Pacific Island Times October 2017 Vol 2 No. 13 | Page 5

Brief Chat
Regine Biscoe Lee
By Johanna Salinas
A
Freshman senator takes charge
s a freshman senator in the 34th Legis-
lature of Guam, Regine Biscoe Lee really
has a lot on her plate, having somewhat
unexpectedly become the chairperson of Com-
mittee on Rules, generally considered the most
prestigious committee in the legislature.
“It was a surprise. It was unprecedented to
have the change six months into a term,” said
Lee. She succeeded Sen. Michael San Nicolas,
who stepped down in June. “I was honored
that Speaker B.J. Cruz selected me. I am the
first freshman senator to be chairman of the
Committee on Rules while also being legislative
secretary.”
The Committee on Rules has accepted Lee
with open arms. She knows that they’re already
a well-organized team with great intelligence.
“Sen. Tom Ada, who is already a member of the
committee, has recently accepted my request to
serve as COR vice chairman,” she said. “He brings
a lot of institutional knowledge and is respected
within the body, and working with him can help
us to move forward in an effective, efficient and
accountable way.”
Lee believes San Nicolas’s work as chairper-
son really set the stage for the committee and
she hopes to follow his structure. “The former
chairman did a good job of laying the ground-
work and creating a system through which bills
would be processed, and my colleagues have
all become very accustomed to this process,”
Lee explained. “My goal is to provide continu-
ity of that service. There may be some tweaks
here and there, as my team and I are constantly
asking ourselves how we can improve and be
even more effective. But for the most part, I
have committed to my colleagues that in taking
on this role, I will continue to operate under
the framework that the former chairman estab-
lished.”
Though she has a heavy load, Lee refuses to
be overwhelmed. “It carries a lot of responsibili-
ty, and I’m aware of that, but I’m very dedicated,
and I work hard to ensure that we’re putting our
best foot forward,” Lee asserted. “Our shared
goal is to do what’s within our power to keep the
business of the legislature running smoothly,
to keep things transparent and to live up to the
standard that the people of Guam deserve.”
Lee’s biggest motivator is her voters. “I’m
honored to have received the public’s trust and
confidence in the last election – I remember
that every day,” Lee admitted. “That provides a
lot of focus and drive in my work. At the same
time, it’s a challenging environment to work in.
A lot of things pop up at a moment’s notice that
need to be urgently addressed. Sometimes it’s
a joy, and other times it’s a challenge to work
with the 14 other members of this body to get
things passed. That being said, I have tried and
will continue to be very collaborative in bills we
introduce and policies we’re trying to create.”
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Despite her new responsibilities, Lee still has
many plans for her term as senator. “I would
like to create strategies that will boost economic
development, including policies that will assist
small-business growth and streamline the busi-
ness licensing process, those that would expand
job training and workforce development op-
portunities and resources and those that would
assist professional development and training
opportunities for educators,” she said. “I would
like to continue our work with relevant govern-
ment agencies, businesses and local nonprofits
to create policies that will strengthen partner-
ships to make Guam a safer place for families.
And lastly, I would like to introduce measures
that support sustainable living practices and
healthy living for island residents.”
The senator’s strong sense of caring can be
attributed to those who help and care deeply for
her and her success. “I have a great team that
cares just as much as I do, and that helps me
to stay motivated, focused and purpose-driv-
en,” said Lee. With her evident vision and drive,
Guam has great expectations for this freshman
senator.
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