[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 41 (Friday, March 22, 1996)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E441-E442]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        WOMEN IN PUBLIC SERVICE

                                 ______


                               speech of

                        HON. ROBERT A. UNDERWOOD

                                of guam

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, March 21, 1996

  Mr. UNDERWOOD. Mr. Speaker, I join my colleagues today in celebrating 
Women's History Month and in honoring the countless number of women in 
public service to our communities and our Nation.
  We pay special tribute to women pioneers who have opened doors to 
many professions previously occupied by men only. We say thanks to such 
special women such as:
  Jeannette Rankin of Montana who was the first woman to be elected in 
her own right to the U.S. House of Representatives;
  Frances Perkins who was the first woman to serve as Secretary of 
Labor;
  Barbara Jordan who was the first African-American to win election to 
the House of Representatives since Reconstruction; and to
  Patsy Mink of Hawaii, who is the first Asian-American woman in the 
U.S. Congress.
  We are where we are today with respect to women in public service 
because of long-term

[[Page E442]]

struggles to overcome ingrained habits of discrimination against women. 
And today we have a better understanding of the abilities and 
contributions which women have, for centuries, demonstrated to their 
families, to their local communities, and to the world as a whole.
  Over the last few decades, we have seen a reassessment of the 
principle of equality of opportunity and the principle of social 
values. This reevaluation has helped to catapult women into leadership 
roles.
  Prior to the establishment of affirmative action policies and the 
enactment of equal employment opportunity laws, there were hundreds of 
professions which were exclusively, de facto, for males only. Take, for 
example, law enforcement professions, managers in the government 
sector, or careers in the military officer ranks. Women were considered 
not qualified for these jobs and, in fact, were discouraged from 
applying or considering these professions. But women did not accept the 
``women need not apply'' warnings. Women fought for their rights and 
insisted that employers cease and desist from these discriminatory 
policies. By breaking down barriers to entry and advancement in these 
fields, we now have female midshipmen at the U.S. Naval Academy, female 
police officers, and many women at the middle- and upper-management 
levels at local, State, and Federal government offices across the 
country.
  Although history does not always reflect women's contributions to the 
social order, we are experiencing an increase in the number of women 
who are role models in the community and leaders in public service. It 
makes common sense to practice the policy of inclusion and equal 
opportunity. It makes sense to utilize the talents of women who have 
been responsible for nurturing our young and keeping our families 
together. And it makes sense to acknowledge women's contributions to 
strengthening and enriching the values of our society.
  I am pleased to join in this tribute to women in public service. I am 
also proud to note that the congressional district I represent, The 
Territory of Guam, has a tradition of providing numerous opportunities 
for women to be involved in public service. I am attaching, for the 
Record, a listing of women of Guam who are leaders in the executive, 
legislative, and judicial levels of the Government of Guam, as well as 
women leaders in the private sector and numerous boards and 
commissions. I salute all of these women and extend to them a warm Si 
Yu'os Ma'ase--thank you--for their dedication and service to the 
community. They are an inspiration to all of us who aspire to maintain 
a more just and compassionate society.

                        Women in Public Service


                            executive branch

       Lt. Governor Madeleine Bordallo--highest position held by a 
     woman in Guam.
       First Lady Geraldine Gutierrez--serves as the overall 
     chairperson of several community committees.
       Female Heads of Agencies: Taling Taitano, Guam Housing and 
     Urban Renewal Authority; Zeny Custodio, Bureau of Women's 
     Affairs; Anna Marie Sablan, Kumision i Fino Chamorro; 
     Michelle B. Santos, Government of Guam Retirement Fund; 
     Deborah J. Bordallo, Guam Council on the Arts & Humanities; 
     Ginger Underwood, Guam Educational & Telecommunications Corp. 
     (KGTF); Helen Ripple, Guam Memorial Hospital Authority; 
     Jeanette Sablan Tanos, Dept. of Mental Health and Substance 
     Abuse; Christine Scott-Smith, Guam Public Library; Ann B. 
     Gutierrez, Guam Finance Commission; Elfrieda Koshiba, Compact 
     Impact Information Program; and Katherine B. Aguon, Political 
     Status Education Coordinating Commission.
       Deputy Directors: Rebecca Olsen-Quintanilla, Dept. of 
     Administration; Frances J. Balajadia, Bureau of Budget; 
     Aurora Cabanero, Dept. of Mental Health and Substance Abuse; 
     Therese Cruz-Paulino, Guam Visitors Bureau; Jeanne M. B. 
     Pangelinan, Guam Council on the Arts & Humanities; Elizabeth 
     M. Blas, Guam Election Commission; Elizabeth Hamilton, Guam 
     Public Library; Andrea Finona, Guam U. S. Passport Office; 
     Stacy Cruz, Guam Occupational Information Coordinating 
     Committee; and Lydia T. Cruz, Chamorro Land Trust Commission.
       Lourdes T. Pangelinan is the only woman who has served as 
     the permanent Chief of Staff for the Governor of Guam. Others 
     have served in acting capacities.
       Dr. Rosa Roberta Carter has been the only female President 
     of the University of Guam.


