[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 119 (Tuesday, September 28, 2004)]
[House]
[Pages H7683-H7685]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 RECOGNIZING 60TH ANNIVERSARY OF LIBERATION OF GUAM DURING WORLD WAR II

  Mr. RADANOVICH. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree 
to the resolution (H. Res. 737) recognizing the 60th anniversary of the 
Liberation of Guam during World War II.
  The Clerk read as follows:

                              H. Res. 737

       Whereas Guam was attacked by Imperial Japanese Forces on 
     December 8, 1941, at the same time that Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, 
     was attacked, the different dates owing to the International 
     Date Line;
       Whereas Guam was subsequently invaded by enemy forces on 
     December 10, 1941, and occupied until liberation on July 21, 
     1944;
       Whereas the people of Guam suffered a brutal occupation due 
     to their steadfast loyalty to the United States;
       Whereas, during the 32-month occupation, the people of Guam 
     suffered atrocities, such as forced labor, forced march, 
     internment, injury, and death, including public executions; 
     and
       Whereas the loyalty and courage of the people of Guam 
     during this period in American history serves as an 
     inspiration for all Americans: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
       (1) recognizes the year 2004 as the 60th anniversary of the 
     Liberation of Guam during World War II;

[[Page H7684]]

       (2) recognizes the extraordinary heroism and steadfast 
     loyalty exhibited by the people of Guam who endured the 
     occupation;
       (3) recognizes the bravery and courage of all members of 
     the United States Armed Forces who participated in the battle 
     to recapture and liberate Guam, and all veterans who fought 
     in the Pacific Theater during World War II;
       (4) encourages the American people to commemorate the 
     Liberation of Guam and to observe the anniversary of the 
     significant battles of the Pacific Theater during World War 
     II; and
       (5) requests the Secretary of the Interior to establish 
     commemorative programs honoring the liberators and the people 
     of Guam at the War in the Pacific National Historical Park in 
     Guam.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
California (Mr. Radanovich) and the gentleman from Arizona (Mr. 
Grijalva) each will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from California (Mr. Radanovich).
  Mr. RADANOVICH. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  The gentlewoman from Guam (Ms. Bordallo) has introduced legislation 
that is poignant to the people of her territory and thousands of United 
States veterans. The United States' presence on this island traces back 
to 1898. But one of the most significant days that the U.S. and Guam 
share in our unique history is that of December 7, 1941. While the 
Japanese were attacking Pearl Harbor in Hawaii, they were also 
preparing an attack and invasion of Guam just hours later.
  I urge the adoption of this bill.
  Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. GRIJALVA. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume. I would like to commend the sponsor of this bill, the 
gentlewoman from Guam (Ms. Bordallo), for bringing forward this most 
important measure.
  Madam Speaker, I yield such time as she may consume to the 
gentlewoman from Guam (Ms. Bordallo).
  (Ms. BORDALLO asked and was given permission to revise and extend her 
remarks.)
  Ms. BORDALLO. Madam Speaker, I thank my good friend from Arizona for 
yielding me the time to speak briefly on this resolution which I 
introduced on July 21 to coincide with the 60th anniversary of the 
landing of U.S. forces on the beaches of Asan and Agat in southern Guam 
to liberate the only American community to have been occupied by a 
foreign power since the War of 1812.

