[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 14 (Tuesday, February 24, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E207]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       GUAM AND HUMAN RIGHTS DAY

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. ROBERT A. UNDERWOOD

                                of guam

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, February 24, 1998

  Mr. UNDERWOOD. Mr. Speaker, the Bill of Rights contained in the 
Constitution of the United States outlines the fundamental freedoms 
granted to all American citizens. There have been many interpretations 
and challenges to these amendments, yet it is evident that the Bill of 
Rights are timeless principles which guarantee protection and accord 
opportunities for all Americans.
  Many of us have taken our fundamental rights for granted. Although we 
are constantly reminded by current events that the citizens of other 
nations are not afforded these essential liberties, it is easy to 
forget that the rights we enjoy are not shared by a majority of the 
world's population.
  On December 10, 1948, the General Assembly of the United Nations 
overwhelmingly adopted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, a 
document based on the United States Bill of Rights. This document 
explicitly sets forth a list of fundamental rights from the right to 
life to the right to participation in the cultural life of a community.
  I cosponsored a resolution last year, H.Con.Res. 185, which calls on 
the United States to reaffirm its dedication to the Universal 
Declaration of Human Rights' tenets.
  The celebration of Human Rights Day on December 10 is in direct 
correlation to the approval of the U.N. Universal Declaration of Human 
Rights. Not only does this remind us of the continuing global fight for 
basic human rights, it also serves as a forum to honor those committed 
to this fight. I commend the following individuals from Guam for their 
initiatives in the fight for human rights: Senot Carlos P. Taitano, 
Senot Antonio M. Palomo, Senot Eddie D. Reyes, Senot Ted S. Nelson, 
Senot Ben G. Blaz, Governor Carl T.C. Gutierrez, Senot Joseph F. Ada, 
Senot Paul M. Calvo, Judge Benjamin J.F. Cruz, Attorney Michael F. 
Phillips, Senator Angel L.H. Santos, Senator Mark C. Charfauros, Senora 
Hope A. Cristobal, Senora Marilyn D.A. Manibusan, Dr. Katherine B. 
Aguon, Senot Henry M. Eclavea, Senot Vicente U. Garrido, Senot Manuel 
L. Tenorio, Senot Ivan Blas DeSoto, Senot Antonio A. Sablan, Senot Juan 
M. Flores, Senot Ed Benavente, Senot Ron Rivera, Senot Ron Teehan, 
Senot Chris Perez-Howard, Senot William Hernandez, and Senot Norbert P. 
Perez.
  On December 10, 1997, the Ancestral Landowners' Coalition (ALC) 
invited me and several other community leaders to their forum on human 
rights. I applaud the ALC's efforts for supporting the people of Guam's 
struggle to fight for our civil rights, for although Guam is under the 
American flag, there are still issues, such as our petition for 
commonwealth status, with which the people of Guam feel the federal 
government has not addressed sufficiently.
  Remembering Human Rights Day on December 10 will renew our dedication 
to supporting universal civil rights. I encourage the people of the 
United States to set the example for the rest of the world: continue 
supporting Human Rights Day and bring attention to the plight of those 
punished for exercising their right to simply live as a human being.

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