Speaking at the Association of Pacific Ports Annual Meeting
I traveled to Guam to deliver the keynote address at the 112th Annual Meeting of the Association of Pacific Ports, where I had the opportunity to speak with port leaders from across the Pacific about the challenges and opportunities facing our island communities. My remarks focused on the reality that, for islands like ours, a port is much more than a place where cargo arrives. It is the lifeline that keeps our communities supplied, our economies moving, and our recovery possible after disaster. As the Pacific becomes increasingly important to our nation's economy and security, it is critical that federal transportation policies recognize the unique realities of island communities. I also highlighted the work we have been doing in Congress to improve transportation funding for the territories, expand opportunities for ferry service, strengthen port infrastructure, and ensure that federal programs better reflect the needs of communities like the CNMI. It was an honor to once again address an organization that has played such an important role in connecting the Pacific for more than a century.