I think the record should show this, so that there will not be any concern with respect to the kinds of ambiguity which have arisen with respect to other offshore areas.

Lastly, I would call your attention to a mistake in section 4 of the bill where amendments to section 9 are proposed.

We have a letter coming to the chairman of this committee which states the nature of our error. Section 4 should read that the second and third sentences of section 9(a) and the first section of 9(b) should be deleted. This is in the nature of a glorified typographical error. (The letter to Chairman Aspinall follows:)

Hon. WAYNE N. ASPINALL,

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR,

OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY, Washington, D.C., March 28, 1966.

Chairman, Committee on Interior and Insular Affairs,
House of Representatives, Washington, D.C.

DEAR MR. ASPINALL: After transmitting to the Senate and House our views on the proposal "To provide for the popular election of the Governor of Guam, and for other purposes, we discovered an error in section 4 of the proposed bill, and in section 4 of H. R. 11775, as introduced by Mr. O'Brien.

Section 4 of the bill provides for the deletion of the first three sentences of section 9(b) of the Guam Organic Act. The section should have provided for the deletion of the second and third sentences of section 9(a) and the first sentence of section 9(b).

On page 8 of the Secretary's letter of October 11, 1965, transmitting the draft proposal, paragraph numbered 4 explains the purpose of section 4 of the bill and is correct with respect to the second and third sentences of section 9, which do give preference to persons of Guamanian ancestry, and which we believe, should be deleted. It is also correct with respect to the new language respecting the appointive powers of the Governor which is contained in the first section of the bill. However, while the first sentence of section 9 deals with the appointive powers of the Governor, it is a sentence which should be retained. It is the first sentence of section 9(b), which also deals with the appointive powers of the Governor, which is made unnecessary by the new language in section 1, which the letter addresses itself to, and which should be deleted. It is recommended that section 4 of H. R. 11775, beginning on page 7, line 3, read as follows:

"SEC. 4. (a) The second and third sentences of subsection (a) of section 9 of the Organic Act of Guam (64 Stat. 384, 387; 48 U.S.C. 1422c (a)) are deleted; (b) The first sentence of paragraph (b) of section 9 of the Organic Act of Guam (64 Stat. 384, 387; 48 U.S.C. 1422c (b)) is deleted."

Sincerely yours,

MAX N. EDWARDS,

Assistant to the Secretary and Legislative Counsel. Mr. O'BRIEN. Mrs. Van Cleve, I understood what you had in mind about negotiable. There are certain things that would be very difficult to persuade you about certain things-but I am concerned with the feeling demonstrated here this morning on two points: One is the election of a Governor in a presidential election year.

The experience of many of the States has been that it is better to elect in a nonpresidential year. I know the sweep and importance of national affairs, sometimes they have a greater impact on a place like Guam than they might on some places on the mainland, but I also know what happens in presidential years. Sometimes you spend most of your time persuading people that you are running for Congress, that you are actually running but you are engulfed. And, I think that could happen in Guam.

However, I don't think that is a matter of very serious disagree

ment.

I think the other one that might be a sticker, as far as this committee is concerned, is this removal of a Governor by the President.

To me that is a half a loaf in the way of trusting the judgment of of the people. I would not like to see that. I think the legislature should have that power.

The chairman of the full committee has made a suggestion, I think it was touched on briefly by Mr. Saylor, but these are questions that do arise when we do get to the floor with legislation. In fact I am sure that one of the first questions that will arise will be, "Well, is this a move toward statehood?"

Now, as far as the Department is concerned, is there any plan whatsoever leading toward statehood for Guam?

Mrs. VAN CLEVE. Absolutely not, Mr. Chairman; and that was the reason for the first statement I sought to make on the record. We do not see enactment of this bill as constituting any commitment Whatsoever toward the future political status of Guam.

Mr. O'BRIEN. Do you agree with that?

Governor GUERRERO. I agree with that.

Dr. TAYLOR. Mr. Chairman, could I just ask one question, and I think I know what the answer will be.

I would like to ask Mrs. Van Cleve if this is the first piece of legislation in the past 2 years which we have had which tends to extend greater self-government to Guam?

Mrs. VAN CLEVE. It is, Dr. Taylor, certainly the most significant piece, but I don't think it is the only piece. I would regard the bill which this committee considered roughly a year ago with respect to the establishment of legislators' salaries as being a further step toward self-government.

