About – Senator Therese M. Terlaje

Senator Therese M. Terlaje is serving her fifth consecutive term as a Guam Senator, having led the Legislature for two terms as Speaker, and as Vice Speaker in her first term. First elected in 2017, she has been a steadfast advocate for policy that improves quality of life for the residents of Guam, encourages government transparency and accountability, increases healthcare access, protects environmental, cultural and historic resources, supports Guam’s war survivors and veterans, and ensures justice for all residents of Guam. Her leadership is guided by principles of fairness, collaboration, public participation in government and a deep respect for the island’s cultural and historical heritage.

In the 38th Guam Legislature, Senator Terlaje serves as Vice Chairperson of the Justice Committee and as member of the Committee on Economic Investment, Military Buildup, Regional Relations, Technology, Regulatory Affairs, Elections, and Retirement, and as a member of the Committee on Child Welfare, Youth Affairs, Senior Citizens, Women’s Affairs, Disability Services, the Arts, Culture, Historic Preservation & Hagåtña Restoration. As Speaker of the 36th and 37th Guam Legislatures, she led the body with a focus on accountability, transparency, and policies directly benefiting the people of Guam. In previous terms, Senator Terlaje also chaired the Committee on Culture and Justice; the Committee on Health, Tourism, Historic Preservation, Land, and Justice; and the Committee on Health, Land, Justice, and Culture focusing on expanding access to public health services pre and post pandemic, improving critical healthcare facilities,
safeguarding Guam’s natural, cultural and historic resources, facilitating affordable housing through Chamorro Land Trust leases and infrastructure, and codifying victim rights and protections.

Senator Terlaje prioritized patient protections through reform of medical licensing and malpractice systems, consumer relief through lifting the liquid fuels tax, providing power credits to struggling families and supporting Business Privilege Tax and Real Property tax exemptions, resolving decades-old land injustices, and ensuring that public institutions are held accountable for the responsible use of public lands and resources for the benefit of the people of Guam. She continues to advocate for policy changes that stabilize management and finances, and modernize the operations of Guam’s public health systems, including Guam Memorial Hospital and the Community Health Centers to ensure long-term healthcare sustainability, accessibility, and accountability. Senator Terlaje has been a strong voice for recognizing and compensating the victims of Guam’s World War II atrocities, as sponsor of the law to compensate survivors and a law to
conduct memorial ceremonies at important historic sites, and as a member of the War Claims Commission to adjudicate claims.

Beyond her legislative work, Senator Terlaje is deeply committed to improving the lives of Guam’s residents, advocating for community priorities including education, healthcare access, and support for veterans. Her leadership and dedication have made her a respected figure in Guam’s political landscape, known for her effective governance and unwavering commitment to preserving and advancing the values that define the island. Therese M. Terlaje, a CHamoru raised in the village of Yo’ña, is the eldest daughter of Edward and Shirley Terlaje. She graduated from the Academy of Our Lady of Guam, holds a B.S. in Biology from Creighton University, earned her Juris Doctorate from UCLA and is licensed to practice law in Guam and California. Before becoming a Senator in 2017, she spent 27 years as an attorney and small business owner and seven years as an Assistant Professor at the University of Guam in the Criminal Justice and Public Administration programs.