Political Quotes

“I rise today to honor Dr. Judy Selk Flores, recipient of the Guam Council of the Arts and Humanities Agency's Lifetime Cultural Contribution Award, an artist whose lifework has shaped Guam's cultural landscape and preserved the soul of our island. Dr. Flores came to Guam as a child in 1957 and made this island her home. She learned the CHamoru language, immersed herself in our traditions, and devoted her life to preserving Guam's rich cultural identity. At a time when much of our heritage risked being lost, she chose to safeguard it through living, breathing art. Through batik and visual storytelling, she captured island life, family, and tradition, turning memory into something tangible that our people can carry forward. She did more than create art. She built community. As a founding member of the Guam Visual Arts Guild and the founder of Guahan Art, she opened doors for young artists, teaching them to have confidence, purpose, and pride in their work. Today, we honor not only an artist but a steward of heritage. Dr. Flores reminds us that culture endures because people choose to protect it, just as she has and continues to do every day.”