Dr. TAYLOR. Would you consider that legislation to be an important step toward self-government? And if so, why?

Mrs. VAN CLEVE. Because the legislators responsible to the electorate are exercising one more important judgment, and of course the revenues for the payment of salaries are coming from the local treasury.

Dr. TAYLOR. Thank you.

Mr. O'BRIEN. I might add, Dr. Taylor, I think it was important because if you can trust the people to handle their own compensation, you can trust them with almost anything.

Dr. TAYLOR. I think Mr. Chairman it might be well to ask the legislators this afternoon what they have done with the permission that was granted to them by the Congress. I believe that the Guam Legislature raised the salaries of its members within the past few months.

Mr. O'BRIEN. Thank you very much.

Mr. SAYLOR. Mr. Chairman

Mr. O'BRIEN. Mr. Saylor.

Mr. SAYLOR. Going over, Mr. Chairman, the draft of the proposed bill and the accompanying letter of Secretary Udall to the Speaker of the House, I notice on page 9, a very, very interesting paragraph. It is the last paragraph, and I think we ought to have some comment on it.

It states as follows:

In our view, an elected Governor is so very much desired by the people of Guam that consideration of the proposed bill, followed by early enactment of this or a similar measure to provide an elected Governor for Guam, is a matter of some urgency We believe that greater autonomy for Guam-with the enumerated

safeguards against abuse of autonomy or the elected Governor's powers-is morally and politically right.

Now, up until that point I say "Amen." I think this is a good statement. But, I am wondering whether or not that was the reason that we have been presented with this bill, or whether the following is the reason:

In addition, an elected Governor for Guam would be clear and unequivocal implementation of U.S. commitments under article 73 of chapter XI (declaration regarding non-self-governing territories) of the United Nations Charter. For all the world, not excepting any of the countries represented in the United Nations Committee of Twenty-four, the United States would appear demonstrably at work, extending and improving, even in a tiny island territory thousands of miles from the seat of government, the democracy and constitutional system for which it stands.

I wonder whether the first statement is the reason we have this bill or the last statement.

Mr. O'BRIEN. Mrs. Van Cleve.

Mrs. VAN CLEVE. Mr. Chairman, unquestionably, our motive is that set forth in the first half of the paragraph. We have proposed the legislation because we think it is decent, correct, morally sound, and that the people of Guam deserve this form of self-government.

We note parenthetically that it will also be useful to the representatives of this Government at the United Nations because we have, as you are I know aware, undertaken under the United Nations Charter to further political development in our non-self-governing territories. Thus the enactment of this bill would, happily, implement that international commitment.

It will be therefore useful for the United States to point out to our often unreasonable critics abroad that we are taking steps that we agreed to take under the United Nations Charter.

Mr. SAYLOR. The reason I asked that, is that this island has been under our flag for 68 years. It was under the Spanish flag for about 300, and various other countries before that time, and the United Nations Committee of twenty-four have seen fit to question other countries who have had areas under their jurisdiction for hundreds of years saying that regardless of what is done, they are still being subject to slavery and to all sorts of colonialism.

I want to know whether or not the United States is going to be accused through this paragraph of still continuing colonial policies as far as Guam is concerned, because we have given these people American citizenship which many of the other countries have not. I do not consider this a colony. I consider this a part of the United States. It has been ever since we passed this organic act, and given the people who lived there citizenship.

There is only one final step to have full citizenship, and that is statehood in one way, either by being an independent State in the sisterhood of States, or to be amalgamated with another State so that they might have their full citizenship.

I want the people of Guam to know, as far as I am concerned, that is our approach to this, not because of what somebody else up in the Committee of Twenty-four might say, that doesn't bother me at all. I want to do what we as American citizens and I as a legislator, what I think is the right thing for people who are American citizens who live in Guam.

That is all, Mr. Chairman.

Mr. O'BRIEN. I agree with the gentleman from Pennsylvania. I want to go along with this legislation for exactly the same reason. I have been impressed by the people of Guam, impressed by the progress, the warmth, the friendliness and, as far as I am concerned, want to do this because it is right, and if somebody in the United Nations wants to go out and brag about what we did, that's all right with me.

Mr. TAYLOR. Will the chairman yield?

Mr. O'BRIEN. Mr. Taylor.

Mr. TAYLOR. They are as proud to be under our flag as we are. Guam is not only the gateway to the Pacific, but a showcase for Americanism in the East, and I think Guam is exerting a mighty fine influence on the rest of the territories.

