I thought some of you might find this interesting.


History Of Guam's Political Status
==================================

Extracts from a Pacific Daily News editorial published on August 29, 2010:

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Guam's quest for a final political status has taken decades since the United
States took control of the island in 1898, after the Spanish-American War,
and continues still today. A 1901 U.S. Supreme Court ruling established the
island as an unincorporated territory -- belonging to, but separate from,
the United States.

Island residents were granted U.S. citizenship by the Organic Act of Guam in
1950. In 1976, Congress established a process for Guam to adopt a
constitution locally, but the effort failed. In 1997, a commission was
established to work toward holding a plebiscite to allow island voters the
opportunity to express a preference for independence, free association or
statehood. To date, that plebiscite hasn't been held.

Before the 1901 Supreme Court ruling, all areas acquired by the United
States were incorporated by default, and thus could become states, or seek
independence.

Justice John Marshall Harlan wrote the dissent in the ruling and said, "The
idea that this country may acquire territories anywhere upon the earth, by
conquest or treaty, and hold them as mere colonies or provinces -- the
people inhabiting them to enjoy only such rights as Congress chooses to
accord to them -- is wholly inconsistent with the spirit and genius, as well
as with the words, of the Constitution."

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