[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 30 (Thursday, March 8, 2001)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E331-E332]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               GUAM'S 480TH ANNIVERSARY OF DISCOVERY DAY

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. ROBERT A. UNDERWOOD

                                of guam

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, March 8, 2001

  Mr. UNDERWOOD. Mr. Speaker, Ferdinand Magellan, one of the world's 
most famous explorer's, who also became known as the first European to 
circumnavigate the Earth, landed on Guam on March 6, 1521. In 
observance of this landing, the people of Guam celebrate Discovery Day. 
This past Tuesday, March 6, 2001, Guam celebrated the 480th year 
anniversary of Discovery Day.
  When Ferdinand Magellan landed on Guam, he brought with him a crew 
dying of starvation and suffering from scurvy. The Chamorro people, the 
indigenous people of Guam and the original inhabitants of the island, 
welcomed the explorer and his crew to the shores of Guam and extended 
their hospitality. They replenished their water supply, restocked the 
ship with fresh fruits, vegetables and other food items the explorer 
and his crew needed.
  It is important to know that prior to Ferdinand Magellan landing on 
Guam, the Chamorro people lived a communal life. When someone extended 
a lending hand, reciprocity was an unspoken understanding among the 
Chamorro people--to ask for something that one needed was not viewed 
the way someone from the western world would view it. An islander did 
not need to ask, they simply went to their neighbor and took what they 
needed. In western society this would be seen as stealing, in the 
ancient communal society this was seen as sharing. Everybody owned 
everything and shared whatever they had with others in the community--
nobody was left to want for anything. This was a structured and a 
highly organized society with a people who had customs and beliefs of 
their own, were excellent craftsmen, fishermen and seafarers.
  Historians are not clear on the exact date or reason the ensuring 
event took place, but to punish the Chamorro people for taking his 
skiff, Magellan killed several Chamorro male villagers and burned many 
of their homes. It may have been that the Chamorro people only expected 
reciprocity for their hospitality and as seafarers they were curios in 
the skiff. It may also have been the lack of knowledge and 
understanding of a different society's structure and beliefs that led 
to Magellan punishing the people of Guam. What the Chamorro people 
believed as payment for their hospitality was more than likely viewed 
as theft from the perspective of Magellan and his crew. Soon after this 
unfortunate event Magellan and his crew left.
  It seems ironic that Guam would celebrate a day which actually led to 
death and destruction on the island, and it seems ironic that Guam 
would celebrate a day alleging its discovery, when in fact, Guam was 
not a desolate island; it was a populated island, with organized 
societal structures and a full and robust civilization.
  The commemoration of Magellan's visit is now ironically merged with 
the celebration of Guam's native culture. During the month of March 
schools, businesses, and community organizations take the time to 
reflect upon the meaning, the spirit, and the survival of the Chamorro 
people. As one of the originators of the celebration in Guam schools, I 
take great pride in acknowledging the spirit of self-renewal and self-
discovery which Guam is currently undergoing. I also must take note of 
the historical disaster which befell the Chamorro people of Guam as a 
result of contact with the Europeans. In the century after Magellan, 
Spainish
  A great Chamorro leader of the 17th century saw the meaning of 
colonialism and the physical, as well as mental, consequences of 
domination. Hurau is commemorated in history as having made a speech to 
his warriors. I want his speech to be inserted in the Record so that 
his generation of Chamorros can be remembered for their heroism, and so 
that future generations of Chamorros will be reminded of this heroism, 
and so that all Americans will become knowledgeable of the history and 
trials of a great people.

