[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 12 (Thursday, February 10, 2000)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E123]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  CONGRATULATING LOURDES T. PANGELINAN

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. ROBERT A. UNDERWOOD

                                of guam

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, February 10, 2000

  Mr. UNDERWOOD. Mr. Speaker, I would like to commend Ms. Lourdes T. 
Pangelinan for her selection as Director General of the Secretariat of 
the Pacific Community (SPC). The SPC is an organization dedicated to 
the advancement of the Pacific Region's active membership in the global 
community through the protection and promotion of mutual interests. The 
organization strives to emphasize the unique interests of the island 
nations comprising the region. With these objectives on top of their 
agenda, the SPC would surely reap great benefits from Lou Pangelinan's 
abilities, knowledge and vision. Lou is the first Chamorro and the 
first woman to occupy the SPC's top post.
  Born on the island of Guam, Lou is the daughter of Maria Camacho 
Taitano Pangelinan and Jose Guerrero Pangelinan. She grew up in the 
village of Asan and attended the Adelup Elementary School. In 1966, the 
family moved to Castro Valley California where Lou attended the Castro 
Valley High School. She was later admitted to the University of 
California at Davis, California, where she became a University of 
California Board of Regents Scholar and a California State Scholar. 
While working toward a Bachelor of Arts degree, Lou took part in a 
study abroad program in France focusing on political science and the 
French language. Upon graduation, she was a fluent speaker of Chamorro, 
English and French.
  In 1977, Lou returned to Guam to work as a reporter for the Pacific 
Daily News. She later served as liaison to Guam's overseas residents 
and coordinator of federally funded programs from 1979 to 1982. She did 
this while working as special assistant to the Lieutenant Governor of 
Guam in his San Francisco, California office. In 1983, Lou worked on 
national research studies on the effectiveness of U.S. health programs 
with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services in Seattle, 
Washington.
  Lou was back on Guam in 1984, serving as executive assistant to then 
Guam Senator Joseph Ada. While employed by the senator's legislative 
office, she was placed in charge of developing legislation, conducting 
research, disseminating public information, and handling constituent 
services. Upon Senator Ada's election as governor of Guam in 1994, Lou 
was appointed his chief of staff. In addition to being the governor's 
chief assistant on policy development and implementation, she also had 
purview over the Cabinet and the governor's staff.
  Between January 1995, and February 1996, Lou was employed by the 
Superior Court of Guam. At this point she has served in top level 
management positions in all three branches of the island's government. 
As the Deputy Director/Director of Communications, she managed the 
operations of Guam's trial court. In addition, she facilitated judges' 
requirements and acted as liaison to the Guam Legislature on budget and 
policy matters. During her service with the government of Guam, she 
represented the island in key meetings and hearings before the United 
States Congress and the United Nations Committee on Decolonization.
  Lou's involvement with the SPC dates back to the early years of the 
organization's development. Representing the island of Guam, she served 
as Chairperson of the Committee of Representatives of Governments and 
Administrations in May 1989. For the past decade, she played an active 
part in the organization's growth. Her command of the French language, 
her vision, her technical knowledge, and her leadership capabilities 
made her an ideal candidate for a leadership post within the SPC. Prior 
to landing the top job, she served as the organization's deputy 
director general. Upon becoming a member of SPC's executive team, Lou 
was given oversight over the Social Resources Division, Support 
Services Programme and Finance/Administration. As Director General, Lou 
is in the best position to facilitate and convey the island of Guam's 
commitment and support as the SPC charts its course for the new 
millennium.
  Through her distinguished career and outstanding achievements, Lou 
has brought recognition upon herself, the island of Guam, and its 
people. Having been granted the honor and opportunity to be 
instrumental in the future growth and development of the Pacific 
Region, I am sure that Lou will successfully meet the challenge. She 
has always made us proud.
  I join her family in celebrating her extra-ordinary accomplishments. 
On behalf of the people of Guam, I extend my sincerest congratulations 
to Lou on this recent accomplishment. I wish her and the SPC continued 
success in the years to come,

                          ____________________