[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 69 (Friday, May 24, 2002)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E905-E906]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               2002 GUAM BUSINESS HALL OF FAME LAUREATES

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. ROBERT A. UNDERWOOD

                                of guam

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, May 22, 2002

  Mr. UNDERWOOD. Mr. Speaker, for the past decade, the Guam Business 
Hall of Fame has paid tribute to outstanding business leaders who have 
made positive contributions towards the economic growth of the island 
of Guam. Residents of Guam as well as businesses that have operated on 
Guam for at least ten years may be nominated for this

[[Page E906]]

honor. This year, Frank C. Guzman, the founder of International 
Distributors, Inc. and Continental Airlines, the parent company of Guam 
and Micronesia's hometown airline--Continental Micronesia--were named 
laureates to be inducted to the Guam Business Hall of Fame.
  Frank Guzman's first business venture was in the wholesale-retail 
business. In 1970, at the young age of 23, he became co-owner of 
Chamorro Sons, Inc. Two years later--in 1972, he co-established Island 
Creations, Inc., a T-shirt company which emphasized Chamorro themes. 
That same year, he took control of Chamorro Mart, a local grocery store 
which he owned and operated until 1980 when he began devoting his 
energies towards International Distributors, Inc.
  In addition to being co-owner of Ocean Pacific Motors, a BMW auto 
dealership, from 1985 to 1990, Frank also served as International 
Distributors, Inc.'s president and chief executive officer from 1980 
until 2000. During this time, the company became a major importer, 
wholesaler and supplier of various food products for the island's 
hotels, restaurants and grocery stores. International Distributors, 
Inc. additionally supplies food outlets in the neighboring islands of 
Palau, the Northern Marianas, and the Federated States of Micronesia as 
well as Defense Commissary Agency (DECA) stores and visiting ships.
  A respected member of the business community, Frank has always found 
time to contribute towards civic and community affairs. He has been a 
strong supporter of the Boy Scouts of America, the Babe Ruth Baseball 
League, the Ronald McDonald House in Hawaii, the Make-a-Wish 
Foundation, and the annual Christmas Drop Project. He has also taken 
upon the role of mentor to his employees. Through his guidance and 
support a number of them now own businesses of their own. For his 
efforts and achievements he has recieved numerous awards from 
institutions and organizations such as the University of Guam, the Guam 
Community College, the Santa Barbara Church, the Guam Department of 
Military Affairs, and the Guam Marianas Lions Club. Frank was also a 
founding member of the Micronesian Chef's Association whose annual Chef 
of the Year award is named in his honor.
  Frank's efforts and contributions have truly earned him a place in 
the hearts of the people of Guam. His induction to the Guam Business 
Hall of Fame is yet another indication of this appreciation.
  Also deserving of praise is the largest private employer on Guam, 
Continental Micronesia and its parent company, Continental Airlines. 
Continental Airlines established regular air service within Micronesia 
based on Guam in 1968. Upon overcoming problems with maintenance 
facilities, aircraft parts, certified technicians and communications 
infrastructure, the air carrier was able to secure route authority 
between Japan and the island of Saipan in 1976. Known locally as ``Air 
Mike,'' the fledgling subsidiary, at the time established a route 
system that spanned the Pacific from Asia to Micronesia.
  As the region's tourism industry flourished, ``Air Mike'' was able to 
expand its flight frequencies and flight schedules. Additional 
aircraft, equipment and ground facilities later contributed to an 
expanded route including Manila, Nagoya, Port Moresby and, later, 
Honolulu. ``Air Mike's'' operations today boasts an all jet fleet and a 
$184 million budget for supplies, leaseholds and payroll--all spent on 
Guam benefitting the local economy.
  As Continental Airlines was broadening its worldwide prominence, 
``Air Mike'' was cementing its role in the Pacific region. For the past 
thirty-four years Continental Micronesia has been committed towards 
providing safe and reliable transportation service with the highest 
degree of care for their customers. It has now become Guam's largest 
private employer and the area's premier air carrier with regular 
flights to a wide number of destinations in the Asia-Pacific region. 
For three years in a row, the company has been ranked at the top among 
businesses in Micronesia.
  ``Air Mike'' is also a long-time supporter of several local non-
profit groups. Through donations of more than $1 million each year in 
free and discounted airline tickets as well as cargo transportation, 
Continental Air Micronesia has touched people's lives has made a huge 
difference throughout Guam and the region. A founding supporter of the 
``Ayuda Foundation,'' the air carrier has provided great assistance 
towards the group's efforts to provide medical care throughout the 
Micronesian islands.
  Laureates Frank Guzman and Continental Airlines, through its 
subsidiary Continental Micronesia, have made significant contributions 
to every aspect of Guam's development for the past few decades. I would 
like to take this occasion to commend and congratulate them on all 
their accomplishments and on their well-deserved induction to the Guam 
Business Hall of Fame. I join the Guam Chamber of Commerce and the 
people of Guam, in celebrating the extraordinary contributions and 
accomplishments of this year's laureates.

                          ____________________