[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 73 (Wednesday, May 22, 1996)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E881]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   CONGRATULATIONS CHRISTIAN A. DASMARINAS, 1996 CONGRESSIONAL ARTS 
                           COMPETITION WINNER

                                 ______


                        HON. ROBERT A. UNDERWOOD

                                of guam

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, May 22, 1996

  Mr. UNDERWOOD. Mr. Speaker, in my home district of Guam, we have many 
outstanding people. However, one young man from the village of Tamuning 
deserves special mention. This year, Christian Ragos Dasmarinas is the 
young artist from Guam to have his artwork displayed in our Capitol 
corridor. Christian's winning artwork is an evocative batik, featuring 
a Chamorro warrior resting against a lane in the shade of the tree. The 
batik expresses much about Chamorro culture and history. It is 
unmistakably Pacific and depicts our appreciation of our natural 
environment and our tropical island life.
  In an era of intense gang violence and drug abuse, such a triumph is 
worth mentioning. His talent for art predicts future successes, but 
there are many things about Christian worth mentioning.
  This young artist plans to attend college and major in computer 
programming. He aspires to become a Computer Aided Designer [CAD]. As a 
career in art would be inherent for Christian, this young man also 
plays the guitar for a local band, Anaesthesia. I envision Christian 
creating computer programs for students interested in the fields of art 
and music.
  Christian is the second of the four children of Norberto and Cynthia 
Dasmarinas. In 1993, Christian and his family immigrated from the 
Philippines to the United States to secure a better way of life and 
attain a piece of the American dream.
  Christian has begun his journey to achieve that goal. He will 
graduate from the John F. Kennedy High school in 1998. Although this is 
his first award, it will certainly not be his last. Its hard to keep up 
with him. When he is not creating artistic work, he's strumming his 
guitar or surfing on the interent for a friend.
  He has made his friends and family proud, and I am pleased to have 
his artwork represent Guam.
  Congratulations to Christian Dasmarinas, who has mastered a fine 
piece.

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