Academic Year 1967-1968, Unit 11: Other Island Dependencies and Trusteeships Page: 3
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OTHER ISLAND DEPENDENCIES AND TRUSTEESHIPS
recaptured the island. In 1945 the United States
used Guam as a base of operations for large
naval units and for the B-29's carrying the air
assault to Japan. Since the end of World War II,
the island has remained one of the strongest U.S.
military installations in the Pacific. During the
past two decades, Guam's story has been one of
reconstruction and rehabilitation. New challenges
and new opportunities became the order of the
day for Guamanians with the inception of civil
government in 1950.
Guam is an organized but unincorporated ter-
ritory of the United States. It is administered
under the Organic Act of Guam, 1950, as
amended, which provides legislative local auton-
omy. Guam's relationship with the U.S. Govern-
ment comes under the general supervision of the
U.S. Department of the InteriorLGuamanians are
citizens of the United States, but those who re-
side in Guam do not have the right to vote in the
U.S. elections and have no representation in the
U.S. Congress.]
The local government consists of the executive,
legislative, and judicial branches. A civilian Gov-
ernor heads the executive branch. He is ap-
pointed by the President of the United States,
with the advice and consent of the U.S. Senate,
to hold office for four years or until his successor
is appointed and qualified. The Governor is the
chief executive and administrator of the affairs
of the Government of Guam.
He is assisted by the Secretary of Guam, who
is also appointed by the President for a four-year
term. The Secretary's position is similar to the
position in other jurisdictions of Secretary of
State or Lieutenant Governor. In the absence of
the Governor from the island, the Secretary has
the powers of acting Governor.
Under the Governor are 10 departments
whose directors he appoints with the advice and
consent of the Guam Legislature. Aiding the
Governor and these department heads are sev-
eral administrative agencies. A 21-member uni-
cameral legislature, biennially elected at large, is
empowered to pass laws on local matters, includ-
ing taxation and appropriations for the fiscal op-
eration of the government. The District Court of
Guam has jurisdiction in all cases arising under
the laws of Guam. Its decisions may be appealed
to higher U.S. courts.
Guamanians are a mixture of native Chamorro
stock with dominant outside strains. They are
mostly Roman Catholic in religion. Although En-
glish is the official language, the Chamorro dialect
is still widely used. The 1966 census showed that
Guam had a population of more than 76,000.This included both U.S. military personnel and
civilians.
The islanders are friendly and courteous.
Their way of life brings together Chamorran tra-
ditions, Spanish customs, and the graciousness
typical of many Pacific island peoples. Visitors
from outside have not marred the natural beauty
of the island or the unstudied charm of its peo-
ple.
A favorite pastime of the islanders, especially
on weekends, is cock fighting. Many of the birds
used in the sport are bred in the Philippines and
imported. Another popular sport is carabao (wa-
ter buffalo) racing. The jockeys are young boys
who are too slight in build to force their will
on the tremendous stubborn beasts they ride.
Consequently, it is a rare rider indeed who can
convince his animal to stick with the race long
enough to cover the entire circular track. No one
is surprised if a jockey and his carabao decide
to take a swim rather than finish the race.
Guam was declared a disaster area following
Typhoon Karen in 1962. The disaster period was
later extended to 30 June 1966. The U.S. Office
of Emergency Planning allocated just under $6
million to the island for disaster projects. By the
end of June 1965, 77 projects had been com-
pleted and 20 were still moving forward. Ty-
phoon Olive in April 1963 was so destructive
that Guam was again declared a disaster area
and an additional $660,000 allocated. Final set-
tlement for claims under this disaster was made
in February 1965.
Guam contains many contrasts. Modern build-
ings, fine highways, busy stores, electricity, run-
ning water, sewer systems, theaters, service
stations, and other modern facilities and con-
veniences are to be found in most places. But
it is not uncommon to see a person riding slowly
along the country paths on a carabao, the
Guamanian beast of burden.
Guam is relatively poor in natural resources.
It is one of the important military bases of the
United States in the Pacific, and its economy is
supported primarily by the wages supplied by
the military. Agriculture is the other principal ele-
ment in the economy, but ready employment by
the military or by the civil government at rela-
tively good wages has handicapped agricultural
development and production.
Social conditions on Guam are good. School
attendance is compulsory for all between the
ages of 6 and 16, inclusive. In addition to public
and private elementary and secondary schools,
which had a total enrollment of about 23,000 in
1965, the island supports a four-year college, a3
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Air University (U.S.). Academic Year 1967-1968, Unit 11: Other Island Dependencies and Trusteeships, pamphlet, January 1967; Georgia. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth1009962/m1/7/: accessed July 16, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting National WASP WWII Museum.