have no matter how smelly it might be." Bill 242-30(COR) is also co-sponsored by Senator Ben Pangelinan
For more information, please contact Senator Matt Rector at 734-6288
(MATT) or visit www.MattRector.com, email matt@mattrector.com, or comment www.facebook.com/SenatorMattRector, www.twitter.com/mattrector, www.myspace.com/rector4senator
SUPPORTER SEE KNOWS CONFLICT OF INTEREST BUT A HARMONY OF INTERESTS
2009-10-04 16:52:44Voice of the People Pacific Daily News via email letters@guampdn.com To the Editor: Some people, including elected officials, are crying about the alleged “conflict of interest” of Senator Matt Rector. The supposed conflict of interest is claimed to exist between Matt Rector’s job as President of the Guam Federation of Teachers and his elected office as a Guam Senator. I haven’t seen any evidence of the conflict of interest they claim to perceive. Guam’s tired, jaded and long-suffering voters have elected a new face to represent the interests of working people. It’s a fresh idea and Sen. Rector is only looking after the interests of working people who supported him. It looks to me more like a convergence or harmony of interests. For years, we have had one legislature after another packed full of bankers, business owners, landed gentry and rich people, who represented the interests of the wealthy and the silver-spoon-fed trust-fund babies. Why didn’t anyone ever perceive a conflict of interest then? Maybe they think it’s only fair if the ultra-rich are able to have their way with the rest of us. To me, it doesn’t seem fair when only the well-heeled represent their own interests. Meanwhile the cost of living skyrockets but wages and salaries remain the same—or even get cut. And that’s only for those who are still working and not laid off. Is that fair? GovGuam workers need the $10,000.00 COLA proposed by Sen. Rector. Pope Benedict XVI supports the right of workers to bargain collectively in his new encyclical, dated July 7, entitled, “Caritas in Veritate” (“Charity in Truth”) (reported in a union outlet, Seafarers Log, Aug. 2009, p. 5). We need an economy that works for all of us, including workers. Full disclosure—the writer is a union member and voted for Sen. Rector, and will do so again. Sincerely, Mark Goniwiecha
NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING
2009-10-02 00:07:51October 2, 2009 Notice of Public Hearing (First Notice) Please be advised that the Committee on Labor, the Public Structure, Public Libraries and Technology will reconvene the public hearing on Bill No. 221-30 (LS), introduced by A.B. Palacios, Sr., “An act to amend 4 GCA §4109(a) relative to eliminating annual leave for judges and justices,” on Friday, October 9, 2009 in the Legislative Public Hearing Room, from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Please note that a public hearing on Bill No. 221-30 (LS) will be held on Tuesday, October 6, 2009. A copy of Bill No. 221-30(LS) can be found on the Guam Legislature Website at www.guamlegislature.com. Hard copies can be obtained at the Office of the Clerk of the Legislature. Please address written testimonies to Senator Matt Rector, Chairman, Committee on Labor, the Public Structure, Public Libraries and Technology. Testimonies may be submitted via hand-delivery to the Office of Senator Matt Rector at 153 Sesame Street, Suite B, Mangilao Guam 96923, via e-mail to matt@mattrector.com or via facsimile to (671) 734-8085. For special accommodations, auxiliary aids or services, please contact and submit request to Justin Parvin at my office. Please contact 734-MATT (6288) for more information.
