[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 54 (Tuesday, April 20, 1999)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E694]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




          TRIBUTE TO COMMANDER JOSEPH ANTHONY CRUZ SAN AGUSTIN

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. ROBERT A. UNDERWOOD

                                of guam

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, April 20, 1999

  Mr. UNDERWOOD. Mr. Speaker, I would like to take this occasion to 
commend and congratulate Commander Joseph Anthony Cruz San Agustin of 
the United States Navy on his distinguished career and his upcoming 
well-earned retirement.
  Born on October 19, 1957, in the village of Tamuning, Commander San 
Agustin is the son of Joaquin and Ana San Agustin. Prior to being 
accepted at the Naval Academy Preparatory School in Newport Rhode 
Island in 1975, he attended Father Duenas Memorial School. In 1980, he 
earned a degree in Physical Science from the U.S. Naval Academy in 
Annapolis, Maryland.
  Joseph was awarded his Navy Wings from the U.S. Navy Flight School at 
Pensacola Florida in 1982 and went on to serve as a pilot of military 
aircraft for 20 years. He was commissioned as a second lieutenant in 
the United States Marine Corps in 1980 and was assigned to VMGR-352 
``Raiders'' El Toro, California, VMGR-152 Okinawa, and Battalion 7th 
Marines, Camp Pendleton, California. Having transferred over to the 
Navy side as a lieutenant in 1987, he went on to serve with VQ-3 
``Ironman'' Barbers Point, Hawaii, PMRF, Barking Sands Hawaii, and VQ-3 
``Ironman'' Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, prior to being assigned to 
COMNAVMARIANAS, Guam.
  Commander San Agustin holds the distinction of being one of only a 
handful of Chamorros to graduate from the Naval Academy and retire from 
the United States Navy. In addition to the numerous commendations and 
awards he received for his military service, he had also been presented 
various certificates and aviation qualifications which have included 
the Airline Transport Certificate, the Airline Single/Multi-engine 
land, the Flight Engineer Certificate, the Turbojet Powered, and the 
FAA First Class Medical Certificate.
  While on Guam, he played a large role in the required process of 
normalization in the aftermath of various military operations and 
natural disasters. Joseph was involved with Operation Pacific Haven in 
support of over 6,600 Kurdish evacuees fleeing Iraq to seek political 
asylum in the United States. Along with various military personnel, he 
provided humanitarian assistance during the stressful times after the 
crash of Korean Air Flight 801 and the devastation left by super-
typhoon Paka. He was also instrumental in maintaining a positive mutual 
relationship between the Navy and the Government of Guam in his 
position as Guam Liaison for COMNAVMARIANAS.
  Joseph has also been active in community activities on Guam. For the 
past two years, he was the PTA president for Mt. Carmel School in Agat. 
He also finds time to get involved in various community projects with 
the Agat Elementary School, the Agat Mayor's Office, the Agat Running 
Club, the Barrigada Mayor's Office, and the San Vicente Catholic 
Church.
  After more than two decades of distinguished and dedicated service, 
Commander San Agustin has chosen to retire from the Navy. In addition 
to the great contributions his military career has made towards the 
strength and security of this nation, Joseph's achievements and 
community involvement have undoubtedly brought pride to the island of 
Guam and its people. He is a role model; he is a leader; he is a great 
representative of his island home.
  I join his wife, Maria, their children Rachel, Rebecca, and Alan, in 
celebrating his accomplishments throughout his long and successful 
military career. On behalf of the people of Guam, I commend and 
congratulate Commander Joseph Anthony Cruz San Agustin on his well-
earned retirement. I wish him well in his future endeavors and expect 
from him only the best as he once again becomes part of Guam's civilian 
community.

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