[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 35 (Thursday, March 3, 2016)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E277]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 RECOGNIZING AND CONGRATULATING MATSON GUAM ON ITS 20TH ANNIVERSARY OF 
                            SERVICE ON GUAM

                                 ______
                                 

                       HON. MADELEINE Z. BORDALLO

                                of guam

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, March 3, 2016

  Ms. BORDALLO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and congratulate 
Matson Guam as the company celebrates its 20th anniversary of business 
and service to the people of Guam. Matson Guam began operations on 
February 1, 1996, during which it has provided continuous and 
uninterrupted service to Guam. Matson Guam has also made strong 
partnerships and provides services to neighboring islands in the 
Pacific, including the Northern Mariana Islands, Federated States of 
Micronesia, Republic of Palau and Republic of the Marshall Islands. 
Matson Guam also served as the only U.S. carrier servicing Guam and 
Micronesia from 2011 to 2015.
  Matson Guam is a part of a global company founded in 1882 which began 
carrying food and supplies from California to Hawaii. Today, Matson is 
a diversified company whose primary interest is in carrying freight 
between the Pacific Coast and Hawaii. Matson is the leading U.S. 
carrier in the Pacific and provides a vital lifeline to the economies 
of many Pacific islands.
  In addition to Matson Guam's shipping and logistics services in the 
region, Matson Guam also makes many contributions to the local 
community and throughout Micronesia through the Matson Foundation. In 
2016 alone, the Matson Foundation is estimated to have contributed over 
$200,000 to local causes. Additionally, Matson Guam is a key sponsor 
for the Festival of the Pacific Arts that will take place in Guam this 
summer. As part of the partnership, Matson Guam recently shipped a 
Sakman canoe, a traditional Chamorro fishing boat from San Diego, 
California to Guam. The Sakman symbolizes the tie between the company's 
shipping operations and Guam's seafaring heritage.
  Matson Guam is also committed to environmentally friendly initiatives 
aimed at protecting and preserving the natural resources of the region. 
As part of this commitment, Matson Guam leads an environmental and 
community relations program called Adahi I Tano' which translates to 
``taking care of our island.'' The company donates the use of container 
equipment on Guam for environmental cleanup projects arranged by non-
profit organizations, and pays for trucking expenses for the delivery 
and pickup of the containers. Matson also awards these non-profit 
organizations a $500 contribution for each successful cleanup. Since 
2013, over 5 dozen non-profit organizations participating in the 
program have conducted over 80 cleanups to help the environment and in 
turn help their individual organizations carry out their missions.
  I thank Matson Guam for their service to the island and region over 
the last two decades. I congratulate Matson Guam on its 20th 
anniversary and commend the company's leadership and employees for 
their contributions to the people of Guam and communities throughout 
the region. I look forward to their future contributions and success.

                          ____________________