Tears. Trembling voices. Frequent applause and loud cheers from protesters holding up placards. A chorus of "Biba Guam!" And occasional comic relief.

For decades, parts of Guam were saturated with chemicals that were once considered routine. Pesticides sprayed to control insects. Firefighting foams used at airfields. Construction materials common at the time.

By Mar-Vic Cagurangan Gov. Lou Leon Guerrero delivered her last state of the island address on Wednesday, claiming that Guam is unquestionably “stronger today than seven years ago” and touting what she called a fulfilled promise to put government finances in order. “Our annual debt service is down from $92 million to $65 million. We turned an $83 million deficit into a cumulative $297 million surplus without borrowing from the bond market, and we have a Rainy Day Fund backed