[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 63 (Tuesday, May 4, 1999)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E844]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                          HUMANITARIAN AWARDS

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. ROBERT A. UNDERWOOD

                                of guam

                    in the house of representatives

                          Tuesday, May 4, 1999

  Mr. UNDERWOOD. Mr. Speaker, I would like to take this occasion to 
recognize the organizers and honorees of the 1st Annual Tan Chong 
Padula Humanitarian Awards. The awards night will be held on May 8, 
1999, at the Garden Grove Community Center in Garden Grove, CA--an 
endeavor to recognize and honor individuals of Chamorro descent for 
volunteerism and service to the community. Proceeds from this event 
will fund the Tan Chong Padula Scholarship. The first such award is 
scheduled to be presented in the year 2000.
  The idea was first proposed by Lola Sablan-Santos, the executive 
director of the Guam Communications Network. Contrived with the full 
support of the Padula/Roberto family, the annual event is a celebration 
of the life and accomplishments of the late Connie ``Tan Chong'' 
Padula. Tan Chong was born on May 8, 1917, on the island of Guam. She 
moved to the State of California and became a longtime resident of 
Orange County, maintaining a home in Santa Ana from 1968 until 1992.
  Her civic-mindedness, in addition to her kindness, generosity, and 
compassion, earned her a very respected niche in her community. Never 
one to keep to herself, Tan Chong volunteered her services to a host of 
civic activities ranging from church fundraisers to the manning of 
polling stations during elections. As one of the founders of the 
Guamanian Society of Orange County, she spearheaded community 
activities which were almost always held at the Garden Grove Community 
Center. She was widely known for her great support to Chamorro 
community organizations throughout the State of California and for her 
willingness to be of assistance to those in need. Sadly, she passed 
away in Orange County on June 19, 1992.
  This year's event will be held on the anniversary of her 82nd 
birthday. All honorees will receive a medallion especially crafted for 
this annual event by Chamorro artist Ron Castro on Guam and the top 
award will be presented to the individual chosen as ``Humanitarian of 
the Year.''
  This year's awardees in the ``Adult'' category are George Afleje, 
Maria ``Kitalang'' Borja, Heidi Chargualaf, Carmen Cruz, Pacing Cruz, 
Perci Flores, Maria Laguana, Joaquin Naputi, Ann Pangelinan, Joe 
Pangelinan, Celia Perez, Suzanne Robert, Juana Sanchez, Juanita 
``Nita'' Santos, Ernie Tajalle, and Maria Tajalle. In the ``Youth'' 
category, Michael Maguadog, Sarah Mesa, Stefanie Mesa, Bryanna 
``Berry'' Quenga, Nikki Quenga, Michael Van Langeveld, and Tara Van 
Meter were selected. The honor of being chosen as the first recipient 
of the Tan Chong Padula Humanitarian of the Year Award goes to Juana 
Sanchez.
  On behalf of the people of Guam, I congratulate the organizers, 
honorees, and, most of all, the Humanitarian of the Year awardee of the 
1st Annual Tan Chong Padula Humanitarian Awards. Miles away from their 
home island of Guam, these folks managed to combine their resources in 
order to benefit the community in a manner that best represents our 
island culture. Keep up the good work! Si Yu'os Ma'ase'.

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