SENATOR MATT RECTOR'S "WORKING CLASS HERO" HONORS TOMMY ARCEO
2009-10-01 05:03:25October 1, 2009 SENATOR MATT RECTOR'S "WORKING CLASS HERO" HONORS TOMMY ARCEO Tommy Arceo is this week's "Working Class Hero" and will bepresented with a Resolution sponsored by Senator Matt Rector tomorrowFriday, October 2, 2009 at 10:00 a.m. at the Office of Senator Matt Rectorin Mangilao. Senator Rector extends an invitation to join him in honoring Mr. Arceo forhis exemplary work and dedication to the People of Guam, as stated in hisResolution. Resolution No.199-30 (COR) - RELATIVE TO RECOGNIZING RAYMOND P. GUERRERO,ONE OF GUAM’S WORKING CLASS HEROES, FOR HIS HARD WORK AND DEDICATION, NOTJUST TO HIS JOB, BUT TO ALL THE PEOPLE OF GUAM; AND TO EXTENDING UNDANKOLO NA SI YU'OS MA’ASE' TO MR. GUERRERO FOR HIS LEADERSHIP ANDACCOMPLISHMENTS. Rector encourages everyone to nominate someone they know. "We all knowsomeone who makes our island a better place every day and it’s time thatthey get credit for all that they do," he says. You can submit your nominations by calling his office at 734-MATT (6288)or email at hero@MattRector.com For more information, please call Senator Matt Rector at 734-6288 (MATT).
NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING
2009-09-28 22:30:45September 29, 2009
Notice of Public Hearing
Please be advised that the Committee on Labor, the Public Structure, Public Libraries and Technology will be conducting a Public Hearing on Tuesday, October 6, 2009 in the Legislative Public Hearing Room, beginning at 9:00 a.m.
On the AGENDA are the following:
Bill No. B236-30 (COR) – Matt Rector / T.R. Muna-Barnes / A.B. Palacios, Sr. / R.J. Respicio An act to amend §6217 of 4 GCA for the purpose of ensuring that public employees that work at night receive night differential pay.
Bill No. B227-30 (COR) – A.B. Palacios, Sr.
An act to authorize hazardous pay to Parole Officers who perform the duty of supervising and counseling parolees by amending 4 GCA §6222 (a); and to authorize hazardous pay to employees of the Department of Corrections who perform duties, which if performed by other law enforcement or public safety officers would entitle such officers would entitle such officers to hazardous pay, by adding a new Item (1) to §6222 (a).
Bill No. B221-30 (LS) – A.B. Palacios, Sr.
An act to amend 4 GCA §4109(a) relative to eliminating annual leave for judges and justices.
Bill No. B211-30 (LS) – A.B. Palacios, Sr. / J.V. Espaldon An act relative to preserving the independence of the Office of Public Accountability by restoring the Public Auditor’s authority to hire a Deputy Public Auditor and Secretary and the protection against the reduction of the salaries of the staff of the Office of Public Accountability by amending Subsection (b) Section 1907 of Title 1 of the Guam Code Annotated and adding a new Subsection (c) to Section 1907 of Title 1 of the Guam Code Annotated.
Bill No. B209-30 (LS) – J.P. Guthertz, DPA / R.J. Respicio An Act to amend § 13102 (a) of Chapter 13 of Title 4, Guam Code Annotated, to expand its definition, and to add a new sub item (4) to item (a) of §
13102 to require all persons or public officials that have authority to enter into binding contracts on behalf of the government of Guam or any of its departments, agencies, autonomous entities and public corporations to comply with the Public Official Financial Disclosure Act of the government of Guam.
Bill No. B208-30 (LS) – A.B. Palacios, Sr. / F.B. Aguon, Jr. / Telo Taitague An act relative to clarifying the restrictions established on the recruitment or compensation of government of Guam personnel above Step 10 of the Compensation Schedule; through amending Section 6205.2 of Chapter 6, Title 4, Guam Code Annotated.
Bill No. B200-30 (COR) – A.B. Palacios, Sr.
An act to adjust the compensation for the Attorney General of Guam to be
comparable and equitable with other legal officer positions of the
government of Guam by amending §30116(a), Chapter 30, Title 5 Guam Code Annotated; and to repeal §30116(b), Chapter 30, Title 5 Guam Code Annotated.
Copies of the Bills mentioned above may be found on the official Guam Legislature’s website at www.guamlegislature.com. Hard copies can be obtained at the office of the Clerk of the Legislature. Please address written testimonies to Senator Matt Rector, Chairman, Committee on Labor, the Public Structure, Public Libraries and Technology or may be submitted to the Office of Senator Matt Rector at 153 Sesame Street, Suite B, Mangilao Guam 96923, via e-mail to matt@mattrector.com or facsimile to
(671) 734-8085. For special accommodations, auxiliary aids or services, please contact and submit request to Justin Parvin or at our office.
