[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 20 (Thursday, February 1, 2007)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E243-E244]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 RECOGNIZING ALFRED C. YSRAEL AS GUAM'S EXECUTIVE OF THE YEAR FOR 2006

                                 ______
                                 

                       HON. MADELEINE Z. BORDALLO

                                of guam

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, January 31, 2007

  Ms. BORDALLO. Madam Speaker, I rise today to acknowledge that on 
Saturday, January 13, 2007, Mr. Alfred C. Ysrael of Tamuning, Guam, was 
recognized as the 2006 Executive of the Year during a ceremony 
sponsored by Guam Business magazine. Mr. Ysrael is the chairman and 
president of Tanota Partners, which owns and operates three hotels and 
several other profitable real estate holdings on Guam. He has spent the 
last 50 years growing and diversifying his business interests on Guam, 
creating thousands of local jobs for Guam's workforce and strengthening 
Guam's economy. The year 2007 marked the occasion of the 24th 
anniversary of Guam Business magazine presenting the Executive of the 
Year award.
  It is not uncommon for successful businessmen, such as Alfred, to 
come from humble beginnings. They start out with only a dream, a few 
dollars in their pockets, and a commitment to excellence. Hard work and 
an unfaltering belief in what they seek to accomplish are essential to 
their success. Alfred was born and raised in the Philippines. He 
graduated from De La Salle University in 1952 with a bachelor's degree 
in commerce ready and eager to pursue the American dream. Mr. Ysrael 
now stands as a prominent figure among the pioneers of post-war 
business and commerce on Guam.

[[Page E244]]

  Mr. Ysrael arrived on Guam in 1952 as a guest worker with a 3-year 
contract to serve as an accountant for a military bowling alley. He 
purchased six surplus bowling lanes and opened the Anigua Bowling 
Alley, Guam's first, post-war civilian bowling alley upon completing 
his contract. Seven years later, in 1958, he became a U.S. citizen and 
was drafted into the U.S. Army. Alfred served his adopted country with 
honor and after his service returned to civilian life to his fledgling 
business interests. In 1960, he married Diana Zeien, my sister, with 
whom he has five children: Michael, Elizabeth, Mariana, Catherine, and 
Donna. Alfred is a devoted father and husband who always placed his 
family responsibilities first. His son Michael now serves as general 
manager of Tanota Partners, and his daughter Donna also has joined the 
firm. Alfred and Diana are the proud, loving grandparents of 13 
grandchildren.
  Alfred opened the Fujita Hotel, which catered to the Japanese 
tourists who arrived too late in the evening to secure hotel rooms, in 
the late 1960s when Guam's tourist industry was in its infancy. Alfred 
also invested in bringing Hilton International to Guam and remains a 
shareholder in Hilton Guam Resort & Spa. In 1987, he built the 
SunRoute, Ohana, Hotel and the Regency, Ohana, 2 years later. Mr. 
Ysrael's most recent venture was the construction and operation of the 
Outrigger Guam Resort in 1999. Alfred also developed apartment 
buildings in addition to building hotels. His tenants were primarily 
teachers and other workers hired from off-island. In time, however, as 
Guam's population grew and housing shortages became acute, many came to 
know Mr. Ysrael as their landlord.

  Alfred and his businesses also have given much back to the community. 
Alfred was elected to serve the people of Guam as a senator in the 12th 
and 13th Guam Legislatures, from 1973 to 1977. He also served as a 
member of the Guam Board of Education from 1970 to 1971. Alfred further 
has a long and established record of philanthropy and community service 
on Guam. Largely as a result of his commitment to family and community 
and a strong belief in sports for young people--his own children are 
accomplished athletes--Mr. Ysrael and Tanota Partners are supporters of 
swimming, soccer and Tae Kwon Do teams on Guam. They also provide 
support for the South Pacific Games, the Guam National Olympic 
Committee, and the American Cancer Society's Annual Relay for Life. 
Athletics aside, Alfred and his family have also helped to raise funds 
for the American Cancer Society to increase awareness about breast 
cancer on Guam.
  It is said that successful business persons should give back to the 
community that fostered their success. For the past 50 years and 
continuing today, Mr. Alfred C. Ysrael has indeed come far from humble 
beginnings and has given back in many, many ways to our island 
community which he proudly calls home.

                          ____________________