[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 29 (Wednesday, February 24, 2016)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E208]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 HONORING THE LIFE AND LEGACY OF DR. BERNADITA ``BENIT'' CAMACHO-DUNGCA

                                 ______
                                 

                       HON. MADELEINE Z. BORDALLO

                                of guam

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, February 24, 2016

  Ms. BORDALLO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life and legacy 
of Dr. Bernadita ``Benit'' Camacho-Dungca. Benit was a daughter of 
Guam, passionate advocate of the Chamorro language and culture, and a 
dedicated life-long educator. She passed away on February 15, 2016 at 
the age of 74.
  Benit was born and raised in Dededo, Guam and was the eldest daughter 
of ten children of Ignacio Rivera Camacho and Maria Pocaigue Rosario. 
She was married to the late Vicente Taitingfong Dungca and together 
they had one son, John. Benit graduated from George Washington High 
School and received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Linguistics and 
Anthropology from the University of Hawaii at Manoa. She went on to 
receive her Master of Arts degree in Education in Reading from the 
University of Guam, and her Ph.D. in Curriculum and Instruction from 
the University of Oregon.
  Benit began working at the University of Guam in 1973 after creating 
the books, ``Chamorro Reference Grammar'' and the ``Chamorro-English 
Dictionary.'' Both books are crucial resources for teaching and 
revitalizing the Chamorro language. She was also an associate professor 
at the University of Guam's School of Education. She taught Chamorro 
and trained bilingual, bicultural teachers from the Guam Department of 
Education, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands and the 
Federated States of Micronesia. Benit initiated the Bilingual 
Bicultural Teacher Education Program and brought distance education to 
the University of Guam. She was the recipient of the University of Guam 
Faculty Award for Excellence in Service. Benit also served as a 
government representative for various international conferences on 
language. Most notably, Benit was the author of the Inifresi, or Guam 
Pledge, which is recited in many schools, public events, and meetings.
  In addition to work at the University of Guam, Benit was also very 
active in the community. She hosted a television program on KGTF Public 
Television called Fino' Chamorro. Benit also served as a Girl Scout 
leader, Tamuning Youth Program summer camp director, was a member of 
the Tamuning Community Council, and was involved in her parish as a 
Confraternity of Christian Doctrine teacher and a member of various 
church ministries.
  I am deeply saddened by the passing of Dr. Bernadita ``Benit'' 
Camacho-Dungca, and I join the people of Guam in celebrating her life, 
and recognizing and remembering her dedicated service to Guam. I thank 
her for sharing her knowledge and tirelessly passing down all she could 
for our future generations. I extend my condolences to her son, John 
and his family. My thoughts and prayers are with her family, loved ones 
and friends. She will be missed, and her memory and legacy will live on 
in the hearts of the people of Guam.

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