| <home>
-- <press releases>
-- <October
2 ,
2003> Bordallo Comments
on the Latest FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – October 2, 2003 – Washington, D.C. – Congresswoman Madeleine Bordallo commented today on the October 2, 2003, Associated Press story reporting that Admiral Walter F. Doran, Pacific Fleet Commander, is considering Guam as a potential location for the home porting of an aircraft carrier. "I believe that Guam's strategic location as the westernmost U.S. deepwater port in the Pacific makes it the logical place to homeport an aircraft carrier to address the dangers posed by North Korea and other Asia-Pacific threats," said Bordallo. In a letter sent today to Admiral Doran supporting his proposal, Bordallo suggested that the Navy conduct further studies of Guam's suitability. "The people of Guam overwhelmingly support an increased naval presence as a way to contribute to national defense efforts as well as to boost our economy. In fact, the Guam Chamber of Commerce recently visited the Pentagon to meet with senior Navy officials to highlight Guam's readiness. Guam's ability to host an air wing, the availability of live fire training at Farallon de Medinilla in the Northern Mariana Islands, and our deep water harbor facilities, each make the case for choosing COMNAVMAR as a permanent station for a Pacific-based aircraft carrier. I recommended to Admiral Doran that he conduct suitability studies on Guam similar to those underway in Hawaii in order to provide an adequate basis for comparison between the two areas," said Bordallo.
Contact: Neil Weare
in Washington, D.C., at (202) 225-1188 or Joaquin
Perez in Guam at (671) 477-4272. |
