[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 133 (Tuesday, September 6, 2016)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1190-E1191]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




         HONORING THE LIFE AND LEGACY OF VICENTE D. ``BEN'' ADA

                                  _____
                                 

                       HON. MADELEINE Z. BORDALLO

                                of guam

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, September 6, 2016

  Ms. BORDALLO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life and legacy 
of the late Guam Senator and businessman, Vicente D. ``Ben'' Ada. Ben 
Ada was a proud son of Guam, faithful public servant and successful 
businessman. Ben was born on January 24, 1932 and passed away on 
Sunday, August 28, 2016 at the age of 84.
  Ben was the son of the late Vicente Cepeda Ada and Dolores de 
LeonGuerrero Diaz Ada and married to the late Teresita Gutierrez Borja 
Ada for 57 years. He was a member of our island's greatest generation 
and served in the U.S. Air Force as a B52 Bomber mechanic 1957 until 
1964. Ben was also a Veteran of the Korean War Era. After serving in 
the Air Force, Ben became the General Manager of the Pioneer Shop and 
was an Insurance Underwriter from 1964 until 1967. In 1966, Ben and his 
wife Teresita opened Ada's Insurance and also became the distributor of 
Daihatsu vehicles in Guam.
  In 1971, Ben was elected as a senator to the Guam Legislature. He 
served the people for Guam faithfully for four terms in the 11th, 12th, 
13th and 14th Guam Legislatures. Ben was dedicated to improving our 
island community for all by expanding infrastructure coverage and 
providing funding for resources throughout Guam's villages.
  In 1972, Ben opened a family business, Pacific Funeral Home which 
became Ada's Funeral Home in 1992. The family business has served the 
people of Guam for 45 years. Ben and Ada's Funeral Home was awarded the 
2011 U.S. Small Business Administration's Jeffrey Butland Family-Owned 
Small Business Award.
  In addition to his life in business and public service, Ben also 
found time to volunteer in the community. He served as the Scout Master 
for Boy Scouts of America Troop 17 during which he composed the 
official Troop 17 song, ``We are the Boys of 17.'' He was a member of 
the Knights of Columbus, Pale San Vitores Council 05666. Ben was also a 
generous benefactor of many religious orders, such as the Carmelite 
Monastery of Guam and the St. Fideles Capuchin Friary. Ben gave his 
time and talents freely to many causes. He played an instrumental role 
in preparing for the historic visit of Pope Jon Paul the II to Guam in 
1981.
  I will always remember Ben for helping countless families on Guam as 
a public servant in the Guam Legislature and as the owner of Ada's 
Funeral Home. His work ethic was

[[Page E1191]]

unparalleled and evident in the day-to-day operation of the family 
business. Throughout the years Ben's compassion and generosity has 
assisted countless families during their most difficult times. In 
particular, I knew Ben to be a man deeply devoted to his faith and to 
the care of his family. I extend my sincere condolences to the entire 
Ada family on their loss.
  I am deeply saddened by the passing of Vicente D. ``Ben'' Ada, and I 
join the people of Guam in celebrating his life, and recognizing and 
remembering his dedicated service to Guam. My thoughts and prayers are 
with his family, loved ones and friends. I extend my condolences to his 
children Vincent Ada, Anita and Frank Okazaki, Bennett Ada, Pete Ada, 
Rick and Meren Ada, Tony and Annette Ada, Therese and Danny Ybarra, 
Carmen Gaskins and Lourdes Ada, his 36 grandchildren and 59 great-
grandchildren. He will be missed, and his memory will live on in the 
hearts of the people of Guam.

                          ____________________