[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 73 (Monday, May 7, 2018)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E593]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




           HONORING THE LIFE AND LEGACY OF EDDIE DIEGO REYES

                                 ______
                                 

                       HON. MADELEINE Z. BORDALLO

                                of guam

                    in the house of representatives

                          Monday, May 7, 2018

  Ms. BORDALLO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life and legacy 
of the late Eddie Diego Reyes. Eddie was a proud son of Guam and 
faithful public servant throughout his life. Eddie served the people of 
Guam as the Lt. Governor of Guam from 1983 to 1987 alongside my 
husband, the late Governor Ricky Bordallo.
  He was born on January 24, 1930 and lived a full and admirable life, 
passing away on Sunday, April 15, 2018 in Honolulu, Hawaii at the age 
of 88.
  Eddie was the eldest of 9 brothers and sisters of Juan Guevara Reyes 
and Ana San Nicolas Diego. As the eldest, he carried much of the family 
responsibility and worked for his father in their liquor stores in Asan 
and Mangilao. He graduated from George Washington High School in 1950 
and sparked his military career in the ROTC Program at the University 
of St. Thomas in Minnesota where he graduated with a Bachelor of Arts 
Degree in Sociology in 1954. In 1965, he also received his Master of 
Business Administration in management from George Washington 
University.
  Eddie served in the United States Air Force from 1954 to 1982 when he 
moved to Guam to run for Lt. Governor. In 1972 Eddie Reyes attained the 
rank of full Colonel and retired after serving in the U.S. Air Force 
for nearly 29 years with primary specialty in Director of Personnel 
Management.
  He served his country as a Vietnam War Veteran with service awards in 
Meritorious Service Medal with Two Oak Leaf Clusters, Air Force 
Commendation Medal with One Oak Leaf Cluster and Outstanding Unit Award 
Republic of Vietnam Service Medal. Eddie also served at the Pentagon's 
Office of Joint Chiefs of Staff, five Major Command Headquarters and 
was Management Advisor to the Royal Thai Air Force.
  Though he was not a politician, Ricky and I saw something special in 
Eddie, and knew he was the man to serve as Lt. Governor alongside him. 
Eddie served as Lt. Governor with my late husband Governor Ricardo 
Bordallo from 1983 to 1987. He was responsible for the day-to-day 
operations of Executive Branch including the management of the 
Washington D.C. Liaison Office. He chaired the Governor's Committees on 
Fiscal Policy, Legislative Review and the White Collar Crime Task Force 
on Fraud and Abuse.
  After completing his term as Lt. Governor, Eddie also served as an 
instructor at the University of Guam and later served the people of 
Guam as a senator in the 20th and 22nd Guam Legislature.
  Eddie was also involved in the community and served as the Vice 
President of St. Anthony Parish Council, and as a member of the Air 
Force Retiree Association, the Air Force Association and the Air Force 
Institute of Technology Association and the National Conference of 
Lieutenant Governors.
  I will always remember Eddie for his loyalty and service to our 
island and our nation. I am deeply saddened by his death, 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 wife of 63 years, Guadalupe C. Reyes and their family.
  He will be missed, and his memory will live on in the hearts of the 
people of Guam.

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