Guam Constitutional Convention of 1977


The Guam Constitutional Convention of 1977 was a constitutional convention that took place in Agana, Guam, in 1977.

Authorization of the Guam Constitutional Convention

Under the authority granted by the U.S. Congress under Public Law 94-584, Guam Senator Frank F. Blas introduced Bill 978, which would establish the Guam Constitutional Convention. The bill was substituted by the Committee on Rules and passed the Guam Legislature unanimously with 21 votes, and was enacted as Public Law 13-202 by Governor Ricardo J. Bordallo. The law provided for the election of delegates by municipality based upon population, as determined by the election commission. It provided for a referendum to approve the constitution following the convention.

Delegates Elected to the Guam Constitutional Convention of 1977

A special election was held on April 16, 1977, at which delegates were elected to the Constitutional Convention. The following is a list of the delegates who were elected and from which municipal district each was elected.
NameMunicipal District
Martin C. BenaventeDededo
Gregorio M. BorjaSanta Rita
Edward W. ChargualafPiti
Felix L. CrisostomoMangilao
Thomas CrisostomoTalofofo
Francisco CruzAgat
Joseph C. CruzBarrigada
Vicente T. DiazAsan-Maina
Steve EichnerTamuning
Roque B. EustaquioYona
T. Frank FloresYigo
Judith GuthertzMangilao
Carl T.C. GutierrezAgana Heights
Frank C. GuzmanDededo
Anthony C. Leon GuerreroYona
Frank G. LujanChalan Pago
Mark MartinezTamuning
Ernesto A. NatividadDededo
Theodore S. NelsonMongmong-Toto-Maite
Jesus L. PerezBarrigada
Vicente P. PerezMongmong-Toto-Maite
Jesus S. QuinataUmatac
Vicente C. ReyesSinajana
Jose B. SarmientoSanta Rita
Joseph F. SorianoDededo
Jesus M. TedpahogoMerizo
Jose TuqueroAgat
James H. UnderwoodAgana
Donald I. Weakley, Sr.Inarajan
Judith T. Won PatSinajana
Antonio C. YamashitaTamuning
Prospero ZamoraDededo

Proceedings of the Guam Constitutional Convention of 1977

The Convention was convened on May 4, 1977 by Speaker Joseph F. Ada. Members of the Convention selected Carl T.C. Gutierrez to act as Chairman of the Convention. On December 15, 1977, the delegates signed the draft constitution.

Referendum on the Draft Constitution

Following the approval of the draft Constitution by President Jimmy Carter and the U.S. Congress, Senator Carmen A. Kasperbauer introduced Guam Public Law 15-23, which postponed the referendum on the draft Constitution until August 4, 1979.
Eighty-two percent of those who voted in the 1979 referendum voted to reject the constitution.