[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 111 (Tuesday, July 30, 2013)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1154]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




HONORING THE LIFE AND SERVICE OF FORMER GUAM SENATOR JAMES H. UNDERWOOD

                                 ______
                                 

                       HON. MADELEINE Z. BORDALLO

                                of guam

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, July 30, 2013

  Ms. BORDALLO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life and service 
of James Holland Underwood, who served five consecutive terms as a 
member of the Guam Legislature from 1975 to 1984. He passed away on 
July 24, 2013, at the age of 67.
  Jim was born on May 4, 1946, to former Senator Raymond Ferdinand 
Underwood and Ana Eclavea Torres Underwood, owners of Mariana Sales and 
Tendan Nene in Hagatna.
  As a senator, Jim authored legislation that led to the development of 
the Guam Environmental Protection Agency and the Port Authority of 
Guam. He also worked on the capital financing project with Duty Free 
Shoppers for the construction and expansion of the Guam International 
Airport Authority. In 1977, Jim also served as a delegate to Guam's 
Constitutional Convention.
  Additionally, Jim held many leadership positions in several 
Government of Guam agencies. He served as the Executive Director of the 
Commission on Decolonization; General Manager of the Guam Mass Transit 
Authority; Director of the Guam Departments of Labor, Public Works, 
Public Health and Social Services, and Integrated Services for 
Individuals with Disabilities. He also was a Director for the Guam 
Telephone Authority.
  Beyond his clear passion for public service, Jim made significant 
contributions to the local community, where he spearheaded numerous 
projects such as the Guam-Karuizawa Student Exchange and construction 
of crosses atop Mt. Jumulong Manglo. He also was an active member of 
the Young Men's League of Guam and Past-President of the Rotary Club of 
Guam.
  Together with his family, Jim was a devout Catholic and an active 
parishioner of the Dulce Nombre de Maria Cathedral-Basilica in Hagatna, 
where he served as a lector and commentator for the December 8 
procession in honor of Santa Marian Kamalen. For many years, Jim and 
his family were also responsible for erecting the ``Lanchon Kotpus'' on 
the Feast of Corpos Christi.
  My thoughts and prayers are with his wife Alma, his son James III, 
his stepdaughters Lisa and Theresa, grandchildren, friends and loved 
ones. I join the people of Guam in remembering Jim's leadership and 
contributions to our community. He will be dearly missed.

                          ____________________