A Guam senator opposing President Bush's plans to create a Marianas Trench Marine Monument, says he would leave a more meaningful legacy if he provided an avenue for a self-determination process for unincorporated US territories.
Guam senators have passed a resolution supporting the Commonwealth of the Northern Marianas' Carolinian Affairs Advisory Committee's opposition to the monument proposal.
President Bush wants the 115,000 square mile-area to be designated as the Marianas Trench National Marine Monument as part of his "Blue Legacy" project.
Judith Guthertz who introduced the resolution, says that indigenous people are considered good stewards of their ocean environment and that such a reserve is unnecessary.
She admits that the US government is not obliged to take heed of the resolution and her letters to it, opposing the plan.
"They can totally ignore us which would not be a surprise. I have no idea what impact my letters will have or even our resolution will have but we are morally responsible for at least speaking up."
Judith Guthertz
