[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 109 (Thursday, September 7, 2006)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1674-E1675]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   RECOGNIZING THE LIFE AND ACHIEVEMENTS OF ERNESTO MERCADER ESPALDON

                                 ______
                                 

                       HON. MADELEINE Z. BORDALLO

                                of guam

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, September 7, 2006

  Ms. BORDALLO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the achievements 
of Dr. Ernesto Mercader Espaldon who passed away on August 4, 2006. Dr. 
Espaldon was a devoted husband and father, an accomplished physician, a 
dedicated public servant, and community leader.
  Born on November 11, 1926, to Cipriano Acuna Espaldon and Claudia 
Cadag Mercader in Simunul, Sulu Province, Philippines, young

[[Page E1675]]

Ernesto Espaldon, established himself as a true Filipino and American 
patriot. Joining the Sulu Guerrilla Organization as a freedom fighter, 
the 16-year-old soldier quickly proved his abilities as a soldier and 
leader. On January 12, 1945, Ernesto and two fellow soldiers fended off 
a contingent of Imperial Japanese soldiers attempting to take the 
village of Banaran, Tawi-Tawi. For their heroism, the grateful people 
of Banaran erected a monument memorializing the battle and the three 
soldiers.
  Spoken in his own words, Dr. Espaldon was a humanitarian who firmly 
believed that ``God gives us gifts that we might share them, not hold 
them for our own.'' For 36 years, Dr. Espaldon fulfilled those very 
words, having made biennial medical relief missions to islands 
throughout Micronesia. He founded the Guam Balikbayan Medical Mission 
and pioneered teams of local and national experts on journeys to 
isolated provinces in the Philippines. Committed to meeting the medical 
needs of others, in particular children and young adults, his efforts 
were entirely voluntary. These medical missions set an example of 
community service for others.
  He served six terms in the Guam Legislature. Dr. Espaldon was a 
dedicated public servant of the people of Guam. His political career 
was one marked by courage. He sponsored and steered to passage the 
island's first smoking ban legislation and he did so under the threat 
of losing his bid for re-election. He was a man who worked hard for the 
good of the people and the island of Guam.
  Having served with Dr. Espaldon in the Guam Legislature, I recall 
that he was a model citizen-senator. His service was marked by 
dedication and advocacy for health issues. His devotion to his family 
and to the people of Guam is an inspiration to our island. His keen 
attention to detail and thoroughness was a reflection of his medical 
training. I will always remember Ernie for his spirit, his community 
involvement, his humanitarianism and his compassion to the condition of 
those less fortunate.
  I am deeply saddened by this loss and know that many people on Guam, 
in the Philippines, and throughout the Pacific are mourning as well. My 
thoughts and prayers are with his wife Leticia Virata Espaldon, M.D., 
and their six children: Arlene, Vivian, James Albert, Diane Marie, Karl 
Patrick, and Ernesto Jr. Although he will be missed by his family and 
friends throughout the Pacific, his legacy of service will live on in 
our community.

                          ____________________