Why Construction on Guam Is Right for Americans

The July 6 editorial "A $10 Billion Add-On" addressed a provision in the 2010 defense authorization bill, which the House passed overwhelmingly, concerning wage rates for military construction on Guam.

The choice is whether we hire American workers to build facilities, training ranges, barracks, family housing, a headquarters, a hospital, motor pools and other buildings for the 3rd Marine Expeditionary Forces and their families being relocated from Okinawa or whether we outsource the construction to foreign workers.

The provision you questioned has two goals:

-- To provide high-quality, comfortable, durable homes and military facilities in a secure environment; and

-- To create stable, well-paid jobs for thousands of American construction workers idled by the economy.

The Guam buildup will require up to 15,000 workers -- many times the local workforce. The legislation reserves 70 percent of the jobs for American workers.

The alternative is to bring in foreign workers, for which the Guam government collects a bounty of $1,000 per head. However, this invites profiteering and would be a slap in the face of every qualified, unemployed American worker.

The wages are established at the level for similar military construction in Hawaii, because we believe that wages should be commensurate with the experience and skills the jobs demand.

The military buildup of Guam will create thousands of local jobs and opportunities for local businesses. It is a singular opportunity to put Americans to work in an American territory building America's future in the Pacific region.