[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 87 (Friday, May 25, 2007)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1175]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                RECOGNIZING JONATHAN THOMAS AGUON DUENAS

                                 ______
                                 

                       HON. MADELEINE Z. BORDALLO

                                of guam

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 24, 2007

  Ms. BORDALLO. Madam Speaker, I rise today to congratulate and commend 
Midshipman Jonathan Thomas Aguon Duenas who will graduate from the 
United States Naval Academy with a bachelor of science in history and 
who will be commissioned as an Ensign in the United States Navy on May 
25, 2007.
  Jonathan is a graduate of Father Duenas Memorial School on Guam, 
where he acquired outstanding leadership qualities and a desire to 
strive for excellence. Jonathan credits two other Chamorro Naval 
Academy graduates for inspiring his decision to become an Academy-
trained naval officer: Retired Navy Captain and former Guam Senator 
Eulogio ``Eloy'' Bermudes, was the first Chamorro graduate of the Naval 
Academy in 1970, and Captain Peter A. Gumataotao, who graduated the 
Academy in 1981, and who was the first Chamorro selected as commanding 
officer of a Navy warship, the U.S.S. Decatur, which made a port visit 
to Guam during his command. Captain Gumataotao also is a product of 
Father Duenas Memorial School, having graduated from the school in 
1976. Jonathan's brothers who are currently serving in the Air National 
Guard also are a source of inspiration.
  Jonathan entered the United States Naval Academy as a plebe in 2003 
and worked hard to become a naval officer. He was one of only 36 
midshipmen selected to attend the prestigious Nuclear Surface Warfare 
Officer Program. Jonathan will report aboard the destroyer, U.S.S. 
Curtis Wilbur, home-ported in Yokosuka, Japan. Upon completion of his 
first tour, he will report to Nuclear Power School in South Carolina.
  Jonathan was raised on Guam, the youngest of eight children born to 
Ricardo Camacho Duenas and the late Ruth Aguon Duenas of Tamuning. He 
was steeped in his Chamorro culture and a strong sense of 
responsibility, volunteering his time and effort in support of Habitat 
for Humanity projects in the greater Washington, DC area.
  Today we share the pride of the Duenas family and the people of Guam 
in Ensign Jonathan Duenas' achievements. As evidenced by his 
performance in school, Jonathan promises to truly become the naval 
officer as honorable as those who inspired him and those who preceded 
him.

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