This is who we are: Commemorating 75 years of self-governance with pride and purpose
- Admin
- Jul 25
- 2 min read
Updated: Jul 25


On Aug. 1, Guam marks a profound milestone—75 years since the passage of the Organic Act of 1950. This landmark legislation not only conferred U.S. citizenship upon the people of Guam but also laid the foundation for civilian self-governance. It was a moment in history that recognized the people of this island not merely as subjects of a territory, but as agents of their own destiny.
But while the Organic Act gave us the legal architecture of democracy, it did not—nor could it—define who we are as a people. That story has always been ours to write.
As we approach this anniversary, the Guam Legislature’s Guam Experience Commission has cast its vision firmly forward through the launch of two initiatives: Experience Guam: Experience Us and Living the Legacy of Håfa Adai. These programs represent more than tourism rebranding—they are cultural declarations, economic strategies, and expressions of pride in the very identity the Organic Act sought to empower.
Experience Guam: Experience Us asks us—and the world—to see Guam not simply as a getaway, but as a community of living traditions, values, and stories. It reframes the visitor experience around authentic connection: village experiences, intergenerational storytelling, and community-driven encounters that mirror the strength and warmth of our people.
Likewise, Living the Legacy of Håfa Adai brings our most iconic greeting out of the abstract and into daily practice. Through village beautification efforts, cultural showcases, and youth engagement, we breathe new life into a spirit that has long welcomed the world to our shores. These are not temporary campaigns. They are foundations for a tourism model anchored in respect, authenticity, and reciprocity.
And isn’t that the essence of the Organic Act’s promise?
That Guam’s people—not policymakers from afar—should define the texture and trajectory of life on this island. That our language, our traditions, our aspirations should shape our future just as surely as our laws do.
The 75th anniversary is a time to celebrate how far we’ve come. But it is also a time to ask: how do we ensure the next generation inherits more than statutes and slogans? How do we pass on pride, purpose, and a deep sense of belonging?
These initiatives are an answer. They empower communities. They activate youth. They invite the world to meet us on our terms.
Seventy-five years ago, we claimed our place in the political world. Today, we reclaim it in the cultural one. And as we say “Håfa Adai” with renewed meaning, we remind ourselves—and the globe—that this is who we are.
Si Yu’os Imbinidisi Hao yan Si Yu’os Ma’ase
Frank Blas Jr. is the speaker of the 38th Guam Legislature.
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