Please contact 734-MATT (6288) for more information.
SENATOR MATT RECTOR'S "WORKING CLASS HERO" HONORS RAYMOND P. GUERRERO
2009-09-23 23:25:01September 24, 2009
SENATOR MATT RECTOR'S "WORKING CLASS HERO" HONORS RAYMOND P. GUERRERO
Raymond P. Guerrero is this week's "Working Class Hero" and will be presented with a Resolution sponsored by Senator Matt Rector tomorrow at the GTA warehouse in Tamuning.
Rector extends an invitation to join him in presenting the following resolution on Friday, September 25, 2009 beginning at 4:00 p.m. at the main (GTA) Guam Telephone Authority Facility warehouse in Tamuning.
Resolution No.199-30 (COR) - RELATIVE TO RECOGNIZING RAYMOND P. GUERRERO, ONE OF GUAM’S WORKING CLASS HEROES, FOR HIS HARD WORK AND DEDICATION, NOT JUST TO HIS JOB, BUT TO ALL THE PEOPLE OF GUAM; AND TO EXTENDING UN DANKOLO NA SI YU'OS MA’ASE' TO MR. GUERRERO FOR HIS LEADERSHIP AND ACCOMPLISHMENTS.
View Resolution No. 199Rector encourages everyone to nominate someone they know. "We all know someone who makes our island a better place every day and it’s time that they get credit for all that they do," he says.
If you’d like to nominate someone you know, please make your nominations on his Facebook page, online at www.mattrector.com, call his office at 734-MATT (6288) or email hero@MattRector.com
For more information, please call Senator Matt Rector at 734-6288 (MATT).
BILL 203 NEEDED DURING THE H1N1 PANDEMIC
2009-09-23 16:43:49Governor Felix Camacho signed an Executive Order to address the pandemic of the H1N1 virus. The order states, Government employees are allowed to stay at home when sick or when caring for a sick family member with flu-like symptoms for as long as the number of days suggested by the Department of Public Health and Social Services. Unfortunately, this doesn’t affect private sector employees. In fact, this does not ensure workers will receive adequate number of paid sick leave to be able to stay at home and not worry about lost of pay. Senator Matt Rector’s Bill 203 The Working Family Leave Act of 2009 will ensure workers both public and private are taken care of when sick as well as prevent the spread of illness. View Bill No. 203
SENATOR MATT RECTOR HONORS WORKING CLASS HERO CORAZON MUCHO
2009-09-20 23:16:23SENATOR MATT RECTOR HONORS "WORKING CLASS HERO" CORAZON MUCHO
There are special people who give more than their share to others, overcoming their own personal challenges for the benefit of someone else.
It may be a small act of kindness or something exemplary or heroic. To them, Senator Matt Rector honors their contributions each week by Resolution dedicated to the “The Working Class Hero”.
On Senator Rector’s social network site, http://www.facebook.com/SenatorMattRector, over 1,700 of his friends were informed of the Senator’s plans in a special note he posted on his page, requesting for nominations and his friends continue to respond.
In his post, the Senator writes, "Do U know an “The Working Class Hero”? A single parent, who works full time and is a great parent? The public servant who goes above and beyond to make sure the people of Guam get the services they need? The Teacher that spends their lunch as a club sponsor/tutoring/coaching etc.? The person that serves in their church/club/organization? The Coach/boy-girl scout leader? The parents that have managed to keep their kids in school?
We all know someone who makes our island a better place every day and it’s time that they get credit for all that they do. So please let me know about “The Working Class Hero” that you know.”
On Friday, September 18 Corazon Mucho was presented the first such Resolution at the Harry S. Truman Elementary School in Santa Rita.
