Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Culture topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Guam Legislature honors cultural practitioners at Mes Chamorro ceremony
Summary
The 38th Guam Legislature presented certificates of recognition on March 18, 2026, to Roman Dela Cruz and Atchu Marianas for preserving Chamorro heritage and promoting the traditional sport of slinging during a Mes Chamorro closing ceremony in Agana.
The 38th Guam Legislature recognized Chamorro cultural practitioners and community groups during a Mes Chamorro closing ceremony on March 18, 2026, in Agana. Legislators presented a formal certificate of recognition to Roman Dela Cruz and to the group Atchu Marianas for their work promoting traditional slinging and cultural practice.
Senator Shelton Nededog opened substantive remarks, saying Mes Chamorro "should not be just 1 month, it should be practiced the whole year," and urged ongoing commitment to language, tradition and community values. Nededog introduced an official certificate (COR 334-38), which the Committee on Rules of the 38th Guam Legislature directed as an expression of recognition and commendation.
Roman Dela Cruz accepted the recognition and thanked the Legislature and community, saying he does not take credit for the work of many who came before him and expressing hope that "the work ahead of us is, uh, hopefully even better now that we've built a bigger team behind this." The certificate was noted in the chamber as certified by Speaker Frank Blas Jr., attested by Legislative Secretary Senator Sabrina Salas Matanane, and sponsored by Senator Shelly Calvo.
Speaker Frank Blas Jr. congratulated the honorees and highlighted the island's cultural resilience, quipping in his remarks that "you may have your muskets, but we have our slingstone," a reference to protecting and promoting Chamorro traditions. The chamber also recognized other officials and community partners, including representatives from the Guam Preservation Trust and the Guam Department of Education's Chamorro Affairs program.
Senator Chris Barnett delivered a table blessing before the communal meal, asking for gratitude and remembrance of residents who "go with less and even without," and concluding with "Amen." The ceremony concluded with applause and an invitation to share the meal, and the Legislature noted that regular session business will continue next week.
The recognition was ceremonial and no formal recorded vote was announced in the transcript; the certificate text included a date of March 18, 2026, and the names of legislative officers who certified and attested the commendation.
