Guam commemoration frames questions about political status as Organic Act reaches 75 years
August 01, 2025 | General Government Operations and Appropriations , Legislative, Guam
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Melvin Juan Pat Borja, director of the Commission on Decolonization and president of the Department of Automotive Affairs, opened a public forum at Plaza de España in Hagåtña marking the 75th anniversary of the Organic Act of Guam, saying the law “was really meant to be a beginning” toward civilian self-government for the island.
The event brought three speakers and a scheduled panel discussion intended “to help put this conversation in historical context,” Borja said. He invited attendees to continue the commemoration at a street festival following the forum.
Polly Eric Forbes, OFM Capuchin, a Catholic priest and former pastor on Guam and Saipan, asked whether there is appetite on the island today for movement on political status. “Perhaps the first thing I want to say about moving towards the future is to ask if enough people want any movement at all,” Forbes said, adding that the last time voters expressed a clear preference “about 40 some years ago, the majority of Guam’s voters did want to move forward towards a commonwealth.”
Forbes framed three questions for residents: whether those deprived of self-determination in 1898, those affected by the 1950 Organic Act, or everyone who calls Guam home today should be involved in any future political-status decision. He said everyday conversations with island residents leave him with the impression that “many people don't seem interested in making any movement at all.”
The forum did not include formal votes or motions. Organizers presented the anniversary as a starting point for renewed public dialogue rather than a venue for making immediate policy decisions. Speakers and moderators said they planned a panel discussion during the session to explore historical context and next steps.
Background cited at the forum included the Organic Act of Guam, enacted in 1950, which established a civilian government for the territory. Speakers referenced past islandwide expressions of voter preference on status but did not identify a specific statutory pathway or timetable for any change. No formal direction was issued to territorial officials during the session.
The event brought three speakers and a scheduled panel discussion intended “to help put this conversation in historical context,” Borja said. He invited attendees to continue the commemoration at a street festival following the forum.
Polly Eric Forbes, OFM Capuchin, a Catholic priest and former pastor on Guam and Saipan, asked whether there is appetite on the island today for movement on political status. “Perhaps the first thing I want to say about moving towards the future is to ask if enough people want any movement at all,” Forbes said, adding that the last time voters expressed a clear preference “about 40 some years ago, the majority of Guam’s voters did want to move forward towards a commonwealth.”
Forbes framed three questions for residents: whether those deprived of self-determination in 1898, those affected by the 1950 Organic Act, or everyone who calls Guam home today should be involved in any future political-status decision. He said everyday conversations with island residents leave him with the impression that “many people don't seem interested in making any movement at all.”
The forum did not include formal votes or motions. Organizers presented the anniversary as a starting point for renewed public dialogue rather than a venue for making immediate policy decisions. Speakers and moderators said they planned a panel discussion during the session to explore historical context and next steps.
Background cited at the forum included the Organic Act of Guam, enacted in 1950, which established a civilian government for the territory. Speakers referenced past islandwide expressions of voter preference on status but did not identify a specific statutory pathway or timetable for any change. No formal direction was issued to territorial officials during the session.
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