[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 141 (Wednesday, October 8, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2018]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  GUTIERREZ AFLAGUE ``LARRY'' LORENZO

                                 ______
                                 

                       HON. MADELEINE Z. BORDALLO

                                of guam

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, October 8, 2003

  Ms. BORDALLO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the memory of a very 
dear friend, Mr. Gutierrez Aflague ``Larry'' Lorenzo, who passed away 
on September 24, 2003 at the age of 88 years.
  Larry was an institution at Government House, the official residence 
of the Governor of Guam, serving as Chief Executive Chef during the 
terms of Governors Bill Daniels, Manuel F.L. Guerrero, Carlos G. 
Camacho, Ricardo J. Bordallo, and Paul M. Calvo. While working for 
these Chief Executives he served their First Ladies, including myself, 
not only as our chef, but as a friend, and as a teacher and advisor in 
the culinary arts. His long tenure at Government House was as much a 
credit to his recognized skills and talent with food as it was to his 
warm personality and winsome demeanor. Larry made everybody feel at 
home in Government House.
  Larry's fine cuisine was sampled and eagerly savored by visiting 
dignitaries including several U.S. Presidents and Vice Presidents, 
Presidential Cabinet members, Members of Congress, and Queen Elizabeth 
and Prince Phillip of England and Pope John Paul II. As a true 
Chamorro, Larry understood the important role food plays in all social 
gatherings on Guam.
  Larry did not start his life as a cook. At the age of 25, he joined 
the U.S. Merchant Marines and was assigned to Wake Island. In early 
1941, he was transferred to Honolulu. When America liberated Guam Larry 
returned to his island home to work for Admiral Chester W. Nimitz, 
Commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet. Recognizing his aptitude for the 
culinary arts, Admiral Nimitz introduced Larry to a German Chef who 
trained the young Guamanian to master the art and science of food 
preparation and presentation.
  In 1961, Larry was hired by Governor Bill Daniels and so began his 
twenty-five years of service to a succession of Governors, First Ladies 
and the people of Guam. In those years, he became well known for the 
quality of his cooking but he became most famous for his pastries. His 
attention to exquisite detail in his cakes often found people 
commenting that they thought the flowers on his cakes, especially the 
roses, looked real.
  As First Lady, I knew Larry for eight years. During those years, I 
learned so much about Chamorro cooking--Larry was an advisor and mentor 
in the preparation of my Leblon Finatinas. In all official functions, 
Larry was ever present, advising, supervising and making sure that 
everything was just right. Larry was appreciated by everyone who knew 
him. To those of us who learned and worked closely with him, he will 
always have a special place in our hearts.
  Adios Larry Si Yu'os Ma'ase para todos y un naane ham, para todos y 
un fanague ham. Adios, my friend.

                          ____________________