[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 49 (Tuesday, April 28, 1998)]
[House]
[Pages H2341-H2342]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




           CENTENNIAL ANNIVERSARY OF THE SPANISH-AMERICAN WAR

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under the Speaker's announced policy of 
January 21, 1997, the gentleman from Guam (Mr. Underwood) is recognized 
during morning hour debates for 4 minutes.
  Mr. UNDERWOOD. Madam Speaker, 100 years ago this past Saturday, April 
25th, the United States officially declared a state of war with Spain, 
and

[[Page H2342]]

the ``splendid little war'' was officially underway. The Spanish-
American War is generally remembered for the destruction of the Maine, 
Roosevelt's Rough Riders, and America's first acquisition of colonies. 
Many people tend to forget that the American victory was initiated and 
secured by the American activity not in the Caribbean but in the 
Pacific. And as we commemorate the centennial anniversary of the 
Spanish-American War, I would like to draw attention to a couple of 
unresolved issues which are a legacy of this conflict and our self-
perception as an ``anticolonial'' but nevertheless colonial power.
  This was the war that clearly established the United States as a 
colonial power in the world. The island of Guam was first acquired as a 
coaling station in 1898 and has since become America's foothold in 
Asia. Over the years Guam has provided a much-needed opportunity for 
the United States to protect its vast Asian interests and, more 
importantly, secure its military goals. Guam's strategic location in 
the western Pacific continues to be its major value to this country, 
and I am proud to say that we on Guam have realized this value and are 
more than willing to draw attention to it, particularly to our 
determination to finally exercise self-determination.
  The acquisitions resulting from the 1898 war plunged the United 
States Government into uncharted political territory. Never before had 
noncontinental real estate come under its control. Prior to the 
acquisition of the islands, the continental American territories were 
intended for eventual incorporation into the Union of States. What then 
was to be the fate of these new possessions? And this issue continues 
today.
  There are no easy solutions to this particular problem. However, we 
are currently presented with a rare opportunity to deal with it not 
only in the case of Puerto Rico, but in the case of Guam.
  I would also like to draw attention to an issue with the Philippines. 
We have, in Wyoming, a structure designated as a memorial to American 
servicemen attacked and killed in the town of Balangiga, Philippines. 
One hundred years of misrepresentation and misinformation has gradually 
transformed this memorial into a symbol of a slanted and mistaken view 
of history, a reluctance to admit and correct mistakes from the past, 
and resistance to advance to the future.
  On November 7 of last year I introduced H. Res. 312, urging the 
President to authorize the transfer of ownership of one of the ``Bells 
of Balangiga'' currently displayed in Wyoming to the people of the 
Philippines. Contrary to several misconceptions, H. Res. 312 recognizes 
that the memorial at F.E. Warren Air Force Base has a legitimate but 
not exclusive right to memorialize tragic events which occurred during 
the Philippine Insurrection, and does not seek to dishonor the memory 
of the American troops who perished in the Philippine Insurrection or 
to disestablish the monument in Wyoming. H. Res. 312 proposes a 
compromise wherein both the Philippines and the United States will 
share in the legacy of these historic symbols.
  The matter touches upon a greater issue and reflects the true nature 
of our special relationship with the Republic of the Philippines. In 
the course of subduing the Philippines right after the Spanish-American 
War, over 4,000 Americans and over 200,000 Filipinos died. The Bells of 
Balangiga are a symbol of that conflict. For us, they are the trophies 
of war that marked the killing of over 50 Americans, and for Filipinos 
they represent the eventual order to kill every Filipino male over the 
age of 10 on the island of Samar. If we share these bells, we bring 
honor to both countries and all who suffered and died.
  Today, each and every one of us is faced with a challenge. As we 
commemorate the centennial of the Spanish-American War, we must decide 
whether we should focus upon the true dimensions of this historic 
event, reflecting upon its far-reaching results, take advantage of the 
knowledge we have gained, learn from our experience, and bring 
resolution to these issues, or perhaps we should just save all these 
lofty aspirations for the bicentennial.

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