[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 76 (Tuesday, May 9, 1995)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E970]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


       TRIBUTE TO FORMER-SPEAKER FLORENCIO (LARRY) TORRES RAMIREZ

                                 ______


                        HON. ROBERT A. UNDERWOOD

                                of guam

                    in the house of representatives

                          Tuesday, May 9, 1995
  Mr. UNDERWOOD. Mr. Speaker, the island of Guam lost one of its 
premier citizens and public servants on April 12 of this year. The Hon. 
Florencio Torres Ramirez, a former speaker of the Guam Legislature, was 
called to his eternal rest at the age of 79.
  The passing of former-Speaker Ramirez marks the end of an era. 
Considered nothing short of legendary by Guam's politicians, Larry 
Ramirez dedicated more than 63 years in public service. His government 
service dated back to 1931 when, during his teenage years, he worked 
for the Naval Governor of Guam.
  Long considered as one of Guam's most popular lawmakers, Larry went 
on to hold public office longer than any other elected official in the 
island's history. He first got into politics in 1949 when he was 
elected as councilman from the village of Yigo. He later went on to 
serve as a senator in the first 12 Guam Legislatures. After having been 
elected as Speaker in 1971, he chose to retire after the 12th Guam 
Legislature.
  Having been one of Guam's premier political pioneers, he is 
considered by many of today's leaders as a fitting role model and a 
major influence. He is remembered as a man of integrity. Despite 
countless years of political involvement, not once did he compromise 
his principles. Never pretentious, he did not let his political 
successes take the better of him. Amid all the changes that he had been 
forced to live through, he remained a true islander and an exceptional 
leader.
  The late Hon. Florencio Torres Ramirez left a legacy of service and 
devotion to the island of Guam, to its people and to the United States 
as a whole. His distinguished career served as an inspiration to many 
of us who serve as elected officials of today. His passing is a great 
loss and his presence will surely be missed. On behalf of the people of 
Guam, I offer my condolences and join his bereaved children, and 
grandchildren in mourning the loss of a father, and a fellow servant to 
the people of Guam.


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