[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 126 (Thursday, November 9, 2006)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1989-E1990]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




RECOGNIZING THE HONORABLE FRANCES TYDINGCO-GATEWOOD ON HER INVESTITURE 
                           AS A FEDERAL JUDGE

                                 ______
                                 

                       HON. MADELEINE Z. BORDALLO

                                of guam

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, November 9, 2006

  Ms. BORDALLO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate the Honorable 
Frances Marie Tydingco-Gatewood, who was nominated by the President and 
sworn in on October 30, 2006 to serve as a United States District Court 
Chief Judge for the District of Guam. One of our island's finest 
jurists, Judge Tydingco-Gatewood has a distinguished career of service 
to our island in the judicial system.
  Born on January 21, 1958 on the island of Oahu, Hawaii to Daniel J. 
and Francesca S.

[[Page E1990]]

Tydingco, she returned with her family to her island of Guam as a young 
child and grew up in the village of Mongmong-Toto-Maite. She attended 
Yigo Elementary School, Barrigada Junior High, Dededo Junior High and 
graduated from George Washington High School in Mangilao in 1976.
  Proving that hard work leads to success, Judge Tydingco-Gatewood 
earned her Bachelor of Arts degree from Marquette University in 1980 
and in 1983 achieved a personal milestone as she earned her law degree 
from the University of Missouri-Kansas City. After graduating from law 
school, Judge Tydingco-Gatewood began her career as a law clerk for the 
Presiding Judge of the Jackson County Circuit Courts in Kansas City, 
Missouri. In 1984, she returned home to Guam and became the first 
Chamorro woman to be appointed as an Assistant Attorney General. She 
served as an Assistant Prosecutor in Jackson County, Missouri from 1988 
to 1990, and upon returning to Guam with her new experience, became 
Guam's first Chamorro woman appointed as Chief Prosecutor.
  As Chief Prosecutor, Frances Tydingco-Gatewood exhibited the 
professionalism and leadership skills that would earn the respect of 
her peers and later appointment to the bench. She gained a reputation 
as a tough prosecutor and a savvy lawyer. In 1994 Governor Joseph F. 
Ada appointed her as a Judge in the Superior Court of Guam and in 2001 
she was appointed by Governor Carl T. C. Gutierrez as an Associate 
Justice on the Supreme Court of Guam.
  She was appointed by Chief Justice F. Philip Carbullido to chair 
seven Guam Supreme Court subcommittees. She served as co-chairperson of 
the Family Violence Task Force where she has been a community leader in 
raising awareness about domestic violence. Justice Tydingco-Gatewood 
serves as co-chairperson for the Pacific Judicial Council Education 
Committee, which is dedicated to improving the education of all 
Justices, Judges and Courts staff for Guam, the Commonwealth of the 
Northern Mariana Islands, the Republic of Palau, American Samoa, the 
Republic of the Marshall Islands, and the Federated States of 
Micronesia.

  It is Judge Tydingco-Gatewood's character and her distinguished 
career that led me to confidently recommend her for the federal bench 
at her confirmation hearing before the Senate Committee on the 
Judiciary on July 11, 2006. She is a leader, a role model for our young 
citizens, and a strong Chamorro woman who embodies the integrity and 
pride of the Chamorro people. On behalf of the people of Guam, it is my 
privilege to recognize Judge Frances Tydingco-Gatewood and her 
achievements which are an inspiration to women in Guam and throughout 
our nation.
  As she stands alongside her husband of 25 years, Dr. Robert Gatewood 
and their three sons, Daniel, Michael and Stephen, she has the support 
of our community and the confidence of the President and the Congress. 
We all share her joy with her family and friends and we wish her every 
success as she undertakes the greatest challenge of her remarkable 
legal career.

                          ____________________