[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 54 (Monday, April 26, 2004)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E645]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   RECOGNIZING THE SOROPTIMIST INTERNATIONAL OF GUAM AND SOROPTIMIST 
 INTERNATIONAL OF MARIANAS, SOROPTIMIST INTERNATIONAL OF THE AMERICAS 
                    FOUNDER REGION ANNUAL CONFERENCE

                                 ______
                                 

                       HON. MADELEINE Z. BORDALLO

                                of guam

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, April 26, 2004

  Ms. BORDALLO. Mr. Speaker, this citation is presented to Soroptimist 
International of Guam and Soroptimist International of the Marianas on 
the occasion of the Soroptimist International of the Americas Founder 
Region Annual Conference from April 30 through May 2, 2004 on Guam.
  Soroptimist International is the world's largest classified volunteer 
service organization for women in business, management, and professions 
with over 3,000 clubs having approximately 100,000 members in 127 
countries. Its ``Founder Region'', composed of national clubs hailing 
from the entire Pacific Rim, is so called because the first Soroptimist 
club was founded in Oakland, California in 1921. Its counterparts on 
Guam and the Marianas were founded in 1978 and 1986, respectively.
  The Soroptimist of the Founder Region has undertaken important steps 
to assist women in their professional careers and personal lives. Thus, 
the Founder Region Fellowship offers fellowships and grants to women 
enrolled in graduate schools within the bounds of Founder Region who 
are in the last year of their doctoral studies. Furthermore, 
Soroptimist International of the Marianas and Soroptimist International 
of Guam in 1997 adopted its long term identifying project ``Erica's 
House--A Family Visitation Center'', designed to be a support service 
for parents and children in need of visitation and exchange services.
  For the first time since 1975, when the annual meeting of the Founder 
Region was initiated, the conference is being hosted by Soroptimist 
International of Guam and Soroptimist International of the Marianas. 
The conference will hold the region's annual board, fellowship and 
business meetings, elect a new board and present the Fellowship, 
Women's Opportunity and Violet Richardson awards. Apart from having the 
privilege of welcoming the member clubs of the Founder Region, the 
conference is also important to Guam because one of the six women vying 
for a top three slot in the Women's Opportunity Awards, Tricia 
Alconaba, is a native and resident of Guam.
  On behalf of the people of Guam, I want to congratulate the 
Soroptimist International of Guam and Soroptimist International of the 
Marianas for the important work they have achieved since their 
establishment, and extend our gratitude for their dedicated service to 
our island and our country.

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