[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 28 (Tuesday, March 5, 1996)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E278]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    IN MEMORY OF PEDRO MARTINEZ ADA

                                 ______


                        HON. ROBERT A. UNDERWOOD

                                of guam

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, March 5, 1996

  Mr. UNDERWOOD. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to share with our Nation the 
story of a very remarkable man, Mr. Pedro Ada. During his lifetime, Mr. 
Ada, along with his wife Maria, made a positive contribution to the 
people of Guam through their hard work and dedication.
  Tun Pedro, as he was known to his family and friends, was born on the 
Island of Saipan in 1903. He attended the business program at Sophia 
University in Tokyo, Japan, at age 17 and returned to Guam in 1925. In 
1927, Tun Pedro married his wife and business partner for life, Maria 
Palomo. With only the proceeds of a $200 loan from the Bank of Guam, 
the Adas began their first business, a grocery store, in 1938. In 1941 
the Japanese invaded our island. The occupying forces confiscated all 
of the merchandise in the Adas' grocery store and imprisoned Tun Pedro 
for a month because he was suspected of being a spy for the United 
States. After the island was liberated by the United States in 1944, 
Tun Pedro was able to reopen his grocery store across the street from 
the site of his old store. For the next 12 years, Tun Pedro continued 
to expand his business.
  By 1956, the Adas had three grocery stores, warehouses in four 
villages, and a fleet of 18 vehicles to haul goods that came into 
Guam's port. On the advice of his accounting firm, Turn Pedro 
incorporated his grocery business and created Ada's Inc. During the 
next 15 years, the Adas continued to expand their business to include a 
bowling alley and several office buildings. In 1970, Ada's Inc. teamed 
up with Chinn Ho, a Hawaiian businessman, to build Guam's first 
condominium project, Alupang Cove Condominiums.
  Tun Pedro and his family worked during the 1970's and 1980's to 
renovate his various properties and to strengthen his company. In May 
of 1985, Tun Pedro and his wife were both awarded honorary doctorate 
degrees from the University of Guam in recognition of their civic and 
corporate leadership.
  Mr. Pedro Ada was a hard-working and generous man who was dedicated 
to Guam. Tun Pedro had been the chairman of the board for Ada's Inc., 
since its beginning. He was also a charter member of the Civilian 
Advisory Council and a member of the Knights of San Sylvester. Tun 
Pedro contributed to many charities and organizations on Guam and had 
established the Pedro M. Ada scholarship program at the University of 
Guam. His accomplishments and contributions to our island will live on 
for many years to come. Tun Pedro passed away on November 14, 1995. I 
extend my condolences and the sympathy of the people of Guam to the 
family of Tun Pedro. Our island has been blessed by his life's work, 
and we appreciate the many good things he has done for Guam.