[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 140 (Thursday, October 8, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1954]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    HU KOMPLIMENTA I PLANUN HAGATNA

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                        HON. ROBERT A. UNDERWOOD

                                of guam

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, October 7, 1998

  Mr. UNDERWOOD. Mr. Speaker, today I wish to commend the efforts of 
the many citizens on Guam who organized and actively took part in 
``Project Hagatna.'' This island-wide initiative has connected 
generations on Guam with our Chamorro heritage and has instilled in us 
our common values as a people longing to strengthen our identity and 
culture as native pacific-islanders. Project Hagatna Project Hagatna 
incorporated a multi-faceted approach by sponsoring scores of events 
that built upon our cultural backgrounds and renewed our energy to 
learn our history. The events were planned in confluence with the 
Centennial of the Spanish American War.
  As my colleagues may know, the Guam legislature recently changed the 
name of our capital city from ``Agana'' to ``Hagatna '' (Guam Public 
Law 24-162) in hopes of restoring and promoting our ancestral village 
names while at the same time trying us to our cultural roots.
  I would like to commend the following individuals for their 
remarkable efforts in coordinating Project Hagatna: Lourdes C.N. Ada, 
Benigno-Joseph Umagat, John San Nicolas, Annabelle Perez, Jeffrey 
Edubalad, Teresita N. Taitano, Robert J. Umagat, John Garica, Donna 
Paulino, Lelani Farrales, Lourdes Alonso, Kennedy Jim, Mayleen San 
Nicolas, Josusa M. Hayes, Clotlde R. Peredo, Patrick S. Leddy, and 
Peter Alexis Ada.
  My congratulations to the people of Guam on the success of Project 
Hagatna, may its work continue to remind us of our unique cultural 
place in the world and strengthen our heritage.

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