Resolution No. 195-30 (COR) RELATIVE TO RECOGNIZING ONE OF GUAM’S WORKING CLASS HEROES, CORAZON MUCHO, FOR HER HARD WORK AND DEDICATION NOT JUST TO HER JOB BUT TO ALL THE PEOPLE OF GUAM, AND TO FURTHER EXTEND TO HER UN DANGKOLO NA SI YU'OS MA' ASE' FOR HER LEADERSHIP, ACCOMPLISHMENTS AND DEDICATION TO OUR ISLAND.
If you’d like to nominate someone you know, make those nominations on his Facebook page, online at www.mattrector.com, call his office at 734-MATT
(6288) or email hero@MattRector.com
SENATOR MATT RECTOR JOINS PEACE WALK WITH WOMEN AGAINST MILITARISM
2009-09-17 16:25:26SENATOR MATT RECTOR JOINS PEACE WALK WITH WOMEN AGAINST MILITARISM
The International Network of Women against Militarism is conducting a week-long conference with women throughout the world discussing issues, such as environmental preservation and safety, affected by strong military presence. Thursday, September 17, 2009, the network of women walked to the Chief Quipuha Park holding flags representing their country and cause. Senator Rector was fortunate to join them in sending the message of resistance, resilience and respect, shouting “No to War, Yes to Peace".Resolution Presention
2009-09-17 00:02:06Notice of a Resolution Presentation on Friday September 18, 2009 at 12:00pm, Senator Matt Rector will be at Harry S. Truman to present Resolution No. 195-30 to one of Guam’s “Working Class Heroes”, Corazon Mucho. We recongnize Corazon Mucho, for her hard work and dedication not just to her job but to all the people of Guam, and to further extend to her Un Dangkolo Na Si Yu'os Ma' Ase' for her leadership, accomplishments and dedication to our island. For more information please call the Office of Senator Matt Rector at 734-6288.
LOCAL RESIDENTS SUPPORT BILL 96
2009-09-16 19:05:22LOCAL RESIDENTS SUPPORT BILL 96
The legislative public hearing room was filled with supporters of Bill 96 Angel Santos Memorial Water for the People Act. Local residents expressed their difficulties of not having a water infrastructure at their residence. Supporters who were not able to attend the public hearing submitted written testimony as well. Supporter, “When I think of what this bill will provide, I imagine the families who save rain water to do their laundry or the children at the Gil Baza sub-division playing near the raw sewage in their front lawns. Failure to provide them with this infrastructure compromises their health and safety. To ignore their needs is criminal and inhumane.”
LET’S HONOR OUR WORKING CLASS HEROES
2009-09-14 16:35:38LET’S HONOR OUR WORKING CLASS HEROES As a strong labor activist, Senator Matt Rector appreciates the hard work and dedication of the working men and women of the public and private sector. Senator Rector believes individuals who have contributed a lot of time and dedication in their job and in the community should be recognized and honored. Every week starting Friday, September 18, 2009, a Working Class Hero will be presented with a resolution to honor their services in our island. The Working Class Hero of the Week will be announced in Senator Rector’s website. If you would like to recommend an individual, then please contact the office or email irish@MattRector.com.
LET US BE REMINDED OF HOW IMPORTANT OUR PUBLIC SAFETY OFFICERS ARE TO US
2009-09-11 00:35:29LET US BE REMINDED OF HOW IMPORTANT OUR PUBLIC SAFETY OFFICERS ARE TO US As today marks the tragic day of 9/11, let us be reminded of how important our public safety officers are to all of us. Our public safety officers are there for our protection and security. We must honor our safety officers as they risk their lives for our protection. God Bless them!
LABOR DAY CELEBRATION WITH WORKING FAMILIES
2009-09-07 16:24:01Senator Matt Rector celebrated Labor Day with working families at the GovGuam Labor Day Picnic on Sunday, September 6, 2009 at the Ypao Beach Park. Senator Rector visited workers and their families at various public agency tent sites. For several years, Senator Rector has been an advocate for workers’ rights, fighting for stronger labor laws. He believes every worker should earn a decent wage, receive paid sick leave, have a good retirement plan and better health care. Senator Rector has introduced several legislations to improve the lives of working families and he will continue to do so as best as he can.