                     Hurau's Speech to His Warriors

       The Europeans would have done better to remain in their own 
     country. We have no need of their help to live happily. 
     Satisfied with what our islands furnish us, we desire nothing 
     else. The knowledge which they have given us has only 
     increased our needs and stimulated our desires. They find it 
     evil that we do not dress. If that were necessary, nature 
     would have provided. They treat us as gross people and regard 
     us as barbarians. But do we have to believe them? Under the 
     pretext of instructing us they are corrupting us. They take 
     away from us the primitive simplicity in which we live. They 
     dare to take away our liberty which should be dearer to us 
     than life itself. They try to persuade us that we will be 
     happier and some of us have been blinded into believing their 
     words. But can we have such sentiments if we reflect that we 
     have been covered with misery and maladies ever since these 
     foreigners have come to disturb our peace? Before they 
     arrived on the island we did not know insects. Did we know 
     rats, flies, mosquitoes and all the other little animals 
     which constantly torment us? These are the beautiful presents 
     they have made to us. And what have their floating machines 
     brought us? Formerly we did not have rheumatism and 
     inflammations. If we had sicknesses we had remedies for them. 
     But they have brought us their diseases but do not teach us 
     the remedies. Is it necessary that our cupidity and evil 
     desires make us want to have iron and other bagatelles which 
     only render us unhappy? The Spaniards reproach us because of 
     our poverty, ignorance and lack of industry. But if we are 
     poor, as they claim, then what do they search for here? If 
     they didn't have need of us, they would not expose themselves 
     to so many perils and make such great efforts to establish 
     themselves in our midst. For what purpose do they teach us 
     except to make us adopt their customs and subject ourselves 
     to their laws and lose the precious liberty left to us by our 
     ancestors? In a word they try to make us unhappy in the hope 
     of an ephemeral happiness which can be enjoyed only after 
     death.
       They treat our history as fables and fictions. Haven't we 
     the same right concerning that which they teach us as 
     incontestable truths? They abuse our simplicity and good 
     faith. All their skill is directed towards tricking us; all 
     their knowledge tends only to make us unhappy. If we are 
     ignorant and blind, as they would have us believe, it is 
     because we have learned their evil plans too late and have 
     allowed them to settle here. Let us not lose courage in the 
     presence of our misfortune. They are only a handful. We can 
     easily defeat them. Even though we don't have their deadly 
     weapons which spread destruction all over, we can overcome 
     them by our number. We are stronger than we think and we can 
     quickly free ourselves from these foreigners and regain our 
     former freedom.

  I take the opportunity to bring this historical background to the 
House in order to provide the basis of understanding for legislation I 
recently introduced, H.R. 308, An Act to Establish the Guam War Claims 
Review Commission, and a House Concurrent Resolution, A Resolution to 
Reaffirm the Commitment of the United States to help Guam achieve full 
Self-Governance, I will soon introduce.
  After more than four centuries of colonial rule, Spanish, Japanese, 
and American, the people of Guam are entering a new world of self-
discovery. Discovery by others is not nearly as important as discovery 
of one's self, definition by others is meaningless if you cannot 
initially define yourself, and determination

[[Page E332]]

of your future pales in significance to self-determination. Guam, in 
full partnership with the United States, and in strong desire to remain 
an integral part of the United States, is now undergoing a process of 
self-discovery, self-definition, and self-determination. This process 
will eventually wind its way through this body and call upon each and 
everyone of us, not only to treat with respect the experiences of the 
people of Guam, but to fully apply the best principles of democracy and 
fair play which makes America the great Nation that she is.
  In the coming weeks, I will explain in greater detail H.R. 308, the 
Guam War Claims Review Commission and the Concurrent Resolution that 
reaffirms the United States Commitment to help Guam achieve full-self-
governance. Both of these proposals seek justice for the people of Guam 
and true democracy and fair play as unique members of the American 
family.
  In conclusion, I must believe that the people of Guam celebrate 
Discovery Day to recognize our rich culture and understand our unique 
history. This will enable us to understand how we are perceived and 
allow us to articulate our true history so that we, along with the 
United States, in this New World order era, can redefine and maintain 
our strong relationship, and allow Guam to a greater voice in how Guam 
is governed.