[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.