[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 9 (Tuesday, January 17, 1995)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E106-E107]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


             RETIREMENT OF BRIG. GEN. EDWARD RAMIREZ DUENAS

                                 ______


                        HON. ROBERT A. UNDERWOOD

                                of guam

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, January 17, 1995
  Mr. UNDERWOOD. Mr. Speaker, I would like to take this occasion to 
commend a journalist, a military commander, and a fellow legislator. 
Brig. Gen. Edward R. Duenas is a native son who has unselfishly 
contributed over three decades of valuable service to his home, the 
island of Guam.
  General Duenas is the son of the late Jesus Camacho Duenas and 
Juliana Torres Ramirez Duenas. He is the brother of former Senator Jose 
(Ping) Duenas, retired Army Master Sergeant Jesus R. Duenas and Dr. 
Vincent A. Duenas. Born on May 11, 1936, in the city of Agana on Guam, 
he completed his high school studies at Father Duenas Memorial High 
School in Mangilao, Guam back in 1955. He later acquired a bachelor of 
science degree in journalism from Marquette University in Milwaukee, 
WI.
  Immediately after graduation, he worked in various capacities from 
the island's news media. He also took some time out to serve in the 
Army in 1961 thru 1963. A total of 6 years was dedicated by him in 
direct service to the people of Guam through his work as a journalist. 
Between the years 1951 and 1965, he worked for publications and 
newscasts such as KUAM radio and TV, the Guam Daily News, and the 
Pacific Journal. He served as sports editor, local news writer, wire 
editor, and newscaster both in TV and on radio.
  His government service began back in 1965. He served initially as 
public relations officer and later as a staff director for the 8th Guam 
Legislature. He took care of public relations, prepared news releases, 
public announcements and was later made responsible for the operations 
and management of the entire legislative staff.
  General Duenas moved to the Governor's office in 1969 after occupying 
supervisory positions in a couple of government of Guam agencies. As 
Governor Camacho's press secretary, he handled media relations, 
prepared speeches, arranged meetings, and compiled information for the 
Governor's annual report to the Department of the Interior. On three 
occasions, General Duenas had the chance to bring holiday cheer to 
Guamanian fighting men in the war zone by accompanying the Governor on 
Christmas visits to Vietnam in 1969, 1970, and 1971.
  A distinguished legislator, General Duenas was elected as a senator 
in the Guam Legislature back in 1974 and served for nine consecutive 
terms. As a Guam senator, he introduced over 50 bills and amendments 
which became law. Among these were laws that created the island's 
Department of Youth Affairs, Department of Military affairs, Division 
of Senior Citizens, and the original Commission on Self-Determination. 
We can also credit his bills for the establishment of a dual-track 
curriculum for Guam's public high schools, the original Summer Youth 
Internship Program and, among others, job protection and equivalent pay 
for Guam National Guard members activated for territorial duty. He also 
played a pivotal role in the creation of the island's Veterans Affairs 
Office, the establishment of its clinic, the construction of a veterans 
memorial building and the completion of the Guam Veterans Memorial 
Cemetery.
  Senator Duenas also chaired a movement that led to the establishment 
of the Association of Pacific Islands Legislatures [APIL]. He presided 
over the association in its initial 3 years and he convened the first 
summit meeting between the APIL and chief executives of its various 
member nations.
  [[Page E107]] His military background which dates back to 1961 was 
given a further boost by a direct appointment in March 1982 to the Guam 
Army National Guard. He received a commission to the rank of major and 
resumed working on press and public affairs until 1989 when he was 
picked to be assistant adjutant general for the headquarters of the 
territorial area command of the Guam National Guard. He later attained 
the highest possible position in the Guam Guard when he was appointed 
by former Governor Joseph Ada to office of the adjutant general of the 
Guam National Guard.
  For over 30 years, General Duenas has distinguished himself as one of 
Guam's premier public servants. The body of work that he has done as a 
journalist, legislator, and military commander has contributed greatly 
to the positive direction that the island is currently taking. 
Therefore, I commend Brig. Gen. Edward Ramirez Duenas for having been 
the consummate public servant and congratulate him on his well earned 
retirement.
  I also suspect that General Duenas will continue to serve the people 
of Guam through active participation in civic and political matters. Si 
Yu'os Ma'ase' Ed.


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