Letter from Legislative Counsel regarding Standing Rules of 30th Guam Legislature
2009-09-03 23:36:38Letter from Legislative Counsel regarding Standing Rules of 30th Guam Legislature The Standing Rules of the 30th Guam Legislature prohibit the interruption of a Senator during session or a public hearing by a senator who does not have the floor.
NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING ON BILL 96 :
2009-09-03 23:26:14September 4, 2009
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Notice of Public Hearing
Please be advised that the Committee on Labor, the Public Structure, Public Libraries and Technology will be conducting a Public Hearing on Saturday, September 12, 2009 in the Legislative Public Hearing Room, beginning at 6:00 p.m.
On the AGENDA are the following:
Bill No. 96-30 (COR) - An act to create a new § 14104.3 of Title 12 GCA, to amend § 14117 Title 12, GCA and to enact a new Subsection (c) of § 14117, 12 GCA, requiring the Guam Water Authority to provide full service infrastructure to all leased properties held by the Chamorro Land Trust Commission and designated agricultural lots without charge to land trust commission lesees or the owners or lessees of designated agricultural lots. This act shall be herein referred to as: The Senator Angel Leon Guerrero Santos Memorial Water for the People Act.
The Committee requests that, if written testimony is to be presented at the hearing, copies be submitted one day prior to the public hearing date to the Office of Senator Matt Rector via fax to 734-8085 or email to Matt@MattRector.com.
Individuals requiring special accommodations of services, please contact Justin or Fred at 734-6288.
Copies of the Bills mentioned above may be found on the official Guam Legislature website at www.guamlegislature.com
GETTING READY FOR THIS YEAR’S LABOR DAY PICNIC
2009-09-02 22:08:48GETTING READY FOR THIS YEAR’S LABOR DAY PICNIC Labor Day is the time to honor the men and women who fought for workers’ rights and the hard work of our workers today. GovGuam’s annual Labor Day Picnic is this Sunday, September 6, 2009 at Ypao Beach. It will be a fun day for working families to get together and enjoy a beautiful day at the beach. The Office of Senator Matt Rector will be present at the picnic so come on by the GFT Tent and visit them.
SENATOR RECTOR ATTENDS ADACAO ELEMENTARY SCHOOL RIBBON CUTTING CEREMONY
2009-09-02 22:08:11SENATOR RECTOR ATTENDS ADACAO ELEMENTARY SCHOOL RIBBON CUTTING CEREMONY Adacao Elementary School had their ribbon cutting ceremony on Wednesday, September 2 in Latte Heights. Senator Matt Rector attended the ceremony and joined elected officials, faculty, staff, parents and students of Adacao in opening up the new school.
SENATOR MATT RECTOR MOVES FORWARD WITH AN APOLOGY LETTER FOR SENATOR TELO TAITAGUE
2009-08-31 22:01:07SENATOR MATT RECTOR MOVES FORWARD WITH AN APOLOGY LETTER FOR SENATOR TELO TAITAGUE Senator Matt Rector sent a letter to Senator Telo Taitague regarding the harassment allegations on Friday, August 28, 2009. Senator Rector apologizes for the misconceptions Senator Taitague had on his behavior. Senator Rector, “I am sorry for any perceived violation of your personal space. If you think that I tapped you on the shoulder in an inappropriate manner, I apologize and I promise to do everything possible to give you room whenever I am in your vicinity. I hope that you accept this apology and we can move on to doing the job that the people of Guam elected both of us to do.Read Original Letter
COMMUNITY OF UMATAC WANT FQ SANCHEZ TO STAY OPEN
2009-08-30 21:50:05Families of Umatac gathered at the Umatac Mayor’s Office on Saturday for Bill 95’s Public Hearing. Senators present were only Senator Frank Aguon and Chairman of the Committee Senator Matt Rector. Teachers, parents, volunteers, Education Board members testified in support for Bill 95. Supporters argued that the school was part of the community and culture of the village and closing it would be disappointing to the families. No written or verbal testimonies in opposition of Bill 95 were given.
