[Congressional Record Volume 160, Number 110 (Tuesday, July 15, 2014)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1162]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


    HONORING THE LIFE AND LEGACY OF VICENTE (BEN) CABRERA PANGELINAN

                                 ______
                                 

                       HON. MADELEINE Z. BORDALLO

                                of guam

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, July 15, 2014

  Ms. BORDALLO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life and legacy 
of Vicente (Ben) Cabrera Pangelinan. Ben was a Senator of the 22nd, 
23rd, 24th, 25th, 26th, 27th, 29th, 30th, 31st Guam Legislature and was 
currently serving in the 32nd Guam Legislature. Senator Pangelinan 
passed away on July 8, 2014 at the age of 58.
   Senator Pangelinan moved from the island of Saipan to Guam at a very 
young age and grew up in the village of Barrigada. He graduated from 
Father Duenas Memorial School in 1974 before attending Georgetown 
University, where he graduated with a Bachelor's Degree in Government.
   While Ben was a student at Georgetown University, he served as a 
staff assistant to Guam's Delegate, Congressman Antonio B. Won Pat. 
Upon graduating from college, Ben returned to Guam and worked under my 
late husband, Governor Ricardo J. Bordallo's administration.
   Before beginning his public service to the people of Guam, Ben 
worked for an insurance company doing business in Guam, Saipan and 
California. He held many leadership positions at FHP/HML Guam, 
including Regional General Manager.
   In addition to his work as a Senator in the Guam Legislature, Ben 
was also a respected businessman in the community. He was President and 
Owner of Group Pacific, Principal Consultant/President of Pacific 
Presence Group; Founding Director of Graphic Center, Inc. and 
Micronesia Graphics, Inc.; and Director of Fifth Wheel, Inc.
   Senator Pangelinan served in the Guam Legislature for twenty years. 
He was first elected in the 22nd Guam Legislature and served as the 
Speaker in the 27th Guam Legislature.
   Senator Pangelinan was serving as the Chairman of the Committee on 
Appropriations, Public Debt, Retirement, Legal Affairs, Public Parks, 
Recreation, Historic Preservation, and Land. Through Senator 
Pangelinan's leadership, the Guam Legislature was able to pass budgets 
in a timely manner. He took pride in the fact that these budgets 
reflected the priorities of the people of Guam, such as education, 
health and safety.
   After twenty years of service in the Guam Legislature, Senator 
Pangelinan will be remembered for championing many issues to improve 
the quality of living for the people of Guam and always staying true to 
his convictions.
   During the 30th Guam Legislature, Senator Pangelinan notably 
authored Public Law 30-193 which designated I Milayan i Mas Takhilo' na 
Sakrifisiu or the Medal of the Ultimate Sacrifice. The Medal of 
Ultimate Sacrifice is given to the survivors of Guam residents or 
service members stationed on Guam who were killed in action to 
recognize them for their service and sacrifice.
   Ben was also a tireless advocate for Chamorro self-determination. 
Senator Pangelinan was a careful steward of our public funds, as well 
as our natural resources.
   We are deeply saddened by the passing of Senator Ben Pangelinan, and 
I join the people of Guam in celebrating his life and recognizing his 
dedicated public service. My thoughts and prayers are with his family, 
loved ones and friends. He will be missed, and his memory will live on 
in the hearts of the people of Guam.

                          ____________________