[Congressional Record Volume 161, Number 37 (Wednesday, March 4, 2015)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E300]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   HONORING THE LIFE AND LEGACY OF FORMER GUAM SPEAKER FRANKLIN J.A. 
                            QUITUGUA, PH.D.

                                 ______
                                 

                       HON. MADELEINE Z. BORDALLO

                                of guam

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, March 4, 2015

  Ms. BORDALLO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life and legacy 
of my dear friend Franklin J.A. Quitugua, Ph.D. Dr. Quitugua was an 
educator and leader in our community. He served as the head of the Guam 
Department of Education for many years and was a Guam Senator in the 
14th to the 20th Guam Legislatures. Dr. Quitugua passed away on 
February 26, 2015 at the age of 81.
   Franklin was born on November 6, 1933 to Ignacio Perez Quitugua and 
Rosa Santos Arceo Quitugua. He graduated from George Washington High 
School in 1952, and went on to attend Northern Arizona University. He 
graduated in 1956 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Education.
   Upon graduating from college, Franklin returned to Guam and taught 
at George Washington High School. He then went back to Northern Arizona 
University where he earned his Master of Arts degree in 1962. Franklin 
again returned home to serve his island community. He became the 
principal of George Washington Junior High School then was appointed 
the administrative assistant to the Director of Education in 1968. 
Franklin was subsequently promoted to Deputy Director of Education 
before being appointed the Director of Education in 1969.
   As Director of Education, Franklin worked tirelessly to improve 
Guam's public school system. He implemented training for central office 
staff, administrators, and school employees while developing core 
curriculum department-wide. Franklin took a short break as Director of 
Education from 1972 to 1975 to pursue a Ph.D at the University of 
Oregon. Upon receiving his Ph.D., he returned as Director of Education 
until running for the Guam Legislature.
   In 1976, Dr. Quitugua was elected to the 14th Guam Legislature and 
he went on to serve seven terms as a Guam Senator. He chaired the 
Committee on Education and was chosen by his colleagues as the Speaker 
of the 19th Guam Legislature. I was privileged to serve as a Senator 
alongside Speaker Quitugua during the 16th, 19th, and 20th Guam 
Legislatures, and I remember him fondly as being a strong advocate on 
many issues and a leader who always worked across party lines to build 
bipartisan support for many legislative initiatives.
   Speaker Quitugua not only continued his legacy as a staunch advocate 
for education during his time as Senator, but for the entire island 
community. He improved access to education for Guam's students and 
enhanced facilities and educational resources available on island. He 
fought for increased funding to sustain a growing student population 
and promoted alternative educational programs to meet the increased 
demands on the public school system.
   After his last term in the 20th Guam Legislature, Dr. Quitugua 
returned as Director of Education until he retired in 1993. He served 
the people of Guam faithfully and humbly for nearly 40 years, and he 
enjoyed spending his retirement years with his family.
   I join the people of Guam in mourning the loss of Speaker Franklin 
J.A. Quitugua. I had the distinct honor of serving with him in the 
Legislature, and his passion for our island's issues will be 
remembered. Franklin was a true public servant who fought for our 
children and their right to education. I extend my sincere condolences 
to his children and loved ones on their loss. I commend Speaker 
Quitugua for his years of service to the island as a public servant and 
dedicated guardian of education. My thoughts and prayers are with his 
family during this difficult time. He will be deeply missed.

                          ____________________