[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 100 (Monday, July 22, 2002)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1312]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


         TRIBUTE TO FORMER GUAM SENATOR ELIZABETH PEREZ ARRIOLA

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. ROBERT A. UNDERWOOD

                                of guam

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, July 22, 2002

  Mr. UNDERWOOD. Mr. Speaker, the island of Guam bids farewell to an 
esteemed public servant who has committed her life to the people of 
Guam. The Honorable Elizabeth Perez Arriola, a member of the 17th 
through the 22nd Guam Legislatures, passed away on June 26, 2002, at 
the age of 73.
  A woman who earned respect and admiration throughout the region, 
Senator Arriola represented the best the island of Guam has to offer in 
terms of the strong but gentle leadership role of women in Chamorro 
society. Graduating as class salutatorian from George Washington High 
School in Mangilao, she went on to earn a Bachelor of Arts degree from 
Rosemont College in Rosemont, Pennsylvania. She later acquired special 
training through leadership management workshops at Boston University 
in Massachusetts.
  Among the honors she acquired early in her career included election 
to the Who's Who Among Students in American Colleges and Universities. 
She was also named Honorary Citizen of Palmetto State, South Carolina, 
and was selected as the Most Inspirational Woman at a Women's 
Conference in 1977. Beck was the first chairperson of the Women's 
Democratic Party of Guam, as well as a Charter member and former Vice 
President of the American Association of University Women. She also had 
the honor and privilege of being the first female lector at St. Peter's 
Basilica in Rome, during the Beatification of Padre Luis Diego de San 
Vitores in October 1986.
  Senator Arriola's career with the Government of Guam began when she 
was elected to the 17th Guam Legislature. For two consecutive terms, in 
the 17th and 18th Guam Legislatures, she held the post of legislative 
secretary. Throughout her twelve years as a senator she held 
memberships in the Committees on Rules; Education; General Governmental 
Operations; Welfare and Ecology; Federal, Foreign and Legal Affairs; 
Ethics and Standards; Economic Development; and Ways and Means. She 
also chaired the Committee on Youth, Senior Citizens and Cultural 
Affairs.
  It was as a senator that she greatly demonstrated her dedication to 
the island, her family and, as a devout Roman Catholic, her faith. As 
the wife and mother of eight children, she relied upon distinctive 
experiences and abilities as she performed her official 
responsibilities. She was known for her tough stances against gambling 
and abortion and introduced legislation addressing a wide range of 
issues affecting the island and its culture focusing special concern on 
those affecting women, youth and senior citizens.
  Her membership in the Guam Legislature enabled her to bring further 
prestige for Guam. She served as Vice President of the Association of 
Pacific Island Legislatures (APIL) and was a member of the Commerce and 
Labor Committee on the State Federal Assembly of the National 
Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL). She also served the Health 
Task Force as well as the Economic Development and International Trade 
Committee of the Western Legislative Conference (WLC).
  Beck Arriola's community and civic affiliations and activities 
included memberships in Beauty World Guam, Ltd and the Soroptimist 
International of Guam. She was also a former president of the Kundirana 
Guam Charity Association and the charter president and executive 
advisor of St. Dominic's Senior Care Volunteers Association. She was a 
worthy regent of the Catholic Daughters of America and a board member 
of the Guam Lytico and Bodig Association. She also served as executive 
director of the Guam Museum Board of Trustees.
  She leaves behind a great legacy of service and accomplishments. She 
was a well loved role model. She leaves behind not only a husband and 
family, but a proud and grateful island. I join her husband, former 
Speaker Joaquin Arriola, her children, Vincent, Franklin, Michael, 
Joaquin Jr., Anthony, Jacqueline, Anita and Lisa, her many 
grandchildren, and the people of Guarn in celebrating her life, 
honoring her achievements and mourning the loss of a wife, mother, 
community leader, and fellow public servant. Adios, Beck.

                          ____________________