GOOD FEEDBACK FOR RESOLUTION NO. 159
2009-08-30 21:19:22Workers of Guam testified at the public hearing on Sat. August 15 in support of Resolution No. 159 endorsing the Abercrombie amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act. “I’m in support for this because finally there’s somebody that recognizes we are U.S. citizens and should be treated and paid like U.S. citizens…Why should I uproot my family to go back out to the states to get paid what those people get paid? It’s about time we get paid the same amount they get paid for the same work…What about these young people who just get out of college? The young Chamorros that go to school and get an education come out and get a job that makes way less than in the United States. Just to get the American dream they have to leave their homeland.” – David Teixeira
SENATOR MATT RECTOR FIGHTS FOR GUAM'S WORKING FAMILIES
2009-08-30 21:18:25This week Senator Matt Rector made three substantial amendments to the FY10 Budget bill that would have improved the quality of life for almost every family on Guam. Sadly, all three failed to get enough support from his colleagues to pass. Senator Rector states, "For the first time in twenty years there were sweeping reforms proposed that would actually help Guam's working families live a better life and we have to count that as a victory! It's sad that we didn't get them on this budget bill but we will continue to build the support and solidarity that we need to win for all of our families soon." The amendment to give Public Servants an across the board $10,880 inflation adjustment (based on Bill 180) received only Senator Rector's vote where as the amendment to give every private sector worker paid sick leave (based on Bill 203) received the support of Senators Ben Pangelinan and Tina Muna-Barnes and the Living wage amendment (Based on Bill 111) that would have forced companies that are receiving Job Subsidies (tax breaks) from the people of Guam would have to pay their employees a living wage of $13.40+/hr received the support of Senator Barnes, as well. Senator Rector continues, "This is a huge step forward in our quest for a better life and while tens of thousands of Guam's families are incredibly disappointed we must refocus that frustration into action! People Power is what has always changed the world and it will do so again, Together We Win!"
SENATOR MATT RECTOR ATTENDED THE JGPO APPRECIATION NIGHT
2009-08-30 21:17:40SENATOR MATT RECTOR ATTENDED THE JGPO APPRECIATION NIGHT Senator Matt Rector attended the Joint Guam Program Office (JGPO) Appreciation Night at the Atrio Bar, Sheraton on Friday, August 28th. Senator Rector met and spoke with the JGPO regarding their planning and coordination with the Military Build-up.
SENATOR MATT RECTOR SPEAKS WITH THE ROTARACT OF THE MARIANAS
2009-08-30 21:17:09SENATOR MATT RECTOR SPEAKS WITH THE ROTARACT OF THE MARIANAS Senator Matt Rector was a guest speaker for the Rotoract of the Marianas at the View Lounge, Marriot Hotel on Friday, August 28th. Senator Rector informed the members about his Living Wage Bill and other economic issues of Guam.
Senator Rector voted "no" on the FY10 Budget Bill
2009-08-27 20:27:40August 28, 2009
Today Senator Rector voted "no" on the FY10 Budget Bill because it did not improve the quality of life for Guam’s families.
Senator Rector states, “I commend Senator Pangelinan and his staff for putting together one of the most accurate and comprehensive budgets in years and I want to be perfectly clear that my no vote is not intended as a slight to the Senator’s hard work.”
Senator Rector continues, “I am trying to use a simple guiding principle on every vote I make: 'Does it improve the quality of life for Guam’s families?' With this budget I had to say no.”
This year’s budget appropriates $540 Million, a mere 3.7% increase over last year. At the same time, the cost of living and doing business in Guam went up by 6%! This means that the people of Guam will get 2.3% less service! Unfortunately, this isn’t a single year incident but a long term trend. Since FY05 GovGuam’s Budget has only increased by 20.7% whereas the cost of living and doing business on Guam has gone up by over 36% over the same time period. At this point, every agency in our public structure is stripped down to the bare bones leaving all without the capacity to provide for the needs of our island.
