[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 9 (Tuesday, January 16, 2018)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E47]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




    HONORING THE LIFE AND LEGACY OF CONCEPCION ``CONNIE'' B. DUENAS

                                 ______
                                 

                       HON. MADELEINE Z. BORDALLO

                                of guam

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, January 16, 2018

  Ms. BORDALLO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life and legacy 
of Concepcion ``Connie'' B. Duenas. Connie was a proud daughter of Guam 
and faithful public servant. She served as a Guam Mayor of the village 
of Tamuning-Tumon-Harmon from 2001 to 2005, and as the Vice Mayor of 
the village from 1998 to 2000. Connie was born on December 29, 1933 and 
passed away on January 4, 2018 at the age of 84.
  Connie was the daughter of Juan Guerrero Balijadia and Anuncia 
Quitugua Reyes. She was married to Juan S.A. Duenas and together had 
four children. Connie was a member of Guam's greatest generation who 
survived the occupation of Guam during World War II.
  Connie graduated from George Washington High School in 1954 and 
attended the Guam Territorial College and the University of Guam. She 
joined the Guam Police Department in 1956 and advanced to the rank of 
sergeant in 1971. Connie was the first female in the Guam police 
Department to achieve this rank. Connie worked in different capacities 
while at the Guam Police Department as an administrative and record 
specialist, and did field work in traffic control, vice squad and 
juvenile delinquency. She retired at the rank of lieutenant in 1978.
  Connie was also very involved in the local community and volunteered 
her time with many organizations. She was a founding member and served 
as president for Victims Advocate Reaching Out, an organization which 
assists victims of crimes such as rape, abuse, and other traumatic 
experiences. She served as the treasurer for Guma Mami, Inc., a 
nonprofit organization dedicated to providing services to people with 
disabilities. She served as the president of the parent teacher 
associations of various schools in the village of Tamuning. Connie 
additionally served the parish of St. Anthony Catholic Church in 
Tamuning faithfully for many years as a leader in the church and 
Confraternity of Christian Doctrine teacher.
  I am deeply saddened by the passing of Concepcion ``Connie'' B. 
Duenas and I join the people of Guam in celebrating her life. She was a 
dedicated public servant who worked to improve our village of Tamuning-
Tumon-Harmon, and the broader community during her tenure. Her 
involvement in village events and service in public safety were 
testaments of her leadership and commitment to the people she served. 
My thoughts and prayers are with her family, loved ones and friends.
  I extend my condolences to her husband Juan and their children Kathy, 
Eleanor, Yvonne and John and their numerous grandchildren and family 
members. She will be deeply missed, and her memory will live on in the 
hearts of the people of Guam.

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