[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;
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(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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