SABRINA SALAS MATANANE
BRINGING POSITIVE CHANGE TO OUR COMMUNITY
SABRINA SALAS MATANANE
MEET BRI
The fruit didn’t fall too far from the tree…
Bri, (as most of her friends and supporters call her) or Bing-Bing, (her nickname used only by her late Mother & Father) is a paradox in the best way. She is equal parts aggressive and shy. A self-described introvert who is also outgoing and confident enough to work the microphone and stage with grace and ease.
Sabrina Salas Matanane was born in Guam on April 23, 1971. She is the daughter of Agat natives Lolita Palomo Abelon Salas, a retired federal civil servant and jack-of-all-trades; and Noberto Aguigui Salas, who spent more than 25 years in the U.S. Air Force.
Bri says she gets her toughness and work ethic from Mom, who could bake and decorate the most delicious cakes then turn around and repair the family’s car and kitchen appliances. Kind-hearted but with the “you-better-get-out-of-the-room” temper to match.
From Dad, the proud Senior Master Sergeant and Salas family self-taught piano player, and karaoke superstar, Bri received her fun, prankster and musical side.
BRI, THE DIFFERENCE
When Sabrina decided to run for elected office, it was about tackling the same issues on which she had been reporting for over 20 years. Now, as a member of the 38th Guam Legislature, Senator Bri chairs the very complex Committee on Health & Veterans Affairs. Her work in just the first half of her first term demonstrates her desire to make a difference. In this short time, Senator Bri has been responsible for vast improvements to our only public hospital, as well as more accountability from GMHA. She has given Guam’s veterans a greater voice and recognition. Bri is also looking at standing up the Cannabis industry, which was legalized on Guam more than 10 years ago but remains dormant. Bri is making a difference.
GMH
Under her leadership, Senator Bri appropriated more funding for the Guam Memorial Hospital than previous healthcare committee chairs, allowing for serious improvements to the physical structure of the facility.
Electrical subpanels are finally being addressed and soon will be repaired. Old chillers have been replaced with brand new ones, beginning the prevention of mold in the health facility. Even something as basic as cleaning and water blasting the exterior of the hospital was never scheduled. Senator Bri pushed for cleaning, for capital improvements to happen as soon as possible and to replace GMH management. She made it happen!
Senator Bri will continue to fortify the Guam Memorial Hospital while the government prepares to build a new medical facility.
MEDICAID
Senator Bri has successfully passed the Medicaid Enhancement Act into law, giving Medicaid patients greater access to quality healthcare by Guam’s providing tax incentives to medical professionals.
VETERANS
Her bill to give Guam’s military veterans a greater voice also became public law, giving real teeth to the Guam’s Veterans Commissions which will ultimately benefit Guam’s veterans.
Bri is already working to upgrade the technology and information gathering system at the Guam Office of Veterans Affairs which will help archive what information they already have -much of it in boxes; handle applications from veterans quicker and more efficiently; and process veterans’ registration to ensure the office has a more accurate count of all our veterans.
Senator Bri will also work to implement mental health programs for our veterans, including Substance Abuse Rehabilitation Programs (SARP); Military Sexual Trauma Care (MST); and local treatment for combat veterans with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD); as well as Suicide Prevention and Outreach programs. Senator will work closely with Guam’s Congressional Delegate to identify federal grants and funding opportunities to better serve our veteran community.
EDUCATION
Bri believes in the power of education to address everything from poverty to public safety. But the Senator’s biggest concern is addressing Guam’s children with special needs, most especially, children with autism who do not receive adequate care and education opportunities locally.
Senator Bri will meet with experts and parents of children on the spectrum to map out a course of action to best serve these wonderful children. We will explore more training for teachers and even a charter school specifically focused on educating opportunities for children with autism and other special needs, whatever the experts suggest.
ECONOMY
Senator Bri believes that to strengthen and stabilize Guam’s economy for the future, our island should have a product we can export. Farmers and environmental experts have told Bri that Guam’s climate and soil are well-adapted for coffee cultivation, which is being done on a small scale but should be explored and possibly subsidized to create a viable export for Guam.
LEGISLATIVE BRANCH
Senator Bri will advocate for the legislature to have parity with the judicial and executive branches of government. The Guam legislature is called a coequal branch of government, but the compensation and benefits of legislative employees don’t reflect that status. This will not only create more parity but also ensure better accountability, transparency, and good governance.
The legislature controls the finances of all three branches of government and creates policy meant to serve the greater good. It’s time to truly make those who run the legislative branch feel coequal.
CANNABIS
Senator Bri is also working to stand up Guam’s cannabis industry, starting with Bill 254-38 which would remove restrictions in the current law by aligning cannabis with other agricultural crop requirements on Guam. It’s been over a decade since Guam’s medical cannabis bill was passed into law and 7 years since recreation use of cannabis was made legal. Senator Bri knows it’s time for this industry to get a kickstart, including helping those suffering from cancer and other debilitating diseases who are in need of pain management.
BRI’s BILLS INTO LAW
Public Law 38-27 – Guam Medicaid Access Enhancement Act
Public Law 38-35 – Guam Veterans Service Recognition Month
Public Law 38-71 – Relative to Extending Tax Credits for the Rehabilitation Football Fields Operated by the Guam National Youth Football Federation
Public Law 38-80 – Appropriation of $19,745,714 from Bond Refunding Savings for Capital Improvements Projects and Life Saving Supplies at the Guam Memorial Hospital
Public Law 38-90 – Relative to the Appointment, Powers and Duties of the Veterans Affairs Officer and the Composition and Operations of the Guam Veterans Commission
THE BEST WAY TO PREDICT THE FUTURE IS TO CREATE IT
BRI AT A GLANCE
Birthday:
April 23,1971
Birthplace:
Guam
Village:
From Hagat; Resides in Yigo
College:
University of Oklahoma, Bachelor’s Degree in Electronic Journalism
Children:
Brock and Tyler
Book on the Nightstand:
The Art of War by Sun Tzu
Favorite Movie:
Star Wars
Favorite Song:
The Next Episode by Dr. Dre
Favorite Dish (to eat):
Shrimp Kelaguen
Favorite Dish (to bake):
Guava Cake
Childhood memory:
Making bread with Grandma in Hagat
Who Bri tries to emulate:
Parents
Mantra:
I’m not here for the noise. I’m here to work.
Favorite quote: Psalm 28:7 "If it wasn't for the struggles, you wouldn't be as strong as you are today, God is always building you up, even when it feels like He's breaking you."
