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	Governor Calvo Signs Bill 34 into Law, Despite Opposition from Archdiocese By Clynt Ridgell Pacific News Center March 9, 2011 http://www.pacificnewscenter.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=12202:governor-calvo-signs-bill-34-into-law-despite-opposition-from-archdiocese&catid=45:guam-news&Itemid=156 Guam - Despite opposition from the Archdiocese of Haganta, Governor Eddie Calvo choose to sign Bill 34 today [Wednesday], a measure which opens a 2 year window for victims of child sexual abuse to file civil suits against alleged perpetrators. The Archdiocese released a statement last month expressing the hope that Governor Calvo would veto the measure. Governor Calvo choose instead to sign it, noting the amendments that were added to protect the innocent against false charges. The Governor had originally planned to veto it , without those amendments. The Governor said he signed the measures to protect the island's children. "I do believe it focuses it focuses these penalties on those who should pay the price and those that have perpetrated these evil acts," said Calvo. The bills author Vice-Speaker Bj Cruz tearfully replied "I'm almost speechless governor because I want to commend you for this very courageous act I know that it was difficult and I know there were a lot of pressures placed upon you and I know that as members of the legislature we got calls to try and pressure the non-passage of the bill and your willingness to do this I think with your great staff that do excellent writing this could easily be another chapter in profiles in courage." The Governor also signed the companion measure Bill 34 which lifts the statute of limitations on filing criminal allegations against alleged child sexual abusers. In all 8 Bills were signed and 1 was vetoed. Bill # 36 did not win approval because, the Governor writes in his veto message, "The Guam Economic Development Authority (GEDA) already offers this assistance to small and mid-size businesses in the way of micro-loans to businesses who may be adversely affected by road construction." The Governor's Office released the following statment on today's Bill signings: Governor Eddie Baza Calvo took a strong stance to protect innocent children from heinous crimes against them. At a bill signing ceremony this morning, new public laws were added to Guam statute that repeal the statute of limitations for sex crimes against children, and criminalize bullying, cyberbullying, and sexting. Lt. Governor Ray Tenorio, Vice-Speaker B.J. Cruz, and Senator Judi Guthertz attended the event. "It is disheartening there are people in this world who would rob a child of their innocence. I will not tolerate any harm being done to our sons and daughters; the most vulnerable of Guam must be protected," Governor Calvo said. During the signing for Bill 34-31, Vice-Speaker Cruz expressed his gratitude for the Governor's actions. "Your courage is astounding," he said tearfully. "This is the kind of leadership we need at Adelup," Senator Guthertz added. Governor Calvo, intended to veto in its original form, however, he supported the measure after amendments made only perpetrators of crimes against children civilly responsible. Organizations, like churches and corporations will not be able to be used as scapegoats, so the criminals can answer for their actions themselves. The Governor also signed a bill into law that helps the Guam Department of Education spend money from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) in the timeline mandated by federal law. "While I am happy this law helps our public schools, I look forward to working with the Legislature to help the rest of the government spend this money," Governor Calvo said. "All of this government is facing the deadline to spend ARRA money, and all of this government needs a collaborative solution to prevent it from being wasted." More measures, dealing with honoring senior citizens, funding Guam's only animal shelter, and criminalizing shark finning, were also signed into law. The bills that Governor Calvo acted on during the event are: Bill No. 9-31 (LS), now Public Law No. 31-05: An Act To Amend §34205(A) Of Article 2, Chapter 34 Of Title 10, Guam Code Annotated, And § 70.10 Of Article 1, Chapter 70 Of Title 9, Guam Code Annotated; And To Add New §§70.01, 70.10.1, 70.10.2 And 70.10.3 To Article 1, Chapter 70 Of Title 9, Guam Code Annotated, Relative To Keeping Animals In Guam Bill No. 33-31 (COR), now Public Law No. 31-06: An Act To Add A New §10.16 To Chapter 10 Of Title 8, Guam Code Annotated, Relative To Repealing The Statute Of Limitation For The Prosecution Of A Sex Crime Involving A Victim Who Is Under The Age Of Majority Bill No. 34-31 (COR), now Public Law No. 31-07: An Act To Amend §11306, And To Add §11306.50 Of Article 3, Chapter 11 Of Title 7, Guam Code Annotated, Relative To The Statute Of Limitations For Civil Actions Involving Child Sexual Abuse Bill 37-31 (COR), now Public Law No. 31-08: An Act To Repeal And Reenact Section 12 Of Chapter Iii, Part Ii-Department Of Public Health And Social Services, Of Public Law 30-196, Relative To Funding The Government Of Guam Animal Shelter, Currently Operated By The Guam Animals In Need (Gain), Inc. Bill No. 41-31 (COR), now as Public Law No. 31-09: An Act To Amend §§19.69 And 19.70 Of Chapter 19, And §61.20 Of Chapter 61; To Add A New §61.20.1 To Chapter 61, And New §§28.90, 28.100 And 28.101 To Chapter 28, All Of Title 9, Guam Code Annotated; And To Amend §3112.1 Of Article 1, Chapter 3 Of Title 17, Guam Code Annotated, Relative To Bullying, Cyberbullying And Sexting Bill No. 44-31 (COR), Public Law No. 31-10 : An Act To Amend §§63101 And 63129, And To Add New §§63114.1, 63114.2, 63114.3, 63114.4 And 63114.5, All Of Article 1, Chapter 63 Of Title 5, Guam Code Annotated, Relative To The Possession, Selling, Offering For Sale, Trading, Or Distribution Of Shark Fins, Rays And Ray Parts Bill No. 47-31 (COR), now Public Law No. 31-11: An Act To Amend §1032 (E) Of Chapter 10 Of Title 1, Guam Code Annotated, Relative To Senior Citizens Day A The Legislature Bill 48-31 (COR), now Public Law No. 31-12: An Act To Add A New §5425a To Part A Of Article 9, Chapter 5 Of Title 5, Guam Code Annotated, Relative To Providing Temporary Expedited Procurement Protest Procedures For Acquisitions Funded With 2009 American Recovery And Reinvestment Act Moneys Allotted To The Guam Department Of Education Finally, Bill 36-31 was vetoed. "The Guam Economic Development Authority (GEDA) already offers this assistance to small and mid-size businesses in the way of micro-loans to businesses who may be adversely affected by road construction. In fact, GEDA is actively operating its community outreach program to promote these micro-loans it is offering to all businesses currently affected by road construction, especially those businesses near the intersections of Routes 8, 10 and 16 (the " tri-intersection")," Governor Calvo wrote in his veto message to Speaker Judith Won Pat.
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