[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 44 (Friday, March 14, 2008)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E415]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




    RECOGNIZING MS. LAURA-LYNN VIEGAS DACANAY AS THE 2008 FINANCIAL 
                 SERVICES CHAMPION OF THE YEAR FOR GUAM

                                 ______
                                 

                       HON. MADELEINE Z. BORDALLO

                                of guam

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, March 14, 2008

  Ms. BORDALLO. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize and 
congratulate Ms. Laura-Lynn Viegas Dacanay on being named the U.S. 
Small Business Administration's 2008 Financial Services Champion of the 
Year for Guam.
  Laura is a leader in the financial services industry of the region 
and is a committed member of our island community. She has a rewarding 
career in the banking profession dating back to the 1970s, when she 
began with an entry level position at Chase Manhattan Bank as a 
telephone switchboard and telex operator and cashier. In 1984, she 
became a loan officer and later was promoted to loan manager. In 1986, 
she joined the First Hawaiian Bank as an assistant branch manager.
  In just over 10 years, Laura has been promoted from manager to 
assistant vice president, and today, to senior vice president of the 
Guam and Northern Marianas region. Under her leadership, First Hawaiian 
Bank has had outstanding performance ratings. She has increased 
residential funding to over $8 million, managed the acquisition of 
accounts and employees of Union Bank of California on Guam and Saipan, 
and paved the way for the opening of the Tamuning branch and off-site 
ATMs.
  Laura is active in our community and she is the current chairwoman of 
the Guam Chamber of Commerce. In addition, she chairs the Family 
Selection Committee of Habitat for Humanity. She serves as an advisor 
to the Guam Visitors' Bureau 5-Year Strategic Plan Task Force, 
Strategic Economic Development Council in Saipan, the USO Advisory 
Council, and Andersen Civilian Advisory Council. She is also a member 
of the Guam Hotel and Restaurant Association and Guam Board of Realtors 
Association.
  Laura's expert knowledge of banking and finance has resulted in 
business success for her banks and quality financial services for our 
community. I commend her commitment to serving our people, and I 
congratulate her as the U.S. Small Business Administration's 2008 
Financial Services Champion of the Year for Guam.

                          ____________________