[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 60 (Tuesday, April 19, 2016)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E518-E519]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




        HONORING THE LIFE AND LEGACY OF SEGUNDO ``SY'' UNPINGCO

                                 ______
                                 

                       HON. MADELEINE Z. BORDALLO

                                of guam

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, April 19, 2016

  Ms. BORDALLO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life and legacy 
of Segundo ``Sy'' Unpingco. Sy was a son of Guam, strong promoter of 
Chamorro culture, and a survivor of the occupation of Guam during World 
War II. He passed away on November 26, 2015 at the age of 81.
   Sy was born on Guam on May 21, 1934 to Jose Rivera Unpingco and 
Vicenta Aguon Unpingco. He was just seven years old when enemy forces 
invaded Guam during World War II. Like many Chamorros on Guam, Sy and 
his family endured the atrocities committed against the Chamorro people 
during the occupation. However following the war, Sy attended George 
Washington High School in Mangilao, Guam. He went on to receive his 
Bachelor of Administration degree from St. Mary's College and a Juris 
Doctorate from Lincoln Law School.
   While in high school Sy met his beloved wife, Remedios ``Remmy'' 
Pangelinan and they were married in 1953. Together they had three 
children, Segundo, Jr., Vivian, and Paul. They made their home in San 
Jose, California, and throughout his career, Sy worked with the Santa 
Clara County Sheriff's Department and as a Courtroom Bailiff until his 
retirement. Following his retirement, Sy partnered with the late 
Marcial Sablan and Tony Chargualaf to form the Hafa Adai Golf Classic.
   Throughout its 35 year history, the Hafa Adai Golf Classic has 
brought together golfers, nine hosting clubs from California, 
Washington, and Nevada, sponsors, donors, supporters, families and 
friends together for a two day tournament. It has attracted 
approximately 17,000 semi-professionals and amateur golfers and their 
families from across the U.S. mainland, Hawaii, Guam, the Commonwealth 
of the Northern Mariana Islands, and Japan. Under Sy's leadership, the 
Hafa Adai Golf Classic promoted our Chamorro culture, and extended 
Guam's Inafa'maolek spirit to all who participated in the event. Sy was 
a shining example of that island spirit of cooperation, camaraderie and 
reciprocity of our culture and heritage, but he leaves behind a legacy 
that will live on in the years to come.
   I join the people of Guam in mourning the passing of Sy Unpingco and 
commending him for his service to our island and contributions to our 
people and Chamorro culture. I extend my condolences to his wife, 
Remmy, children, grandchildren, family and friends. He will be missed 
but his memory will always be remembered by the countless people he 
touched throughout the years.

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