One thing I like about living on Guam is that you are close to everyone. I have met the following governors:

Governor Manuel Leon Guerrero, who helped Guam recover from Typhoon Karen in the '60's. He was not governor at the time of the typhoon, but the governor was on a world tour and Guerrero was left in charge. Manny Guerrero was appointed governor by President Kennedy in 1963 because of his competence and dedication in helping the island recover from the devastation of the typhoon. I helped him campaign against Ricardo Bordallo in 1974, and talked to him several times during the campaign.

Governor Carlos Camacho--I met him at an outdoor art show at Adelup. I was 13 at the time, and shyly shook his hand. Later, my parents told me I had met the Governor. I remember an earthquake shook some of the paintings off their easels. Otherwise I would have forgotten the whole thing. I am sure he forgot me less than one second later.

Governor Ricky Bordallo, who allowed over 100,000 Vietnamese evacuees come to the safety of Guam's shores when their country collapsed. I met him when he became Governor in 1975. I have also met his wife--who is our Congressperson--many times.

Governor Joe Ada--He was Governor after Bordallo's second term. I met him at when he brought some of his employees to the driving school where  I was working. Kind of a non-famous governor, he was popular for giving everyone a $1,000 rebate. I think it worked; he got re-elected.

Governor Carl Guitierrez-- I actually had a meeting with this governor shortly before the end of his second term. Colleen and I joined with several other representatives from private schools to ask him to share the textbook money with private schools. We got our way.

So I never met Paul Calvo, who reigned from 1979-1983, or Felix Camacho, our current governor.

It's kind of cool to live in a place so small that you get to meet the Governor. That was the whole point of that.

I hope you take advantage of the Agriculture field trip. Lunch. Yum.

LES

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May 15 UPDATE

The Dept. of Agriculture Harvest was a HIT!
One family said their children loved the opportunity to pick the fruit and vegetables. They had seen it on TV but had never actually done it. She said they went home with a bunch of free organic food and had a delicious, nutritious meal.

The Guam Community College Culinary School provided a delicious meal. Another family said it was just like eating at a 5 Star restaurant. She also mentioned in her email that she talked to John, the man who conducted the tour, and he told her that this was the first year they allowed visitors to harvest. This is because this is the first year no storms or disasters had affected the crops. It was a good year.

The event was a great success. I wish I didn't have to work that day!

I am glad some families were able to attend and that it was such a good event. So many kids sat in hot school rooms and looked out the windows wishing they were doing something truly educational...