[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 17 (Tuesday, February 26, 2002)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E205-E206]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




              TRIBUTE TO THE LATE CLEOTILDE ``DING'' GOULD

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. ROBERT A. UNDERWOOD

                                of guam

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, February 26, 2002

  Mr. UNDERWOOD. Mr. Speaker, Chamorro culture lost one of its most 
ardent advocates with the recent passing of Cleotilde ``Ding'' Castro 
Gould at the age of 71. An inspiring mentor who touched a lot of people 
through her kindness, warmth, and humor, Mrs. Gould was a woman who 
lived by a set of lofty ideals and a firm commitment to the island she 
loved so much.
  Primarily known as an educator and as a specialist on Chamorro 
language and culture, Mrs. Gould played a key role in the formation of 
the Guam Department of Education's Chamorro language and Culture 
program. She served as the program's director until her retirement 
several years ago. The program, which greatly progressed under her 
guidance, has rekindled interest on Chamorro culture as well as the 
recent rebirth and rejuvination of the Chamorro language on Guam. It 
was under her leadership that the Chamorro language program became part 
of the curriculum of the public schools in Guam. She was the advocate 
who spoke to the political leadership about requiring the teaching of 
the Chamorro language. She was the expert who used the Chamorro 
language in ways no one else could match. She was the teacher whose 
enthusiasm inspired an entire generation of Chamorro language teachers.
  In addition to her administrative capacities, Mrs. Gould also made 
significant contributions to the body of Chamorro music and literature 
that we have today. Her many talents included that of singing, 
songwriting and creative writing. In addition to having been an 
accomplished performer of Kantan Chamorrita (Chamorro Songs), she has 
also been credited for several compositions made popular by local 
island personalities. In the 1980's, she also produced a video 
documentary of the Kantan Chamorrita song form which is the ancient 
call-and-response impromptu song form practiced today by only a few 
remaining artists.
  Mrs. Gould was also the writer and creator of the Juan Malimanga 
comic strip. A daily feature in the Pacific Daily News, Guam's daily 
newspaper, the strip and its characters embody the Chamorro perspective 
and our local tendency to use humor either to get points across or to 
express criticism in a witty and non-confrontational manner.
  It was, however, her talent as a storyteller that endeared her to 
many. For more than four decades, her captivating voice and gestures 
enthralled the imagination of her audience. Her great talent in 
conveying ancient Chamorro legends to the younger generation has placed 
great demand on her skills throughout the island's many schools. Mrs. 
Gould also represented the island as a storyteller in a Pacific islands 
tour sponsored by the Consortium of Pacific Arts and Cultures and she 
employed the same talent in 1988 as part of the Guam delegation to the 
Pacific Festival of Arts in Australia. She has been honored by the 
people of Guam as a master storyteller, a great honor in Pacific island 
cultures.
  Through her song lyrics, the comical situations she had developed, 
and the lessons brought forth by her storytelling, Mrs. Gould touched a 
generation of children, young adults and students. Her exceptional 
ability to communicate with people from a wide range of age and 
educational backgrounds enabled her to pass on the values and standards 
of our elders to the younger generation. Dedicating her life towards 
the preservation of our island's culture and traditions, she became one 
of my

[[Page E206]]

best friends and favorite colleagues in the field of education. She 
represents the best in that indomitable Chamorro spirit.
  The passing of Mrs. Gould has left in me a deep sense of personal 
loss. I have known Mrs. Gould for over 25 years as a fellow 
professional and advocate for the survival of the Chamorro language and 
culture. I worked with her in the Chamorro Language and Culture 
Program, as a fellow commissioner in the Chamorro Language Commission 
and as a fellow activist in a number of activities pertaining to Guam's 
indigenous language and culture. She was a warm, caring woman whose 
impact on the island will not be forgotten. She had a special place in 
her heart and home for people who needed help. She took in people and 
helped them if they were in trouble, inspired them if they needed a 
lift and set them on the right path. It was this part of her life which 
gave her the greatest joy and where she felt she had the greatest 
impact.
  I take great comfort with the knowledge that her legacy will live on 
and will forever be cherished by the people of Guam. I join her family, 
especially her daughter, Sandy; her son-in-law, Brian; her 
grandchildren, Silas Alexander and Bella Cleotilde; and her reared son, 
Rick, who, along with the people of Guam, mourn this great loss and, at 
the same time, celebrate the life and work of a great friend, 
colleague, loving mother, respected pioneer and staunch advocate of the 
Chamorro culture. Adios, Ding.

                          ____________________