[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 30 (Monday, February 25, 2008)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E220]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[[Page E220]]
 RECOGNIZING THE SERVICE AND ACHIEVEMENTS OF THE GUAM TERRITORIAL BAND

                                 ______
                                 

                       HON. MADELEINE Z. BORDALLO

                                of guam

                    in the house of representatives

                       Monday, February 25, 2008

   Ms. BORDALLO. Madam Speaker, for more than 30 years now, the Guam 
Territorial Band has served the community of Guam by providing music 
for official events and activities, and more importantly, by helping 
young musicians in my district to hone and refine their musical talent.
   With fond memories of the Navy Band's Sunday concerts in our Plaza 
de Espana prior to World War II, Governor Ricardo J. Bordallo, my late 
husband, established the Governor's Youth Band in 1976 to encourage 
young musicians to perform for the public outside the school setting. 
Interest and participation was immediate, and under the direction of 
Mr. Peter Leon Guerrero, the first Governor's Youth Band performed for 
the inauguration of Saipan's Governor Carlos S. Camacho. With funds 
raised entirely by community donations, the Governor's Youth Band 
traveled to Washington, DC and represented Guam in the parade for the 
inauguration of President Jimmy Carter in January 1977. With that 
auspicious start, the band evolved to fulfill Governor Bordallo's 
expectations, with one exception: the musicians remained unpaid 
volunteers.
   Governor Bordallo's successor, Governor Paul Calvo, changed the 
band's name to the Guam Youth Band. The name was later changed again to 
the Guam Territorial Band and membership was opened to all ages. Today, 
supported entirely by private donations, the Guam Territorial Band 
continues its service to the people of Guam by performing at village 
fiestas, graduations, military change of command ceremonies, our annual 
Veteran's Day and Memorial Day commemorations, and other various public 
and private ceremonies.
  Although severe cold weather in 1985 forced the cancellation of 
President Ronald Reagan's inaugural parade and precluded the band's 
performance at another presidential inaugural, the Guam Territorial 
Band continues to share its talent beyond Guam's shores. The band 
performed at the Republic of Palau's 5th Constitutional Anniversary in 
1997; in Australia and New Zealand in 1993 and 2005; in South Korea in 
1995; in the United Kingdom in 1998; in Japan in1999 and 2003; in 
Hawaii's 19th Pacific Basin Music Festival in 2004; for President Bill 
Clinton's historic visit to Guam in 1998 and for Philippines President 
Fidel Ramos in 2002; and most recently, at the New York's Carnegie Hall 
as part of the New York Band and Orchestra Festival on April 21, 2007. 
The Guam Territorial Band is also expected to perform at the opening 
ceremonies of the 2008 Olympics in Beijing.
  The Guam Territorial Band is a recipient of the Australian 
International Music Festival's Gold Award (2005) and Bronze Award 
(1993). It is also the second place winner of the International Lions 
Parade (Marching Unit) Competition (1998).
  These accolades over the years are the result of the devotion of the 
volunteer musicians and from inspired and enthusiastic leadership. The 
band's first official director, Mr. George Toal, also was a founding 
member of the Guam Territorial Band Society, non-profit organization 
that supports the band. Mr. Toal's successors are Mr. Dave Poblete, Ms. 
Cheryl Bay, Mr. Charles Hardy, Mr. Brad McNeal, Dr. Milton Crotts, and 
Mr. Delfin Damian. The band's current director, Mr. Maximo Ronquillo, 
Jr., founded the Tumon Bay Music Festival in 2005. Organized with the 
help of Dr. Robert Halseth, professor of music at California State 
University, Sacramento, the festival has become the band's signature 
event and will be in its fourth year in March 2008.
   We are proud of our territorial band and encourage its continued 
growth and success. We also commend Mr. Ronquillo, his predecessors, 
and all the members of the band, both past and present. Thank you all 
for the wonderful music you bring into our lives.

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