                              {time}  1615

  As many of my colleagues realize, Guam was attacked by the Imperial 
Japanese forces only hours after Pearl Harbor was bombed. The people of 
Guam endured a 32-month occupation at the hands of the enemy. U.S. 
forces returned in 1944 to liberate the people of Guam, who remained 
extraordinarily loyal to the United States of America during the 
occupation.
  The liberation of Guam is a defining moment in our history and in 
Guam's relationship with the United States. The valor of the U.S. 
forces who participated in the liberation of Guam is of special 
significance. The courage of our people of Guam who experienced the war 
is profoundly noteworthy. Theirs is a story which deserves to be told 
to all Americans. It is a story of great sacrifice and dignity.
  As commemorations of the 60th anniversary of the end of the war in 
Pacific nears, I am pleased we were able to take the time today to 
bring recognition to Guam and Peleliu. I thank the gentleman from 
California (Chairman Pombo) and the gentleman from West Virginia (Mr. 
Rahall), ranking member, for their support. I also extend thanks to the 
gentleman from Arizona (Mr. Flake) and the gentleman from American 
Samoa (Mr. Faleomavaega), cochairmen of this resolution, for bringing 
recognition to these events. I thank the many other cosponsors and urge 
unanimous agreement.
  Mr. GRIJALVA. Madam Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to 
the gentleman from Missouri (Mr. Skelton).
  Mr. SKELTON. Madam Speaker, let me take this opportunity to thank the 
gentleman from Arizona and especially the gentlewoman from Guam for 
bringing forth this resolution.
  Having visited that wonderful territory on two different occasions 
and having participated in a veterans' ceremony there in Guam, I know 
how very important it is that this piece of legislation commemorate the 
courage of the Guamanians in their struggle for freedom. I think it is 
certainly fitting and appropriate. I thank the gentleman for this 
opportunity to speak in favor of the measure.
  Mr. RADANOVICH. Madam Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from 
Arizona (Mr. Flake).
  Mr. FLAKE. Madam Speaker, I thank the gentleman from California for 
yielding me this time.
  I want to thank the gentlewoman from Guam (Ms. Bordallo) for bringing 
this forward. We had the opportunity earlier this year to go to Guam 
and visit the beautiful island and stand on the overlook overlooking 
Asan Beach where over 12,000 Americans died retaking that island. As 
the gentlewoman from Guam (Ms. Bordallo) said, the people of Guam were 
extremely loyal during that period of occupation and have been ever 
since. It is a pleasure to work with her on these issues of importance 
to people of Guam, and I urge agreement of this resolution.
  Mr. RADANOVICH. Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. GRIJALVA. Madam Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to 
the gentleman from American Samoa (Mr. Faleomavaega).
  Mr. FALEOMAVAEGA. Madam Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding 
me this time.
  Madam Speaker, I too would like to echo the sentiments expressed 
earlier by the gentleman from Arizona (Mr. Flake).
  One wonders what does a landlocked State like Arizona have in common 
with the Island of Guam? I say it quite simply, Madam Speaker: We are 
all Americans. And I certainly commend the gentleman's sentiments and 
his remarks concerning the celebration of the 60th anniversary of the 
liberation of Guam as expressed by House Resolution 737 offered by the 
gentlewoman from Guam (Ms. Bordallo).
  I also would like to extend my appreciation to the gentleman from 
California for his management of this legislation. I thank the 
gentleman from California (Mr. Pombo) and the gentleman from West 
Virginia (Mr. Rahall) as chairman and the ranking member of the 
Committee on Resources. And I would be remiss if I did not also express 
my appreciation to the gentleman from Missouri (Mr. Skelton), ranking 
member of the Committee on Armed Services for his compliments 
concerning this proposed legislation.
  One of the things that I would like to share with my colleagues about 
this occasion, the 60th anniversary of the liberation of Guam, and it 
is one of the dark pages of our history, the fact that the U.S. 
nationals, Chamorros, who were militarily under the Imperial Japanese 
forces for some 2 years and 8 months, the question has always come to 
mind why these U.S. nationals who owed allegiance to the United States 
were never evacuated along with U.S. citizens before the oncoming 
forces of the Imperial Japanese naval and armed forces coming to this 
island? I need to remind my colleagues of the atrocities that were 
committed against these U.S. nationals, Chamorros. I recall rather 
distinctly our former colleague, the gentleman from Guam, Bob 
Underwood's relatives who were summarily executed by the Japanese in 
the occupation for 2 years and 8 months before, finally, U.S. forces 
came to liberate these loyal Americans.
  I sincerely hope that perhaps we need to look at this with greater 
depth and appreciation of what the sacrifices that these U.S. 
nationals, who owed permanent allegiance to the United States, had 
suffered and why we never were able to evacuate them as we should have 
along with all the U.S. citizens who were on that island.
  Again I want to thank the gentlewoman from Guam (Ms. Bordallo) for 
proposing this resolution and thank the members of the Committee on 
Resources and the gentleman from California for his support of this 
legislation.
  I urge my colleagues to agree to House Resolution 737.
  Mr. GRIJALVA. Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. RADANOVICH. Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

[[Page H7685]]

  The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mrs. Emerson). The question is on the motion 
offered by the gentleman from California (Mr. Radanovich) that the 
House suspend the rules and agree to the resolution, H. Res. 737.
  The question was taken; and (two-thirds having voted in favor 
thereof) the rules were suspended and the resolution was agreed to.
  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

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