[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 109 (Thursday, September 7, 2006)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1676]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


          IN TRIBUTE TO THE LATE MAYOR RITA AFLLEJE TAINATONGO

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                       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 life and 
achievements of Mayor Rita Aflleje Tainatongo who passed away on August 
13, 2006. Mayor Tainatongo was a caring and devoted public servant who 
was dedicated to her family and loved by her village of Malesso and all 
the people of Guam.
  Rita was born on January 7, 1949 to Antonio Taitano Aflleje and Rosa 
Tedpahago-Champaco in the village of Malesso. She was raised in a 
loving and caring home that included her parents, her brother John, and 
two sisters, Rosita and Regina. Rita credits Felipe Duenas and Josefina 
Acfalle Candaso as important role models during her formative teen 
years who helped her develop the character and poise that she was known 
for as a young adult.
  Rita attended Mount Carmel School, in Agat, and graduated from the 
Academy of Our Lady of Guam in 1967. Her public service career began in 
1985 when she was appointed as a Municipal Clerk in the Malesso's 
Mayor's Office. She later became the Administrative Assistant to the 
Mayor. Her reputation as a ``can-do'' person and her experience led to 
her own successful run for the Mayor's Office in 2000. She was 
reelected to a second term in 2004.
  During her two terms she re-invigorated the sister village 
relationship between the Coast Guard and Malesso, improved services for 
senior citizens and successfully organized the Malesso Fiestan Tasi 
annual celebrations.
  A lifelong Democrat, Rita was a village leader for the party in the 
gubernatorial campaigns of 1982, 1986 and 1990. Her politics were 
motivated by a deep sense of purpose and a vision of what government 
can do to make lives better.
  Throughout her public life, Rita gave back to the community through 
her support of the American Cancer Society and American Red Cross and 
other civic organizations.
  The island of Guam has lost a leader, a humanitarian, and a friend. 
Our thoughts and prayers are with Rita's husband, Ramon Baza 
Tainatongo, her children, and grandchildren. We are saddened and at the 
same time we are inspired by how much one person can accomplish for her 
community. She has touched many lives and made the island a better 
place to live for many people, most especially her beloved people of 
Malesso.

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