[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 130 (Thursday, September 25, 1997)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1863]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




        TRIBUTE TO THE HONORABLE LAGRIMAS LEON GUERRERO UNTALAN

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. ROBERT A. UNDERWOOD

                                of guam

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, September 25, 1997

  Mr. UNDERWOOD. Mr. Speaker, it is with deep regret and sympathy that 
I announce the passing of Mrs. Lagrimas Leon Guerrero Untalan. Mrs. 
Untalan was a longtime educator and former Guam Senator. She passed 
away in Honolulu, HI, this past Sunday, September 21, at the age of 86.
  Mrs. Untalan started her career in education immediately upon her 
graduation from high school. At the time, Mrs. Untalan was one of 
several young and motivated individuals that began their professional 
careers as educators in the public school system of Guam, both before 
and after World War II. These educators became the main source of 
intellectual stimulation that was infused into the Government of Guam. 
Mrs. Untalan participated significantly and contributed in the 
development of our young government, and she brought with her a much-
needed sense of respect and analytical thought.
  Perhaps one of the greatest contributions she made in our political 
development was the mold she broke in getting elected to the 3d Guam 
Legislature. Both she and former Senator Cynthia Johnston Torres, were 
the first women elected to the Guam Legislature and became Guam's first 
female lawmakers. Although women were elected to the Guam Congress, the 
predecessor of the Guam Legislature, the Guam Congress did not have the 
authority to make or pass laws.
  Distinguished and celebrated as a bilingual educator, Mrs. Untalan 
was the translator of ``Stand Ye Guamanian'' better known as the Guam 
hymn. She translated the song into our Chamorro language and from then 
on, ``Fanohge Chamorro'' became the preferred version of the hymn. She 
was tireless in her quest to advance the teaching of the Chamorro 
language in the Guam schools and her innovation as an educator had a 
significant impact on my own commitment to the Chamorro language. Even 
after her retirement from the Department of Education in the mid-
1970's, Mrs. Untalan continued her work in the community.
  A pre-war resident of our capital of Hagatna, Mrs. Untalan then 
became a longtime resident of Barrigada where she volunteered at San 
Vicente Church. She was an integral part of that community and her 
commitment will be missed.
  On a personal note, I worked with Mrs. Untalan in the Guam Bilingual 
Bicultural Education Project in the early 1970's. I was a curriculum 
writer who was unsure of my Chamorro writing skills and who had 
recently returned to Guam after college in the United States. She was a 
skilled and sensitive reviewer of the work which I submitted. Her 
encouragement, acceptance, and gentle correction of my elementary 
efforts contributed to my personal growth.
  She was wonderful educator whose contributions to her homeland will 
be remembered every time we sing ``Fanohge Chamorro.'' Her brilliance 
will continue to shine in the voices of our school children throughout 
Guam's schools every day.
  Mrs. Untalan now joins her distinguished husband in eternal rest--Tun 
Luis Untalan. My condolences to here children, grandchildren, 
relatives, and friends. The people of Guam have lost a beloved leader, 
an educational pioneer, and most especially, a true Guam legend.
  Si You'os ma'ase' Tal Lagrimas Pakitu put todu I che'cho'-mu para I 
minaolek I tano'-ta.

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