WASHINGTON — The lieutenant governor of Guam, Michael W. Cruz, M.D., met with Secretary Dirk Kempthorne on March 16 at the Department of the Interior. Cruz met Kempthorne previously, in 2004, when Kempthorne, then governor of Idaho, had presented Cruz, then a Guam senator, with the National Governor’s Association award for his service in Iraq. In their meeting today, Kempthorne again congratulated Cruz, calling him “one of the real patriots.”

They discussed the pending military buildup in Guam, and Cruz expressed his sincere desire for the government and leadership of Guam to be included as veritable partners in the discussion with Department of Defense and other federal players. He expressed his sincere desire for the successful transition and buildup for the U.S. military in Guam and the U.S. defense posture in the region, as well as for the quality of life for incoming American families and the 150,000 American citizens currently residing on Guam.

Deputy Assistant Secretary David Cohen assured Cruz that the Office of Insular Affairs would continue to assist and advocate for Guam at the federal executive level, particularly with reference to the Guam military buildup.

OIA Office Director Nikolao Pula and other OIA staff were also present at the meeting. Cruz was accompanied by his wife, Jennifer; Chief of Staff Carlotta Leon Guerrero; and the Governor’s executive assistant, Shawn Gumataotao.