[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 168 (Thursday, December 6, 2001)]
[House]
[Pages H9055-H9056]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




             SIXTIETH ANNIVERSARY OF ATTACK ON PEARL HARBOR

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a previous order of the House, the 
gentleman from Guam (Mr. Underwood) is recognized for 5 minutes.
  Mr. UNDERWOOD. Mr. Speaker, tomorrow, December 7, the people of the 
United States will take the time to remember the attack on Pearl 
Harbor, which occurred nearly 60 years ago. In ceremonies at Pearl 
Harbor and particularly at the USS Arizona Memorial, we will take the 
time to remember the attack on our country, and we will pay tribute to 
those who died during that fateful Sunday morning. Our tribute and our 
effort will be made more significant as we simultaneously reflect on 
the heinous attack on our people made nearly 3 months ago in New York 
City and at the Pentagon across the river from Washington, D.C.
  On the same day that Pearl Harbor was attacked, an American territory 
was also attacked at Wake Island and the then Commonwealth of the 
Philippines and my home island of Guam. Guam endured some 32 months of 
a brutal enemy occupation in which my people were tested and proved 
their loyalty and steadfastness to the principles that make America 
great.
  But that day was December 8, 1941, on the other side of the 
international dateline, and it is that day that brings back the 
thoughts of struggle and bravery and patriotism and sacrifice which 
marks the World War II experience of the people of Guam.
  But there is another story which needs to be told and which links the 
attacks on Guam and Pearl Harbor in a unique way. The people of Guam 
were present at Pearl Harbor. The people of Guam fought at Pearl 
Harbor, and the people at Guam died at Pearl Harbor. We know of at 
least 12 American sailors who were from Guam and who perished during 
that fateful morning. Six were aboard the USS Arizona and their names 
are on the solemn Arizona Memorial alongside their shipmates. Their 
sacrifice and devotion to duty have never specifically been recognized, 
and I will do so this weekend in Honolulu with a solemn wreath-laying 
at the Arizona Memorial.
  The 12 Chamorro men who perished have a unique story to tell. All 
were mess attendants. All were part of a military institution at the 
time which allowed Chamorro men from Guam to join the U.S. Navy only as 
officers' mess attendants, cooks and stewards. However, they were not 
bitter, and they performed their duties and responsibilities in an 
exemplary way. They were grateful for the opportunity to join because 
only a limited number of men were accepted from Guam annually into the 
Navy during the decade prior to World War II. This provided an 
opportunity for them to become U.S. citizens and the chance to prove 
themselves, their devotion to duty and sacrifices made more special 
because of the circumstances of their service. They were not yet 
American citizens, they were denied the opportunity to serve in a 
different capacity, and they were sometimes not given the respect which 
they deserved. Yet they proudly served; and they passed along their 
patriotism, love of service, and pride of island to succeeding 
generations.
  It is no longer remarkable to see Chamorro men from Guam serve in the 
military in a wide variety of capacities. It is not even remarkable to 
see so many Chamorros today serving as officers who themselves are the 
children and the grandchildren of these mess attendants. In fact, the 
master of ceremonies for this weekend's ceremony is Commander Peter 
Gumataotao, the son of Afustin Gumataotao, one of the mess attendants 
who survived the attack on Pearl Harbor. The people of Guam stand 
taller today because they stood on the shoulders of these men, and I 
certainly would like to pay them a tribute by reading the names of our 
elders: Gregorio San Nicolas Aguon, Nicolas San Nicolas Fegurgur, 
Francisco Reyes Mafnas, Vicente Gogue Meno, Jose Sanchez Quinata, 
Francisco Unpingco Rivera, Ignacio Camacho Farfan, Jose

[[Page H9056]]

 San Nicolas Flores, Jesus Francisco Garcia, Andres Franquez Mafnas, 
Jesus Manalisay Mata, Enrique Castro Mendiola.

                              {time}  1800

  On Guam, we will never forget these men. In many Chamorro families 
around the country, we will not forget these men. We must make sure 
that every time we remember Pearl Harbor, we remember all of the men 
who were there and who gave the ultimate sacrifice.
  The wreath will be inscribed ``Ti manmaleffa ham--ningaian.'' We will 
never forget--never.
  In this, the 60th anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor, we will 
not forget.

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