[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 130 (Monday, October 11, 2004)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1943]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 RECOGNIZING THE YOUNG MEN'S LEAGUE OF GUAM FOR THEIR EFFORTS TO BRING 
                     RESOLUTION TO GUAM WAR CLAIMS

                                 ______
                                 

                       HON. MADELEINE Z. BORDALLO

                                of guam

                    in the house of representatives

                        Friday, October 8, 2004

  Ms. BORDALLO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commend the efforts of the 
Young Men's League of Guam (YMLG) in building community support for the 
recommendations of the Guam War Claims Review Commission and working to 
bring resolution to a painful era in Guam's history.
  As Guam's oldest fraternal organization, the Young Men's League of 
Guam, in conjunction with the Mayor's Council of Guam, has taken a lead 
role in building community consensus on the issue of Guam War Claims 
following the presentation of the Guam War Claims Review Commission 
report to Congress on June 9, 2004. YMLG and the Mayor's Council 
collected 1,800 signatures in a petition to the President, Congress, 
and local leaders requesting Congressional action to bring closure to 
the horrific experiences endured by the people of Guam, demonstrating 
broad support within our community for resolving the issue of Guam War 
Claims. YMLG advocates quick action on the recommendations of the 
Review Commission's report to bring closure for the remaining survivors 
of the occupation.
  YMLG President and Chairman Dr. Jose T. Nededog and other YMLG 
leaders have championed the cause of bringing recognition and justice 
to those who experienced the occupation. Dr. Nededog, who lost his 
older brother in the Fena cave massacre during the occupation, is like 
many Chamorros, who after enduring enemy occupation went on to proud 
careers of service in the U.S. military.
  Guam is the only United States jurisdiction invaded and occupied by 
enemy forces since the war of 1812. Over 8,000 Chamorros suffered 
personal injury, including rape, beatings, forced labor, forced march 
and internment, and approximately 1,000 were killed at the hands of the 
Japanese Imperial Army. YMLG is concerned that many of those who 
survived the brutal 32 month occupation are passing away before the 
issue of War Claims is fully resolved.
  I commend Dr. Nededog, the Young Men's League of Guam, and the 
Mayor's Council of Guam for being a voice for the survivors of the 
occupation of Guam and for actively engaging in the effort to bring 
closure to the issue of Guam war claims. I welcome their support and 
encouragement and look forward to moving this issue through the U.S. 
Congress.
  Mr. Speaker, I would also like to submit for the Record a copy of the 
Young Men's League of Guam Resolution No. 01-04 ``Relative to 
Expressing Strong Support to the Recommendations of the Guam War Claims 
Review Commission for the Chamorro People.''

                          Resolution No. 01-04

       Whereas, the Young Men's League of Guam is the oldest 
     Chamorro fraternal organization on Guam, established in 1917; 
     and
       Whereas, members of the League are replete with great 
     leaders of Guam who determined the destiny of Guam and its 
     people; and
       Whereas, the majority of the members of the League and 
     their families have experienced the atrocities of the 
     Japanese occupation of Guam during World War II; and
       Whereas, the majority of the members of the League have 
     testified before the Guam War Claims Review Commission during 
     their visit to Guam to secure testimonies from the Cbamorro 
     people who experienced the atrocities of the Japanese 
     occupation; and
       Whereas, the Board of Directors and the Council of Elders 
     of the League were elected at large by the general 
     membership; and
       Whereas, the Board of Directors and the Council of Elders 
     are representatives of the General membership with the 
     fiduciary responsibility of overseeing the general welfare 
     and well being of the members: Now, therefore be it
       Resolved, That the Young Men's League of Guam totally 
     supports the recommendations of the Guam War Claims Review 
     Commission that would bring closure to the long awaited 
     recognition for the undue suffering of the Chamorro people 
     through Japanese atrocities during World War II because of 
     their dedication and loyalty to America; and be it further
       Resolved, That the Young Men's League of Guam requests the 
     Guam Legislature and the Governor of Guam to jointly support 
     the recommendations of the Guam War Claims Review Commission.

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