[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 19 (Monday, February 28, 1994)]
[House]
[Page H]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[Congressional Record: February 28, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
TRIBUTE TO MR. JESUS BARCINAS
(Mr. UNDERWOOD asked and was given permission to address the House
for 1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
Mr. UNDERWOOD. Mr. Speaker, today, I rise to commemorate the passing
of one of Guam's most senior public servants and authorities on the
Chamorrro language and culture, Mr. Jesus Barcinas.
With distinction and a deep commitment to his community, Mr. Barcinas
served as commissioner to the southern village of Malesso' before World
War II. His service was so noteworthy that his activities were
documented in Laura Thompson's premier work on Chamorro culture, ``Guam
and Its People,'' published in 1942. He also served as councilman in
the prewar Guam Congress. And in the middle of the battle for Guam, he
heroically met United States military ships in a canoe to provide them
with information about Japanese activities.
In his later years, Mr. Barcinas served with great distinction in the
bilingual program on Guam and on the Chamorro Language Commission. In
those capacities, he shared his deep understanding and knowledge about
the Chamorro language. For myself, he added to my understanding about
our language and mentored me in ways which will stay with me the rest
of my life.
Tun Jesus is survived by seven children and our best wishes go out to
each one of them.
Thank you Tun Jesus for all your help for our people and our
language.
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