[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 127 (Wednesday, September 26, 2001)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1743-E1744]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   TRIBUTE TO KGTF GENERAL MANAGER GERALDINE ``GINGER'' S. UNDERWOOD

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. ROBERT A. UNDERWOOD

                                of guam

                    in the house of representatives

                     Wednesday, September 26, 2001

  Mr. UNDERWOOD. Mr. Speaker, I would like to commend and congratulate 
a superb and admirable woman, Geraldine ``Ginger'' Underwood, upon her 
retirement after 29 years of service to the people of Guam.
  I can truly speak of Ginger's accomplishments for I have known her 
for many years. The daughter of Thomas Sapp and Marie Garcia, Ginger is 
a product of Guam's educational system. She attended Wettengel 
Elementary and Tamuning Elementary as well as St. Anthony School. She 
later attended Dededo Junior High and graduated from John F. Kennedy 
High School. She went on to earn a degree from the University of Guam.
  Ginger started out her career in government service with the Guam 
Telephone Authority. Having been employed at this agency from 1972 
until 1983, Ginger held various positions namely as a telephone 
operator, claims adjuster, customer service representative, service 
office division manager, and directory manager.
  Most noteworthy, however, was, her accomplishments at the Guam 
Educational Telecommunications Corporation--the Guam Public Television, 
KGTF Channel 12. She started out in 1984 as a private secretary. Prior 
to serving as the television station's administrative officer, she was 
its acting general manager. In 1995, she gained the position she holds 
today by becoming KGTF's general manager.
  Upon taking KGTF's top post, Ginger spearheaded office improvements 
and facilitated a more productive work environment. Under her 
direction, the station purchase and installed a digital ready (DTV) 
tower and antenna. Shelves to house thousands of tapes were made 
available for the Programming Department. An employee lounge room was 
constructed for employees and guests. Televisions were placed in every 
office department in order to familiarize employees with KGTF TV 
programs and services. The station facility was beautified by tree-
planting and landscaping projects. Ginger also made sure that rusted 
shipping containers used as hiding places by students skipping school 
were removed from the KGTF yard.
  As general manager, Ginger was given the opportunity to attend 
national conferences on public broadcasting. She also used her position 
at KGTF to gain involvement in a wide variety of community and 
fundraising activities. KGTF's major fundraisers include the annual 
KGTF/MWR Fourth of July Carnival, quarterly pledge drives, island-wide 
Read-a-Thons, golf tournaments and international wine, cheese and food 
tasting festivals. Her participation in community events such as the 
Annual Halloween Carnival, the Junior Achievement Fair, the Guma Mami 
Art Auction, and the Islandwide Easter Egg Hunt have made her a highly 
recognized community figure.
  Under her leadership, PBS programming and activities gained wide 
popularity and acceptance on Guam. Ginger was responsible for 
implementing the Mister Rogers, Clothes for Kids Drive, the Reading 
Rainbow's Young Writers and Illustrators Contest, and having

[[Page E1744]]

popular children's programs costumes made available for awareness 
activities on Guam. Ginger was instrumental in bringing the actor who 
portrays Mr. McFeeley on Mister Rogers' Neighborhood, Dave Newell, to 
Guam. This endeavor in which Mr. Newell was able to visit 17 Guam 
schools in a period of four days earned for KGTF this year the 
prestigious Mister Rogers' Neighborhood Trolley Award. Among the 
additional awards given to KGTF while under Ginger's direction was the 
Guam Developmental Disabilities Council Media Representative of the 
Year award for outstanding services and sensitivity to Guam's disabled 
community in 1997, the Micronesia Chapter of the Society of 
Professional Journalists award for outstanding community service to the 
people of Guam in 1999, in addition to the Program of the Year and 
Photo of Year awards of the Governor's Recognition Excel Program both 
of which were earned in the year 2000.
  Ginger is happily married to my brother, Richard. Ginger and Richard 
have two daughters, Ursula and Amy, two sons, Richard and John Thomas, 
and an adorable granddaughter, Bellissima ``Bailey'' Underwood-Corso.
  After over twenty-nine years of achievements and distinguished 
service, Ginger has chosen to retire and spend more time with her 
family. I share with my brother, Richard, nieces, nephews and family 
members the pride we have for Ginger's work and accomplishments. On 
behalf of the people of Guam, I congratulate Ginger on her well-earned 
retirement and wish her the best in her future endeavors.

                          ____________________