[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 70 (Tuesday, May 24, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1074]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  COMMENDING VINCENT PAUL DIEGO, PH.D.

                                 ______
                                 

                       HON. MADELEINE Z. BORDALLO

                                of guam

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, May 24, 2005

  Ms. BORDALLO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and commend 
Vince P. Diego for the completion of his Doctor of Philosophy in 
Anthropology from the State University of New York at Binghamton. I had 
the privilege of attending Dr. Diego's Doctoral degree presentation on 
May 14, 2005, and was extremely impressed by the accomplishments of 
this promising man who hails from the village of Inarajan and completed 
his undergraduate studies in biology at the University of Guam. Vince 
is an outstanding role model for young Chamorros in Guam and a shining 
example that perseverance, dedication and excellence will be recognized 
and rewarded.
  One of Dr. Diego's primary research interests is the rare 
neurodegenerative disease amyotrophic lateral sclerosis/Parkinsons-
dementia complex, which has a historically high prevalence in Guam 
where it is known as lytico-bodig. Dr. Diego's ongoing research with 
his dissertation advisor Dr. Ralph M. Garruto seeks to provide a 
greater understanding of this disease, which is one of the most 
compelling unresolved mysteries of modem medicine. He would like to 
return to Guam after he completes his training to carry out his own 
research on the biomedical problems of Chamorros, the indigenous people 
of Guam, and other Micronesians.
  His research interests also include diseases that are described as 
``metabolic syndromes,'' which include heart disease, diabetes, 
hypertension and obesity. Chamorros, Filipinos, and other Asian and 
Pacific Islander American groups in Guam suffer disproportionately from 
these diseases. As the Chair of the Congressional Asian Pacific 
American Caucus's Health Task Force, I have called for the need to 
better understand how our communities are affected by these devastating 
diseases. Dr. Diego is one of the scientists who is on the front line 
of learning more about these diseases and how they can be prevented and 
treated in our communities. His current research activities as a post-
doctoral scientist at the Southwest Foundation for Biomedical 
Research's Department of Genetics include the statistical genetics of 
the metabolic syndrome in American Indians, Alaskan Natives, and 
Mexican Americans of San Antonio and on theoretical modeling in 
statistical genetics.
  Dr. Diego's parents are Frank Paulino Diego and Teresita Taitague 
Diego of Inarajan and he is the youngest of six children. He graduated 
from Guam's Father Duenas Memorial School in 1990.




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