                           legislative branch

       Since 1986, women represented nearly \1/3\ of the 
     membership of the Guam Legislature. 1990 was the peak year 
     when seven women were elected to serve in the 22nd Guam 
     Legislature.
       The highest vote-getter for a legislative campaign was a 
     woman in the following years: 1986--Marilyn D.A. Manibusan 
     (R); 1988--Madeleine Z. Bordallo (D); and 1990--Doris Flores 
     Brooks (R).
       The highest offices that female legislators have assumed 
     are: Vice Speaker--Katherine B. Aguon; Legislative 
     Secretary--Pilar Lujan, Elizabeth Arriola, Judith Won Pat-
     Borja; and Rules Committee Chairperson--Herminia Dierking.
       Current Members: Senator Judith Won Pat-Borja (D), 
     Legislative Secretary Chairperson, Committee on Education; 
     Senator Lou A. Leon Guerrero (D), Assistant Majority Leader 
     Chairperson, Committee on Health; Senator Hope A. Cristobal 
     (D) (member of Commission on Self-Determination), 
     Chairperson, Committee on Federal and Foreign Affairs; 
     Senator Carlotta Leon Guerrero (R); Senator Elizabeth 
     Barrett-Anderson (former Guam Atty. General); and Senator 
     Joanne M. S. Brown (R).
       Past Members: Lagrimas Leon Guerrero Untalan (Territorial 
     Party)*; Cynthia Johnston Torres (Territorial Party)*; 
     Katherine B. Aguon (R); Carmen Artero Kasperbauer (R); 
     Madeleine Z. Bordallo (D); Elizabeth P. Arriola (D); Pilar C. 
     Lujan (D); Marilyn D.A. Manibusan (R); Herminia Duenas 
     Dierking (D); Marcia K. Hartsock (D); Martha Cruz Ruth (R); 
     Doris Flores Brooks (R); and Marilyn Won Pat (D).
       Total Democratic Women: 9
       Total Republican Women: 8
       *Both women were the first to be elected in the Guam 
     Legislature in 1954
       The highest staff position held by a female in the Guam 
     Legislature is that of the Deputy Director, currently being 
     held by Dorothy Perez.


                            judicial branch

       3 of 7 judges in the Supreme Court are women: Judge Janet 
     Healy-Weeks; Judge Frances Tydingco-Gatewood; and Judge 
     Katherine A. Maraman.
       2 of the 3 full-time Supreme Court Justice nominees are 
     women: Judge-nominee Janet Healy-Weeks and Judge-nominee 
     Monessa Lujan.


                             village mayors

       Current: Isabel Haggard (Mayor of Piti) also Vice 
     President, Mayor's Council of Guam; Rossana D. San Miguel 
     (Mayor of Chalan Pago); Doris Palacios (Vice Mayor of 
     Dededo); and Teresita C. Borja (Vice Mayor Tamuning).
       Some Past Members: Patricia Quinata (Mayor of Dededo) and 
     Cecilia Quinata Morrison (Mayor of Umatac).


                         boards of commissions

       Guam law requires all Government of Guam boards and 
     commissions to maintain at least two female members.
       Several Key Boards have Female Chairs: Guam Airport 
     Authority--Pilar Cruz Lujan and Chamorro Land Trust 
     Commission - Carol Ibanez.


                           political parties

       Republican Party: Marilyn D.A. Manibusan was the first and 
     to date, the only female chairperson of the Republican Party. 
     She held office in 1986 and Pilar Cruz is currently the Vice 
     Chairperson of Guam's Republican Party.
       Democratic Party: Priscilla Tenorio Tuncap was the first 
     female chairperson for the Democratic Party--(1990-1992) and 
     Pilar Cruz Lujan is the current party chairperson, having 
     been elected this past year. Nationwide, Madeleine Z. 
     Bordallo is the longest-serving national committee woman on 
     the Democratic National Committee. She has served in this 
     capacity since the Kennedy era.


                           business community

       Antoinette Duenas Sanford is the only woman to have served 
     as the Chairperson of the Guam Chamber of Commerce
       Eloise Baza has served as the first female President of the 
     Guam Chamber of Commerce for the last several years.