On Thursday, August 24, 2023, at 10:00 a.m. (ChST), the Committee on Natural Resources will hold an 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.

This hearing will be held at the Hilton Hotel, 202 Hilton Road Tumon Bay, Tamuning, Guam.

Witnesses are by invitation only.

Witnesses and Testimony

Panel I: 

The Hon. Lourdes “Lou” Leon Guerrero
Governor of Guam
Hagåtña, GU 

The Hon. Arnold I. Palacios,
Governor of the Commonwealth of Northern Mariana Islands
Saipan, MP 

The Hon. Kaleb Udui, Jr.
Minister of Finance
Republic of Palau, Koror, Palau 

The Hon. Ricky Cantero
Acting Secretary
Department of Foreign Affairs
Federated States of Micronesia
Pohnpei State, FM 

The Hon. Jack Ading
Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade
Republic of the Marshall Islands
Majuro, MH

Panel II: 

Brigadier General Michael W. Cruz
Adjutant General
Guam National Guard
Barrigada, GU 

Brigadier General Roderick R. Leon Guerrero
United States Army (Retired)
Mangilao, GU 

The Hon. Tina Barnes
Vice Speaker
Guam Legislature
Hagåtña, GU [Minority witness] 

Ms. Irene Sgambelluri
World War II Survivor
Talofofo, GU