[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 68 (Thursday, April 26, 2007)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E869]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 HONORING THE GUAM WOMEN'S CLUB ON THE OCCASION OF ITS 55TH ANNIVERSARY

                                 ______
                                 

                       HON. MADELEINE Z. BORDALLO

                                of guam

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, April 25, 2007

  Ms. BORDALLO. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize and 
congratulate the Guam Women's Club (GWC) on the occasion of its 55th 
anniversary. The GWC was founded during a time of transition for Guam. 
In 1952, just 7 years after the end of World War II and 8 years after 
Guam's liberation, the people of Guam were emerging from the ravages of 
war and occupation. The women who founded the GWC that year were 
determined to contribute to the reconstruction of Guam and the 
promotion of the Chamorro culture. The GWC, since 1952, has established 
a successful record of helping to improve the health, welfare and 
education of the people of Guam.
  Guam was attacked and occupied by the Imperial Japanese Army on 
December 7, 1941. The occupation lasted for 3 years and devastated our 
island. The battle to liberate Guam from Imperial Japanese Army 
occupation was a fierce but successful one. After the war, Guam was 
free again but the task of rebuilding was formidable. The vibrancy of 
our island's community today is a direct result of the commitment and 
hard work on the part of individuals and organizations dedicated to the 
reconstruction of Guam following the war. The GWC played an integral 
and commendable role in that effort.
  In 1954, the GWC launched the effort to establish the Guam Museum of 
Culture, Art and History. The Guam Museum has thrived over the years, 
contributing greatly to the growth of understanding of Guam's history 
and appreciation of our island's diverse culture. I am confident that 
the GWC members who helped begin the Guam Museum some many years ago 
would share in our pride in that fact that, today, the Guam Museum is 
preparing for undergo a multi-million dollar construction and expansion 
project.
  The GWC also has always made supporting education a high priority. 
Since its inception, the GWC has awarded high school, college, and 
university scholarships to deserving students. The GWC has also honored 
the teaching profession with annual ``Teacher Appreciation'' social 
events.
  GWC members further have long been hospital volunteers and actively 
contribute their time, effort and money to support other local service 
organizations, such as the Alee Shelter, Erica's House, Child Care Co-
op, the Guam Lytico and Bodig Association, St. Dominic's Nursing 
Facility and Rainbows for all Children, as well as national 
organizations, such as Crime Stoppers, the Salvation Army and the Guam 
chapters of the American Red Cross and the American Cancer Society. The 
GWC also remains a loyal supporter and contributor to the Sugar Plum 
Tree, which provides holiday presents to needy children and senior 
citizens, and to the Air Force's annual Christmas Drop tradition, 
collecting, soliciting and preparing practical items, candy and toys to 
distribute by parachute to the sparsely populated outlying islands in 
Micronesia. Additionally, the Guam Women's Club is a long-time 
benefactor of the Guam Symphony Society and contributor to KGTF, Guam's 
public television station, and KPRG, the local public radio station.

  Moreover, the commitment of the GWC to island beautification has 
resulted in the development of Government House's grounds and the 
establishment of Padre Palomo Park in Hagatna. Also notable is the 
effort on the part of the GWC to establish the Memorias Para I Lalahita 
Park, which was completed in 1972 and is probably the first memorial in 
our Nation to be dedicated to our men and women who fought and died in 
the Vietnam Conflict.
  Madam Speaker, the Guam Women's Club is Guam's oldest women's 
organization. After 55 years, I am proud to say that it remains a 
vibrant part of our island's community. It has received numerous 
national and international awards and recognition for its many 
successful projects and its sustained allegiance to serving the Guam 
community. I am proud to have been a long-time member and I am honored 
to recognize the current membership's adherence to GWC's goals and 
objectives. The Guam Women's Club has made substantial contributions 
toward the transformation of Guam from war-torn island to 21st century 
community--the social, political and economic leader in the Western 
Pacific.

                          ____________________