Senator Rector continues, “We are cheating our families of the public structure they deserve and need in order to live a decent life. In fact, it’s even harsher on the biggest users of public services: women, children, the poor, needy and the physically and mentally challenged. We can and must do better!”
Senator Rector has already introduced a number of bills to start the process and is finalizing new legislation to be introduced in the coming weeks.
For more information, please contact the Office of Senator Matt Rector at
671.734-6288 or email Matt@MattRector.com or visit www.MattRector.comNOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING
2009-08-20 22:48:25The Committee on Labor, the Public Structure, Public Libraries and Technology will be conducting a Public Hearing on Saturday, August 29, 2009 in the Umatac Mayors Office, beginning at 10:00 a.m. On the AGENDA are the following: Bill No. B95-30 (COR) An Act to mandate the continued operation of the FQ Sanchez Elementary School by the Guam Public School System in order to continue operation of a good school for the benefit of the people of the village of Umatac and for the people of Guam by enacting a new § 3122.1 article 1, 17 GCA. To be hereby known as: The Model Community School Protection Act. Copies of the bills may be obtained at I Liheslaturan Guåhan’s website at www.guamlegislature.com. The Committee requests that, if written testimony is to be presented at the hearing, copies be submitted one day prior to the public hearing date to the Office of Senator Matt Rector via fax to 734-8085 or email to Matt@MattRector.com. Individuals requiring special accommodations of services, please contact Justin or Fred at 734-6288.
SENATOR MATT RECTOR CONGRATULATES UOG 48TH STUDENT GOVERNMENT ASSOCIATION COUNCIL
2009-08-20 22:27:07SENATOR MATT RECTOR CONGRATULATES UOG 48TH STUDENT GOVERNMENT ASSOCIATION COUNCIL Senator Matt Rector attended the 48th Student Government Association Council Induction Ceremony on Friday, August 28th at the Guam Legislature Antonio Unpingco Session Hall. Senator Rector congratulated the newly inducted officers and gave his wishes for leading a good school year.
BILL 205 PROTECT GUAM’S WORKERS!
2009-08-20 21:38:38Senator Matt Rector introduced Bill 205 Protect Guam’s Workers which enforces mandatory workplace inspection quotas and creates an on-site inspection team under the Department of Labor (DOL). This bill ensures protection of workers from abuse and human trafficking.
GOOD FEEDBACK FOR RESOLUTION NO. 159
2009-08-20 21:37:58Workers of Guam testified at the public hearing on Sat. August 15 in support of Resolution No. 159 endorsing the Abercrombie amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act. “I’m in support for this because finally there’s somebody that recognizes we are U.S. citizens and should be treated and paid like U.S. citizens…Why should I uproot my family to go back out to the states to get paid what those people get paid? It’s about time we get paid the same amount they get paid for the same work…What about these young people who just get out of college? The young Chamorros that go to school and get an education come out and get a job that makes way less than in the United States. Just to get the American dream they have to leave their homeland.” – David Teixeira
SENATOR RECTOR PAYS RESPECTS FOR PRESIDENT CORY AQUINO
2009-08-12 18:31:06SENATOR RECTOR PAYS RESPECTS FOR PRESIDENT CORY AQUINO Senator Matt Rector and his colleagues from the 30th Guam Legislature honored former Philippines President Corazon “Tita Cory” Aquino on Friday, August 7th, 2009 at the Guam Legislature in Hagatna. As a true advocate for human rights, President Aquino restored power to the people. Rector stated, “We must live by example of President Aquino’s goal and that was to bring democracy back to the people as it should be. We shall remember and honor her attributes to human society and continue restoring our Government to the people.” “Ours is a government that came to power borne on the shoulders of our people; we must, therefore, govern on the basis of that same people power”- President Cory Aquino
