Field Hearing: Oversight field hearing titled “Peace Through Strength: The Strategic Importance of the Pacific Islands to U.S.-led Global Security.” The hearing will examine the importance of the U.S. Territories and the Freely Associated States to the United States’ ability to counter the People’s Republic of China’s malign influence and maintain our nation’s strategic interests in the region.

Committee on Natural Resources

Thursday, August 24, 2023 (10:00 AM local time)

Hilton Hotel
202 Hilton Road Tumon Bay
Tamuning, GU
The hearing will take place at at 10:00 a.m. (Chamorro Standard Time, ChST)

Witnesses

Panel one

The Honorable Lourdes "Lou" Leon Guerrero
Governor, Guam, Hagåtña, GU

Added 08/23/2023 at 10:40 AM
  • Testimony [PDF] Added 08/27/2023 at 11:58 AM

The Honorable Arnold L. Palacios
Governor, Commonwealth of Northern Mariana Islands, Saipan, MP

Added 08/23/2023 at 10:40 AM
  • Testimony [PDF] Added 08/27/2023 at 11:58 AM

The Honorable Kaleb Udui Jr.
Minister of Finance, Republic of Palau, Koror, Palau, on behalf of His Excellency President Surangel S. Whipps, Jr.

Added 08/23/2023 at 10:40 AM
  • Testimony [PDF] Added 08/27/2023 at 11:58 AM

The Honorable Ricky Cantero
Acting Secretary - Department of Foreign Affairs, Federated States of Micronesia, Pohnpei State, FM, on behalf of His Excellency President Wesley W. Simina

Added 08/23/2023 at 10:40 AM
  • Testimony [PDF] Added 08/27/2023 at 11:58 AM

The Honorable Jack Ading
Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Republic of the Marshall Islands, Majuro, MH, on behalf of His Excellency President David Kabua

Added 08/23/2023 at 10:40 AM
  • Witness Statement [PDF] Added 09/11/2023 at 09:51 AM

Panel two

The Honorable Tina Barnes
Vice Speaker, Guam Legislature, Hagåtña, GU

Added 08/23/2023 at 10:40 AM
  • Testimony [PDF] Added 08/27/2023 at 11:58 AM

Ms. Irene Sgambelluri
World War II Survivor, Talofofo, GU

Added 08/23/2023 at 10:40 AM
  • Witness Statement [PDF] Added 09/11/2023 at 09:51 AM
  • CV [PDF] Added 09/11/2023 at 12:55 PM

Support Documents

  • Field Hearing Notice [PDF]
  • Field Hearing Memo [PDF] Added 08/21/2023 at 05:01 PM
  • Chair Bruce Westerman (R-AR) Statement For The Record - Pacific Strategy Information Paper [PDF] Added 08/27/2023 at 11:45 AM
  • Vice-Speaker of Guam's Legislature Muna Barnes Statement For The Record - Transshipment on Guam [PDF] Added 08/27/2023 at 11:45 AM
  • Chair Bruce Westerman (R-AR) Statement For The Record - Gov. Mauga of American Samoa's Testimony [PDF] Added 08/28/2023 at 05:09 AM
  • Chair Bruce Westerman (R-AR) Statement For The Record - Brigadier General Guerrero's Testimony [PDF] Added 08/30/2023 at 01:32 PM
  • QFR Responses - The Hon. Governor Palacios [PDF] Added 09/12/2023 at 09:37 AM
  • QFR Responses - The Hon. Governor Guerrero [PDF] Added 09/12/2023 at 09:37 AM
  • QFR Responses - The Hon. Acting Secretary Cantero [PDF] Added 09/12/2023 at 03:39 PM
  • QFR Responses - The Hon. Minister Ading [PDF] Added 10/30/2023 at 09:46 AM

Hearing Record

  • Official Transcript 118–57 [PDF] Added 12/18/2023 at 09:54 AM

First Published: August 15, 2023 at 11:03 AM
Last Updated: December 18, 2023 at 09:54 AM


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