[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 112 (Friday, August 3, 2001)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1516-E1517]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         GENGHIS KHAN FURNITURE

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. ROBERT A. UNDERWOOD

                                of guam

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, August 2, 2001

  Mr. UNDERWOOD. Mr. Speaker, in 1971, Robert and Anna Kao came to Guam 
upon Anna's recruitment to work as the Sales Manager for the furniture 
store at Andersen Air Force Base. Shortly thereafter, the couple opened 
their own furniture store, Genghis Khan Furniture.
  The business grew steadily and over thirty years become the leading 
provider of fine furniture to the residents and businesses of the

[[Page E1517]]

island. Based on their success on Guam, Genghis Khan Furniture has been 
able to branch out. They now have stores in San Diego and San Marcos, 
California, in addition to a location in mainland China.
  Robert and Anna credit their success to their hard work and 
perseverance. However, they admit that they would not have been able to 
accomplish this feat without the invaluable support of those close to 
them. Their children, Michael and Heidi, provided them inspiration and 
drive to succeed while loyal employees such as their interior design 
consultant, Sylvia Flores, and their sales manager, Hsui Pi Perez, 
insured the success of the business that they started.
  Despite the rigors and stress involved in running a business, Robert 
and Anna still managed to become actively involved in community 
affairs. A member of the masonic fraternity, Robert was also a former 
president of the Chinese Association of Guam. As a charter member of 
the Federation of Asian Peoples of Guam, he served as the association's 
first president. While serving as president of the Confucian Society of 
Guam in 1997, Robert was instrumental in lobbying the Guam Legislature 
to designate September 28, Confucius' birthday, as ``Teacher's 
Appreciation Day.'' In addition, he was also appointed by the Republic 
of China Overseas Chinese Affairs Commission to serve as the Overseas 
Chinese Affairs Commissioner on Guam--a position he held for several 
years. Due to his prominent standing within the community, he was able 
to coordinate numerous cultural exchanges between Taiwan, China, and 
Guam.
  Anna has also served as a director for several local nonprofit 
organizations. She currently serves as Vice-President for the Chinese 
Merchants Association. In addition, she also sits on the Board of 
Directors for Sanctuary, Incorporated, a local nonprofit organization 
assisting Guam's youth.
  For the past three decades, Genghis Khan Furniture has been at the 
forefront of providing top quality furniture on Guam. Its founders, 
Robert and Anna Kao, have been distinguished and productive members of 
our community. On behalf of the people of Guam, I offer my 
congratulations to the Kaos and to the employees of Genghis Khan 
Furniture on their 30th anniversary.

                          ____________________