View The Session live online @ www.mattrector.com
2009-08-12 18:26:25The Committee on Technology Chairman, Senator Matt Rector today introduced another innovate way to bring democracy closer to the people. Starting with today's legislative session, the public will be able to view lawmakers live in action from his website, www.MattRector.com. "Today is a good day for democracy on Guam," says Rector. "We have opened up another venue for our people to watch what happens on the session floor and gain a better understanding of why their Senators make the decisions they do." Most homes and offices in Guam are equipped with at least one computer making it more accessible for them to follow the debate on the session floor. "What we do on the session floor impacts each and everyone of us. It is my intention to use the technology available to allow everyone access to what our government is doing." Log on to www.MattRector.com at today and watch your Senator in action live from your computer. For more information, please contact Senator Matt Rector at 671-734-6288 (MATT) or email: matt@MattRector.com 12909
Resolution No. 159
2009-08-10 17:59:56RELATIVE TO ENDORSEMENT BY THIS BODY OF CERTAIN PROVISIONS PERTAINING TO THE TERRITORY OF GUAM, THE PENDING MILITARY BUILDUP UPON GUAM, AND LABOR UPON GUAM CONTAINED WITHIN THE ACT CURRENTLY KNOWN AS H.R. 2647 OR THE NATIONAL DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION ACT FOR FISCAL YEAR 2010 AND REQUESTING THAT SAID PROVISIONS BE ENACTED BY THE 111TH CONGRESS AND THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES AS CURRENTLY WRITTEN FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE PEOPLE OF GUAM.
"Public Hearing Sat. Aug. 15 @ Leg. Public Hearing room 10am"
2009-08-09 23:32:11NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING
Please be advised that the Committee on Labor, the Public Structure, Public Libraries and Technology will be conducting a Public Hearing on Saturday, Aug. 15, 2009 in the Legislative Public Hearing Room, beginning at 10:00 a.m.
On the AGENDA are the following:
Resolution No. 30-159 (COR) Relative To Endorsement By This Body Of Certain Provisions Pertaining To The Territory Of Guam, The Pending Military Buildup Upon Guam, And Labor Upon Guam Contained Within The Act Currently Known As H.R. 2647 Or The National Defense Authorization Act For Fiscal Year 2010 And Requesting That Said Provisions Be Enacted By The 111th Congress And The President Of The United States As Currently Written For The Benefit Of The People Of Guam.
Bill No. 203-30 (COR) An Act To Create A New § 3105.1 Of 22 GCA To Provide Paid Sick Leave For Private Sector Employees At A Rate Comparable To Classified Employees Of The Government Of Guam For The Health And Safety Of Guam's Working Families Made Critical As A Result Of The H1n1 Pandemic And To Amend Subsections (C) And (D) Of § 4108, 4 GCA For Constancy With The Recommendations Of The Center For Disease Control And Prevention Regarding Sick Leave Time Allowed To All Employees Without Doctors Certification; To Be Hereby Known As The Working Family Health Leave Act Of 2009.
Bill No. 205 -30 (LS) An Act To Create A New § 1108.1 And § 1108.2 Of 22 GCA And To Create A New § 1108.3 Of 22 GCA To Protect Guam’s Workers From Abusive And Stop Human Trafficking By Providing An Effective Enforcement Mechanism For The Enforcement Of Labor Regulations On Guam Through Mandatory Work-Place Inspection Quotas And The Creation Of A New On-Site Inspection Team Under The Authority Of The Director Of The Department Of Labor.
Bill No. 98 (COR) An act to add a new Chapter 6 to 22 GCA relative to creating the "Employee Secret Ballot Protection Act".
Copies of the bills may be obtained at I Liheslaturan Guåhan’s website at www.guamlegislature.com.
The Committee requests that, if written testimony is to be presented at the hearing, copies be submitted one day prior to the public hearing date to the Office of Senator Matt Rector via fax to 734-8085 or email to Matt@MattRector.com.
Individuals requiring special accommodations of services, please contact Justin or Fred at 734-6288.