Mr. SKUBITZ. Mr. Chairman, amen to that.

Mr. O'BRIEN. Thank you very much Mr. Secretary, Mrs. Van Cleve, for the very fine statement.

Thank you also, Governor.

We have just about 5 minutes before the time we are scheduled to adjourn and I don't like to get anything launched in that time.

I think it would be better if we quit at this time and came back at 2 o'clock this afternoon, unless there is objection.

It is so ordered.

And, at that time, we will hear from Mr. Won Pat and members of the Guam Legislature, following which we will move into the second bill.

With that understanding we will recess until 2 p.m.

(Thereupon, at 11:35 a.m., the subcommittee took a recess until 2 p.m., the same day.)

AFTERNOON SESSION

Mr. O'BRIEN. The Subcommittee on Territorial and Insular Affairs will be in session for continuation of the hearing on the bills relating to the popular election of the Governor of Guam and for election of the members of the Legislature of Guam by districts.

Our first witness this afternoon will be the Honorable A. B. Won Pat, Washington representative for the territory of Guam.

STATEMENT OF HON. A. B. WON PAT, U.S. REPRESENTATIVE IN WASHINGTON OF THE PEOPLE OF GUAM

Mr. WON PAT. Mr. Chairman and members of the committee, before I begin I would like to take this opportunity first to formally introduce to you the members of the delegation from the Guam Legislature who are here purposely to join with me in supporting the enactment of the bill now under consideration by this committee, and to confer with other Federal officials on sundry matters affecting Guam. The delegation is a bipartisan group consisting of first the speaker of the legislature and chairman of the delegation, Mr. Carlos Taitano. The other is Mr. Ricardo J. Bordallo, a member of the delegation and the minority leader of the Guam Legislature. The other member is Mr. Carlos P. Bordallo, a member of the delegation, and the majority leader of the Guam Legislature.

The other member is Mr. George M. Bamba, member of the minority, and a member of the Finance Committee of the Guam Legislature, and lastly Mr. Alberto Lamorena, a member_of_the majority, chairman of the Judiciary Committee of the Guam Legislature, and who happens to also be the chairman of the Organic Act Guam Revision Commission.

I would appreciate your greatest courtesy and the leave of the committee to afford the spokesman for this bipartisan group, namely the speaker and the minority leader, and if time allows I will be pleased if the others might be heard.

I am sure, Mr. Chairman and members of the committee, that I need no further introduction.

I am grateful to your committee for this opportunity to appear before you in support of H.R. 11775, a bill to provide for the popular election of the Governor of Guam.

As you know, the people of Guam have been living under American jurisdiction for almost 65 years. Three years out of that period we have been under Japanese occupation, and since 1950 have been citizens of the United States, but they have been Americans at heart since 1899, the time that Guam was ceded to America by virtue of the Treaty of Paris. Through our schools and society, through the example of officials sent out from the mainland, and, most of all, through the influence of thousands of military and civilian families who have temporarily or permanently made their homes with us, we have acquired the traditions and ways of American life and have learned the values of self-government.

Our devotion to the democratic way of life certainly was demonstrated thoroughly during the years of World War II, when a totalitarian aggressor who occupied our Island tried to impose his rule upon us, but to no avail. Our people were subjected to torture, and inhuman suffering, but remained steadfast in their loyalty to the ideals of freedom, and they fought and died for it.

The enactment of the Organic Act of Guam 15 years ago established a measure of self-government and granted American citizenship to the people. This testified to the confidence and faith of Congress in our ability and capacity to shoulder the responsibilities of citizenship, and to participate in the management of our governmental affairs.

We believe that we have now shown, through the record of eight legislatures, our capacity to solve many of our local problems in a mature manner, we have a viable two party system expressive and identified with the philosophies of our two major political parties on the mainland. There is no political party or otherwise that is known to have alien ideology existing in Guam today.

It is my conviction that Guam has reached a level of political maturity which would warrant its choosing a Governor by popular election. It certainly can no longer be successfully said that there is an absence of qualified candidates, and there isn't a doubt in my mind that the people of Guam will have any difficulty in judging the relative abilities of the candidates for such office.

As you well know, I have worked for the introduction of legislation for this purpose since the administrations of Presidents Eisenhower and Kennedy.

We are, of course, well aware of the great importance of this bastion that is the closest American soil to the theater of operations in Viet