[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 2 (Wednesday, January 28, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E58]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




           TRIBUTE TO CEL AGUIGUI: A CHAMORRO PUBLIC SERVANT

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. ROBERT A. UNDERWOOD

                                of guam

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, January 28, 1998

  Mr. UNDERWOOD. Mr. Speaker, at the end of this month, Mr. Celestin 
``Cel'' J. Aguigui, a native son of Guam, will retire after 30 years of 
dedicated public service. Cel has served our country well as a teacher, 
a military officer, a State of Arizona employee, an assistant to the 
first Congressman from Guam, and as a senior information specialist 
with the U.S. Census Bureau.
  The eldest of nine children, Cel moved from Guam to the U.S. mainland 
and graduated with a B.A. degree in political science from DePaul 
University. His higher education would prove invaluable as he pursued 
his professional career as legislative assistant, and later as the 
district director, for the late Honorable Antonio Borja Won Pat, Guam's 
first elected delegate to the U.S. House of Representatives. As an 
assistant to Congresswoman Won Pat, Cel was responsible for land 
issues, civilian and military relations, and defense issues.
  His stint with the U.S. Air Force is noteworthy. Cel was a 
commissioned officer and served as a detachment commander and logistic 
officer both in the United States and at overseas bases. During the 
Vietnam War, he served as an aircraft maintenance officer for the 13th 
Tactical Fighter Squadron which flew combat missions. He supervised the 
entire maintenance operations consisting of 30 fighter aircraft and 
over 100 maintenance personnel. For meritorious service, he was awarded 
the Air Force commendation medal and the bronze star.
  In 1989, Cel joined the staff of the U.S. Census Bureau. As a senior 
information specialist, Cel represented the bureau at national 
conferences as a speaker, panelist and exhibitor. During his entire 
career with the bureau, Cel has been an invaluable resource and 
advocate for the minority communities. He has contributed significantly 
in promoting the importance of census participation for Hispanics, 
Native Americans, Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders. For his 
dedication in improving communication between community leaders and the 
agency, he was awarded the bronze medal, the highest award given by the 
U.S. Census Bureau.
  Cel's commitment to the community is exemplified by his various 
volunteer programs and civic participation at the local level. As a 
resident of Prince George's County, he served as the first Pacific 
Islander appointed by Parris Glendenning, the former Prince George's 
County Executive, to be a member of the Asian Pacific Advisory Board. A 
later appointment by Wayne Curry, the current Prince George's County 
Executive, gave Cel an opportunity to serve as a member of the Human 
Relations Commission as well as a member of the Community and Ethnic 
Advisory Board. His other accomplishments include: (1) past president 
of the Guam Society of America; (2) past president of the Federal 
Executive Association of Guam; (3) recipient of the ``Who is Who in 
Washington, D.C.''; and (4) named one of ten individuals selected in 
1997 as a ``Volunteer of the Year'' by the Prince George's County 
Voluntary Action Center.
  I am proud to recognize this remarkable public servant. Cel Aguigui's 
unselfish dedication and his personal commitment to others enhances all 
of our lives. I congratulate Cel for his retirement from federal 
service, and wish him and his family well. Si Yu'os Ma'ase, Cel, for 
all your work to bring together diverse groups and to make this a 
better place in which to live.

                          ____________________