[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 49 (Friday, April 26, 2002)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E649]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[[Page E649]]
           MANFRED PEIPER: GUAM'S 2001 EXECUTIVE OF THE YEAR

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. ROBERT A. UNDERWOOD

                                of guam

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, April 25, 2002

  Mr. UNDERWOOD. Mr. Speaker, For the past nineteen years, the Guam 
business community along with the local chapter of the American Red 
Cross puts together an annual event honoring Guam's ``Executive of the 
Year.'' For 2001, the honor was bestowed upon Manfred H. Peiper, the 
general manager of the Hilton Guam Resort and Spa. A returning resident 
of Guam, Manfred was born in Hamburg, Germany on March 25, 1945. 
Orphaned at the age of sixteen, he was introduced to the hotel industry 
at an early age. Having had no choice but to fend for himself, he 
decided to take a job in the hotel business. A small family owned 
business called the Nienhause in Borken trusted him with a wide range 
of responsibilities and got him acquainted with the many facets of 
hotel management and operations. He later enrolled and graduated in 
1966, from the Hotel Management School of Berlin where he earned the 
equivalent of a bachelor of arts degree in hotel management.
  Manfred first joined Hilton International in 1969 taking a position 
at the Paris Hilton. He soon found himself working for the company in, 
among other locations, Deseldorf, Curacao and London. He took over as 
general manager for Hilton Guam in January 1988. His original plan to 
stay on the island for a few years eventually became a ten-year tour 
during which time he was able to secure $100 million worth of 
renovations and improvements to Hilton's facilities on Guam. Also under 
his direction, repairs were expeditiously completed after Hilton Guam 
sustained $44 million in damages from an 8.1 magnitude earthquake in 
1993. In 1995, he took on additional responsibilities for the 
corporation as vice-president for East Asia and Thailand while 
maintaining his post as general manager on Guam.
  Manfred and his family moved to Tokyo in 1998. Maintaining residence 
at the location of Hilton's flagship hotel for the region enabled him 
to better perform his corporate duties. For the next six years, he had 
the responsibility for 12 existing Hilton properties as well as a 
number of hotels under development in Japan, China, Korea, Taiwan, the 
Philippines and Guam. In 2000, he was welcomed back to his old post on 
Guam. His corporate level stint made him miss the challenges of direct 
interaction with employees, customers and the community.
  On Guam, Manfred is well-known as both a leader and a team-player. 
The years he has spent on Guam is highlighted by a commendable record 
of service and contributions to community and civic organizations. In 
many instances, he has demonstrated his commitment to the advancement 
of tourism and the service industry on the island. As a manager, this 
work and dedication is reflected in the excellent service provided by 
his employees. As a community leader, he has accepted leadership posts 
and remains an active participant in civic activities. He has chaired 
the Guam Hotel and Restaurant Association and has been a board member 
of the Guam Visitors Bureau. Manfred is also a leading supporter of the 
Guam Symphony Society.
  In light of his achievements and contributions, Manfred Peiper 
rightfully deserves to be honored. I join his wife, Li Wei, his 
daughter, Michelle, his sons, Nathly, Graham, and Mark-Alexander, in 
celebrating his accomplishments. The island community is elated with 
his desire to return to the island and we are hoping that he will be 
with us this time for good. Danke Schon and Si Yu'os Ma'ase', Manfred!
  Also deserving recognition are the 2001 nominees for ``Executive of 
the Year''--Andrew D.M. Harford, Joseph E. Husslein, Karla Gonzalez 
Kehres, Ronald Leach, Gerald S.A. Perez, Karri Trahin Perez, Jay R. 
Shedd, Willie Tan and Gerald P. Yingling. As, with Manfred, these 
individuals have also made noteworthy contributions to the local 
business community. We commend them and appreciate their good work.

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